Effective mentors build strong relationships

A volunteer’s ability to develop a strong working relationship with incoming chapter officers is critical to the mentor role. The best elections and transitions result in undergraduate officers who begin their terms with energy and vision. When the AVC and undergraduate chapter are in sync, new officers—both volunteers and undergraduates—understand the importance of collaboration and regular communication. Even the highest performing organizations and individuals know that these types of relationships require targeted effort. Whether you are a novice or veteran mentor, here are a few resources that will help you connect with your new undergraduate officers:

Mentoring Millennials Webinar

This fall, we held a series of webinars on topics relevant to SigEp volunteers. Aaron Bachenheimer, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life & Student Involvement at UNC-Chapel Hill, hosted a webinar about the cultural norms and communication styles common among millennial generation students. Building on this foundation, Bachenheimer discusses best practices for engaging with undergraduates.

Carlson Leadership Academy

Volunteers should take advantage of the education offered at the Carlson Leadership Academy. Undergraduates leave CLA with an understanding of their officer positions and well-established goals for their terms in office. At the very least, CLA helps volunteers capture the momentum of the weekend and play a key role in an undergraduate’s on-boarding. Additionally, each program provides volunteer-specific education with curriculum that focuses on all aspects of AVC operations: undergraduate mentoring, alumni cultivation, asset management and corporate health. Visit the CLA page of our website to learn more and register.

Quick Tips from Experts

Here are a few words of advice from last year's CLA volunteer training program facilitators. For the opportunity to work with them and others like them, make sure to register for CLA’s volunteer training program.

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 Staff 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 out. 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 University Evangelist at Prezi 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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