NOVA Mentor Program

In our ongoing efforts to provide more opportunities for engagement within the NOVA community outside of the weekly track workouts, NOVA Running Club is rolling out a new initiative called the NOVA Mentor Program. Interested runners, please see details below! We will have a sign up form at Tuesday practice, and you can contact NOVA President Justin Buenaflor or Social Media Director Erin Masterson for more information. You can also sign up here.

What is the NOVA Mentor Program?

• The NOVA Mentor Program is a new program whereby NOVA runners are matched with more experienced NOVA team members for guidance, through a more formal process than simply meeting up at the weekly track practice.
• NOVA runners seeking guidance (mentees) pair with more experienced NOVA team members (mentors) in order to gain knowledge, skills, experience, information and advice. Anyone at any level in their running career may participate and benefit from this mentoring relationship.

Purpose

• The purpose of the NOVA Mentor Program is to create opportunities for new or less experienced runners to be formally matched to a specific mentor within the NOVA Running Club.

Why Mentoring? Why Now?

• Personal Development - Whereas the NOVA track workouts and other programs provide a structured training framework for NOVA runners, a mentor can provide focused and specialized development as well as overarching  guidance for a mentee.
• Coach Supplement - Coach Jerry generously donates his time to NOVA, both during weekly workouts and providing individualized focus to NOVA runners as needed. While this is appreciated and works well for many runners, he cannot do it all, and a more personalized approach and individualized guidance from someone with specific experience matching a runner's needs may be helpful. 

How does it work?

• All levels and experience of runners are encouraged to participate in the NOVA Mentor Program. Anyone can be a mentee and/or a mentor.
• Participation is voluntary and strongly encouraged.
• Mentors should take the responsibility of their role seriously.
• Mentors and mentees determine between themselves the format, level, and frequency of communication. This program is self directed and self guided.
• Either the mentee or mentee can end the relationship at any time if it is determined to no longer be beneficial to either party.

Next Steps: Interested Mentors

• Sign up for the NOVA Mentor Program using the form at the Tuesday night track workouts, or in the Google Spreadsheet found here
• Include a list of your experience or skills in running to let potential mentees know what you are comfortable offering.
• Set the number of mentees you can reasonably accommodate.
• If you do not wish to provide your contact information in the spreadsheet, please contact Justin Buenaflor (JustinBuenaflor@hotmail.com) or Erin Masterson (erincmasterson@gmail.com). When a mentee is interested, you will be put in contact with him or her through Justin or Erin.
• When you are contacted by an interested mentee, determine if you would like to serve as a mentor.
• Respond to your new mentee and determine your preferred method and frequency of communication.

Next Steps: Interested Mentees

• Sign up for the NOVA Mentor Program using the form available at the Tuesday night track practice, or the Google spreadsheet found here.
• Choose from the list of mentors to find one who offers the type of skills and experience you are looking for as a runner
• Contact the mentor directly (if contact information available) or through Justin Buenaflor or Erin Masterson
• If/when the Mentor agrees to serve in this role, determine your preferred method and frequency of communication.