Membership Director - October 2025

Bill Roberge

Mentoring – A Work in Progress

Keeping new members engaged and committed to ABATE of Wisconsin is a key challenge, and mentoring is being part of the solution. When new members join, they could feel overwhelmed by the culture, expectations, and unwritten rules. Becoming a mentor can significantly ease their transition into ABATE.

A mentor will act as a guide, helping new members navigate our organization and feel a sense of belonging. They provide valuable insights, share knowledge, and offer a safe space to ask questions without fear of judgment. This personal support builds confidence and helps new members see their place within our broader group of members.

Besides answering questions, mentors serve as role models, demonstrating our organization's values in action. This will help new members understand the importance of their role and feel connected to our mission. This will also offer a built-in support system, which is crucial for retention, and is something we are striving for. We can recruit as many members as we want, but we need to retain those new members to really be successful. Research has consistently shown that a positive early experience, by a strong mentor, is a primary factor in a member's decision to stay a member.

Mentoring isn't just about helping a new member; it's an investment in our future. By developing that new member, we can boost morale, improve performance, and build a committed and stable membership base. It can make a simple membership into a lasting connection. And that’s a good thing.

I Got Mine, Did You?

Bill