Salmonid Restoration Federation
Holding Space—Restoring Habitat and Making Room for Innovation
March 26 - 29, 2024
Santa Rosa, California

2024 Conference Mentorship Program

SRF is continuing our Conference mentorship experience that debuted at the 2023 Conference. SRF will match each Mentee with one Mentor. Mentees will have brief one-on-one meetings with their Mentors before, during (daily), and after the annual conference. We hope this format will allow Mentors to help Mentees make good use of their time at the conference, provide networking opportunities, share career advice, and perhaps even build lasting connections.
 
How do I sign up as a Mentor or Mentee?
Please fill out this interest form by February 15, 2024 to provide your contact information, topical interests, geographic location, and write comments or questions. Everyone who registers for the 2024 conference will also be invited to participate in the program, but early sign-ups get priority if capacity limits are reached. SRF will match Mentors and Mentees. Questions can also be emailed to info@calsalmon.org
 
Why be a Mentee?
Attending a conference for the first time can be intimidating. Your Mentor will be a friendly presence to make you feel welcome, let you know what to expect at the conference, and introduce you to people in their network that share your interests. Your Mentor can answer your questions about the conference and provide career advice. 
 
Why be a Mentor?
Help welcome new people into the SRF family. Your mentors have helped you learn and grow in your career. Now is the time to repay the favor and help the next generation! Meet a new young person; you may find their energy and optimism to be refreshing. SRF hopes to recruit diverse Mentors from many sectors and organizations. We need you!
 
Guidance for mentors and mentees
Be honest and genuine, recognizing that is not the same thing as being uncensored or careless. Remember that everyone is expected to maintain professional standards of conduct. Showing vulnerability and humanity builds connections. 
 
Timelines, and expectations
SRF will invite all Mentors and Mentees to participate in a February 2024 group 30-minute virtual meeting to provide an overview of the mentorship program, set expectations, and answer questions.  
 
Based on information provided in the interest forms, SRF will then match each Mentee with a Mentor. One-on-one meetings:
 
  • At least a week prior to the March 26 - 29, 2024 Conference, Mentors should contact Mentees and schedule a 20-minute meeting (virtual or in-person) for introductions and conference preparations. 
  • Mentors and Mentees should arrange to connect in-person for approximately 10 minutes each day (e.g., during morning, breaks, lunch, evening, etc.) during the conference. 
  • Within a week after the conference, Mentor should schedule a 20-minute meeting with Mentee to debrief and reconnect.
  • At conference: Mentors and Mentees should arrange to connect in-person for approximately 10 minutes each day (e.g., during morning, breaks, lunch, evening, etc.) during the conference. 
  • After conference: Within a week after the conference, Mentor should schedule a 20-minute meeting with Mentee to debrief and reconnect.

Here is a Mentorship Guide for recommended timelines and discussion topics for Mentor-Mentee one-on-one meetings