Sponsorship Training

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Sponsorship Training
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Why Have a Sponsor

• Relocation can be
• Mentally demanding
• Emotionally demanding
• Expensive
• Time-consuming
• Sponsors assistance can make all the difference!
• Good sponsor can greatly ease the anxiety and
  stress that comes with relocating

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Impacts

• Operational Readiness
• Minimizes members (and family members) concerns
  about PCS move
• More focus on new assignment
• Well Being
• Dramatically decreases anxiety of many unknowns
  for member and family members
• Enhances satisfaction with assignment
• Retention factor - the little things add up!

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Purpose of Sponsor

• To provide member and family
• Realistic expectations
• Basic guidance
• Samples and suggestions
• Ease of transition to new area
• Sponsor can do wonders for a members first
  impression of new command
• Can have a positive or a negative experience

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Positive or Negative Effect

• An extremely disappointing experience!
  Questions such as Should I bring my household
  goods or car? were left unanswered. Of course,
  this is not something you want to complain about
  to a new command.

• Several sponsors were assigned due to
  deployments therefore sponsor assistance was a
  hit or a miss!

• I like the idea of having a driver come to the
  airport with a large van I really believe the
  sponsor should ride along to meet you and ensure
  you have the monies available for the
  transportation, etc. My sponsor did sell us a
  couple of transformers but was on leave a couple
  of weeks just after we arrived. We had to learn
  mostly through trial and error!

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Positive or Negative Effect

• My sponsor helped me with as smooth of a
  transition as I could imagine! I felt
  comfortable moving here with all questions
  answered!

• Needless to say, I was extremely nervous making
  this huge adjustment. My sponsor did an
  outstanding job showing me the ropes. I have
  no complaints!

• Sponsor was there to greet me upon my arrival
  and assisted me in getting settled into TLA and
  orientation, the base and surrounding area.
  Sponsor also invited me over for dinner which
  made me feel very welcomed. I felt my sponsor
  went above and beyond what was expected of him
  and I am really appreciative!

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Positive or Negative Effect

• My sponsor transferred back to the states and
  was unable to assist me at all!

• My sponsor was TDY upon my arrival. He did a
  pretty good job with initial contact and
  answering some questions but I was pretty much
  left on my own when I arrived!

• I was given the name of my sponsor which I now
  cant remember. I had made an initial phone call
  to my sponsor but never did receive a return
  call. Needless to say, our experience was mostly
  100 D.I.Y. (do it yourself). If anyone knows or
  can determine who our sponsor was, wed love to
  know!

• I would not recommend my sponsor to sponsor
  anyone else! I was left to find and do almost
  everything for myself!

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Positive or Negative Effect

• My sponsor waited at Gatwick for 4 hours due to
  my flight being delayed. She met my family and I
  with a friendly smile, ready to assist in any
  way. She took us to the hotel, NEX and bank
  before ensuring we had everything we needed. She
  gave us her phone number and picked me up the
  next morning for work. My wife and I were very
  pleased with her professionalism.

• My sponsor communicated with me as soon as my
  orders were issued via telephone. He then
  communicated with me via email on a daily basis
  then sent letters to my family and I. Upon
  arriving in London, he had my family and I over
  for dinner at his home. The following day, he
  took us on a tour of his own town and other
  surrounding areas. He was the best sponsor I
  ever had in 20 years of Navy service.

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Objectives and Strategies

• Objective
• Ensure newcomers arrive feeling like members of
  the new team
• Ensure newcomers and their families have a
  positive first impression
• Strategy
• Provide proactive assistance to newcomers and
  their families
• Pave the way for a smooth transition from losing
  to gaining command

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The Ideal Sponsor

• Sponsor selection
• Grade level equivalent
• Marital status
• Single
• Single parent
• Married
• Married with children
• Not going TDY or PCSing

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Tactics

• Assess the needs of the newcomer and family
• Be proactive - make the initial contact
• Be helpful and sincere - listen
• Be responsive but honest
• If you dont know the answer indicate you will
  find out and get back
• Meet the needs of member (and family)
• Get your family involved
• Information base - final decisions rest with
  member

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ACS Can Help

• SITES at any installation worldwide or on the web
• Welcome Packets
• ACS Web Site
• Family Member Employment Assistance Program
  (FMEAP)
• Information and Referral

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Pre-Arrival Stage

• Make initial contact with member within two days
• Email works best
• Make sure to keep command in loop!
• Send out Welcome Packet
• See ACS
• Letter with full name, home and local addresses,
  home and work phones fax numbers
• Unit information (include web site if available)
  on mission, work hours, uniform, duty hours, etc.
• Write the letter as if you were sending it to a
  friend
• Newcomers Needs Assessment Checklist

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Special Needs Groups

• Dual Career Military Families
• Single Parent Families
• Exceptional Family Member (EFMP) Program
• Single Personnel

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Dual Career Military Families

• Child Care facilities (military and civilian)
  availability
• Schools with extended day (hour) programs
• Certified family home child care
• 24-hour child care availability
• Family Care Plans

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Single Parent Families

• Child Care resources on base in the housing
  area, and in the local community
• Schools with extended day(hour) programs
• Other single parents on base

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Exceptional Family Member (EFMP)

• Info on medical care/TRICARE
• Child care resources on base and in the community
  for children with special needs
• Support groups
• EFMP Clinic

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Single Personnel

• BOSS Program
• Recreation facilities available
• Athletic programs
• Barracks life
• Social activities
• Education programs
• Volunteer programs

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Miscellaneous Topics to Cover

• Spouse Employment Contacts
• Where to send mail

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Arrival Stage

• Orient Newcomer to Local Area
• Show newcomer installation facilities
• PX, Commissary, Darling Hall
• Fitness center, clinics, chapel
• Show where you live where you shop, etc
• Show major shopping areas and landmarks
• Accompany Newcomer to In-processing
• Introduce to supervisor and co-workers
• Check-in with Housing Office
• Check-in with Personal Property
• Take newcomer to banks, post office, etc.

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Post Arrival Stage

• Invite newcomer to your home
• Include spouse and children in sponsor process
• Have them over for dinner
• Assist in house hunting
• They may need transportation to get to
  commissary, house hunting, etc
• When household goods arrive offer to babysit any
  children so member and spouse can focus on
  getting house situated
• Assist with registering a vehicle