A Board or Committee Mentor is someone who has experience on a Board or Committee. They may be a current Member or someone who knows Boards and Committees well.
A Board or Committee Mentor supports a person with lived experience to fully participate as a Member.
How a Board or Committee Mentor Can Help
- Boost the confidence of new Members by sharing information they need to
- Feel ready for the meeting
- Ask questions
- Share ideas
- Vote
- Understand motions before agreeing to make or second a motion.
- Help new Members understand how meetings work and how they can take part.
- Support the new Member to share any accommodation requirements. (See Resource G: Accommodations Checklist)
- Prepare the new Member for the first meeting by explaining:
- What usually happens at a Board and Committee meeting, including how to vote
- How all Members usually dress and behave at meetings
- Review the agenda and materials before meetings together so the new Member can:
- Understand key topics
- Think about what they want to say
- Prepare any questions
- Use a person directed approach:
- Ask the new Member how they want to be supported.
- Follow the Board or Committee Mentor/Support Staff Agreement in place. (See Resource F).
- Provide support during meetings:
- Sit beside the person you are mentoring, if possible.
- Quietly explain terms, abbreviations, and processes as needed.
- Help them follow and understand the discussion.
- Stay unbiased:
- Support the person to share their own views.
- Do not try to shape or change their opinions.
What a Board or Committee Mentor Should Avoid
- Telling the Member what to say
- Speaking for the Member, unless they ask you to do so
- Interrupting the Member you are supporting
