Encinitas Toastmasters Mentor Program Statement
The Encinitas Toastmasters Mentor Program is a vital part of how we grow – as speakers, as leaders, and as a community. By pairing members with trusted mentors, we accelerate individual progress, deepen connection within the club and promote excellence across all levels.
As a club, we are proud to have 7 Distinguished Toastmasters (DTMs) and members who have achieved Level 5 in Pathways. These individuals form a select mentor candidate pool, uniquely qualified to support newer or developing members through experience-based guidance, leadership development, and project coaching.
We will empower members seeking mentorship with a form that allows them to select their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd mentor preference from a list of Distinguished Toastmasters and Level 5 Toastmasters. This process ensures a thoughtful and personalized match based on availability, interest, and alignment of goals.
In addition, mentees will be given the option to select a mentor from outside this pool – a member of lesser organizational experience (below Level 5). This is referred to as a Developing Leader Mentor (DLM) selection. This choice allows for developing leader-to-peer mentorship when strong alignment or rapport exists and helps create a more dynamic, inclusive and developmental environment.
The foundation of every mentor-mentee pairing must be a shared commitment to mutual growth, accountability, and consistent communication.
To ensure balance among our mentors, while we aim to assign mentees their 1st choice whenever possible, the 2nd and 3rd choices may be considered to avoid overloading a single mentor and to preserve the quality of the experience. The 3rd choice is especially important as it allows for future club growth, transitions, or new opportunities within the program.
DTMs
Alistair Patterson
Gary Penn
Kathleen Miller (unavailable until Spring 2026)
Margarita Pinhas
Pat Rarus
Robert Perry
Terrie Price
Level 5s
Donna Masterman
Keith Eck