INDUSTRY INITIATIVES
“ The energy that drove the creation of the program was primarily the knowledge that members were asking for mentors and to be mentors ,” said Jones . “ The buzz about the need grew louder after a presentation at the 2023 SFMA Conference about a mentoring relationship .” “ Mentor is defined by most dictionaries as ( noun ) an experienced and trusted advisor , or ( verb ) to advise or train someone , especially a younger colleague ,” said Learning Initiatives Committee Member Michael Goatley Jr ., Ph . D . “ John Clintsman and I presented ‘ Mentoring for the Sports Field Manager ’ at the 2023 SFMA Conference in Salt Lake City , and it elicited some nice discussion with our audience — many of whom attended our presentation to share their mentoring experiences .”
Goatley and Clintsman originally met at SFMA conference eight years ago when Clintsman purchased a copy of “ Sports Field Management : Design , Construction and Maintenance ” ( a book co-authored by Goatley ) and asked Goatley to sign it .
“ You never know how , when or where a mentoring relationship might develop ,” said Goatley . “ For John and me , that was the beginning of a professional relationship that we have maintained and expanded as the years passed . As our mentoring relationship evolved , it became one of John ’ s goals for us to present together at conference — and the topic he wished to partner on was mentorship .”
According to Goatley , a lot of research went into the creation of the presentation , as did a survey of SFMA members . That data — along with feedback from colleagues and information from various business leaders — helped Goatley and Clintsman create an outline of the characteristics of a good mentor . That list included the
willingness to share , demonstrating a positive attitude and acting as a positive role model , taking mentoring seriously , enthusiasm for the field , continued learning / growth , the respect of colleagues , the ability to set and meet professional goals , motivating others and valuing the opinions of others .
Jones added that he feels selflessness is the number-one trait that makes someone a good mentor . “ A willingness and commitment to sharing yourself with others ,” he added . “ Empathy is another trait of a good mentor — the ability to walk in another ’ s shoes , to hear their story to better guide their mentee through challenges and successes .”
According to SFMA , the mentorship program cycle begins in spring and concludes at each SFMA conference . Participants should be willing to commit one to two hours per month to the program , and mentors may have up to five mentees . Each mentor must be a current member of SFMA , be willing to commit time to the program , have significant and relevant experience in the sports field management industry and must submit an online application . Each mentee must also be a current member of SFMA willing to commit time to the program , and is required to submit the online application .
According to Jones , the first step to becoming a mentor is to ask yourself if you want to mentor someone and then evaluate what you have to offer a mentee .
Jones added that any SFMA member , new or seasoned , who desires to have guidance toward professional and personal development should apply to be a mentee . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com February 2024 | SportsField Management
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