Cairnlea’s Jamal Hondi knows well the worth of Brimbank council’s community leadership mentoring program.
Mr Hondi, who took part in the program last year, says the impact for him of having someone to bounce ideas off and come to for advice has been profound.
“I saw having a mentor as a great opportunity to expand my network and get linked up with someone who could help define my career and personal goals,” Mr Hondi said. “He also helped me to develop my leadership skills, which I could then apply to my job as a project manager and also as a community leader.”
The program is returning this year, with the council calling on interested mentors to come forward to nurture future leaders.
Mr Hondi met his mentor, Mark Heintz, monthly throughout 2016, with the regular meetings providing a great sounding board.
“We’d usually catch up at a local cafe for a coffee and discuss my goals and any challenges I was facing,” Mr Hondi said. “That would often lead to a brainstorming session to generate ideas and discuss solutions to the hurdles.
“I really valued the insights that Mark had – it was good to talk to someone who had walked the path before me.
“He’d always question some of the points I was making and challenge things I said to get me to see things in a different way.”
Applications to be a mentor in 2017 close at noon on Sunday, April 2.
To apply, complete an expression of interest form at www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/CommunityLeadership.
Details: council on 9249 4000 or CGPrograms@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
