RECIPROCAL GROWTH
Can a mentee be a mentor?
Friends and fellow Toastmasters, definitely!
While deciding whether I should just do a rehash of my first
mentoring project which I delivered in my first path, where I talked
about PQD Jotjot and Sinulog Toastmasters Club's founding
president, Ernie Limkakeng's effect on my toastmasters life, I
realized that another person has also made a profound impact in
my toastmasters journey. This person, who I initially mentored, has
also become a source of guidance, learning and inspiration in my
toastmasters journey.
Friends, he is no other than, my mentee - and in so many ways,
also my mentor, who else but my good friend, Niño Jose Chan.
Our story began one fateful night in July 2008. He was inducted as
a new member on the night I was to be installed as the President of
Sinulog Toastmasters. Little did I know that that encounter would
blossom into a cherished bond—a bond that, I must clarify, is
entirely platonic or else I would have received jealous fits from my
then boyfriend now husband for the amount of time Niño and I
spend together! Joke.
I have always considered Niño a protege since he became a member,
all throughout his speech contest journey, until the time he finally
won the District 75Table Topics Contest and recently the Area
Speech to Evaluate contest. I felt that I have been a behind the
scene pusher for him to soar high in District 75 and he has in fact
also acknowledged this relationship when he delivered the same
speech project.
But I realized that learning is a two-way street, and mentorship is
not limited to a one-directional flow of knowledge, for I have been a
recipient of TM Niño's support and knowledge in my current quest
to be a distinguished toastmaster.
This is called mutual mentoring where the traditional roles of
mentor and mentee can become fluid and intertwined. I believe I
have this interwined relationship with this Niño and we have both
benefited from each other's perspectives, experiences and insights.
And because he has helped me become a better toastmaster, I
believe he deserves the limelight tonight.
TM Niño and I are the prodigal children of Sinulog Toastmasters
Club. We have been MIA for quite a while but were reeled back to
Toastmasters in 2020 as we promised TM Pria that we would come
back during her presidency. And While Niño soared to greater
heights in our second wind in Toastmasters, I believe I have learned
so much from him.
As he has been more active in the happenings outside the club, he
has guided me in my pathways journey. You know I am an old
school toastmaster, and still found the old manuals convenient and
effective, but TM Niño helped me navigate the intricacies of this
relatively new program. I can say I have become more savvy with
the site, but when there is something strange in the neighborhood
that I do not understand, who do I call? TM Nino!
Not only did he assist me to steer the TM site, he has helped me in
my speeches as well. I believe there were several instances when I
would send him a part of my speech asking him if it was ok or if I
needed to change it. The most recent was when I joined the
international speech category. He helped me in making my speech
better and helped me practice my speech as well. My recent contest
stint was not as anxiety provoking thanks to him and Pria, we
made a monicker that we are the Sinulog Dream Team char, who
gave me a pat in the back after I delivered and told me I did great.
Now that is a mentor!
He has also helped me in my 2 year stint as the club treasurer,
being an Ah-countant and a former treasurer of the club among
many other assistance he gave me since being active members of
toastmasters again.
Nins, you have become one of the wind beneath my wings in
Toastmasters And I feel that I have gained more self-confidence and
have achieved a lot in my second life in toastmasters because of
your encouragement and support. Our mutual and reciprocal
mentorship/relationship grew stronger since 2008 with our bodies
getting bigger by the years. Lol. When we first met, I believe we were
at the peak of our sexiness, now we are still at our peak...but the
peak of our chubbiness.
And that’s why friends, fellow TMs, I advocate that you find
yourselves a mentor in Toastmasters whatever level of experience or
skill you are currently in. The beautiful thing about Toastmasters is
that we learn through speaking, but we also become better because
there are so many in the organization who are willing to help us
grow and reach our personal goals. I assure you, if you find a
mentor who is committed and dependable and supportive, you
would reach greater heights and one day, I know you could also be
an instrument to someone’s development. I know the knowledge I
have gained from my past mentors have also made me become
instrumental in the TM journey of some members, Niño included.
What makes it even more beautiful is that you can also learn from
your mentee in the long run. Gain knowledge and give knowledge.
I believe this intertwined and reciprocal mentoring relationship has
made great wonders to both Nino and my toastmasters journey.
So, can a mentor be a mentee?
Definitely! Right TM Nino?
