Mentor Program
ACBL Unit 361 Mentorship Program
Denver Unit 361 continues to provide our successful Mentorship Program started early in 2019.
This program is part of Unit’s Educational Program. It provides the opportunity for a newer player to find and play with a Mentor who is a good fit for their educational needs. This program will run continuously each year as long as budgeted funds remain.
The current Program Coordinator is Donna Givner. For additional information about this program, please contact her in person or by email at [email protected]
Under this Program, the Unit will pay the Mentor's entry fee to play with the Mentee for up to four times. The Mentor will take time after the game to discuss the bidding and play of the hands, how to achieve better results, and to listen and respond to questions from the Mentee. Mentors will assist newer players to expand their knowledge of bidding systems and conventions; understand how to assess a hand for bidding by counting distribution, points, winners and losers; how to play a hand; and how to play better defense.
Program Guidelines
Novice, Newer Player (Mentees)
All newer players who are Non-Life Masters and have fewer than 500 master points and are a member of the Denver Unit may participate as a Mentee in the program. Once paired with a Mentor, the Unit will reimburse the Club Owner for the Mentor’s game fee for up to four games. Beyond four games, the Mentee and Mentor should make their own arrangements if they wish to continue the playing relationship.
Mentees are encouraged to find a Mentor they feel can help improve their game play and bidding. Mentees can seek out a Mentor by:
- Directly arranging an agreement with a qualified Mentor.
In this case, the pair must notify either the Club Owner/Director or one of the Unit Program Coordinators.
Please note that not all players are suited to be mentors and your Club Owner/Director and/or the Program Coordinator may recommend other players who may be a better fit.
- Asking their Club Owner/Director for recommendations.
- Contacting the Program Coordinator.
Newer players may have up to two Mentors during the calendar year.
Mentors
Mentors must be a Denver Unit member and will typically have more than 1500 points. The Unit recognizes that there are many Unit members with less than 1500 who may be great Mentors for certain newer players.
If you are intersted in guiding a newer player in their bridge growth, please contact your Club Owner/Director or the Mentor/Mentee Program Coordinator.
There is no limit on the number of newer players a Mentor may work with.
Club Owners
Club owners interested in participating in the Program will:
- Assist the Unit with the implementation of the program.
- Pair or work with the Unit to pair a Mentee with a Mentor.
- Request monthly reimbursement from the Unit for up to four free plays for each Mentor playing with a Mentee.
Denver Unit 361
The Unit will:
- Provide an annual budget to maintain a robust Mentorship Program and provide staffing for program coordination.
- Provide information on the Mentorship Program to clubs and on the Unit Website.
- Reimburse participating Club Owners for the playing fees of Mentors for up to four games per Mentor/Mentee pair, in a timely fashion.
Program Coordinator
- Donna Givner: [email protected]
Participating Clubs
- Arvada Bridge Club
- Castle Rock Bridge Club
- Denver House of Cards
- Denver Metro Bridge
- Heather Gardens Bridge Club
See our "Club List" for contact information.