INSPIRE refers to “Imagine, Nurture, Support, Prepare, Influence, Reflect, Evolve”
“Providing Mentorship, Access, and Peer Support”
Program Objective
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.
Introducing the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program Team:
- Cheryl Cumings – Chair, ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee & Member, ACB Board of Directors.
- Donna Brown – Co-Chair, Berl Colley Leadership Institute Training Committee & Member, ACB Board of Directors.
- Donna Clarke – Liaison, ACB Membership Committee.
- Kenneth Semien, Sr., Chair, Membership Services Steering Committee & ACB Second Vice President.
Program Highlights
The INSPIRE Experience includes the following:
- Introductory Guide-Explorer Meet and Greet Session
- Informative orientation training sessions
- Personalized Guide-Explorer team meetings
- Interactive quarterly Check Point meetings
- Empowerment segments with leaders of the blindness community, as well as, other collaborative partnerships.
- 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 Mentoring email list
- End of Program Evaluation Survey
Program Components
✓Mentorship
We will seek to define mentorship as it pertains to our organization and work to support members who participate in the mentorship program, while ensuring that they are aware of ACB’s mission, vision, and purpose for existence. We will also promote the inclusion of ACB’s Core Values.
✓Access
Members will be given the opportunity to access an array of meaningful information, resources, training sessions and personalized support.
✓Peer Support
An emphasis will be placed on connecting with members through the provision of knowledge, experience, emotional, social and practical support.
✓Guidance
Define how we can best provide guidance to inspire members to take a journey with us as we explore and share proven connectivity concepts that are supportive of their specific needs, while allowing them to feel free to express their thoughts throughout the process.
✓Understanding
It will be important for us to demonstrate good listening skills and respectful communication as we consider the background and life experiences of our members. This will assist us in determining the best course of action.
✓Intervention
A mentor is a solution oriented individual who focuses on areas in which another person can receive insight, inspiration, and encouragement. There are times when a mentor is able to observe particular traits being displayed that may reveal evidence that timely intervention may very well assist an individual in advancing, when otherwise the lack of support could result in unfavorable outcomes.
✓Direction
Confirm the goals and aspirations of each participating mentee in an effort to provide adequate and personalized orientation, direction, advice, techniques, leadership, a method of monitoring progress to determine when and if other courses of action are necessary, and assist in maintaining focus on the desired outcome.
✓Empowerment
Following the provision of purposeful tools and techniques to accomplish goals and aspirations, members will be better prepared to confidently and independently move toward their desired level of success.
How to Apply
Opportunity is knocking! Will you answer?
The ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program is seeking eager applicants for the 2026-2027 Cohort that officially begins on September 17, 2026. Read below for very important details.
Prepare to complete the application by the deadline of Wednesday August 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The application process begins on Friday July 17, 2026.
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.
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. Applicants are encouraged to determine their desired goals prior to submitting their application, while focusing on the purpose and objective of the program.
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.
Instructions
When completing your application and are asked for your email address at the beginning, please insert your email address. By doing this, you should receive an email indicating that your application has been submitted.
In the contact information section of the form, you are asked for an email address again. This field is for the Mentor team only, therefore it's important to include it.
Below are the links to the two Inspire application forms for this year.
Mentee/Explorer application: https://forms.gle/Pr1PZan7vVciE1Ld9
Mentor/Guide application: https://forms.gle/jnrCbG62u2pEbmY76
Contact the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Team
Questions? Communicate with the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Team by sending email to: acb.mentoring@gmail.com. If it is more feasible to call, dial 409-866-5838.
Thanks for your interest in becoming an ACB Guide or Explorer!