Time for our last wrap up post of National Mentoring Month Happenings. Did you miss any of the earlier posts? Check them out – Part One, Part Two, or Part Three.
Missouri Valley, Iowa
In addition to other recognition activities, Missouri Valley had this tribute to their mentors on the wall at the school. “Our Mentors Rock!”
Holdrege, Nebraska
The Holdrege chapter placed a thank you in the newspaper and handed out candy bars with different themed messages. The message of “You are a breath of fresh air to your mentee in the TeamMates program” accompanied Certs Breath Mints, “We are nuts about you as one of our TeamMates mentors!” accompanied peanuts, and “Thank you for your faithfulness with TeamMates. You’re worth more than a 100 Grand.” along with a 100 Grand candy bar. Each mentor also received a key chain.
Cozad, Nebraska
Mentors were honored at the home basketball game versus Gothenburg. Each mentor received a button that says “I mentor, what’s your superpower?”. They also were sent a thank you and personal certificates.
Scottsbluff County, Nebraska
The chapter hosted a mentor meet and greet at the newly built elementary school in Gering. There was discussion between the mentors and tours of the school. Mentors, TeamMates Board members, school counselors, and administrators were all invited to the celebration of a new school and mentoring.
Garden County, Nebraska
Mentors received appreciation in the forms of an email from the coordinator, candy bar with a note, kinds words from their mentees, and an ad in the local paper.
Minden, Nebraska
The Minden chapter hosted a recognition at a basketball game where the mentors received a standing ovation. There was a display booth at the basketball game with pictures of TeamMates events and the names of mentors. Mentors were given a shirt at the game and had a coffee and cookie reception after. A thank you ad was placed in the newspaper along with an article. Mentees each wrote a letter to their mentor and a banquet was held to honor mentors and spouses at the local Country Club.
We are proud of the time and effort our coordinators have put into honoring the mentors of their chapter! Thank you.
Mullen, Nebraska
“My first employer, Pete Wagner, was a tremendous mentor for me. Pete hired me when I was 15 to work in his small grocery store. It was my first job, and I learned the grocery business from soup to nuts: stocking, checking, ordering, produce, bookkeeping, inventory, even a little meat cutting. It was more than just the job skills, though, as Pete taught me to be on time, to keep commitments, and to work as long as was needed to get the job done. Through his example, he taught me how to treat customers, salesmen, suppliers, delivery drivers, and everyone else in a courteous, friendly way, how to resolve disagreements, and how to cultivate good relationships with people from all walks of life, all economic strata, and other nationalities and races in the diverse neighborhood around his little grocery.
Pete was far more than a good boss, though. He also helped me learn many other life skills. He taught me to drive a stick shift and how to score bowling; he helped me find my first apartment, buy my first car, open my first checking account, purchase my first insurance policy, and take out my first loan. When I moved on to career in policing years later, Pete continued to be a lifelong friend, to whom I often turned for advice and support at life’s most critical moments.
