The Business Women’s Network is kicking off the new year with a new program, the Stepping into Success Mentoring Program. Program participants will have access to mentoring and leadership training. Protégés will be matched with business leaders who are committed to partnering with them to encourage personal growth and organizational success. 

The mentoring program has a number of distinctive traits that set it apart from other mentoring programs, including an EQ dimension (emotional quotient or emotional intelligence) and a coaching element, and the program will also offer professional development and team building opportunities. The mentoring partnerships will develop over a 12-month period during which the mentors and protégés will meet regularly to dialogue, brainstorm, share information/experiences, and at times simply encourage one another. The participants will also engage in training opportunities provided by the Business Women’s Network and Stepping into Success Program to build a tool kit of resources, strategies and plans to ensure they reach their goals. Each partnership will also receive regular support from one of the mentor planning committee members.

The program will officially launch with a Kick-Off “Coffee and Conversation” on January 10, 2017 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Newnan Utilities Wahoo Creek Administration Building, 315 Millard Farmer Industrial Blvd., Newnan. Members will engage in a “speed networking” event to begin the bonding process, which serves as a foundation for the mentoring partnerships. Each prospective protégé will have an opportunity to meet and talk with the three mentors who have been recommended for her. She can then rank her preferences accordingly. There will be a 30-minute orientation for mentors and a separate orientation for protégés to explain how the program will work and what to expect. 

The cost of the program is $50 for the 2017 year, and only Chamber members are eligible to participate. For more information, call the Chamber at 770-253-2270 or visit newnancowetachamber.org.