All of us have had mentors in our lives. Whether they be a teacher, friend, coach, mom, dad, big brother or sister, they provided us with knowledge and skills based upon their training and experience.

Likewise, many have benefited professionally with guidance from one or more of the many successful risk managers in Texas. With this in mind, Texas PRIMA is launching a Mentoring Program for its members.

During the next few months, Texas PRIMA plans to:

• Establish overall objectives and timelines of the program
• Establish effective documentation of the program
  
• Determine the target population ... (risk managers, risk associates, students, etc.)
  
• Identify responsibilities of mentors and mentorees
  
• Select mentors based upon experience, expertise, willingness to objectively review existing policies of the mentoree's public entity, and motivation to participate
• Identify available training tools and resources

Plans are to have the initial program ready to go by November 2008.

You might be a mentor if ...
If you have an interest in being a risk management mentor, take a minute to consider the following, asking yourself: "Do I ... "

• like it when someone asks for advice or guidance?
  
• find it rewarding to help others learn?
  
• have specific knowledge that I would like to pass on to others?
  
• enjoy collaborative learning?
  
• realize that I don't know it all?
  
• find working with others who are different from me to be stimulating and enjoyable?
  
• always looking for opportunities to further my own growth?

If you answered "Yes" to the above, you just might be a good mentor. Watch for more details on this program in the future.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Gary Urban at garyu@ci.waco.tx.us.