Twice I have seen this transition. In neither case was it done successfully - or least what I would call successfully. Sure, the transition was made. But it resulted in unnecessarily hurt feelings, and in once case a ruined reputation. As you can tell, I tend take a humanistic approach. Thus, I cannot say, with certainty, what would need to happen for the transition to occur successfully. But I have a few speculations based on the pitfalls I have witnessed. 1) In essence it sounds like you are laying off the paid docents. Are any of these current docents also transitioning into the volunteer positions? Here I am assuming "no". Will the current docents be responsible for training the volunteers? I would try my utmost to avoid a "yes" to the last. Training your replacement to effectively take over your job will cause maaaaaany problems. The training provided may well have...holes. I have seen those holes left intentionally in the training provided as a bit of retribution. I think the only way to ask the current docents to provide that training is if they are transitioning into the volunteer potions themselves. It might also be possible to ask some of the current docents to volunteer to help provide this training...with a bit of remuneration to ease their own transition into other jobs. 2) Find away to deal with the rumors that the volunteers will be less competent/knowledgeable/passionate than the paid docents. Perhaps offer a contract to one or two of the current paid docents to come in, on an as-needed basis, and provide high quality tours to groups willing to pay an extra free for the service? Would require the option of setting up tours in advance... 3) Place some level of power in the hands of the current paid docents. Explain the situation. Perhaps, make the offer that if they themselves can find grant money to keep the positions they will be kept on. I realize that it is unlikely, and I am sure they will also realize this, but it shows a willingness to compromise and work with them on you end. ________________________________ From: Mike Reuter <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 2:10 PM Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Paid Docent Transitioning Into Volunteer Docent Hi all: Currently our museum offers paid docents to provide tours of our historic site. Realistically, we cannot afford this over the long term. Has anyone out there had success in transitioning to a volunteer core of tour guides for both weekdays and weekends and be willing to provide successes, strategies and pitfalls for this transition? Please message me privately. Thanks! Mike Reuter -- Michael Reuter Executive Director Rock County Historical Society www.rchs.us 608-756-4509 "Where Past Meets Present" ________________________________ To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).