Ricegrowers Association of Australia together with AgriFutures Australia are offering twenty individuals (in total) working within the rice industry or an AgriFutures Australia levied industry, the opportunity to participate in a 12 month Mentoring Program to advance their personal and business development via one-on-one mentoring. For further information on this very exciting opportunity visit the RGA WEBSITE applications close on Friday 13th of March 2020.
The successful applicants (mentees) will be mentored by experienced entrepreneurs and leaders (mentors) outside of their industry and line of work, to guide and support them over a 12 month period.
Mentors will be selected to suit each mentees specific needs and be there to provide mentees with the necessary tools and advice to overcome challenges faced in their industry right now.
Program mentees will be paired with a compatible and influential mentor, receiving two hours per month (via Skype, Zoom, phone call, or face-to-face) with their mentor to set goals, milestones, track progress, and access content and missions.
Mentoring is a proven form of real-time learning through the transfer of knowhow, experience and wisdom. The online platform connects the mentee with a high-calibre mentor who will guide and enable them to better achieve their goals and realise their potential.
Upon completion, participants’ will feel equipped with the necessary tools and resources required to face challenges, feel confident to learn from different ways of thinking, and be provided pathways for progressing their career and business.
Who should apply?
• The Mentoring Program will be available to those leaders and producers from the rice industry or an AgriFutures Australia levied industry, who are seeking to advance their personal and business development by way of one-on-one mentoring.
The program can assist individuals with succession plans, defining and setting long-term goals, and providing a better basis for promotion and advancement decisions.
• If you have experience and are in your mid-career, at a management level, or for those in the higher stages of their career.
Key information:
• Applicants will be required to respond to a number of criteria and provide evidence (including two references) of their engagement in the rice industry or one of AgriFutures Australia’s levied industries.
• AgriFutures Australia stakeholders will be encouraged to submit an application via an online platform, to be assessed and selected by Ricegrowers Association of Australia and AgriFutures Australia staff.
Key dates:
- Applications open: Monday, 13 January 2020 at 9.00am AEDT
- Applications close: Friday, 13 March 2020 at 5.00pm AEDT
- Applicants notified: Prior to Tuesday, 31 March 2020
- Onboarding / matching process begins: Monday, 13 April 2020
- Mentorship begins: Monday, 1 June 2020
- Mentorship complete: Friday, 28 May 2021
- Evaluation begins: Monday, 31 May 2021
- Graduation: July 2021.
Introduction to the Rice Industry
Over the past 2 years the RGA have now run 4 leadership programs with 1 remaining program to be run in 2020. We will have put 70 growers, industry representatives and community members through our programs. We have seen many of these participants move into leadership roles within our industry and supporting industries.
The most recent program ‘Introduction to the Rice Industry’ was completed from the 24th – 27th of February, 17 participants from across the industry came to together in Deniliquin for the 4 day program.
There was also lots of fun to be had, the group undertook a Rice Cooking challenge with the winning group perfecting a sushi dish and delivering a rice pudding dessert that was worthy of masterchef.Over the week the participants learnt about the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, the opportunities within agriculture, how to advocate on behalf of our industry and the importance of good governance. Participants also focused on self-development completing the Myers Biggs personality profiling.
Participants now have the opportunity to apply for stage two of the program – This part of the program is an opportunity for 4 participants to travel to Canberra with RGA representatives. Whilst in Canberra you will engage with Politicians and key industry bodies to learn more about advocacy and leadership on a federal level and to advocate for RGA policy.
IMAGE: Front Row: Benjamin Pearse, Maggie McDonald, Renee Burke, Sonia Frost, Nicole Harrison, Kimberley Beer, Charleton Glenn
Back row: Nathan Denny, Niall Barlow, Milly Mertz, Chantelle Shevels , Michael Clark, Jessica Gilmore, Jeremy Robertson, Cameron Robertson, Sophie Pisasale, Jack Hogan
Foundations of Leadership
RGA will again be partnering with The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation to bring a new and exciting program to our growers, industry supporters and community. This program will give 15 participants the opportunity to be part of an 8 day residential program, the first 5 days will see participants travel to a destination out of the Riverina. Participants will experience challenging outdoor leadership activities, along with numerous workshops, panel sessions and seminars aimed at building and developing leadership skills. The final 3 days of the program will be held in Deniliquin.
Applications will open in March and the program will be run the first week of June. If you are interested in this program or would like to discuss which program is best for you call Ainsley Massina on 0428859214.
For more information go to the RGA WEBSITE.