Mentoring an Articling Agrologist Supporting the Development of Professionals in Agrology Alex Koiter, P.Ag. (left) and Sam Albers (A.Ag.)

This presentation’s components: 1.Overview of the Mentoring Program 2.Elements of Effective Mentoring 3.Benefits of Mentoring 4.How to get involved! 1

1. An Overview of the Articling Agrologist Program The Articling Agrologist program is one of the two BCIA initiatives delivered at the branch level. The other is the Professional Development Program. 2

Initial Dialogue with Mentoree On becoming an Articled member, the BCIA registrar provides a welcoming letter that includes:  The commencement date and term of the articling period  Request for the new articling member to seek a mentor  Contact information for the Articling Agrologist Coordinator of the member’s branch  An offer of support if finding a mentor is difficult  The branch Articling Agrologist coordinator is copied on the letter. 3 Robert Moody, P.Ag. Registrar and Executive Director

Initial Dialogue with Mentee Each A.Ag is provided with a journal that includes:  written resources associated with the institute and the program  a checklist for recording program “milestones”  a mentoring agreement  Articling Agrologists should bring the journal to the mentoring meeting and to all required activities for sign-off 4

Key Themes of the Articling Agrologist Program  Working within an area of practice within agrology  Professional development  Fostering Professionalism Mentoring is to contribute to strengthening a professional attitude and professional behaviour of new agrologists. A.AgP.Ag 5

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Mentoring within the Articling Agrologist Program  The mentoring relationship between mentor and mentoree is formalized in the mentoring agreement found in the journal  The mentoring agreement should be discussed, completed and signed in the initial meeting of mentor and mentoree  Mentoring involves regular meetings during the articling term where the focus of discussion is professionalism within the practice of agrology  Mentors are encouraged to participate in BCIA activities with their mentoree and to monitor, provide support, and guide the articling agrologist as he/she completes program requirements  Mentor prepares a letter of recommendation to Executive Director/Registrar at the end of the articling period  Both the Executive Director/Registrar and the branch Articling Agrologist Coordinator are available to support the mentor and the mentoree 7

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2. Elements of Effective Mentoring Often mentoring is focused on career mentoring. For this program the focus is developing professionalism. 9

The Mentoring Relationship  In ancient Greece, Mentor was a character in Homer’s Odyssey. He was a trusted friend and guide to the younger generation  Today, mentor has become a common noun meaning “someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague”  Within BCIA, the mentoring relationship is structured within the Articling Agrologist Program and the focus is fostering professionalism in agrology 10

Elements of Effective Mentoring  Informal and relaxed  Purposeful – having some structure to the meeting  Should be face-to-face if possible over lunch or coffee. Meeting via Skype or FaceTime can be effective if a face-to- face relationship has been established first.  Both parties actively engaged in learning (curious and inquisitive)  Positive tone – celebrates success  Mutually beneficial and rewarding  A trust relationship and the conversation is confidential 11

Effective Mentoring of Articling Agrologists  Mentor and mentoree should be in the same branch and able to meet easily every 3 months  Mentor and mentoree need not be in the same area of practice within agrology  If possible, mentor should not be mentoree’s supervisor  If possible, meet on “neutral territory” such as a coffee shop or restaurant 12

Effective Mentoring of Articling Agrologists  Practice the “Art of Listening” rather than the “Art of Waiting to Talk”  Your willingness to listen is often more valuable than your advice  Ask open ended questions and practice reflective listening  Share what you wish you had known when you were starting out as a young agrologist  Offer insights into how you make decisions and resolve conflicts as a professional  Talk about your mistakes as well as your successes 13

Effective Mentoring of Articling Agrologists Suggested Discussion Topics at a Mentoring Meeting 14 1.Reviews uncompleted program requirements defined in the Articling Agrologist Journal and encourage participation by mentoree 2.Discusses professional development activities currently being pursued by mentor and mentoree 3.Shares information about activities within their areas of practice paying particular attention to ethical behavior including:  The scope of practice of the agrologist  The public interest that must be ensured  The duties the agrologist has to the employer or client  The relationship of the agrologist with other agrologists and other professionals associated with the activity  Applying “due diligence” when undertaking professional practice These conversations are the most important component of the Articling Agrologist program. The focus is on professionalism in agrology and how it is expressed in the duties to public, employer and colleagues.

3. Benefits of Mentoring 15

Benefits of Mentoring to Articling Agrologists  A mentor is a “friendly face” at BCIA events who can introduce mentoree to other members and explain the workings of BCIA  Gain valuable advice – having a “sounding board” for ideas when faced with making a difficult, complex decision as a professional  Increased confidence and sense of security. Joining a professional organization can be a bit intimidating! Helping someone learn the ropes can be a great confidence booster  Improved communication skills as you navigate through the mentoring relationship with your mentoree  Gain new perspectives and exposure to new areas of practice  Connections to a wider professional network  A key requirement for achieving professional status 16

Benefits of Mentoring to Professional Agrologists  Improved communication skills  Increased feeling of value  Gain new perspectives and exposure to new areas of practice  Connections to a wider professional network  Personal Growth – you learn something completely when you teach it to others  Professional Development Credits (5 PDH’s) 17

Benefits of Mentoring to BCIA  Increased competency of members  Decreased attrition  Contributes to high level of professional attitudes and behaviors by institute members. This, in turn, leads to:  Ongoing public trust and support for the BCIA  Decreased occurrence of expensive disciplinary procedures  High levels of compliance with professional standards of practice 18 We are a small professional organizations relying on volunteers for much of the work of the institute – mentoring is important!

4. How to get involved!  Express interest in being a mentor to the Articling Agrologist Coordinator for your branch. Go to > Contact Us > Branch Executive for contact information.  The Articling Agrologist Coordinator can match you with a mentoree 19

Thank you for your interest in the BCIA mentoring program! 20