International Mentoring Association
History and General Information
In 1987 a number of individuals interested in mentoring came
together for a conference at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo,
Michigan. Among topics of discussion was the use of mentoring to increase
the retention of students of color in higher education and other mentoring
benefits and applications. The enthusiastic response to the conference
and the opportunity to learn from each other led to a proposal to form
a mentoring association.
On July 28-29, 1988, the interested parties met at Rhode Island Community
College in Warwick, Rhode Island and the National Mentoring Association
was formed. By-laws were drafted, committees formed, and a Board of Directors
and officers were chosen.
On October 23, 1988, the association membership met at the American
College at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. At that meeting, the proposed by-laws
were adopted and the Association ratified by the majority of members
present.
The National Mentoring Association was established in response to the
growing need for an organized forum focusing on innovative mentoring
ideas and practices. Many of the original members of IMA came from higher
education, but the desire to learn about effective mentoring and to support
a worldwide mentoring initiative, led these persons to reach out to and
learn from others from every setting.
The Association quickly grew to become a worldwide organization that
effectively unites a broad cross-section of hundreds of individuals,
all of whom are interested in the theory and practice of effective mentoring.
The name of the Association was changed to reflect this international
membership and initiative. Every member of the International Mentoring
Association brings a diverse, unique experience and a fresh perspective
from the various fields of mentoring that each represents. But all members
share a common commitment to learning how to increase the effective use
of mentoring through our work together.
We invite you to join us!
The IMA is currently housed at Western Michigan University.
Living Our Commitment
The People — IMA is a worldwide network of dynamic
individuals who have established successful mentoring programs, who are
committed to increasing their ability to continually model effective
mentoring practices, and who will gladly share their experience and knowledge
with others.
The Information and Experience — IMA is committed to
increasing access to proven information and best practices
needed for planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and improving
the impact of personal mentoring and leadership, and of mentoring
programs.
The Diversity — In addition to celebrating and using
the strengths that ethnic and cultural diversity provides, IMA is also
committed to model and support a wider understanding of the term, "diversity." All
of IMA's activities and publications focus on building upon the strengths
provided by dialogue across all settings and contexts, all age and experience
levels, gender, view point, and every other difference. By utilizing
our common commitment to mentoring as a tool for increased learning and
performance and our diversity as a strength, we can work together and
accomplish much more.
The Initiative — We see mentoring as the most effective
lever available for transforming the quality and effectiveness of human
growth and endeavors. Through our conversations, articles, presentations,
publications, and projects, we are committed to provide a forum for discussing
mentoring best practices, trends, emerging new ideas, and strategies
that will inspire us as leaders and transform our organizations and practices.
In this way, we expect to truly change the world through effective mentoring.
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