Stu Mortensen, a teacher at Rockford High School in suburban Grand Rapids, moderates the Electronic Mentoring strand of the conference. His goal is match interested high-school students with working professionals in their areas of interest. So far, this conference has proven to him that electronic contact can in fact be a useful tool for connecting students and mentors. I've been very pleased with the responses and comments thus far. Many professionals have never considered having an electronic 'pen-pal' and have enjoyed their exchanges so far.
Students are also pleased when busy working people take the time to respond.
I think the benefits are mutual to those involved. Troyer also speaks positively of her experiences. As a planner, I've been able to establish relationships with and to learn from the people who are working on the conference. As a conference participant, I'm amazed and thrilled that so many people are offering valid and differing opinions. I would be hopeful that participants would see electronic communications as extending their conversation capabilities, getting more input into decision-making processes and that they would decide to do 'things' that will benefit either themselves, their organization, their profession, the community or a combination thereof.