Please note that this is a TEMPLATE. If you are a SMARTstart participant, please contact your program coordinator for the correct link.

Program Details and Expectations

In recognizing the important responsibility I have committed to as a SMARTstart Program mentor, I hereby commit to completing the expectations outlined in this Mentor Commitment Letter.

Email is our primary way of communicating with you throughout the program. Please provide us with you preferred email address and phone number.

In-Person/Virtual Workshops

Eleven in-person/virtual workshops augmenting the GoForth online training program will be delivered by local subject matter experts. Each session is approximately 1.5 hours long. Sessions include both lunch and evening times to accommodate work and personal/family commitments.  In addition, three Peer-to-Peer sessions are held to foster networking and idea-sharing amongst participants.

Events are larger gatherings and may include guests such as sponsors or other supporters.

Peer to peer sessions are more casual and gives the opportunity for all mentors and entrepreneurs to connect, it is not a one to one session, but self-selected small groups.

 Event Schedule 

Orientation
Launch
Celebration

Peer-to-Peer Session Schedule [SAMPLE]

Peer-to-Peer Session	7:00-9:00pm	Tues, June 16
Peer-to-Peer Session	7:00-9:00pm	Tues, July 14
Peer-to-Peer Session	8:00-9:00pm	Wed, Oct 14

Expectation is that you will:

• Attend all the events
• Attend at minimum 2 of the 3 peer to peer sessions - preferably all if you can. 
• You may attend any/all of the workshops (schedule provided by the coordinator)
  • If you would like to brush up on your planning skillls, as that is a major expection of the program, we encourage you to attend the Business and Strategic Planning sessions.

Mentorship

You will be paired with a local entrepreneur who will be in their first three years of business or is exploring a business idea. The role of the mentor is to guide the entrepreneur(not solve problems or take on business issues) through opportunities and challenges in their business development.  The mentor will be key in guiding the entrepreneur through the plan development process by providing input and feedback.

Expectation is that you will:

• Meet with your entrepreneur to develop a Mentor/Entrepreneur Agreement and submit it to program organizers (a form will be provided).
• Commit to a minimum of 14 hours with the entrepreneur. This includes at least three, in-person meetings of at least one hour.
• Assist with the business plan, strategic plan or feasibility as outlined in the program calendar.
• Assist with smooth program operation by attending the mentor training, midpoint feedback session and final feedback session (dates TBA). If you cannot attend the sessions, other arrangements are made with the mentor program coordinator.

Business Plan, Strategic Plan or Feasibility Plan

The key outcome of the program is to develop a plan and financial statements to move the entrepreneurs business forward. This will be a Business Plan, Strategic Plan or Feasibility Plan. The entrepreneur will meet with a Business Development Advisor to set goals and discuss which plan is right for them. You will work with your entrepreneur to complete the plan. While they range in format and length, a typical business plan is about 15-25 pages. Entrepreneurs will be provided sample plan templates and standardized pro-forma financial templates.

Expectation is that you will:

• Review the first draft of the plan and provide feedback within 2 weeks
• Review the draft pro-forma financial statements and provide feedback within 2 weeks
• Entrepreneurs will complete a second draft of their business plan and provide feedback within 2 weeks.

The final plan and pro-forma financial statements will be submitted to the mentors by the end of the program. No further action is required at this point.

Note: SMARTstart will provide entrepreneurs with sample business plans, plan templates and standardized pro-forma financial templates.

Confidentiality & Intent

The SMARTstart Program endeavours to create a trusting group atmosphere where participants actively engage in the program and feel comfortable collaborating and sharing their business ideas, opportunities and challenges. In doing so, it is expected that participants will respect the views and confidentiality of fellow participants and mentors. Participants will not discuss or disclose any confidential personal/business information learned within the program to people or groups outside of the program. Participants’ information, including business plans, shared with the SMARTstart Program Committee Members will be held in the strictest confidence.  The relationships are also one of non-solicitation. Mentors are expected to engage in the relationship pro bono and, as such, there should be no marketing or selling of any kind. 

I understand the intent of the SMARTstart Mentorship Program is to:
• To discuss and provide input and feedback regarding the entrepreneur’s business plan
• To share expertise, experience and perspectives regarding the entrepreneur’s business development
• To guide, not solve problems or take on the entrepreneur’s business issues

I understand this is a volunteer commitment and I will inform the SMARTstart program coordinator  in a timely manner if I cannot fulfill my volunteer duties.  I also commit to notifying the SMARTstart program coordinator if a conflict of interest or other issues arise with the entrepreneur.  I acknowledge that failure to meet the outlined expectations may result in removal from the program. 

Promotion

To promote the program and its participants, SMARTstart engages in a variety of forms of marketing. The program committee members understand that some participants may not want their business publicized.

Expectation is that you will:

• Agree to be publically identified by first and last name, and business name (if applicable), as being a program participant.
• Consent to have your business idea, business name, personal photograph, etc. used in publicizing the program and your business.

Publicity and Photo Consent Form

I do hereby grant permission to the [SMARTstart Program Provider Name] (owner of the SMARTstart Program), its agents and others working under its authority, full and free permission to use of my name, business name, general business details, likeness, image, voice, and/or appearance as such may be embodied in any photos and video recordings, for promotional purposes, news, research and/or educational purposes online, in-person and in print.

I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the [SMARTstart Program Provider Name] and its agents from any and all claims, demands, or causes or action that I may hereafter have by reason of anything contained in the photographs or video.

I do further certify that I am of legal age or possess the full legal capacity to execute the foregoing authorization and release.

By signing your name below you are recognizing the important responsibility you have committed to as a SMARTstart Program mentor and hereby commit to completing the expectations outlined in this Mentor Commitment Form.