Making Connections
New mentoring program redefines philanthropyLinking business students to charitiesHe was already an active volunteer in his community so when business student Troy Beharry learned he could help a non-profit organization near and dear to his heart with the support of a corporate mentor, he knew it was a win-win opportunity. LINDA WHITE -- Special to the Toronto Sun |
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Troy Beharry (right) and his mentor Steve Ropp of Molson Canada.
"I've always been very actively involved in my community," says Beharry, a third-year student at Queen's School of Business at Queen's University in Kingston. "The National Mentoring Program (NMP) gave me an opportunity to live that passion and bridge it with the corporate sector. What better way to marry the two loves in my life?"
The NMP matches students from university business schools with corporate business mentors and employs them in Canadian charities. It's the brainchild of Mary Donahue, recipient of a Centennial Achievement Medal for her philanthropic work. She specializes in helping corporations get their best possible return on their philanthropic dollars.
The program has been tested by Molson Canada, which has donated $275,000 to further its goals. In addition to Queen's, university partners include the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto and the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, where NMP is based.
"Our motto is: Help people, have fun," Donahue says. She recently introduced the program to other businesses through the Toronto Board of Trade. "Philanthropy is fun. You're giving money away. It's a good thing. But I understand as a business person that you need to measure your efforts."
Benefits
Donahue found that Molson is benefitting from its participation in the program in three major ways: the leadership abilities of its employees and consumer confidence are both on the rise, while loyalty to Molson from employees and consumers has also heightened.
"Tough times call for new creative approaches in all business processes; community investment is no different," says Scott Ewart, chief legal and public affairs at Molson. "Molson not only believes in mentoring, but we also believe in the concrete businesses benefits through networking that (the NMP) provides our company."
Queen's student Beharry learned about the NMP while working toward a corporate social responsibility certificate. As part of the eight-month program, he enjoyed weekly conversations with his Molson mentor -- each focusing on a topic designed to benefit his charity, the North York Hearts Azzurri Soccer Club.
"The club takes the focus off winning and puts it on player and personal development," Beharry says. "It needs indoor soccer facilities but its lack of experience in raising money and developing government relationships have kept it from achieving its goal."
Last summer, Beharry worked at the club to implement the strategy he had developed with his Molson mentor, with his salary funded by Molson. "My mentor at Molson was extremely helpful ... I realize that the club's goal of getting an indoor soccer facility won't be achieved overnight, but at least the wheels are turning."
A highlight of his experience with the NMP was attending monthly luncheons featuring great Canadian mentors like lieutenant governor David Onley. "He told us that we have to remember to share our treasures with others but that it's more important to help others reveal their treasures," Beharry says. "That will stick with me forever."
linda.white@rogers.com
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