Page 18 - 2019 March Voices

FIELD NOTES

On Being a Protégé

Leanna Lindquist, DTM

I didn’t know I was a protégé until my mentor that kind of attention and
found me. It came in the form of an email. support.
“Would I meet at Starbucks to discuss an Her well-used line is
opportunity?” I was too inexperienced to suspect “here is something you

that “opportunity” would mean a volunteer job, might consider.” It is code
responsibility, and something to take up my spare for “you need to give this
time. I agreed to meet. We hit it off right away. a little more thought.” As
“Would I serve as the Education Coordinator I have considered other

for the District?” I would replace her. She would “opportunities” she was my
teach me what I needed to know and be an sounding board. We talked
ongoing resource for me. I was ready for a new over the pros, cons, how
“project” so, (Grammarian—does not count as a to’s, and the little details

filler word), I signed on the dotted line. I had a dozens (or was it hundreds)
lot to learn, people to meet, and skills to develop. of times?
Last week I recalled how this relationship My mentor was patient. I didn’t know a
began and grew when I prepared for the fraction of what I know now about computer use

Toastmasters Mentoring Project in Level 2 of and the Toastmasters International website until
Pathways. Did the person I hit it off with over 8 she worked with me. She helped me be successful.
years ago serve as my legitimate mentor? The When you serve as Education Coordinator you
answer was YES. She ticked off all the boxes. arrive at 6:00 am to set up for the conference or

Experienced and knowledgeable. If she didn’t TLI. She was always there with me before sunrise
have the answer she helped me find it. She was and to clean up at the end of the day.
positive and supportive. She encouraged me to get A protégé should become better through
out of my comfort zone and take risks. She was the guidance and support of another person. I

always there for me. I couldn’t begin to identify all feel that I have grown under her tutelage. I have
the times I called her up with a “quick” question learned how to lay out documents and structure
and two hours later we were still on the phone. PowerPoint presentations, chair a conference, set
Only a committed mentor would give a protégé up Eventbrite, draft mass emails and send them

18 ONE COMMUNITY