ASPA Mentorship Program

• ASPA-Driven Initiative: This mentorship program is entirely driven by ASPA and is not coordinated with the employer. It is a union-led effort to support our members’ professional development.
• Mentorship Engagement Time: Mentorship meetings are not considered official work time. We expect mentors and mentees to utilize their flex time for these engagements during work hours. Alternatively, meetings can be scheduled during evenings or weekends.
• Mentor Training: Selected mentors will participate in a training event to prepare for their roles. Please note that training time is also not considered official work time. 
• Program Duration: The program will start in December and end in June.
• Voluntary Participation: Participation in the mentorship program is entirely voluntary and can be terminated at any time.
• Program Evaluation: Participants will be asked to complete a short evaluation each month that will be sent to your email. This feedback will be invaluable in improving the program for future iterations.

Mentees

1. Submit an application.
2. Wait for a confirmation from the ASPA Mentorship Working Group.
3. Register for MentorCity. – resources on how to navigate the MentorCity site will be sent to applicants.
4. Attend virtual onboarding – this will be with the Mentors
5. Shop for a mentor and make a match.
6. Start the mentorship journey.

Mentors

1. Submit an application.
2. Wait for a confirmation from the ASPA Mentorship Working Group.
3. Register for MentorCity. – resources on how to navigate the MentorCity site will be sent to applicants.
4. Attend virtual onboarding – details to follow
5. Wait for a match.
6. Start the mentorship journey.

General Questions

Why is ASPA doing this? ASPA took this challenge on because there has not been a formal program on campus that directly helps members grow personally and professionally. The proponents of this program recognized the need in themselves, and others and acknowledges the untapped potential of better support for our members.

Who have you consulted in developing this program? The Mentorship Working Group has the benefit of very talented members with professional skills in program development, program evaluation, and firsthand experience with supporting mentorship programs for students on campus. Also, the Mentorship Working Group engaged with Mentor Canada, a non-profit with a mandate to develop mentoring programs in Canada to help advance the important role in developing one of most powerful natural resources – people.

How long will this last? The program runs from December 2026 to June 2027.

Who is eligible to participate? Mentors – any ASPA members who feels they can commit to the time, and feels they have something to contribute. Mentees – any ASPA member who feels they have room to learn and grow.

How much time will I need to commit? Mentorship is an investment. To get something meaningful out of it, mentees and mentors are encouraged to spend as much time as possible both understanding their needs, acquainting themselves with their role, and meeting — getting to know one another, developing deeper relationships, and investing where time and effort is needed. As a rule of thumb, 1-2 hours a month seems to be a good starting place (after training/orientation).

Are there any other obligations? Yes, mentors and mentees will be asked to participate in brief monthly check-in surveys and an end-of-program evaluation. We’re trying to make this program as meaningful as possible, and participant feedback is essential to continuous improvement.

What happens after June 2027? The Mentorship Working Group will evaluate the program, its impact on mentees and mentors, submit a report of the findings to the ASPA Executive, and update the program from this feedback for the next year.

Mentor & Mentee FAQ’s

How does matching mentor to mentee work? ASPA has elected to use a self-select process as recommended by Mentor Canada. They encouraged the use of a platform (MentorCity) to aid in the matching process. In short, mentees shop the list of mentors and choose who they believe aligns with their needs and interests.

What if the match is not a good fit part way through the program? We will be signing up more mentors than mentees to help assure that mentees have a good match.

What happens if there’s an interpersonal issue? In the unlikely event of an issue, participants are encouraged to contact the Mentorship Working Group at: MentorshipWorkingGroup@aspasask.ca

Will all mentors and mentees be matched? There is the possibility that not all mentors will be matched. It is not a reflection of the quality of the mentor, but rather the needs of the mentee. Should this program continue, we are expecting matches will increase.

Who is on the Mentorship Working Group Team? The ASPA MWG committee includes:

• Rana Mustafa (Chair)
• Marla Rogers
• Tanya Robertson-Frey
• Angeline Hainstock (ASPA Staff)

Have more questions? If you have any questions about this program, please don’t hesitate to ask by contacting Rana Mustafa, Chair of the Mentoring Working Group, at mentorworkingroup@aspasask.ca

MentorCity Login: https://ementor.mentorcanada.ca/

Training and Guides – With more to come

You can find orientation and training recordings in the Mentorship Pilot Program One Drive. Access to the One Drive must be requested: MentorCity Resources