RCO launches mentoring scheme

The Royal College of Organists has launched a new mentoring scheme designed to give College Members access to informal and confidential support with career-related matters from fellow professionals.

The RCO Mentoring Programme principal focus is on professional life as an organist and/or choral director, but members may also be directed to other organisations for specialist advice on, for example, employment issues. Those requiring specialist teaching will typically be advised to contact one of the College’s Accredited Teachers.

Up to one hour per year of coaching is provided free of charge to Members under the programme; further, paid-for, advice may be arranged through the College. While a record will be kept of the number and duration of advice sessions that each Member undertakes for administration purposes, no record of the subjects or contents of the sessions will be retained. Both mentors and mentees will be invited to provide brief feedback to the College on the conduct of each session.

Mentors and mentees are free to choose between 1:1 and surgery formats, and between physical and virtual discussions as most appropriate and convenient; they are also free to agree whether the consultation will take place on a single occasion, or more.

Members can read more about this service in the Members’ Area of this website.