January is officially National Mentoring Month, a campaign to promote youth mentoring in the United States. It was inaugurated in 2002, and is spearheaded by the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Many leading nonprofit organizations hold local campaign activities in communities across the country, including media outreach and volunteer recruitment.  

 

A major feature of the special designation is the Thank Your Mentor Day, in which you’re reminded to thank and honor your mentors. The National Mentoring Month campaign encourages you to contact your mentors directly to express appreciation and reminds you to pay it forward yourself by becoming a mentor. 

 

While the National Mentoring Month designation is primarily focused on mentoring youth, I think it has some very valuable lessons for people of all ages.  I did take the time to contact four individuals who were great mentors in my life.  We had a great time catching up, reminiscing about the past, and talking about the future.  The conversations left me and my mentors feeling energized and uplifted.  I would encourage you to do the same.

 

I would also encourage our AFP Chapter members to be sure to reach out and find great mentors for themselves.  You’re never too experienced or new to the profession to not have a great mentor or mentors.  I believe the network available to you is one of the most impactful benefits of AFP. 

 

You are exposed to great leaders who you can learn from, enjoy being with, celebrate success with, and share stories. I encourage you to come to our events, professional advancement sessions, Fundraising Day in New York, and leave having met a person who could be your great next mentor.

 

Click here to learn more about AFP-NYC's Menotring Progam.