 MEA / Business Events Australia Mentor Program
MEA / Business Events Australia Mentor Program
Call for Mentors & Mentees
The MEA / Business Events Australia Mentor Program was launched at the 2008 MEA Conference in Alice Springs . The aim of the program, initially to be run in NSW, is to address the current skills shortage in the business events sector by up-skilling industry professionals to improve the industry's overall competitiveness on the domestic and international stage.
Mentoring is an effective method for the sharing of knowledge in management and leadership experiences and will provide an opportunity for members to increase their skills in a variety of areas as either Mentor or Mentee.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for Mentors with skills and expertise as well as Mentees seeking skills and experience in one or more areas of :
• Corporate Governance
• Marketing
• Sales
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Operations
• Business Management
• Research
These are skills needed in all businesses whether you are in meetings & event management, venues, convention bureaux, exhibitions or audio visual & staging sectors. This means you will not necessarily mentor or be a mentee within your own industry sector.
Why Mentor?
• Personal satisfaction in sharing knowledge and experiences
• Opportunity to reflect on your own skills & practices
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of other individuals
• Recognition as a successful manager
• Recognition in communication outlets such as the MEA website, MEA Newsletter in mice.net magazine, MEA National e-broadcast; Business Events Australia newsletter
Why be mentored?
• Opportunity to learn from experienced managers and leaders
• Expanded knowledge of leadership skills and management practices
• Increased access to challenging opportunities and responsibilities
• Development of a management perspective
• Association with a successful role model
• Professional and self development
The application process
Application is open to MEA members only and numbers are limited. Interested members must complete the attached application form by Thursday 31 July for assessment by our National Training Manager.
Mentors will be selected on the basis of personal qualities such as
• Area of skill/s
• Level of expertise
• Interest in supporting the development of others
• Communication skills
• A minimum of five years experience at senior level with high professional achievement
• Willing to share experiences
• Agreement to avoid all conflicts of interest
• Agreement not to breach confidentiality
Mentees will be selected based on a review of their application form.
Successful applicants will be notified during the week beginning 11 August 2008.
Cost to participate
A fee of $100.00 plus GST will apply to Mentees.
Mentor requirements
Mentors must attend a half-day training workshop on mentoring prior to the start of the program. This will be held in the MEA Training Room in North Sydney on Thursday 21 August from 8.30am to 12.30pm and Mentors must commit to be present at this day and time before enrolling in the program.
• During the period of the program Mentors must meet with their allocated Mentee a minimum of 4 times at a mutually agreed venue and time
• Mentors must communicate with dedicated MEA personnel twice a month throughout the program
• Mentors must attend a debrief workshop a the completion of the program to provide feedback for development of future programs
Mentee requirements
Applicants must be working full time in the business events industry
Mentees must attend a one-hour training course prior to the start of the program. This will be held in the MEA Training Room in North Sydney on Thursday 21 August from 4.00pm to 5.00pm and mentees must commit to be present at this day and time before enrolling in t he program.
During the period of the program Mentees must meet with their allocated Mentor a minimum of 4 times at a mutually agreed venue and time
Mentees must communicate with the designated MEA personnel twice a month throughout the program
Mentees must attend a debrief workshop at the completion of the program to provide feedback for development of future programs
Assignment of Mentors to Mentees
The matching of Mentors and Mentees will be carefully undertaken by MEA to ensure that all considerations have been addressed. Engagement / Responsibilities of the Employer
As all Mentors may not be employers it is essential that approval and support of the program is provided by your employer. Due to the time involved in Mentoring it is a requirement that approval is provided by the employer prior to your acceptance into the program. There is no other involvement required of the employer in the area of mentoring.
Questions:
Contact Anne Camenzind, National Manager Strategic Alliances on (02) 9929 5400 or acamenzind@mea.org.au for more information. |
