In the month of January the Marcus Graham Project will join the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership’s National Mentoring Month movement with a call to action to those that are seeking mentorship and connecting with individuals committed to reaching back (or over) to ensure the success of one’s career and personal goals.

Our call to action in the month of January is called #SpeakUP. Often those that are in need of mentors don’t “speak up” about their need to have a mentor or mentors in their lives. Likewise, those that have found success, whether they are newbies or vets, haven’t spoken up enough about how mentorship has landed them to where they are. We ask that you join us in developing a strong foundation of mentors and mentees by “speaking up in the Following ways:

• 1. If you are in need of mentor, #SpeakUP and join our social networking community where we will help to pair you with members of our community who are ready to provide guidance and support. (Note: The need for mentorship comes in multiple life stages, so do not feel that because you might be mid-career, that you do not need one. If you need one, speak up!)

• 2. If you would to serve as a mentor, #SpeakUP and email us at marcus@marcusgrahamproject.org so that we can arm you with the tools to connect with those that are waiting to hear from you. (Note: Similarly to the above, do not feel that you are too young to be a mentor. Even newbies in the business can reach back to college students who are looking for advice)

• 3. Join National Mentoring Month’s “I Am a Mentor” social media day on January 11th. The goal of the social media day is to encourage mentors to share what being a mentor means to them and encourage their friends to give back. On this day we will ask that we all speak up by asking our friends on Facebook and Twitter if they are interested in mentoring or being mentored.

• 4. Join in Thank You Mentor DayTM on January 26th, by speaking up to thank your mentor with an email, card or phone call. Additionally feel free to publicly thank your mentor by posting a video or note on our Facebook Fan Page

• 5. Donate to support our mentorship network. Start the year off with a tax deductible donation to help us increasing our mentorship program and activities. Click here to donate.

• 6. Consider participating in a local mentorship program outside of our industry. Our program focuses primarily around young adults, but there are hundreds of children around the country that are waiting to be mentored. To find a local program visit: http://www.mentoring.org/get_involved/become_a_mentor