Florida Association of City Clerks

Promoting and Developing the Educational and Professional Status of Florida City Clerks

Mentoring Program

"Mentoring is an open vista of new experiences and possibilities."

What Is Mentoring?
The usual concept of mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced person helps and guides a less experienced person.

Mentoring is a way of sharing both the formal and informal knowledge necessary to achieve effective and efficient methods of performing professional duties and reaching personal and professional goals. Certainly sharing one’s expertise is a large part of mentoring, but so is the communication of support, challenge, feelings, and many other kinds of information.

With today’s technology, the mentoring relationship can be cultivated via e-mail, telephone and fax, not necessarily in person.

City clerks are ideally suited to the concept of mentoring. There is a great deal of specialized knowledge involved in the clerk position and the typical clerk is someone who is eager and willing to assist others by providing information.

What Does a Mentor Do?
The mentor is an experienced individual who is willing to share what he or she knows including skills, knowledge, professionalism and accomplishments. The mentor should be willing to provide the following assistance:

Answer technical questions;
Describe procedures;
Share experiences;
Provide information about educational opportunities;
Provide moral support and encouragement; and
Introduce the new clerk to other association members at meetings and conferences so a reliable network is established.

Typical assistance could range from answering questions to assisting in preparation of ordinances, minutes, agendas and budgets, explaining parliamentary procedures, election procedures, tips for effective council meetings, and ways to insure open and positive communication between council/commissioners, city managers and other administrative officers. Mentors also provide moral support and encouragement.

Mentoring at the annual conference and institute means getting to know the mentee, introducing them to others, and involving them in activities. Mentors should make contact early in conference activities so as to make the mentee as comfortable as possible. An explanation of the organization and introductions to board members also will be helpful to the new member.

If you would like to enroll as a mentor, please complete the enrollment form available below.

What Does a Mentee Do?
The mentee is someone relatively new to the profession who has a strong desire to learn new skills and abilities, and a desire to develop existing skills and abilities. A mentee strives to elevate his or her level of technical skills and professional expertise to gain a greater mastery of the job. The mentee should initiate and participate in discussions and seek information and opinions. A mentee must be willing to put time and effort into the mentoring relationship.

The mentee decides on the amount of dependence and guidance he or she needs. A mentee should take the initiative to ask for help or advice and needs to communicate his/her expectations to the mentor. Benefits of mentoring for the mentee may include:

Increased networking and social interaction;
Assistance with career goals and strategies;
Greater career commitment, satisfaction and growth;
More positive attitude;
Increased productivity, a shorter learning curve; and
Answers to some of those questions unable to be found anywhere else.

All members interested in participating in this program as either a mentor or mentee, should download and complete the appropriate enrollment form and send to the Mentoring Committee. Questions regarding the mentoring program should be addressed to the Mentoring Chair.

Buddy Program at Conferences and Academies

If it is your first time attending an FACC Summer Conference and Academy, or first time attending an FACC Fall Academy, you can sign up to have a buddy help you navigate the event and answer any questions you may have at the event! You can also sign up to serve as a buddy at an event! To sign up to have a buddy or be a buddy, contact FACC Mentoring Committee Chair Vanessa Castillo, MMC (City Clerk, City of Winter Haven) at vcastillo@mywinterhaven.com.

Download Application

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