Listen first
Ask open questions before giving advice. Understand the member’s context, confidence, and priorities.
The essential idea
A mentor supports the member—not a copy of the mentor
Agree on the member’s goals, help them navigate Toastmasters, and create a reliable rhythm for reflection. The member keeps ownership of every decision and speech.
Start here
Start a mentoring partnership
- 1
Agree on the goal
Ask what the member wants to achieve in the next few months and define one visible sign of progress.
- 2
Choose a rhythm
Set a realistic check-in schedule and decide how the member prefers to receive feedback.
- 3
Review and adjust
After speeches or roles, reflect on what worked, choose one next experiment, and revisit the goal regularly.
Responsibilities in practice
A practical mentoring cycle
Use these four responsibilities to keep the relationship useful and member-led.
Make Toastmasters easier to navigate
Help locate projects, meeting opportunities, role guidance, and the right club officer when administrative support is needed.
Turn feedback into practice
Translate broad feedback into one specific behavior the member can rehearse at the next meeting.
Build independence
Share options and reasoning, then let the member decide. A successful partnership reduces dependence over time.
Use the source of truth
Official resources
These official resources explain mentoring responsibilities and provide material clubs can use to establish a mentoring program.
Toastmasters International
Mentoring manual
Official presentation on the benefits of mentoring and the responsibilities of mentors.
Open official pageToastmasters International
Club meeting roles
Use the official role library when a mentee is preparing for a new meeting responsibility.
Open official pagePage content reviewed against public official sources in August 2026. Rules and requirements are governed by the latest official version at each link.