At GRAVA’s January Workshop, we focused on peer mentoring and coaching as a way to expand your support network, grow you job satisfaction and gain valuable professional growth for ourselves as well as the volunteers we serve. Sarah Steadman introduced Peer Coaching which she defined as “a small group of trusted people whom you help and who help you by providing encouragement, ideas, a different perspective on obstacles and opportunities, and social pressure to actually do what you know you need to do differently.” Built around the “learn-teach-learn” philosophy, Sarah walked us through some of the perks which include:
- Enhance career and leadership development
- Recharge the tank
- Strengthen foundation
- Unique learning opportunity
Members were then given an overview of GRAVA’s new Buddy Program which works to pair relatively new folks to the profession of volunteer administration to more experience practitioners.
Following, participants were introduced to the GROW Model as A Simple Process for Coaching and Mentoring by Athena Huss and lead through a goal development exercise. Rebecca Butler completed the morning with an introduction to ConnectVA and the Volunteer Engagement Message Board which is a collaboration between GRAVA, HandsOn Greater Richmond, and ConnectVA.
View all pictures from the event.