Our Mentorship Trainings are presented by Cindy Farnham, Master Mentor.
Our Mentorship Program is organized by CM Hall, WRIEC Project Coordinator. hallcm@wou.edu

The WRIEC Mentorship program is based on the principles of mentee-centered learning. 

In keeping with this philosophy, mentees are responsible for all aspects of their professional development; from application to completion of the program. This process includes mentee-selected goals, self-assessment of skills, and participation in the design of skill enhancement activities.  Mentors guide the process and foster the mentee’s self-directed learning.  Ultimately, this approach to professional development will result in skill enhancement for the mentee and a rewarding learning experience for the mentor.

 
Program Structure
The WRIEC Mentorship Program is a self-designed and guided program, whereby the mentee and mentor determine the cost, location, duration and activities within the formalized parameters described below.  WRIEC assists in the process by helping pair mentors and mentees. Whenever possible, WRIEC honors requests for specific mentors or mentees.

Mentorship Program Cost
In almost all cases, there is a fee for a mentorship experience. The fee can range from as little as $20/hour to fees more in line with the Mentor Interpreter’s interpreting fees.  In some cases, an interpreter will charge little or expenses only to a special mentee as a means of giving back to the community.  However, everyone recognizes that time spent mentoring is time taken away from other paid employment.  In addition, a mentor may charge for travel, travel time or other expenses.

WRIEC does not set the fees charged by mentors for their services nor assist with any financial transactions between the mentor and mentee.  Rather this fee is negotiated between the mentor and mentee.  In almost all cases, agreement of fees, payment structure and form of payment is agreed upon between the mentor and mentee prior to their first meeting.

To help offset these fees, WRIEC subsidizes a portion of the cost for mentoring services.  Mentoring sessions are compensated at $20 per two-hour meeting for a maximum of ten sessions, once a minimum threshold of five sessions have been met.  For example, a mentor charges $40/hour for his or her mentoring services.  After completion of the ten sessions, WRIEC will subsidize $200 towards the $400 mentor fee. RID CEU’s are available for the Certification Maintenance Program as well.

Minimum Required Sessions
For optimum effect, WRIEC strongly encourages the mentors and mentees to commit to a ten session mentorship, so that an adequate scope and sequence can be achieved.  WRIEC further recommends that a formalized individual session be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in duration and occur every two to three weeks.  WRIEC encourages other outside related activities as a supplement to the formalized meeting time.

WRIEC requires that at least three out of every five sessions must focus on the formal mentoring process.  The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the mentorship focuses on skill development/enhancement and not observations only.  The other two meetings may include such activities as observation, journal maintenance and other opportunities described more fully in the Mentorship Manual.

Program Components

1. Up to 10 sessions with matched Mentor/Mentee
2. Pre/post mentorship skills assessments
3. Stipend to mentors, other compensation and arrangement of funds are up to the mentee
4. Log of activity to show development and progress
5. Follow up survey and exit interview
6. Ongoing support for Mentors and Mentees (conference calls, blog, list serve)
7. Application materials submitted online at www.wou.edu/wriec

Distance Mentoring
Distance mentoring is frequented in the WRIEC Mentorship Program. The only difference between face to face and distance mentoring is the way the mentor and mentee will communicate and share materials.

The mentor and mentee may decide to communicate and/or share materials via:

• the telephone;
• instant message for quick conversations regarding questions, updates, etc.;
• video phone calls for longer meetings;
• E-mail messages for any needs other than mentorship meeting activities; or
• agree upon a unique communication process specific to their circumstance.

The mentor and mentee will have to spend some additional time creating alternate ways to communicate and share materials.  However, the reward of the mentorship will make up for the extra time and energy spent on the process.

Eligible mentors and mentees will meet the following qualifications:

Qualifications for Mentors:

• Certified member of RID (or skill equivalent--Deaf, Deaf-Blind only 
• Recommended by other mentors and/or Deaf Community members 
• Have passion and “heart” 
• Ability to schedule time for ten mentoring session 
• Ability to articulate the interpreting process**
• Familiar with adult learning theory** 
• Ability to schedule time for ten mentoring sessions
• Commitment to the process
• Completion of an Interpreter Education Program or working interpreter
• Member of RID or other related professional organization (e.g., NAD, ASLTA, etc.)
• Must complete the WRIEC Mentorship Training
• ** Information and resources on the interpreting process and adult learning theory will be shared at the WRIEC Mentoring Workshop.

Qualifications for Mentees:

• Motivation for professional development
• Ability to schedule time for ten mentoring sessions
• Commitment to the process
• Completion of an Interpreter Education Program or working interpreter
• Member of RID or other related professional organization (e.g., NAD, ASLTA, etc.)

For the Mentee application: http://www.wou.edu/education/sped/wriec/forms/mentee_application.php

CEU's are available for Mentors and Mentees.