BCMC MENTORSHIP PROGRAM | Winter 2023-24

BCMC is pleased to announce the launch of its Mentorship Program for the Winter 2023-24 Season. Starting Oct 1, 2023, we will accept Mentor and Mentee applications for mountain sports such as Backcountry Skiing, Ski Mountaineering and Snowshoeing. Depending on the availability of Mentors, we might also include Ice Climbing and Downhill Skiing in the Mentorship Program.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The primary objective of the Mentorship Program is to provide BCMC members access and opportunity to learn and practice skills in a safe and trusting environment. The program will also help Mentors and Mentees enhance competencies and confidence in the chosen mountain sport. 

Mentorship is not a replacement for formal guiding or training, and Mentors are not certified mountain guides. Mentees are encouraged to augment their skills development with formal training independently or through BCMC training events. 

EXPECTATIONS FROM A MENTOR:

• Active BCMC Member with BCMC Waiver Status as Current
• Commit to at least one mentorship trip per month or four trips during the season. Based on feedback from the previous Mentorship Program, we ask Mentors to post trips on the BCMC website with tentative dates for the entire season by November 30, 2023. Planning trips in advance will help Mentees sign up for the trips and avoid scheduling conflicts.
• Attend Mentee-Mentor Meetup for potential Mentors and Mentees on November 7, 2023, 07:00-09:00 pm at The Anza Club. All potential Mentors will be notified about the meetup by October 25, 2023.

• Has appropriate and adequate technical skills and experience in the chosen mountain sport
• Create a safe and trusting learning environment for Mentees
• Respect the Mentee’s preferences shared as part of the application process
• Is willing to share expertise and also learn from the mentorship experience
• Open to receiving and providing honest and constructive feedback 
• Own the required gear to lead a trip for the chosen mountain sport
• Is responsible for getting to the meetup point for mentorship trips. Mentors can carpool with Mentors/Mentees to share the travel cost. BCMC will not reimburse Mentors or Mentees for the transportation cost.
• Meets the secondary set of criteria specific to each mountain sport, e.g. AST-1 for Backcountry Skiing, Ski Mountaineering

EXPECTATIONS FROM A MENTEE:

• Active BCMC Member with BCMC Waiver Status as Current
• Commit to at least one mentorship trip per month or four trips during the season. BCMC will ask Mentors to post trips with tentative dates for the entire season by November 30, 2023. If you cannot join at least four of these trips during the season, BCMC will reconsider your participation in the program. If you sign up for trips and don’t show up or cancel on short notice without any valid justification, you will not be eligible to apply for future BCMC Mentorship programs.
• Attend Mentee-Mentor Meetup for potential Mentors and Mentees on November 7, 2023, 07:00-09:00 pm at The Anza Club. All potential Mentees will be notified about the Meetup by October 25, 2023.
• Respects the Mentor’s preferences shared as part of the application process
• Has identified at least one developmental goal for the season
• Is open to receiving constructive feedback and willing to learn from the mentorship experience
• Owns or can rent required gear related to the chosen mountain sport
• Is responsible for getting to the meetup point for mentorship trips. Mentees can carpool with Mentor(s)/other Mentees to share the travel cost. BCMC will not reimburse Mentors or Mentees for the transportation cost.
• Meet the secondary set of criteria specific to each mountain sport, e.g. AST-1 for Backcountry Skiing, Ski Mountaineering

MENTOR-MENTEE PAIRING PROCESS:

Based on the feedback we received from the previous programs, we will have a two-step pairing process this season. 

Step 1: Mentors will select Mentees based on the application. Key criteria: 

• Commitment: Is the Mentee committed to the program?
• Goals: What does the Mentee want to achieve from this program? 
• Skills and Fitness: What is the Mentee's current skill and fitness level in the chosen mountain sport?
• Preferences: Does the Mentee have specific preferences?

All potential Mentors and Mentees selected for the meetup will be notified by October 25, 2023. 

Step 2: Mentor-Mentee Meetup on November 7, 2023, at The Anza Club:

• The goal is to provide an opportunity for Mentors and Mentees to meet each other and discuss goals, preferences, fitness/skill level, potential dates, etc.
• We will also have a Q&A session about the program, expectations, required support, etc.

BCMC Mentorship team will work with Mentors to finalize the list of Mentees and send out the final communication on Mentor-Mentee pairs by November 15, 2023.

MENTOR INCENTIVES:

Mentors who complete the mentorship program will be eligible for the following incentives at the end of the program:

• BCMC Pro Discount Program for a year
• Up to 50% reimbursement (maximum of $200) on any guided instructional course that you take within a year of completing the mentorship program 

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM Q&A:

BCMC will host an online Q&A session on October 4, 2023, 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm PDT, to answer questions about the Mentorship Program. The Q&A session is open to anyone interested in joining the Mentorship Program as a Mentee or a Mentor.

APPLICATION FORMS:

• To be updated

Mentor and Mentee Applications must be received by 11:59 pm PDT on October 15, 2023.

KEY DATES:

October 1, 2023 - 07:00 am, Mentor and Mentee applications open

October 4, 2023 - Online Q&A Session, 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm PDT. Sign up if you are interested in becoming a Mentee or a Mentor and have questions about the program

October 15, 2023 - 11:59 pm PDT, Mentor and Mentee applications close

October 25, 2023 - Communication to all potential Mentors and Mentees selected for the Mentor-Mentee meetup 

November 7, 2023 - Mentor-Mentee meetup at The Anza Club, 07:00 pm - 09:00 pm PDT

November 15, 2023 - Communication to all Mentors and Mentees selected for the BCMC Mentorship Winter 2023-24 Season