RAOA Minnesota
Mentorship Program
Guidance, support, and development resources for first- and second-year officials and any RAOA member seeking mentorship.
RAOA Mentorship Program
The RAOA Mentorship Program helps first- and second-year officials build confidence, grow their skills, and strengthen their connection to the association. The program is also available to any RAOA official who would benefit from working with a mentor.
Who the Program Is For
Mentorship is available to first- and second-year officials, as well as any RAOA member official who would like additional support, guidance, or feedback during a season. Officials who are interested in serving as mentors should contact their sport’s Vice President.
How the Program Works
When possible, the program is designed around a 1:1 mentor-to-mentee relationship. Mentors are expected to connect with their mentee two to three times during the respective season by email, phone, or in person. A natural sequence might include a preseason check-in, an in-season conversation, and a postseason follow-up.
Mentees are also encouraged to take initiative and stay engaged throughout the process. The ultimate goal is for each official to grow into a confident, self-sufficient official who can handle the wide range of situations they will face throughout their officiating career.
The strongest mentorships are built on shared responsibility. Communication should be a two-way effort so the relationship can be meaningful, practical, and valuable for both mentor and mentee.
Football Mentorship Note
In football, mentees are mentored by an entire full-time varsity crew rather than by just one individual. This gives newer football officials the benefit of multiple perspectives, broader support, and exposure to varsity-level communication, mechanics, and game management.
Examples of Mentor / Mentee Activities
Each mentorship relationship will look a little different, but common activities may include:
- Mentor serves as a direct resource for the mentee.
- Review key websites and systems such as MSHSL, Arbiter, and RAOA resources.
- Discuss casebook plays, scenarios, and rules applications.
- Mentor shadows the mentee at a game.
- Mentee observes the mentor working games.
- Work games together during the season or in the offseason when possible.
- Communicate by phone or email throughout the season as needed.
- Assist the mentee in obtaining proper equipment and readiness items.
- Review mechanics, positioning, and game presence.
- Mentee shadows the mentor in pregame, halftime, and postgame routines.
- Mentor observes the mentee and provides constructive feedback.
- Mentor and mentee observe games together and discuss what they see.
- Break down video from games worked by the mentor or mentee.
Interested in Being a Mentor?
If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please contact your sport’s Vice President. Officials who would like to be matched with a mentor may also reach out using the contacts below.