Capital Area Woodturners: Mentors

Mentors

The CAW mentoring program is one of the unique benefits of membership in our organization. Volunteer tutors from among our more experienced members are matched one-on-one with members seeking instruction in specific or general topics of interest.

Examples of the Mentoring Program

Our monthly meetings provide a great opportunity for camaraderie and sharing some of our woodturning experiences. There is another way to share your enjoyment of woodturning with fellow club members: through the mentoring program. There are many CAW members who are currently mentoring others in our club, but we are always looking for more volunteers.

What does mentoring mean? It is different for each case, but the general idea is as follows. Members who are willing to mentor tell the mentor coordinator what they feel comfortable teaching. When someone makes a mentoring request, the coordinator searches for the name of a mentor whose skills match the request and who lives close to the requestor/mentored. Then the coordinator emails or calls the potential mentor to see if they are still available to help. Once the mentor agrees, (s)he contacts the person seeking instruction to arrange to meet, usually at the mentor's shop, and at a time that is mutually agreeable. The mentor also is responsible for setting up future meetings as needed. And if the match doesn't work out for either party, the mentor coordinator will search for someone else to help.

While there is no limit to the number of mentoring sessions, they must be at a mutually agreeable time and place. And don't forget the additional mentoring opportunity of our twice-monthly Skill Enhancement sessions (held during the week at the Bryant Center), which are led by C.A. Savoy, Frank Jessup, Al Melanson, and Patrick O'Brien.

Whether you are looking for general instruction and turning tips or specific advice on a tool or a technique, the mentoring program is designed to fit your needs. There are a few mentors who have volunteered to help someone but live in remote areas, so if you are willing to drive a few extra miles to receive instruction, be sure to tell the coordinator that as well.

Are You A Beginning Woodturner?
The CAW Mentoring Program can hook you up with a knowledgeable turner who can help you make decisions about the equipment you would like to buy and show you how to safely put the chisel to the wood. You need to specify your current level of expertise, what you would like to learn, where you live, and how far you would be willing to travel for a mentoring session.

Are You A Turner Looking For Specific Advice?
Perhaps you are good at pens but want to learn more about bowl turning. Or you have a hollowing tool that doesn't work like you think it should. By requesting a mentor, you can get help with your specific problem on a one-on-one basis.

Are You An Expert Turner Willing To Share Your Knowledge?
Although CAW has many expert mentors, the program is always seeking more participation. Because we like to link novices with mentors who live nearby, there always seems to be somewhat of a shortage of mentors. The time commitment is what you decide you can give, but we do seek experts who will commit to contacting their assigned mentoree(s) and meeting with them at a mutually beneficial time, usually in the mentor's shop. Mentors are also asked to describe their specific area of expertise to the mentor coordinator, if applicable.

How to Join the CAW Mentoring Program:
Email the mentor coordinators at mentoring@capwoodturners.org, or talk to Gerry Headley or Bob Pezold at a CAW meeting, and describe your skills or needs. They will do their best to set you up with a mentor or mentoree. CAW mentors are recognized in our monthly newsletter, and we've found this to be a popular program that can make you new friends for life. Please note that mentors and mentored must be members of the Capital Area Woodturners. To take part in the Skill Enhancement sessions, you also need to be a member of the American Association of Woodturners.

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