MENTOR PROGRAM
Reality Check
September is a month for gearing-up for the fall and the final few
months of the Watch Year. It's also an appropriate time to reflect
on where we've been - and where we plan to go. Reality check is a
worthwhile process for looking both to the past and the future.
Please consider the following four items:
Item One: FC Keyes tells us we have experienced unprecedented
membership growth and an increased number of newly qualified
specialists this watch year. That's Good - and May It Continue!
Item Two: Our 19 new members this year, and ten Coxswain and Boat
Crew trainees are being served by excellent 8-6 Mentors. That's
Great - and May This Also Continue!
Item Three: The Flotilla leadership say they have every reason to
predict these trends will continue. And, Of Course, That's Great!
Item Four: We currently have no shipmates in line to serve as
Mentors to new members or Coxswain/Boat Crew Trainees. And That's
Really Scary!!!
Let's consider how we can cope with this sobering reality. Our
Mentor Program is a win-win situation! Mentors enhance their
personal Auxiliary skills by teaching their Mentees - and derive
tremendous satisfaction in observing new member skill development
and involvement in 8-6.
Because this is an informal process, and the Mentee accompanies the
Mentor on routine flotilla activities, the extra time commitment is
minimal.
Our Mentors personalize each match-up, which undoubtedly is the
reason this program is our best guarantee of developing satisfied
and productive members! - indeed the hallmark of a flagship
flotilla!
If you are serving as a Mentor, read no more -and accept our
Flotilla's abundant thanks!
If you've not yet made this commitment, please take a personal
reality check - and give me a call so we can discuss how you might
become involved in ensuring a bright future for a great flotilla!
Thank you.
Jerry Hopfengardner-- Mentor Program Officer
October
2005 