BCMC MENTORSHIP PROGRAM | Summer 2024

Applications for the Summer 2024 Season of the Mentorship Program are now closed.

Mentor and Mentee Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on April 15, 2024.

BCMC is pleased to announce the launch of its Mentorship Program for the Summer 2024 Season. Starting April 1, 2024, we will accept Mentor and Mentee applications for mountain sports such as Alpine Climbing, Mountaineering, Hiking and Rock Climbing. Please note that availability of Mentors might impact our ability to include some of these mountain sports 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 Membership 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 May 31, 2024. 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 May 7, 2024, 07:00-09:00 pm at The Anza Club. All potential Mentors will be notified about the meetup by April 30, 2024.

• 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. Completed crevasse rescue course for Mountaineering

EXPECTATIONS FROM A MENTEE:

• Active BCMC Membership 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 May 31, 2024. 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 May 7, 2024, 07:00-09:00 pm at The Anza Club. All potential Mentees will be notified about the Meetup by April 30, 2024.
• 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. Completed crevasse rescue course for Mountaineering
• BCMC is a volunteer-driven organization. At the completion of the program, Mentees are highly encouraged to give back to the club in any capacity - as a trip organizer, trail maintenance volunteer, Mentor, club volunteer, etc.

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?
• Volunteer History: BCMC members who have volunteered with the club in any capacity will be given preference.

All potential Mentors and Mentees selected for the meetup will be notified by April 30, 2024. 

Step 2: Mentor-Mentee Meetup on May 7, 2024, 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.

Mentors/Mentees will have an opportunity to do some trips together in May and any changes to the group needs to be finalized by May 31, 2024.

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 April 1, 2024, 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm, 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. You can find answers to all the questions from previous winter/summer programs here.

KEY DATES:

April 1, 2024 - 07:00 am, Mentor and Mentee applications open

April 1, 2024 - Online Q&A Session, 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm. Sign up if you are interested in becoming a Mentee or a Mentor and have questions about the program

April 15, 2024 - 11:55 pm, Mentor and Mentee applications close

April 16, 2024 - Mentors Only Q&A Session, 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm. Session to discuss mentee selection and answer questions about the program.

April 30, 2024 - Communication to all potential Mentors and Mentees selected for the Mentor-Mentee meetup 

May 7, 2024 - Potential Mentor-Mentee meetup at The Anza Club, 07:00 pm - 09:00 pm

May 31, 2024 - Finalize Mentor-Mentee groups for the Winter 2023-24 Season and notify Mentor/Mentees of any changes.