tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post6246078655161122176..comments2020-11-08T07:51:19.883-08:00Comments on Attila the Archivist: Upping the gameArlene Schmulandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949308066696274097noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post-75434615523154468652012-03-14T16:44:26.888-07:002012-03-14T16:44:26.888-07:00I know some of this already happens in NWA since I...I know some of this already happens in NWA since I've been the recipient of a few of those phone calls from members of the mentorship committee saying "will you please?" I've also been asked to serve on the NWA committee though that role hasn't technically begun yet. <br /><br />Though I have to wonder. Maybe this is working for some people. Just because I didn't feel like I was doing all that well at it doesn't mean that all, or even most, others are feeling the same way.Arlene Schmulandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06949308066696274097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post-19455681647108426362012-03-14T16:27:36.028-07:002012-03-14T16:27:36.028-07:00I rather like the idea of not going for a one-size...I rather like the idea of not going for a one-size-fits-all world, but it takes more administration. Or, perhaps this is something that the SNAP roundtable can take on, working with the membership committee? Along with the (hopeful) new similar group within NWA working with the board. Maybe instead of just having a list to work off of, it's more of a committee trying to match people up? Probably much easier on a regional level where people tend to know each other better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post-18799242644328952672012-03-14T15:46:59.473-07:002012-03-14T15:46:59.473-07:00Thanks! And some excellent questions, there, which...Thanks! And some excellent questions, there, which raised some more, for me. I never asked anybody to mentor me, they just stepped in and did it. In fact, in most cases, I didn't realize it even was a mentoring relationship til well in. But for people seeking a mentor, can they really rely on somebody just coming forward and doing so of their own volition? Or necessarily even recognizing what mentoring the person may be able to provide? (The age old question: how do you know what you don't know if you don't know it?) I think that's maybe where these formal programs come in, to create this situation artificially for those who can't find it more organically. But you're also right: I'm told these programs are a little low on volunteers. So how do we get to that more perfect world?Arlene Schmulandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06949308066696274097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post-16735872642425277152012-03-14T15:36:19.915-07:002012-03-14T15:36:19.915-07:00Good post. This has been an issue for me, too. I...Good post. This has been an issue for me, too. I've been a mentor twice now, and was quite embarrassed by my performance. Good intentions and all, what it devolved into was an occasional phone call with the first, and somewhat more contact with the second. I decided that I'm much better with the ad hoc mentoring - especially for the students and new professionals who work for me. <br /><br />I recently counseled a couple of students about this topic. In my experience, mentors have come and gone and have come from unexpected places. One of the best mentors I've had wasn't an archivist at all. Rather, she served the role as I continued to weave through the mine field that is HR and general administration. You know, that stuff you don't get with your MLS. Anyway, I recommended that while they should certainly try out the SAA and NWA programs, they should also seek out someone in specific they'd like to establish a relationship with. There are relatively few professionals who are signing up to serve as mentors through the established programs, so the choice is somewhat limited. However, how many people would decline a personal request to serve?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post-5629502448936249902012-02-27T14:24:11.314-08:002012-02-27T14:24:11.314-08:00I hear you. I know I've been that mentor. It&#...I hear you. I know I've been that mentor. It's hard, and as I said, I think we're all working without a gameplan here. Like I said, I'm not sure that some of it is anybody's fault--it's just the way things go. It's not always easy to start up a discussion about the more meta matters when you don't know the person with whom you're conversing. Maybe that's part of it. Which is my mentee and I are working for a more scheduled type of thing in hopes that maybe that's the answer. We won't know until we try. If it works? Hey, I might have some suggestions for guidelines for the mentoring program!Arlene Schmulandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06949308066696274097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733621480847572638.post-67318669393914909012012-02-27T12:15:32.312-08:002012-02-27T12:15:32.312-08:00Hi Arlene, thanks for sharing your story. I am act...Hi Arlene, thanks for sharing your story. I am actually a disgruntled mentee but I do put some blame on myself. There was some expectation on my part of the mentor taking the lead. But we got stuck when she suggested I visit her workplace and I just can't do that due to my schedule. I tried to talk to her about some stuff, but there was no exchange discourse, so I kind of gave up and tried to make the visit happen, which it didn't. I have since tried to start up email discourse again and will see if she is up to the task. Glad I'm not the only one who was somewhat disappointed in the process.Ginger Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17453442334718861407noreply@blogger.com