Using the Connection Plan

• Track recommended tasks and due dates

• Find resources linked to task descriptions

• Add comments to a task

• Upload documents

• Add your goals

• Schedule meetings

• Complete surveys

• Message your partner

• This document explains how to use the Connection Plan - the set of tools provided to guide you from beginning to end of your mentoring relationship.

• Using the Connection Plan properly will help you have a more productive relationship.

• No one can see your progress except you, your partner, and program administrators.

1. GETTING STARTED

1. Find your connection

space. This space can

be found from

"Mentoring

Connections" in the

main navigation.

2. Browse your Mentoring

Connection Plan, a

timeline of

recommended

mentoring activities.

• Milestones tell you how the relationship should progress by grouping activities into key phases.

• Click the arrow next to the milestone heading for more details about the overall outcome expected of this phase.

• Start working through your assigned tasks in the first milestone. Tasks are designed to be bite-sized and quick, but they add up to real results. These tasks create a basic framework for the relationship and should be completed on or before the recommended due date.

• Check off tasks as you complete them. We will run periodic reports to track progress. While much of your interaction may take place outside of the mentoring platform, it is critical that you complete your tasks and check them off in order to complete the program.

• Click the right-side icon to open a hidden description that may include links to vital resources or worksheets.

• You can also add comments to:

Communicate status updates

Upload completed worksheets or relevant documents

Send a message regarding a task to your partner

• Click “Create Goal Plan” where prompted in a task. This takes you to the Goal Plan page.

• Click on “Create Goal Plan” to enter the

goal plan area, then select .

• Enter a title and description. In the

description, you might add a timeframe

and how you will know when the goal is

achieved.

• Tip: To show initiative and ensure success,

add a few tasks. These should be specific

actions you will take to reach your goal.

• Click “set up meeting” where prompted.

• This will open a meeting scheduler.

Tip: Don’t forget to sync your meetings with your personal calendar. Click the “Meetings” tab, then “My Meetings.”

• We need your survey responses at the timeframes indicated in your task list.

• Click the name of the survey from your Mentoring Connection Plan.

• Your feedback is crucial to keep the program going!

• You will receive email reminders to take surveys, but you only need to take each one once.

• At the top of the space is a messages tab. This is the best way to correspond with your partner, who will receive your messages via email.

• You can also correspond by commenting on a task. This comment will sync into the messaging area.

• When you get an email notification of a message from your partner, you can reply to the email. Your response will sync into the messaging area & your partner will be notified right away.

• It's all too easy to push a mentoring relationship to the backburner, letting it fall behind. This is less likely to happen if you are disciplined about tracking progress.

• Tracking progress leads to better individual results. That means checking off tasks as you go, scheduling meetings, contacting your partner regularly, and completing surveys when prompted.

• Some of the reasons to track include:

Get the most out of your mentoring relationship

Stay in touch with your goals

Track your learnings to export later and use for future reflection

Hold your partner accountable

Help us track the impact of the mentoring initiative