by Kenneth Semien Sr.
The ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program is advancing into its fourth year of providing mentorship, access and peer support during the fall of 2026. This leadership development program, designed exclusively for aspiring leaders, is a nine-month exploration of learning and grasping new concepts. Online applications will be accepted from July 17th through August 19th. The 2026-2027 cohort will be selected by September 2nd, and the program year will begin on September 17th. Activities will conclude on June 17, 2027. The program culminates with a virtual graduation ceremony during the virtual week of the ACB conference and convention.
Prepare to listen in on one of our presentations that will allow you to learn how the program works and ask questions that are important to you. We place an emphasis on the Explorer using the S.M.A.R.T. goal framework, meaning that your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound.
Calendar of Presentations:
- Affiliate Presidents Hump Day Happy Hour Presentation: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 5 p.m. Eastern
- ACB Informational Community Call: Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 8 p.m. Eastern
- ACB Informational Community Call: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 4 p.m. Eastern
INSPIRE refers to “Imagine, Nurture, Support, Prepare, Influence, Reflect, and Evolve.” The ACB INSPIRE mentoring program serves as a roadmap and places an emphasis on aiding and guiding potential leaders to expand their involvement at the local, state and/or national level. Members are urged to apply to become a Guide/Mentor or Explorer/Mentee.
The INSPIRE Experience includes an introductory Guide-Explorer meet and greet; informative orientation training; personalized Guide-Explorer team meetings; interactive quarterly check point meetings; empowerment segments with leaders of the blindness community, as well as other collaborative partnerships; optional office hours feedback sessions; support meetings with the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Team; sharing of inspirational books, articles, poems, quotes, and other material from the INSPIRE Library; participant communication on the designated ACB INSPIRE email list; and the end-of-program evaluation survey.
ACB INSPIRE Applicant Criteria
To serve as a Guide or mentor, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- An ACB member for 7 consecutive years or more
- Current on membership dues
- Have at least 5 years of confirmed leadership experience within ACB, one of its affiliates or chapters
- Submit name and contact information for a reference when first applying to serve as a Guide
- Have personal knowledge of ACB’s history, mission, purpose, and core values
- Agree to meet with designated Explorer/Mentee at least twice a month
- Conduct effective goal-setting meetings with a designated explorer/mentee
- Agree to keep all communication with Explorer/Mentee private and confidential
- Agree to attend and participate in scheduled group empowerment sessions, including quarterly Check Point Meetings. Office Hours feedback sessions are optional.
- Agree to submit a monthly report to the ACB Mentoring Team on Guide-Explorer progress
- Agree to complete end-of-program evaluations
To qualify as an Explorer or mentee, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- An ACB member for at least 2 consecutive years (membership in an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or chapter, is applicable)
- Current on membership dues
- Demonstrate an eagerness to learn and grow
- Faithfully attend and participate in goal-setting sessions with a designated guide/mentor
- Agree to meet with Guide/Mentor at least twice a month
- Agree to attend and participate in group empowerment sessions, including quarterly Check Point Meetings. Office Hours feedback sessions are optional.
- Agree to submit a monthly report to the ACB Mentoring Team on Guide-Explorer progress
- Agree to complete end-of-program evaluations
Now is the time to strongly consider becoming a Guide or Explorer! Just submit an application for consideration by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on August 19th.
The link to the application will be placed in the “Dots and Dashes” newsletter, on various email lists, and on www.acb.org beginning on July 17th. Contact us by sending email to acb.mentoring@gmail.com.