Mentoring terms and conditions

It is intended to provide confidential space for reflection and discussion, for details of our confidentiality policy please see our terms and conditions. Requesting an ACEVO mentor indicates acceptance of our terms and conditions.

Our mentoring programme is supported by CCLA. 

Matching

We aim to find a match for mentees within 8 weeks, but we cannot guarantee the length of time it will take to make a match.

We also cannot guarantee a mentoring match. We will endeavour to find a suitable mentor within the ACEVO network however this may not always be possible. We will inform you as soon as possible if this is the case.

Respect

The mentoring scheme is able to be free to members because our mentors generously give their time voluntarily. The majority of our mentors are chief executives and senior leaders within the ACEVO network.

As a mentee you will:

• Be respectful of your mentors time
• Be responsible for scheduling and arranging the meetings with your mentor
• Use your first meeting to draw up clear objectives for the partnership as well as practical details. You will be sent a mentoring agreement to complete together in the first meeting.
• Be punctual and prepare for your sessions to make the best use of your opportunity
• Listen to your mentor’s opinion but take responsibility for making your own choices
• Read ACEVO’s mentoring guide
• Abide by ACEVO’s code of conduct

As a mentor you will:

• Listen and keep in confidence the issues your mentee shares
• Draw on your own experience to provide insight
• Use your first meeting to draw up clear objectives for the partnership as well as practical details. You will be sent a mentoring agreement to complete together in the first meeting.
• Seek ACEVO’s advice if you are unable to support your mentee
• Read ACEVO’s mentoring guide
• Abide by ACEVO’s code of conduct

Application form

Details on your application form will be shared with potential mentors/mentees. All information you provide will be held securely on our database.

Disclaimer

While the mentoring process will support the professional development of both mentor and mentee, the mentoring scheme should not be considered a substitute for professional judgment. The final responsibility for judgments and decisions made by participants on the ACEVO mentoring scheme, and the actions that flow from them, lie with participants.

Supplying mentoring services does not represent financial, management or consultancy advice. The mentor is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to the mentee. The mentee is advised to take suitable independent professional advice before acting on any information, suggestion, or guidance given by the mentor. ACEVO and the mentor will not, in any circumstances, be liable to the mentee or to any third party for any loss, damage, cost or other liability which occurs as a result of, or in connection with providing mentoring services to the Mentee.

Feedback

The mentee or mentor may get in touch with ACEVO at any point during the partnership, simply email membership@acevo.org.uk.

Mentee – ACEVO asks that you email when the first meeting has taken place. If you do not write to confirm within two months, we will presume the partnership is not going ahead and will discontinue the match.

ACEVO will email you six months and 12 months into the partnership. We expect you to respond to both emails. This information is crucial in steering the future of the programme and helps us to monitor the impact of the scheme. Giving feedback is a requirement of the mentoring scheme.

Mentor – ACEVO will check in at six and 12 months. We ask that you let us know how the partnership is going.

Time commitment

Mentoring partnerships are set up to last for 12 months, although you may find you need less/more time to meet your objectives. Most partnerships meet every 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, over the course of the programme we ask you to commit to a minimum of ten hours to the scheme.

When things don’t work out

Sometimes things don’t work out. This can be to do with circumstances changing, practicalities or a lack of connection. If the fit doesn’t feel right, circumstances have changed or there is a conflict of interest you should agree to end the partnership and inform ACEVO immediately. We will then look to re-match you with someone else.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of the mentoring relationship.