April 2008

Professional Development & Education Conference Recap | NALS Mentoring Program | From the Certifying Board

What IS the NALS Regulation/Certification Committee? | NALS Award of Excellence | And the Winner Is...

NALS Mentoring Program
By Estelle S. Pete, PLS, NALS Membership Committee

In keeping with Dee’s theme of  “Theatre of Leadership,” let’s look at the meaning behind the word “mentor”:

In the story “The Odyssey”, when Odysseus (a.k.a. Ulysses) sets out on his journeys to the Trojan Wars, he entrusts the care of his son, Telemachus, to Mentor, his wise and trusted counselor.  During Odysseus’ long absence, it was Mentor’s responsibility to tutor Telemachus.  And over time, the Greek word mentor has passed into our language as a term used to define a wise and trusted counselor and teacher.

Much like the teachings that Mentor provided to Telemachus, the NALS Mentoring Program can provide opportunities to help a chapter grow through its own discovery.

What is it?
The NALS Mentoring Program is available to provide assistance to states and local chapters.  When a state or local chapter is in need of guidance on how to recruit and/or retain members, help is available via the NALS Mentoring Program.

How to use it?
The state or local chapter president or membership chair should contact either Misty Lewis, Saundra Bates, or Rose Carter to ask for help.  Membership Chair Misty will assign a Membership Committee member to assist your state or local chapter.  It is that Membership Committee member’s responsibility to offer guidance for anything and everything related to membership.

Example of Mentoring.
One year, a local chapter allowed two members to share the office of president.  One president was a veteran NALS member and the other president was a new member.  In working together under one office, the two individuals gained valuable information from one another.  Not only was the veteran NALS member sharing the responsibilities of the office, but the new member was gaining understanding on how to perform the duties of the office of president.  In this instance, the veteran member was mentoring the new member.  This is a great example of what mentoring is all about, it’s about sharing, guiding, counseling and tutoring.

What are the benefits?
What state association or chapter doesn’t want more members?  Who can’t use a little help with recruitment or retention of members?  The Membership Committee is here to help you achieve your goals.  Be sure to also check out the new 2008 membership plan for ideas on how to market our association.

Where do I find information?

Visit the NALS website at www.nals.org.  Click the “About NALS” tab, select Committees, and click on Membership Committee to see a list of the 2008-09 Membership Committee members.  Contact information will be listed for Misty, Saundra and Rose.