USING
A MENTORING TIME & ACTIVITY LOG
© Barry Sweeny, 2008
One way of assessing the work of mentoring is to
monitor the use of time by the protege and mentor. A number of programs
use a "mentoring log" and ask mentors to keep track of
things like dates, number of hours, kind of activity, with whom,
etc. Whether or not a mentoring log is a good idea depends greatly
on the climate in the organization and the level of trust between
employees and managers.
For example, in an organization where trust is
rare, the use of a log may raise "red flags". Such a
situation will often lead to accusations of "They don't trust
us.", etc. which may, of course, be true. In an organization
where there is considerable trust established, a mentoring log
can be used and explained as a way to track the need of mentoring
pairs for released time and whether the organization's allowances
for that time is really sufficient for mentoring needs. In other
words, the log is a program assessment, not a personal issue.
At any rate, consider these things before deciding
on the use of the mentoring log as a means of assessment. Further,
when you do use a log, explain the organization's position on
these issues on the top of the log so they are very visible reminders
of what the log is and is not.
Here is an example of one approach to "logging"
mentors use of time. It is framed as if coming from the employees'
organization.
Organization
X Mentoring Time and Activity Log
Each mentor should keep an up-to-date listing
on a copy of this "Log" of the time spent mentoring.
Please save one clean copy to duplicate and use those duplicates
of this page as necessary. Although this log may be a challenge
to maintain, the organization's Mentoring Program needs this information
to conduct analysis of the adequacy of the released time provided
for mentoring and to demonstrate to those not involved in mentoring
how the work of mentors is carried out.
Send the completed log pages to the Mentor Program
Coordinator at the end of each quarter. Send the fourth quarter
log by June 27th as the last requirement to receive your mentor
stipend check. We thank you for your commitment to the success
of your proteges and their growth and performance!
Mentor's Name _____________________________ Site
__________________________ Date ________
Protege's Name ___________________________________
Mark an X on any that apply. Please use the following
codes for the "Tasks" column headings:
1 = Mentor telling & explaining to protege,
2 = M & P planning & organizing, 3
= working together on a task, 4 = coaching pre
or post conference, 5 = observation by mentor
of protege at work
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Description of activity if
columns 1-5 do not apply
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Where |
Involving
Whom? |
TASKS
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| Date
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# Hours |
M |
P |
Other |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Total
Hrs |
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(Of course, the log you use would need many
more horizontal rows for the information.)
