Erin,

One solution we used in Golden, Colorado was not to share docents, but to
share groups.  There were 3 or 4 museums and historic sites within walking
distance (1-2 blocks) that participated in this.  When a large class (or an
entire 4th grade) wanted to make a tour reservation, the groups were split
between the institutions (20 kids per site per tour), then rotated the
groups through so that every site had every group in a manageable number.
You could work with the local fire department, the water works, or other
places to set something like this up if there aren't any other museums to
work with.  

Michelle



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Erin
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 10:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Docent sharing

I work at a small local history museum. Our education program suits 3rd
through 5th grade curriculum. We don't get a lot of school groups, but when
we do, they are often really large classes that I can't handle alone. It's
difficult to find a volunteer that is willing to come here on such a
sporadic, infrequent basis. Most of our volunteers have day jobs or other
volunteer projects that they work on regularly. I started thinking about
possible ways a docent sharing program could work. If one organization was
the center for the docents, other organizations could list special
programs/needs for certain times that volunteers could sign up for. I was
wondering if anyone out there has tried collaborating with other small
museums on a docent sharing project. If so, could you describe some of the
pros, cons, etc. Thanks!

Erin Gerrity
Visitors Services
Portland Museum
2308 Portland Avenue
Louisville, KY  40212
502 776-7678

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