Linda Compton
2016-2017 National Chief of Staff/Extension Ambassador
Chief of Staff/Extension: Mentoring for a Healthy Auxiliary
A mentor is defined as a wise, experienced and faithful advisor, a friend and a tutor.
Can a mentoring program improve the health of your Auxiliary? The answer is YES.
Let’s make 2016-2017 the year we improve the health of our Auxiliaries and strengthen our members’ interest in caring for all veterans. Our history proves mentors have been around for a very long time, and great leaders and supportive members have kept our organization relevant in today’s changing world.
How do you know if your Auxiliary is healthy? The tools in the Healthy Auxiliary Tool Kit will help identify your strengths and areas of weakness. Your mentoring program will allow you to look within yourselves and improve your Auxiliary to a healthy state.
“Mentoring at VFW Auxiliary: Relationship Building for the Future” by Cara Day, Director of Programs and Communications is an excellent guide for establishing your mentoring program. The involvement of new and current members with Auxiliary activities and programs will improve by using the Mentoring Guide, producing positive results to make you “happy and healthy.”
The table of contents for the Mentoring Guide has 3 sections.
- Section 1 – “Am I Ready To Mentor Someone?” C.A.R.E.
- Section 2 – “Do I Want A Mentor?”
- Section 3 – “Should Our Auxiliary Start A Mentor Program?”
Every member has a talent or gift that can help our Auxiliaries care for all veterans. They are the grass roots that make us successful.
Mentors possess:
- Commitment
- Keep an open mind
- Demonstrate persistence
- Are flexible to change
- Maintain strong belief and faith in members’ ability to help
- Show respect and thankfulness for members input
- Share passion for our cause – our veterans
Mentoring new or current members can be as easy as inviting them to sit with you during the Auxiliary meeting. This helps you become acquainted while giving you an opportunity to understand their interests and how they want to be involved with the Auxiliary. The mentor can then introduce them to our Podium Edition Bylaws and Ritual, the National VFW Auxiliary website, the 2016-2017 National Program Book, and the Online Auxiliary Academy to learn more about what we do and how we support our veterans.
Remember to use the Healthy Auxiliary Tool Kit and other resources mentioned above to help you reach your goals.
Be positive and patient.
Keep in mind that ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!
