Beekeepers Association of Rowan County

MENTOR-MENTEE GUIDELINES

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Mentor-Mentee Program Goal: To increase the knowledge of bees and beekeeping for beekeepers, to reinforce knowledge for more experienced beekeepers and to establish new relationships that help build community around honeybees and pollinators. Mentors are BARC members who choose to work with other beekeepers on a volunteer basis to share their knowledge so that all can become more experienced beekeepers.​ Mentees must be a member of the BARC to request a Mentor.

 

Mentor Guidelines

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1. Mentors will reach out to their Mentees to discuss their respective expectations and limitations.

2. Mentors will try to coordinate hands-on hive inspections at the Mentor’s hives and will try to arrange to visit the Mentees’ hives as time and weather allows.

3. Mentors will share information and advice with their Mentees that are appropriate to the time of year and which offer the opportunity for Mentees to make timely inspections of their hives. This can be done by Mentors through in-person inspections and demonstrations and also through the sharing of on-line and other resources.

4. Optimal Mentor-Mentee interactions include monitoring the hives for queen health and overall hive health, expansion of the hive through adding supers, mite testing and discussion of treatment options as necessary and honey supering. They may also include additional hive activities as time and opportunities permit.

5. Mentors will share their email and phone contact information so that Mentees can reach out for advice. Mentors should respond to such calls and emails from mentees as soon as they are able, recognizing that some calls could require fast responses. Mentees will be reasonable in the frequency of such calls and emails. Suggested amounts of time should be discussed between Mentor and Mentee from the start..

6. Mentors will not charge for their services..

7. If any problems should arise with a Mentee, contact mgwilliams@rowanbeekeepers.org unless a Mentor Program Leader has been appointed.

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Mentee Guidelines

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1. Mentees should understand that Mentors are volunteering their time to serve as resources to Mentees and recognize the time constraints that Mentors may have during beekeeping season.

2. Mentees should feel free to reach out to their Mentor to resolve questions and concerns about their hives and beekeeping, however, Mentees should consult various books and on-line resources (including those on the BARC website) before asking for help.

3. Mentees should be respectful of their Mentor’s time and establish an understanding of the time that the Mentor is most available and the frequency with which contact is appropriate.

4. Mentees are encouraged to be available to join the Mentor at his/her hive inspections to increase the learning opportunities for the Mentee.

5. If and when the Mentor is coming to work with the Mentee’s hives, be sure to be prepared and have the materials necessary for that inspection/visit unless discussed otherwise with the Mentor beforehand.

6. Mentees should work their hives in a continuous, timely manner throughout the season based on suggestions from their Mentor.

7. Mentees should attend as many BARC meetings as possible and ask questions of other members to get as much out of your experience as possible.

8. Mentees acknowledge that there is no guarantee that their hives will maintain perfect health as a result of working with a Mentor and Mentors take no responsibility for the overall health or sustainability of any of the Mentees’ hives.

9. If any problems should arise with your Mentor, contact mgwilliams@rowanbeekeepers.org unless a Mentor Program Leader has been appointed.