Introducing the 500 Women Scientists Mentoring Program
January is National Mentoring Month and this year we want to focus on promoting growth and sustainability within our pods, knowing that this will support our organization as a whole.
Today we are launching the Pods Mentorship Program. The aim of this program is to provide efficient feedback and support to new pods, and ultimately build up a movement of strong leaders working at the intersection of feminism and science to better foster the values outlined in the 500 Women Scientists Pledge. We believe pod mentoring will help new pods feel more connected to the 500WS organization and ensure pod projects are both successful and fulfill the mission of 500WS–to improve society by making science open, inclusive and accessible.
The mentoring program will compliment our already extensive resources* that are available to all pods. We are currently accepting US pods only, but international pods should stay tuned for phase 2.
How it works
First, when pods sign up for the program, we pair one or more developing pods with a mentor pod. The participating member from each pod will receive information about how to get started with the new mentoring relationship, including tools to setup mentor meetings and resources like Mentoring Best Practices. We are asking participants to have a minimum of 3 meetings (by phone, video or in-person) over a 6 month period to complete the program. We will also support mentoring pairs who choose to continue mentoring meetings for a longer period of time.
To support the program’s participants, a member of the Pod Mentoring Team will do a check-in after 3 months to make sure the mentoring relationship is working for everyone involved, provide guidance and resources if needed, and collect feedback.
Participate!
If you or your pod is interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee please fill out the linked form below and the Pod Mentorship Team will match your needs or expertise. Are you an established pod but haven’t figured out a way to build momentum? We encourage you to also sign-up (as a mentor pod), because we know collaboration and sharing with other pods can go a long way to increasing your pod’s success.
Pod Mentoring Program Guidelines
podmentorship@500womenscientists.org
Today's Take Action is brought to you by 500WS leaders Heather Currey, Teal Potter, Racheal Upton, Myndi Holbrook, Ana Paula Carvalho, Alison Marklein, Artemis Louyakis, and Tanya Dapkey.