TPM Peer Mentor Program

Welcome to our newest opportunity for developing connections and support within the TPM National Learning Network, the TPM Peer Mentor program. 

Our goal is to help you develop a partnership with a peer TPM Academy graduate where you can provide guidance and support to each other beyond our more formalized touch points as you implement TPM in your respective communities.

Operating in a 1:1 manner, TPM Peer Mentor partners will have autonomy to determine for themselves the nature of their relationship and how/when they will communicate with each other.  

The inspiration for this program came from a conversation between two members of TPM leadership expressing a desire to have a “peer” they could talk to about their TPM implementation journey. These two acknowledged that they are both at an elevated level of implementation and would benefit from having an assigned member of the NLN that they could process their thoughts with. This is exactly what the TPM Peer Mentor Program will do: Connect similar members of the NLN on a 1:1 basis and make the benefits of an extensive network more accessible.

Before you begin your application, please be sure to review all information provided on this page. Because there is no ability to save your work once you begin the application process, we strongly encourage you to prepare your documents and answers to the application questions in advance.

Please email workforce@uschamber.com with any questions. 

Understanding the TPM Peer Mentor Program

Peer mentors can be a powerful tool for supporting your continued growth and learning as a TPM practitioner. So, what makes for a “good” peer mentor and what are some tips to keep in mind as you enter into this new role with your peer partner-in-crime?

A good peer mentor possesses several key qualities. First and foremost, they exhibit empathy and actively listen with their partner, understanding their unique challenges and needs. A good mentor provides constructive feedback and helps fellow peer mentor set realistic goals. Patience is crucial, as mentoring involves guiding someone through their growth process, even as peers. Additionally, a peer-mentor should be approachable, creating an environment where your partner feels comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance and of course establishing a trusted and confidential relationship. Lastly, a good peer mentor demonstrates commitment by consistently showing up, being reliable, and investing time in the partnership.

Here are some tips for a successful mentorship relationship:

  1. Set Clear Expectations: Discuss goals, boundaries, and communication preferences upfront. Clarify what both parties hope to achieve from the mentorship.
  2. Active Listening: Truly listen to your partner’s concerns, aspirations, and challenges. Understand their perspective before offering advice.
  3. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback in a positive and constructive manner. Focus on growth areas and suggest actionable steps for improvement.
  4. Share Experiences: Share your own experiences, both successes and failures. This is meant to be an opportunity to learn from each other and think about your shared resources that can support your personal and joint journeys.
  5. Think about Capacity-Building and Sustainability: Empower your partner to think critically and make decisions. As you discuss challenges and solutions think of ways in which these solutions may become self-sustaining.
  6. Balance your roles: Ensure that you and your partner are feeling as though you’re getting equal playing-time in discussing your challenges and needs for support. When in doubt, or if you’re in need of additional support to find the right path forward, reach out to the TPM team, we are here to help!
  7. Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small victories. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and motivation.
  8. Be Reliable: Honor commitments, show up on time, and be consistent. Reliability builds trust.

Remember, successful mentorship is a two-way street. Both partners will contribute to the growth and development of each other.

Becoming a peer mentor is a commitment to you and your partner’s professional and personal growth. While we do not intend to require a strict formal framework for the mentorship program, we ask that you commit at a minimum to the following: 

  • Creating a simple working agreement with your peer mentor that includes how and when you’ll meet. 
  • Actually meeting with your peer mentor.
  • Attending the kickoff webinar and/or in-person meet and greet.
  • Adhering to the principles of what makes a good mentor (see question above). 

We will host a virtual kick-off meeting the week of September 16 and then an in-person “meet and greet” session at the TPM NLN Summit on September 24 and 25 in Washington, D.C.

After our in-person time, we recommend that you meet a minimum of once a month, but you could choose to follow a tiered schedule as you begin your peer-mentor relationship.

For Example:

      • First Month: Weekly meetings to get to know each other and establish goals.
      • Second and Third Months: Bi-weekly meetings for deeper discussions and progress updates.
      • Fourth Month and Beyond: Monthly meetings to maintain momentum and address any evolving needs. 

Life can get busy, so find a cadence and establish a reliable meeting schedule that works for both you and your partner active-listening, and goal-oriented interactions!

Our goal is to match you with a fellow practitioner that has similar interests and needs you. Our team will match you based on your goals for participation and interests. 

  • July 17: The TPM Peer Mentor Program application opens.
  • August 16: Application deadline
  • August 16-August 30: USCCF Staff will review applications and begin matching applicants.
  • September 2: Matches will be announced publicly to the TPM NLN and correspondence will go out with recommended guidance for a successful partnership
  • Week of September 16: Virtual peer mentor kick-off meeting
  • September 25: Meet your match in-person during the TPM NLN Summit

Applying is easy! Just fill out the application listed below with a few simple questions about who you are, how you like to communicate, and your goals for your TPM experience. The whole application process should take less than 10 minutes. 

Ready to find your match?

TPM Peer Mentor Program Application

Please fill out the form below to help us find you the best partner to be your peer mentor.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

Personality and Interests

How many years have you spent in your current career field?(Required)
How many years have you spent in TPM?(Required)
Tell us about some of your interests or hobbies, choose all from the list that apply

Communication Style

This section is about how you would like to communicate with your peer mentor. Please indicate your preferences in the questions below.
Communication Method: How would you prefer to communicate?(Required)
Communication Frequency: How often would you prefer to communicate/meet?(Required)
Communication Timing: What time zone are you located in?(Required)
Untitled(Required)

Relationship Type: When you think about communicating with your peer mentor, how do you envision the relationship?(Required)

You and TPM

Which TPM strategies do you feel most knowledgeable in? (Please select all that apply)(Required)
Which industries are you familiar with? (Please select all that apply)(Required)
What states or regions are you currently involved in or have done work with in the past?(Required)
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