The Leadership Initiative
The Leadership Initiative is an inter-agency mentoring program of the Providers' Council that aims to grow the future leaders of the human services sector and to help address the leadership vacuum that will form as many baby boomers retire over the coming years.
The Providers' Council is now accepting applications for mentees and mentors to participate in the second iteration of The Leadership Initiative, which will begin in Fall 2013. Applications are due by June 28, 2013.
- Download the Mentee Application and required Supervisor Recommendation Form
- Download the Mentor Application
- Download the Program Description
Program Goals:
- Cultivate the leadership skills and enhance the professional development of future leaders of the human services sector.
- Retain the best talent within the sector.
- Create a collaborative environment among member agencies that allows for the sharing of resources, ideas, and knowledge about the sector.
Program Description:
This year-long program is open to employees of Providers’ Council member agencies. Mentees are employees with supervisory responsibilities that would like to grow within their organizations. Mentors are senior management level professionals who have knowledge and expertise to share with an emerging leader.
Mentees will be matched with mentors from an agency other than their own based on their professional development goals. Each mentor/mentee pair will meet regularly for a one year period. This will include one hour long meetings at least once a month, with at least 6 of the meetings occurring in person. In the first meeting, the pair will work together to set goals for the one year long mentoring relationship and will define benchmarks for accomplishing these goals. The pair will work toward these goals throughout the mentoring relationship.
Timeframe
The second year of The Leadership Initiative will begin in October, 2013. Applications will be due by June 28, 2013 and mentor/mentee matches will be made over the summer. The pairs will meet monthly for one hour for a one year period.
Who are the mentees?
Mentees are Providers' Council member agency employees who
- have been working in the sector for at least two years;
- have been with their current agency in a position with supervisory responsibilities or have otherwise demonstrated or shown interest in progressive responsibility for at least one year, preferably two;
- intend to remain in the sector long term and would like to gain responsibility or one day lead an agency;
- can identify personal development goals and create a plan for achieving them;
- are willing to listen, learn, grow, and accept feedback from a mentor;
- can meet the time commitment of the program;
- and will devote time to pursuing their development goals outside of mentoring meeting times.
In exchange for the employee's agency's support for participation in this mentoring program, the employee must agree to continue working for my current employer for at least one year after finishing the program in order to participate.
Who are the mentors?
Mentors are high level management personnel from Providers' Council member agencies who have a particular skill set that they would like to share with an aspiring future leader in the human services sector. The mentor's role is to serve as a resource and counselor to the mentee and to help him or her accomplish defined personal development goals throughout the program.
Questions? Please contact Lore Stevens at 617.428.3637 x117.
Other resources for emerging leaders: Strengths and Leadership Style Assessment
DISC Profile: Leadership Style
StrengthsFinder: Discover Your Strengths
