During the pilot years of the program, some academic staff members have been both mentors and mentees simultaneously. This arrangement works differently for each individual. Yes, training is an important part of the program. It helps to ensure that all participants have common expectations about what the program provides. Training also gives participants a head start on building new networks, provides a framework for mentoring, and explores issues of confidentiality between participants.
Training typically takes less than half a day.
If you are comfortable calling your mentor, by all means do that. Chances are that the person simply is caught up in the pressures of everyday activities. If you would rather not call your mentor, you may call anyone on the Mentoring Committee for some help. You may call someone on the Mentoring Committee, who will discuss your situation. It is possible that a misunderstanding exists.