A highly-functioning Alumni & Volunteer Corporation should do three things: cultivate alumni and volunteers, manage assets and mentor the undergraduate executive board. A fully staffed AVC and strong financials quickly indicate that the first two areas of focus are performing. But effective mentoring can be harder to measure. Effective mentoring should result in elevated undergraduate performance in recruitment, member development, leadership development, and fiscal health.

Today’s college students look for and find value in mentoring relationships. Since this may be their first experience working with a mentor, you will need to take the lead.

Use these three steps to be a more effective and active mentor

Step 1: Build the relationship
People are more willing to be challenged by those they know, trust and respect. Plan to spend time getting to know each other and building trust. This doesn’t need to be complicated. Just make time to regularly catch up outside of fraternity meetings. A cup of coffee goes a long way.

Step 2: Establish the expectations
We all know the frustration of missed meetings, unanswered phone calls and the occasional radio silence. Set yourself up for a more rewarding mentoring experience by getting on the same page early in the relationship. Try asking the following questions so both you and your mentee will know what to expect:

• “Why are we connecting?”
• “What things need to happen to call our relationship a success?”
• “How often will we connect?”
• “How will we connect (phone, Skype, face-to-face)?”
• “How long will our interaction be each time?”
• “How do you want me to hold you accountable?”

Step 3: Use technology to improve communication
There are tools at your disposal that allow for more effective information sharing. Consider using a cloud-based calendar and resource center like those available through Google to track progress of goals and meetings. When volunteers and undergraduates are viewing the same calendar and resources, accountability and transparency improves. Undergraduate officers should also deliver brief reports on progress at AVC Meetings.

By building better relationships, establishing better expectations and using a little technology, your tenure as a mentor will be more fruitful and enjoyable for both you and your mentee.

Want more information on effective mentoring?
These higher education professionals will work with SigEp volunteers across the country at CLA this February to refine skills and examine techniques of effective mentoring. We caught up with them for some quick tips for mentoring undergraduates:


Byron Hughes, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Virginia Tech

- Challenge students to be more creative and curious in their leadership.
- Model the way to forming relationships with others by demonstrating authenticity and vulnerability with students.
- Teach students to connect what they do with why they do it.

Shane McKee, Member Development Manager, SigEp Headquarters
- Challenge their thought process regularly. Many college men today are not challenged enough on their thoughts, beliefs and values, thus they make the assumption that they are right or have it all figured it. If you can positively challenge them you can help them grow as men.
- Make it tangible. College men are hard-wired to be driven by the tangible benefits of their efforts. So explain to them how mentoring will tangibly benefit them as they move into the future.

Kay Robinson, Director, Campus Activities, Central Oklahoma
- Challenge and support your students.
- Meet them where they are.
- Be consistent.




Ashley Whitlatch, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Washington
- Set clear expectations and boundaries and hold yourself to these standards as well: If you want them to respond within 24 hours, be prepared to do the same.
- The foundation of every successful mentor/mentee relationship is based on trust and trust is achieved over time, not dinner, so be willing to commit enough time and energy to be effective.
- Do not force them to recreate your own collegiate experience. Sharing personal stories can be beneficial, but it's their journey, so let them create their own unique experiences.

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