FAQ: Mentors

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: MENTORS 

If I sign up to be a Mentor will I get paid?

The Jonas Project (TJP) is looking for an all-volunteer Mentor group.  Your payback will be in the satisfaction you receive by assisting our Veterans to become successful business owners. TJP will reimburse you for any reasonable expenses, approved in advance, involved while supporting TJP.

What is a Mentor expected to do? 

The Mentor is responsible for giving well-informed business counsel to the Veteran/Veteran Owned Business (VOB), which will lead to the operational success of the new business.

How long a commitment are you expecting? 

TJP would very much like a Mentor to commit for 2 years, 5 hours a month.  We realize that this is a long period of time, but we are planting seedlings and must water regularly, prune, and stake up our VOB’s until they are strong enough to flourish on their own. A minimum commitment would be for one year.

How much time will this take from my regular schedule? 

We are asking for a minimum of 5 hours a month.

How many meetings will I have to attend? 

There is an orientation that each Mentor must complete, but that can be done on your own time, or online, and then signed off on. 

We are also asking Mentors to meet, per your schedules, with other Mentors either working with the same VOB, or other VOB’s, to exchange ideas, successes, recommendations, and stories. 

The Program Generalist will also be staying in close contact with each Mentor to ensure that the Veteran/VOB have no conflicts or issues, and to ensure quality control standards.

Do these meetings have to be face-to-face? 

TJP is setting up video-conferencing, at no expense to the Mentor or VOB, for all parties involved, so you will not have to leave the comfort of your office or home to stay in video communication with the VOB’s.

Will I be liable for any advise I give?

The Veterans will be signing a Hold Harmless agreement that indemnifies you from being liable for well-intentioned advice.

Do I have to be a Veteran?

You do not have to be a Veteran in order to be a Mentor, although we would love to have as many Veteran Mentors as possible.

What eligibility requirements is TJP looking for in a Mentor?

Must be willing to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours each month for up to 2 years, and must have proven knowledge in one or several of the following fields:

• Real Estate
• Web/Internet
• Human Resource
• Management
• Legal
• Insurance
• Accounting
• Budgeting
• Taxes
• Marketing
• Technology
• Business Operations
• Logistics
• Industry Specific Knowledge depending on VOB
• Other fields of expertise that may be identified as each new VOB is brought into TJP.

Be comfortable working under pressure. Be willing to complete and submit to TJP the 2 page monthly feedback reports in a timely manner.

Possess necessary patience and ability to teach and mentor.

Must have either owned a business or been an executive with a successful business for a minimum of 3 years.

Must be willing to introduce Veteran/VOB to various civic groups in the community.

Provide counsel to the Veteran/VOB in the Mentor’s field of expertise and maintain complete confidentiality between Mentor, Veteran, and TJP.

How do I sign up?

You can sign up through the TJP website www.thejonasproject.org

Once your application has been received, a TJP representative will be contacting you to send the orientation information.

What if I decide I don’t want to do this anymore?

We will be very sorry to lose you, but we would appreciate the time you gave and respect your reasons for withdrawal.  We just ask that you give us 2 weeks notice so we can find a replacement for you so we can continue uninterrupted service to the Veterans who served us.

What if the Veteran I am assigned to and I don’t get along?

This is an excellent question, and that is why our Program Specialist and feedback forms from both the Mentor and Veteran are so important.  We should know before you do that the relationship is not working. 

TJP will do everything within its power to make appropriate matches; but if these relationships do not work, then TJP will move on to a more appropriate match for that particular VOB and Mentor.

Does TJP have a job description for Mentors?

Yes, TJP has a job description for Mentors. The job description will be presented and reviewed during orientation.  We are asking all Mentors to sign a job description to prevent any misunderstandings that may arise.