[Ct-nfb] Should We Start a Mentoring Program?

[Elizabeth Rival]

Justin, I think it would help allot of people . We all need mentoring and
can all be more successful using it. Sounds like a good idea to start in
November at our state convention. Thanks Beth 

 

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin
Salisbury via Ct-nfb
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2015 11:56 PM
To: 'ct-nfb at nfbnet.org'
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Should We Start a Mentoring Program?

 

Hello everyone,

 

Some affiliates run mentoring programs. We talked about doing one in
Connecticut a while back, but we didn’t hold the discussion in a forum as
broad as this one. I’m curious about the possibilities, but I only want to
go down the road of exploring details if people in our affiliate are
actually interested.

 

I know I am where I am today because of the great mentors I’ve had in the
National Federation of the Blind, some of whom are on this email list. Most
of those experiences happened organically for me, but I wonder about how
powerful it could be to run a mentoring program like the NFB affiliates in
Illinois, Utah, Georgia, Texas, etc. 

 

Here are a few details of other programs so far as I understand them.
Certainly, we could take consultation from other programs, but I wouldn’t
want to guide the program to the point of bypassing the ingenuity that I’m
proud to consider a characteristic of Connecticut citizens. 

 

Programs divide participants into two groups: one with more experience
(mentors) and the other with less experience (mentees). Then, pairs are made
with one person from each group. Activities are held a few times per year,
usually at existing NFB events, where mentors and mentees get together and
help each other be stronger. Sometimes, trips and other events are planned
just for people in the programs. Of course, mentors and mentees communicate
outside of events, too.

 

What does everyone think? Is this something we’d like to investigate? Would
anyone here want to be a part of something like that?

 

Take care,

 

Justin

 

Justin Salisbury - Running Thunder Phoenix

Graduate Student

Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness

Louisiana Tech University

Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu

Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

 

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist. 

 

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 

Because I was not a Trade Unionist. 

 

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 

Because I was not a Jew. 

 

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. 

 

Martin Niemöller

 

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