INSPIRE.
Lander Womentum is a community‐based mentoring program that develops women's skills, confidence, and local social networks through a nine‐month schedule of workshops, dinners, and events. Womentum was founded in 2006 in Jackson, WY. Up until 2016, participants were solely residents of Jackson Hole, but in 2017 the program was expanded to Lander. We function under the Womentum name, but operate independently and with a slightly different structure. In 2019, Lander Womentum became its own 501c3 non-profit, which allows us to fundraise and offer expanded programming to our community.
This program includes two main structural components -- the cohort (or group) experience and mentoring partnerships. We believe both individuals in a mentoring relationship stand to gain from it, so we don't assign mentor and mentee roles (as they do in Jackson) but instead structure the relationship as a partnership. The idea is to have mentoring partners who, through one-on-one time together and a variety of guided workshops and dinners, gain professional contacts, build personal relationships, and acquire the know-how to give back to their community.
Cohort sessions alternate between large group gatherings with the entire group and the leadership team and small group gatherings. The large group gatherings are structured as workshops with a presentation of information followed by break-out sessions to explore the topic in more depth. The Small Group gatherings are potluck style dinners and are held at a volunteer cohort member’s house. We split the cohort into groups of about 6 people and are able to have more intimate conversations and therefore further develop personal and professional connections within the cohort.
Mentoring partnerships are assigned by the Leadership Team as part of the application review process. The Leadership Team reviews self-reported skill sets and goals (from completed applications) to match mentoring pairs to the best of our ability. We take into consideration schedules, professional interests, and individual goals. Our aim is to pair people who can mutually benefit from the relationship. Our most vibrant mentoring pairs have embraced the excitement of being on a blind date, letting uncertainty, curiosity and a willingness to openly share drive their relationship. The Leadership Team provides structure around how to be an effective and nurturing partnership early in the program and remains available throughout the course of the program to support these relationships. Mentoring partners should meet at least once between each scheduled session. Great ways to spend together are over a meal, going for walks, hikes, bike rides, volunteering together, etc.-
Who is the Program for?
Our philosophy is that leadership qualities are present in all aspects of our lives. Being a leader can mean being a good role model for your children just as much as being the CEO of a company or being involved in public office. We believe that leadership is not exclusive to management roles or civic engagement, but that it is pervasive in all of the threads of our lives.
If you are interested in personal development, examining your ways of being, exploring new opportunities and ideas while engaging with other women who share these values, this program is for you.
Why does it cost money?
We are all volunteers. We ask for $100 per person, which you pay only if you are accepted into the cohort. Please let us know if this is a hardship as scholarships are available; all we need is an email. These fees help pay for print-outs for workshops and discussions, event space rental, and the kick-off and graduating celebrations.
What if I cannot attend everything on the schedule?
That’s okay. We know that life gets busy and unpredictable! We ask that if you apply, you intend to participate in the majority of scheduled events, workshops, and dinners. The time spent with your partner is up to you both, but we suggest spending at least a few hours a month as a pair. We would also remind you that, when you make something a priority in your life, you reap the most reward from it.
Is there a curriculum?
Every year the cohort programming is generally outlined by the leadership team AND we would love for the cohort members to provide insights and suggestions about topics that inspire or resonate with them. The cohort is encouraged to ask for what they need and have ownership over the direction the group goes. The Leadership team has an “open door” policy and is here to make this the most positive experience that it can be. So don’t be shy. In the past we have explored topics from wellness to financial fitness to personality assessment and the possibilities are endless.
