AAHSL FLC - New Director Buddy Program

AAHSL’s New and Interim Directors Committee (NIDC) is relaunching our Buddy Program to welcome new directors to AAHSL! Through the New/Interim Director Buddy Program, we hope to ensure that our new colleagues quickly learn about AAHSL and how to become involved in the association, as well as build a professional network of peers and receive some guidance on challenging issues that may arise.

The “buddy program” pairs new and interim directors with established AAHSL directors.  The “buddies” can meet virtually through Zoom or phone calls or face-to-face when those meetings are feasible.  While not intended as a formal mentoring program, the paired buddies may decide to move to a more traditional mentoring relationship on their own. Current buddies have noted that this relationship becomes a mutually gratifying learning opportunity, whether as a formal mentor or through informal discussions over an extended period.  We encourage buddies to contact each other within a month of being assigned and to meet over a six-to-twelve-month period.  However, once paired, the buddies decide how to connect with each other and how frequently.

If you are a new or interim director and want to be paired with a “buddy” please contact Melissa Rethlefsen, current Chair of the NIDC, with your name and contact information (email, phone, institution). Email Melissa at [email protected].

If you are willing to be a buddy to a new or interim director, please send your contact information to Melissa as well.

The buddy who is an established director will initially help the new director learn about AAHSL and how to become more active and integrated into its activities, by delving into such topics as:

• What is AAHSL? Membership, statistics, annual meeting, Website, etc.   
• How to become involved?  Committees, task forces, meetings, etc. Consider inviting them to a task force or committee meeting.
• Usefulness of the AAHSL email discussion lists.
• Issues, trends, and initiatives they should be aware of.
• Answering any questions about AAHSL or an HSL director’s role.
• Introducing them to other AAHSL members when opportunities arise, especially when at AAHSL meetings that are in-person or through online gatherings.

As new and interim directors are announced, the NIDC will pair the new person with a volunteer from the buddy list if desired, providing brief introductions to both.

Our hope is that new and interim directors will find it easier to become an integral part of the HSL director network and find support and guidance as they begin their new position.

Please contact Melissa Rethlefsen if you have any questions!

Announced by AAHSL New and Interim Directors Committee, February 2023.