MPM Position Description for Docent Volunteer Educator
PURPOSE: Enhance visitor experiences and support the educational mission of MPM by partnering with the Education Department to 1) provide tours for 4th-12th graders and adults and (2) interpret MPM exhibits to all visitors.
QUALIFICATIONS: Qualify to be a docent. Then attend Tuesday morning, once a month, and docent meetings. Conduct tours and/or work as an exhibit interpreter 4 hours per month. Keep updated with continuing studies in your selected exhibit area. Be willing to learn other exhibit areas once you are qualified.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Willingness to learn and impart accurate information about the museum: (1) learn the location and basic content about MPM permanent exhibits and traveling exhibits, (2) be familiar with the information binder so you can locate information quickly, and (3) learn about policies like escalator safety and the prohibition of food in the exhibits. (4) ability to record your hours of service and schedule yourself for future shifts in the volunteer lounge.
HOURS and AVAILABILITY / MINIMUM COMMITMENT REQUIRED: Once qualified, docents must contribute a minimum of 4 hours per month (48 hours per year) on the floor conducting docent tours or doing exhibit interpretation. Docent Tours are conducted Tuesday-Friday. Exhibit Interpretation is a seven-day per week opportunity. If you can't make a scheduled shift, contact another docent to do your tour, then notify the Docent Tour Scheduler. Interpreters should also find another docent to take their shift.
TRAINING: Complete the one-year training. It includes (1) classroom learning Tuesday mornings September – December, followed by a (2) mentor-mentee training period to choose an exhibit area of specialty, conduct research, write a paper, and do mini-tour and a qualifying tour. Once qualified by a museum curator and docent trainers, you earn the privilege of wearing the blue docent jacket.
SUPPORT: In addition to the docent trainers, each individual is assigned a mentor.
DRESS CODE: Business casual. Qualified docents are awarded a blue jacket.
CONTACT PERSON: Volunteer Coordinator will conduct interview & orientation to MPM and encourage you to volunteer in another area while you await the September start of the docent training. Docent Trainers schedule curators, staff, and established docents to assist in your training. Docent Trainers communicate with you regularly, explain the Docent Lounge, and are your primary contact for this position.