Beekeepers of the Northern Shenandoah

At the Sept 11th BONS meeting Randy Jackson presented the results of the Mentoring Proposal Group’s deliberations on developing a practical program for supporting the club’s new Mentoring Program.  Their suggestions are provided below.  Randy has volunteered to be the Mentor Program Coordinator and I thank him on our behalf for that offer and for all the work he and his group have spent on the program.

Implementation of the Program will be discussed at the Oct 13th meeting.  I hope to see you all there.

Doug Morris

Mentor Program Outline

Randy Jackson, September 8, 2011

Objective:

To guide and assist new beekeepers in all aspects of their first beekeeping year. This year will begin during beekeeping classes and continue through early spring management.

Mentor Coordinator Responsibilities:

1. Contact class teachers to obtain names and addresses of new beekeepers.
2. Compile a list of beekeepers willing to serve as mentors.
3. Determine each mentor’s experience level.
4. Determine how many new beekeepers each mentor is willing to work with.
5. Assign new beekeepers to mentors geographically using a maximum ratio of three new beekeepers to one mentor.
6. Provide mentors with a list of their assigned new beekeepers and class they are attending.

Mentor Responsibilities:

1. Contact assigned new beekeepers either by attending a class, phone, or email. Suggested to be just after the class starts and before the new beekeeper places any equipment order.
2. Discuss and agree upon a preferred time and type of communication.
3. Map out a schedule to get everything ready for installing package or nuc.
4. Plan a date for mentor to visit new beekeepers site for appropriateness of set up.
5. Guide and assist new beekeeper in all aspects of their first beekeeping year.
6. Invite new beekeepers to either watch or participate when conducting hive management activities in mentor’s apiary.
7. Visit new beekeeper’s apiary to inspect and give advice only.
8. Exercise patience and refrain from working the new beekeeper’s hives.
9. Strongly encourage new beekeepers to become mentors.

New Beekeeper Responsibilities:

1. Respect your mentor’s time and privacy – do not deviate from agreed upon communication method.
2. Practice punctuality when visiting mentor’s apiary.
3. Have all equipment assembled, painted, reviewed by mentor and ready for package or nuc before scheduled install date.
4. Read from various sources (books, class material, magazines, internet) lots of beekeeping information.
5. Keep notes of beekeeping and hive activity for review.
6. Learn what to look for during a hive inspection.
7. Observe natural cycle of flower blooming.
8. Seriously consider becoming a mentor.