Applications for the ALSC Mentoring Program are now open and we are in (serious) need of mentors! To date, we’ve received over 30 mentee applications. Wow! Many of them are students or early children’s career professionals, but we also have some mentees who are new to supervisory positions and are looking to connect with others who have experience in managing children’s services.
It’s a very flexible program in that matches are encouraged to figure out a communication plan and structure that works for them. Some matches decide to work on a specific project (like practicing storytime skills) and some matches decide to work on resume reviewing. Each mentoring relationship is different from the next, and I think that’s a great thing!
If you’re hesitant on signing up to be a mentor, here are some points I hope make you feel more confident and encouraged to apply:
- Often, mentees are primarily looking to make a professional connection in the field—someone to bounce ideas off.
- If you’re a new ALSC member and you don’t know much about ALSC to be able to mentor another, do not worry! Myself and members from the Membership Committee and Managing Children’s Services Committee (big thank you to both groups!) are here to offer support and provide some structure to help facilitate connections. Also – maybe your mentee is an active member and can offer you ideas on how to get involved! I like to emphasize that mentoring is a two-way street. You are encouraged to learn from each other.
New this year, the Friends of ALSC will be funding up to 50 one-year ALSC and ALA memberships to individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color who are also interested in participating in the mentoring program as either a mentor or a mentee. Prioritizing ALSC’s BIPOC members will further support ALSC’s strategic objective of increasing the intentional recruitment of a diverse membership, while reducing barriers to participation and access to leadership development opportunities. Thank you to our Friends! Through the generosity of our donors, we’re able to carry out strategic projects and ideas to support the building of a more diverse and engaged Association. If you are interested in applying for this membership funding opportunity, please submit a mentoring program application first and then complete a membership funding application.
Applications for both the Mentoring Program and BIPOC Mentoring Membership Funding close on Monday, October 11, 2021. Just a few days away! If you have any questions, please reach out to me.
Elizabeth Serrano (a.k.a. Elly) is ALSC’s Membership and Marketing Specialist. She can be reached at eserrano@ala.org. Please feel free to reach out to her to say hello and ask your ALSC questions!