About MLCV Mentors!

The Mentorship Program is for all Mille Lacs Band member associates. As a band member associate within Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, we want you to be encouraged and supported through continuous learning with a variety of opportunities to add to your existing know-how.

Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures will have band member and non-band member mentors to help guide future generations culturally and professionally through collaboration, goal setting, and problem-solving.

Everyone learns and wins in this equation.

Band members will be able to designate if they want to be a mentor or mentee, or both. This program is flexible!

All in all, our goal is to support band member mentees and future leaders in acquiring new skills and preparing for additional career growth. This program will offer a variety of mentors available based on the mentees interest. You will be able to travel with your mentor, attend step-up meetings and socialize internally and culturally.

The Mentorship program is in service of ML band member associates and will pair a mentor/mentee to develop a partnership where personal and professional growth is fostered to ensure the longevity of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

The program is in alignment with our 7 traditional values and MLCV's corporate values and behaviors. Our overall mission is to “Improve the quality of life of our tribal member shareholders and communities throughout East Central Minnesota and beyond.”

Miigwech!


Frequently Asked Questions


Why should I be a part of the mentoring program?

As Mille Lacs Band members, we want you to feel encouraged and supported through continuous learning with a variety of opportunities to add to your existing know-how
The purpose of the MLCV Mentoring program is to pair a mentor/mentee to develop a partnership where personal and professional growth is fostered.

How does the mentorship program work?

The program works when the following happens:
• Mentee-driven and Mentor-guided
• Dynamically reciprocal
• An active learning process
• Different from managing, performance coaching or sponsoring
• Structured; yet flexible
• Voluntary

What's the mentor's role?

Mentors will provide guidance and support to a mentee, based on their unique developmental needs. They will be a nurturer of possibilities. The mentor will help identify the gifts and strengths of a mentee and help them flourish professionally

Why should I be a mentor?

• Gain new insight into organizational issues through mentee’s eyes
• Increase productivity
• Strengthen the lessons you’ve already learned
• Help someone realize their own gifts
• Contribute to the development of emerging leaders
• Help others succeed
• You may learn from your mentee

What is my role as a mentor?

• Advisor: Give advice and guidance, share ideas, and provide feedback
• Encourager: Act as sounding board for ideas/concerns; provide insights into possible opportunities
• A Resource: Identify additional resources to help mentee with personal or professional growth; provide resources to mentee or help expand mentee’s network of contacts
• A Champion: Advocate for mentee whenever possible; seek opportunities for increased visibility for mentee
• A Critical Thinker: When appropriate, help mentee think through important decisions and strategies

What should I do with my mentee?

• Take this role seriously; make this a priority
• Commit to seeing your mentee at least once a month; communicating even more
• Bring your mentee along to meetings or outside functions
• Attend one of our leadership conferences with them
• Attend cultural events – at MLCV or within the community
• Assist with college applications, if applicable
• Continue to grow and foster your relationship with them
• Communicate your expectations
• Celebrate a birthday, life event
• Have fun

What are the requirements of being a mentor?

• They are a Mille Lacs Band Member Associates typically in a leadership position
• They demonstrate MLCV’s Values & Behaviors
• They are willing to commit the time it takes to effectively be a mentor

What is the role of a mentee?

As a mentee, you are acknowledging the development of your career. You will identify the types of skills and experiences you wish to gain and assume the responsibility to ask for help to achieve your professional goals. Your responsibility is absorbing the mentor’s knowledge and guidance and demonstrating what you’ve learned.

Why should I join this mentorship program?

• You will build upon and strengthen networks
• Gain access to new perspectives and resources
• Receive tailored knowledge and skill building opportunities
• Take ownership of your professional growth and development
• Set your goals – and achieve them
• Overcome challenges and find solutions
• Get honest feedback
• Be challenged
• Have fun
• Travel with mentor

What is my role as a mentee?

• Driver of Relationship: Identify the skills, knowledge, and/or goals that you want to achieve and communicate them to your mentor; bring up new topics that are important to you at any point and give feedback to your mentor
• Developer: Work with your mentor to set up goals, developmental activities, and time frames that fit your needs
• A Resource Partner: Work with your mentor to seek resources for learning; identify people and information that might be helpful
• Continuous Learner: Take full advantage of this opportunity to learn

Will I get a payment for being in this program?

The payment will be the knowledge you get from your mentor, but there will not be a formal payment given to either party

Do I have to create a CDP career development plan

No, you will set goals with your mentor could be professional and personal

What should I do as a mentee?

Set your own goals
Engage actively with your mentor
Nurture relationship with mentor
Tolerate constructive criticism
Be open to receiving advice, praise and examples shared by mentor
Respect mentor’s time
Seek advice by identifying challenges
Articulate your needs
Create open line of communication

Who should I contact if I have more questions?

Tawnya Stewart
Chief of People & Culture
tstewart@mlcv.com
Ext. 8811

Andrea Bolin
Director of Strategic Initiatives
abolin@mlcv.com
Ext. 8189