Milwaukee Public Museum

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• Volgistics

MPM Position Description for Docent Volunteer Educator

Docents are the largest group of the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) volunteers. They support the educational mission of MPM by partnering with Museum Programs, specifically, the Education Department to 1) provide tours for 1-3, 4-12 and adults; (2) interpret MPM’s permanent exhibits/galleries for visitors; and 3) with Museum Programs assistance, design, research and coordinate the docents to staff several date-specific gallery programs. After training and qualifying to be a docent (about one year), this volunteer sustains a multi-year commitment to MPM and a willingness to meet the ongoing changing needs of the Museum.

PURPOSE of a docent:

• Enhance visitor experiences and support the educational mission of MPM by providing exhibit interpretation and educational tours for visitors of all ages in MPM’s permanent galleries.

QUALIFICATIONS – To be accepted into the docent training program the individual must be:

• an established MPM volunteer who has provided and recorded direct customer service (in traveling exhibit carts, Window Interpretation, Bug Patrol, Butterfly Corps, or Nickelodeon) for at least 24 hours in the past 6-months;
• have experience (paid or unpaid) that documents people skills, i.e. teaching, training, coordinating, speaking/presentation experience, interacting with general audiences.
• have the ability and availability to complete the year-long docent training program (Tuesday mornings) to learn interpretive techniques appropriate for varied age groups--first grade through adult--and impart accurate curator-approved museum facts.
• After the one year’s training, have the availability to sustain a multi-year commitment to MPM with a minimum of 12 four-hour sessions per year dealing with the public.

RESPONSIBILITIES and HOURS for a trainee:

• Complete the 24-hour minimum requirement to validate your commitment prior to the first docent training session—the first Tuesday in Sept.
• Trainees will be onsite for a period of ten (10) Tuesday mornings, 9:00-12:00 starting the first Tuesday after Labor Day. Research & studying is done additionally at home. 2011 dates: September 6, 20, 27, Oct 4, 18, 25, Nov 1, 15, 29 and Dec.6. It is very important to attend all the sessions in that there are no make-up sessions.
• Docent Trainees are strongly encouraged to attend the monthly Docent Meeting – 2nd Tuesdays of the month from September-May (note – no trainings are scheduled on these dates).
• Docent trainees will observe tour programs conducted by docents outside of the Tuesday training sessions. Observation dates are posted weekly on the Docent Intranet Site.
• From January through June/August, trainees will with a curator and complete research in preparation for a final docent qualifying tour. The amount of time doing research and the date of the tour is dependent on yours and the curator’s calendar.
• In the Jan-Aug period, the docent trainee will work with a curator to develop, research and conduct a themed gallery/exhibit tour. A written outline documenting your themed tour/research will be given to the curator two-weeks prior to the tour. Following the qualifying tour, the curator and educational staff provide feedback and evaluation.
• Have a computer to record your time in Volgistics, an internet site. Learn to use the Docent Intranet Site at MPM and at home.
• As part of the docent training program, you’ll receive a picture ID and have access to the Docent Lounge and its computer.
• Once qualified, you earn the right to wear a blue jacket and conduct gallery tours and/or work as an exhibit interpreter.

HOURS for qualified docents:

• Qualified docents must contribute a minimum of 4 hours per month (48 hours per year) in public engagement doing exhibit interpretation or conducting docent tours.
• You become part of a pool of docents. Docent Tours for school groups are conducted Tuesday-Friday; these tours are listed on the Docent Intranet Site and coordinated by a docent. Exhibit Interpretation is a seven-day per week opportunity; some are evening commitments for adult groups. Scheduling for exhibit interpretation is done according to your availability on Volgistics, the internet site.
• Docents contact other docents to honor their commitment during an emergency.
• Attend docent meetings the second Tuesday of each month Sept-May.
• Document hours on Volgistics.
• Evaluate and be updated with continuing studies in your selected exhibit area.
• If available, docents often qualify for multiple exhibit areas.

DRESS CODE:

• Business casual. Qualified docents wear the blue jacket denoting their role as a MPM docent

BENEFITS

• Benefits explained with the Volunteer MEMBER card. 40+ hours earns invitations to recognition events.
• With MPM validation, parking at MacArthur Square is reduced to $5.
• When wearing your volunteer badge, get discounts in the café, coffee kiosk, and gift shop.
• Access to the Docent Lounge and library.

SUCCESS MEASURES

• Visitors have a better MPM visit because of you.
• Visitors gain a better understanding of MPM exhibits because of your interpretation or tour.
• Docents honor their commitment and become proficient in using the internet systems.
• Docents maintain communication with the docent trainers and the docent leadership.

CONTACTS

Volunteer Coordinator will conduct interview/orientation to MPM, provide training in Volgistics, put you in contact with the appropriate person for training—traveling exhibit carts, Bug Patrol, or Nickelodeon. (Marge schell@mpm.edu 414.278-2717)

Docent Trainers coordinate the training schedule and maintain attendance. They are your primary contact for this position. (Names, phones, emails given at first training session.)