Why I Mentor

Oklahomans in every corner of the state are volunteering time each week to make a difference in a child's life. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has asked some of these mentors to share their experiences.

Charlie Collie and his menteeCharlie Collie is manager of Purchasing & Production Control for Centrilift’s Cable Operation in Claremore.

Why is mentoring important to you?
Investing time with our kids improves everyone’s future. Each one promises something good for society. It’s only fair that I share some of my time with them to help them understand their value.

How or why did you become involved?
I became involved in mentoring when a friend suggested that I consider sharing an hour of discussion a week with a young student. My friend knew that it would be an hour that would grow into one of the most important hours of my week.

How have you personally benefited from mentoring?
Mentoring makes us better listeners and observers. I pay more attention to my mentee’s discussion, mannerisms and expressions than in ‘pre-mentoring’ days. So much communication goes on that I didn’t ‘listen’ to before, I really have this young student to thank for MY improvement.

Give an example of an activity you have shared with your mentee.
In our beginning meetings, not much conversation took place. In time, talking and thinking ‘out loud’ began for my mentee and he began to communicate with me about a variety of subjects. This says he is gaining confidence and comfort in a friendship that spans many years between us. We have some things in common; growth in trust and honesty between us is important. My mentee and I have developed a bond of friendship through our weekly visits.