NAWO GEM Program: Terms & Conditions 2026

These Terms & Conditions apply to the GEM Program for 2026. Applications for the program are open between 1 December 2025 and 27 February 2026.

Program fees 

Participation in the NAWO GEM Program, as a mentee and/or as a mentor, is by application only. There is a fee associated with participating in the program as a mentee; in 2026, the fee is $750 (including GST) for individuals who have a current NAWO membership, either individually or through their employer.

If an applicant does not have a current NAWO membership either individually or through their employer, the fee to participate as a mentee is $850 (including GST). For individuals this fee includes access to the benefits of a NAWO individual membership between the date you complete your application form and 31 December 2026. 

Applications for the 2026 GEM Program are open between 1st December 2025 and 27 February 2026. NAWO Member organisations are welcome to submit cohorts of up to 10 GEM participants. There are limited spots in the NAWO GEM Program. When participant numbers are reached, applications may be capped.

Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion Mentoring Program Manager or the NAWO CEO.

Applicants may withdraw their application without charge prior to mentoring matching stage. Written notice of cancellation must be provided to NAWO at [email protected] by Friday 20 March 2026.

Invoices for the program fees will be sent directly to the individual nominated on the application form by the applicant from Friday 6 March 2026. Payment must be made within the terms specified in the invoice; otherwise, your application may not be progressed. NAWO reserves the right to withdraw the application of mentees whose registration fees are unpaid by the invoice due date. 

The matching process 

NAWO invests considerable time and capability in hand-matching our mentors and mentoring circles. GEM Mentors are selected from our broader network of NAWO Mentors because of their particular experience in gender equity in organisations. To express interest in being a 2026 GEM mentor, please email [email protected]

Your mentoring circle will consist of 4-6 other male mentees, matched by NAWO. These will be men working within operations, from diverse NAWO Member organisations. NAWO mentors can be from all genders.

Mentoring matches are contingent on mentor availability and suitability.

If the initial match does not meet your specific needs, you may request one re-match within two weeks of receiving details of your mentor/mentee.

We will not accept requests for re-matches based on factors such as ethnicity or background, sexual orientation, religion, gender, or industry.

If NAWO is unable to find a suitable initial match, a full program refund will be provided.

Participating in the program 

The GEM Program is a success thanks to the commitment made by both mentees and mentors. By taking part in the program, you agree to prioritise participation by attending sessions and communicating with your mentee/ mentor in a timely and professional manner.

Mentors and Mentees will need to guarantee a time commitment of 12+ hours across the duration of the program from April – June 2026. Sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Wednesday 1 April: GEM Onboarding Session [1 hour]
• Wednesday 29 April: Session 1 [2 hours]
• Wednesday 6 May: Session 2 [2 hours]
• Wednesday 13 May: Session 3 [2 hours]
• Wednesday 20 May: Session 4 [2 hours]
• Wednesday 27 May: Session 5 [2 hours]
• Wednesday 17 June: GEM End of Program Session [1 hour]

All sessions will be held online and will start at 1:00PM AEST (Melb/Syd time).

Please ensure you are available for all Program Sessions. All sessions will include breakout discussions with your Mentor(s) and mentoring circle of 4-6 Mentees. Successful completion of the program requires attendance at at least 80% of the online sessions, and full completion of any required post-session reflection logs.

Being part of the GEM Program, we also encourage you to seize the great opportunity of tapping into NAWO’s Portal of resources as well as participating (either online or in person) in NAWO member webinars or events to further your development and inform your mentoring discussions.

By participating in the NAWO Mentoring Program you also agree abide by our  Community Code and Respectful Behaviour Policy that sets out how we expect our members and program participants to help create and sustain our network being a positive place for support, advice and enriching conversation. 

Should there be any breach of the Community Code, we ask that you report this immediately to any of the following people in the NAWO team: 

• Elizabeth Morrow Foley, Mentoring Program Manager – [email protected]
• Louise Weine, NAWO CEO – [email protected]
• Deb Spring, NAWO Chair – [email protected]