Tristate Mentorship Match - Montana's Credit Union

About the Program

The Tristate Mentorship Match is a 12-month program designed to build, grow, support, and inspire credit union professionals in their careers and commitment to the credit union movement. It envisions relationships based upon commitment, common goals and expectations, and mutual trust and respect … relationships that allow both the mentee and mentor to grow in the process.

This program is a partnership of Montana’s Credit Unions, the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the Wisconsin Credit Union League , and the Nebraska Credit Union League to expand our reach and bring our collective members a rich and diverse opportunity to network and grow. You’ll get to select if you prefer a Montana match or a match from another state.

2026-2027 Timeline

June 8: Open applications for mentors and mentees
July 3: The application period closes
July 15: Mentorship matches made, and selected participants notified
August 4-5: Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference
August 12 at 10:00 AM: Kick-off webinar to get your questions about the program answered
August 15, 2026 – August 15, 2027: Your mentorship journey!
February 25 at 10:00 AM: Mid-Year Mentee Check-In Call
February 26 at 10:00 AM: Mid-Year Mentor Check-In Call

Roles & Responsibilities for Mentees

Your development depends on exploring career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, collaborating on means to “get there,” implementing strategies, and evaluating along the way. Your mentor will provide the “light” for you to follow. Learning from the wisdom and past experiences of your mentor will serve you well and produce great benefits.

Here are a few roles and responsibilities to help you in the process:

Commit to your development
Assume responsibility for acquiring or improving skills and knowledge
Discuss your goals with your mentor
Be open and honest on your goals, expectations, challenges, and concerns
Actively listen and question
Build a supportive and trusting environment
Seek advice, opinion, feedback, and direction from your mentor
Ask questions!
Be open to constructive criticism/feedback and ask for it
Come to your meetings prepared with a clear idea of what topics or issues you want to address
Take the lead on scheduling meetings
Respect your mentor’s time and resources
Apply what you learn from your meetings back on the job
Keep your supervisor informed of the process and your progress
Give feedback to your mentor on what is working or not working in the mentoring relationship

Roles & Responsibilities for Mentors

The development of your mentee depends on exploring career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, collaborating on means to “get there,” implementing strategies, and evaluating along the way. You as the mentor provide the “light” for the mentee to follow. Sharing your wisdom and past experiences is what the mentee looks for from you.

Here are a few roles and responsibilities to help you in the process:

Support the mentee’s development of professional and interpersonal competencies through strategic questioning, goal setting, and planning
Create a supportive and trusting environment
Agree to and schedule uninterrupted time with your mentee
Stay accessible, committed, and engaged during the length of the program
Actively listen and question
Give feedback to the mentee on his/her goals, situations, plans, and ideas
Encourage your mentee by giving them genuine positive reinforcement
Serve as a positive role model
Provide frank (and kind) corrective feedback if necessary
Openly and honestly share “lessons learned” from your own experience
Keep discussions on track
Respect your mentee’s time and resources
Seek assistance if questions arise that you cannot answer

Apply by July 3, 2026

This is a 12-month program. It includes guidance, check-ins, and other resources that will help maximize your participation. To apply, click on the appropriate link below. Please read the Policies & Procedures Manual before applying for the program, and check out the 12-Month Guide.

2026-2027 Applications Now Open – Sign up today on the new Tristate Mentorship Match webpage.

Apply to Be a Mentee (costs $75 to participate)

Apply to Be a Mentor (no cost to participate)

To Learn More

Ranel Smith VP–RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ranel@mcun.coop

800-745-5546, ext. 126

Direct: 406-324-7456