The Toronto branch of the Editors’ Association of Canada offers a mentorship program, open to all branch members. The program is intended to help new or transitioning editors get advice and guidance from experienced editors with wisdom to share.

The program matches mentors and mentees without imposing too many rules or restrictions. The mentorship committee pairs mentors with mentees based on communication preferences and areas of mutual interest. The mentee sets goals that are the basis of the pair’s work together. Pairs maintain contact according to their own preferences and schedules (ideally they will be in touch weekly) and discuss topics of their own choosing. The mentorship program is not meant to replace formal editorial training, including branch seminars, nor is it intended to provide mentees with work or be a job shadowing or apprenticeship program. It is, rather, a forum for advice, support, and guidance. Mentees need to have taken at least one full-day course or seminar on some aspect of editing.

Pairings last two months but can be dissolved earlier if the mentee’s objectives have been met or if either party feels the match is not suitable. And, of course, we encourage pairs to stay in touch after the formal match ends. Location is often not important: in the past many pairs have communicated only by phone and email.

The program offers valuable experience to, and widens the horizons of, both mentors and mentees and is an enjoyable way to expand your circle of editor friends.

To apply to be a mentee, or to volunteer to be a mentor, download the appropriate one-page form below (MS Word format) and return it by email to the mentorship committee at toronto_mentorship@editors.ca. Do not send your form to the branch office.

The mentorship committee will contact you when a match is made. If you have questions, contact the mentorship committee at toronto_mentorship@editors.ca.

Aimeriez-vous guider un nouveau réviseur francophone? Pensez-vous que vous pourriez profiter du conseil d’un réviseur francophone avec de l’expérience? Contactez Nancy Foran at toronto_francophone@reviseurs.ca, coordinatrice des affaires francophones pour la section Toronto, pour de plus amples informations sur le programme de mentorat.

Download the Mentorship Guide        Apply to be a mentee          Volunteer to be a mentor

Matches will be made in and October 2011 and Spring 2012.