The International Mentoring Conference Creates a Learning Community
By Dr. Fran Kochen, IMA Director

Over 300 individuals from the worlds of education, business, health and human services, government, non-profits and youth organizations met to share ideas about mentoring and coaching and to form new networks when the International Mentoring Association (IMA) convened its 21st Annual Conference on April 23, 2008, at the Tuscany Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the words of IMA President Joe Pascarelli, the conference was designed to be a “learning space to build vital relationships, expand networks, enhance one’s professional growth, and impact the mentoring community.”

Attendees seem to agree that the conference met these goals.

There were six mentoring workshops available during the Pre Conference day, with more than 125 individuals participated in them. Among the sessions presented were:

This year’s conference featured a silent auction of items including a week-long stay in a condo in Las Vegas, a three-month subscription to EQ Mentor and personal mentoring; a signed poster, T-shirts from Ireland, cookies and treats from an Italian bakery, and books, shirts, and other treats..

There was also a resource table where people could share goods and ideas—a number of exhibitors were present to display materials and talk to interested attendees.

The conference officially began at 7:00 p.m. on April 23 with a World Café conversation. World Café, developed by The World Café Community, is used internationally to engage people in conversations about issues of importance. According to the developers, it is a “method for creating a living network of collaborative dialogue around questions that matter in the service of the real work.” Participants entered the hotel ballroom filled with round tables, tablecloths, plants and flowers, which made the scene reminiscent of a café. Working in groups of six to eight, attendees shared their reasons for participating in the conference, their interests in mentoring, and their ideas for the future.

Following the Café experiences, everyone shared food, drink and fellowship at the IMA Board of Directors’ Welcome Reception. Participants extended their conversation inside and on the patio, under a lovely sky on a beautiful evening.

A newcomers’ breakfast was held at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, which was attended by many hardy newcomers, not to mention some repeat attendees. The IMA Board of Directors shared information about the association and responded to questions from the audience.

This was followed by “Talk Show,” hosted by noted radio host and Board of Directors member Carmen Carter. “Talk Show” participants included (left to right) Tom Rago, Mentoring Facilitator of the Educator Support Center, Farmington, N.M.; Catherine Mossop, President, Sage Mentors Inc. of Toronto Canada; Begonia Flores, principal, George Washington Hish School, Guam; and Izzy Justice, CEO of EQMentor. Carter engaged the panelists in a lively discussion around topics related to mentoring and coaching.

Participants sat by regional groups during a focused luncheon discussion on Thursday. Discussion questions included ideas for making IMA more visible in each region, what IMA might do to enhance mentoring in each region, and how IMA increase its membership in each region. Responses were recorded to be shared with the group at the closing session. They will be used to guide the Board of Directors and the organization in the year ahead.

The conference featured 45 concurrent sessions covering a wide variety of topics within seven strands that included college faculty, college students, diversity, new teachers, administrators, workplace, and youth.

At the opening session, President Pascarelli urged attendees approach this conference as a means of learning and networking as well as an opportunity to build a learning community. He urged participants to attend sessions outside of their areas as well as those within them to obtain a fuller understanding of the mentoring community. Sessions were well attended and covered a vast array of ideas, programs and research findings.

The closing session consisted of another International Café that allowed participants to share their feelings about the conference and ideas for the future. Ideas framed during the regional conference concerning how IMA might strengthen itself in the years ahead were presented. The topics fell into six major areas: communication and marketing; networking; technology use; program development; and leadership development. The recommendations will soon be available on the IMA Web site.

Dr. Pascarelli and the Board of Directors extended their thanks to the speakers and participants for their enthusiasm and to Ms. Cheri Lay and her staff at Western Michigan University for the excellent job they did in organizing the conference.

A highlight of the closing session was a poker event. Participants were given a card at each session they attended. Those with the best hand when they put these cards together received prizes such as free dinners, folding camp chairs, gift certificates and books.

Most participants agreed that the conference provided many opportunities for networking and they are looking forward to continuing this networking through the new online International Café, designed by Board Member Carmen Carter. All members are invited to join and participate by logging in to http://www.IMACafe.ning.com    SEE YOU THERE!

Next year's 2009 conference has been scheduled again for the same hotel and at Las Vegas. We hope you can join us there to continue the conversation and the learning.