[drothamel]

In my first year, the board that I was in had a mandatory mentoring program for all first-year officials. Every one of us was assigned to a mentor who was a top-level official. The board structured it such that you did some games together, and your mentor would come and observe at least three of your games. It worked very well. After that first year, however close you stayed to your mentor was up to you. I think that it is a very valuable resource for first-year officials if you have the numbers and the motivation. As far as after that, I wouldn't have a structured program as such, but if officials wanted to find mentors for themselves, they are always welcome to do it. I did, and it has been a great relationship.