AHLA Mentoring Program Guidelines and Expectations
Mentor and Mentee Requirements and Responsibilities
Sample Mentoring Agreement
Suggested Kickoff Meeting
Suggested Discussion Topics
Goal Setting Tips
What is AHLA's Mentoring Program?
This Program is a recent addition to AHLA’s membership benefit package that seeks to support members’ professional development needs. It is an online tool – including a searchable database – that facilitates the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered Mentors and Mentees to search using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored.
Why should I participate in AHLA’s Mentoring Program?
Now, more than ever, all of us – but particularly those new to the health care law field – will benefit from receiving general support, a listening ear, and assistance in identifying ways to develop and grow as health care professionals generally and specifically within AHLA. Both Mentors and Mentees will benefit from working with other health care professionals to identify approaches to enhance their knowledge and skills, to address practical concerns and problems faced in advancing one’s career, and to develop professional relationships within the health care field and within AHLA.
How much time will I need to invest?
Agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship. Keep your commitment and nurture the relationship. Mentoring doesn’t necessarily require large amounts of your time. Even brief phone calls or email exchanges between you can make a big difference.
How does the AHLA Mentoring Program work?
The Program assists health lawyers and health law professionals at various stages of their careers to network and build professional relationships; promotes leadership and professional development; identifies career planning opportunities; provides guidance on developing competencies in specific fields of practice within health care law; and promotes greater involvement and engagement in AHLA and other professional associations. [Quick Start Guide]
Who is eligible to be a Mentor or Mentee?
The Mentoring Program is open to all AHLA members, digital subscribers, and students. There is no fee to participate.
Can I be both a Mentor and a Mentee?
A member can be both a mentor and a mentee, and in fact we encourage everyone to do both. Pay it forward by choosing to mentor a student or young professional member. You would simply designate this in your profile. Those seeking a Mentor will see that you are available, and you can also then search the database for your own Mentor.
Can I have more than one Mentor or Mentee?
There is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, although we recommend that you be judicious to ensure that you can devote the appropriate amount of time to each relationship. You can limit the number of requests you are willing to accept on your enrollment page.
How do I become a Mentor or Mentee?
Members first enroll as a Mentor, as a Mentee, or both.
How are Mentors and Mentees matched?
During the enrollment process, members will be asked to make a series of selections. These answers will help to match individuals having similar preferences.
How do I find potential Mentors and Mentees?
Once enrolled as a Mentee, the individual visits the Mentor Directory to identify which criteria they want to use in their quest for possible Mentors. The Mentee then clicks on Search at the bottom of the page and receives potential Mentors who have noted similar preferences. The Mentee can view the Profiles, then click on the Mentor badge (seen below the registered Mentor's profile picture) to request a specific individual be their Mentor. An email is sent to the Mentor alerting them of the request. The Mentor can accept or decline the request.
Similarly for a Mentor, once enrolled, the individual can visit the Mentee Directory to identify which criteria they want to use in their quest for possible Mentees. The Mentor then clicks on Search at the bottom of the page and receives potential Mentees who have noted similar preferences. The Mentor can view the Profiles, then click on the Mentee badge (seen below the registered Mentee's profile picture) to request a specific individual be their Mentee.
How will I know when someone has requested that I become their Mentor or Mentee?
You will receive an email with the request and you will be prompted to accept or reject the request.
Is it okay to decline a request?
Yes, but we encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. Our goal is to facilitate a process where Mentors and Mentees find matches that are compatible for both individuals. You can customize an email that can be sent to the member making the request, declining the match or go to Mentoring Relationships and check Decline next to the specific request.
How will I know when someone accepts my request to be my Mentor or Mentee?
An email notification will be sent to let you know whether the individual has accepted or declined your request.
What should I do if I don’t hear back?
If you don’t hear within one or two weeks, you are encouraged to reach out to them directly by using the contact information found on their profile page.
Is there an expected duration of the Mentor-Mentee relationship?
Mentor-Mentee pairings typically last one year and an exit survey is sent at the conclusion of the year. Should the Mentor and Mentee mutually agree that they would like to continue their relationship for another year, they may do so by visiting the AHLA mentoring portal and re-match. Of course, if the Mentor-Mentee can also opt to complete their term together, visit the mentoring portal and find a new match.
What time commitment is expected of the Mentor and of the Mentee?
We encourage each Mentor-Mentee team to interact with each other on a mutually agreed upon schedule, preferably at least monthly, and be available for ad hoc interactions as needed. You are free to talk more frequently depending upon your schedules and needs. At the initial contact, we suggest that you discuss the frequency and form of communication that will work best for both individuals. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship.
Are the Mentor and Mentee permitted to meet in person?
Absolutely. We encourage such face-to-face meetings (e.g., at AHLA programs or if the Mentor and Mentee are in the same locale). Geographical challenges may make such meetings unfeasible, but a lack of face-to-face contact does not need to be an impediment to establishing a meaningful Mentor-Mentee relationship.
Are AHLA leaders participating in the Mentoring Program?
Yes, you will find members of the Board of Directors, Program Planning Committees, Councils, life members, and Fellows are active in the AHLA Mentoring Program. There are also members from all of the Association's Practice Groups, and you can use that to filter your search.
What if I’m going to be on vacation or become unavailable?
Go to your Enrollment page, click Mentor Status to indicate Temporarily Not Participating. Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any Mentee requests now, and your mentoring profile will not be included in a Mentee’s search for a Mentor. It is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing Mentees. Remember to go back and adjust this setting when you’re back.
What if the match isn’t the right fit?
Sometimes, regardless of the information provided, Mentors and Mentees don’t always click. If this happens, discuss your decision honestly with the individual. Thank them for their time, end the mentoring relationship, and visit the Mentor Directory to initiate a new search.
Does AHLA have a Mentoring Community?
When you enrolled as a Mentor or Mentee, you were automatically placed in a Professional Network with other colleagues who are also participating in AHLA’s Mentoring Program. This Professional Network is a place for you to connect, ask questions, post materials and resources of interest, and engage in dialogue.
Will my information be shared with outside parties?
AHLA takes all precautions to safeguard the confidentiality, security and integrity of any information provided by our members.
If you have any questions, please email mentoring@americanhealthlaw.org and you will be contacted by a member of our staff.