Docents need for California Historical Society

[Larisa Somsel]

California 1900

VOLUNTEER DOCENT PROGRAM
JOB DESCRIPTION

What is a docent? The word docent derives from the Latin word docere
meaning "to teach." Today, "docent" is the title for a trained individual
who guides visitors of all ages to greater understanding and enjoyment of
art and history.

Description: Volunteer Docents join the staff of The California Historical
Society (CHS) in leading tours of the exhibit, California 1900. Docents
play an important role in the public activities of the Society. Our Docents
are committed to the Society and to educating the public about art and
California history. We invite you to join in an active and engaging
program!

Docent-led tours, given to both adult and school groups, are forty-five
minutes to one hour long. School group tours are followed by a hands-on
activity related to the exhibition.

Exhibition Overview: In honor of the coming new millennium and the end of
California's sesquicentennial celebration, the California Historical
Society is organizing an exhibition entitled California 1900. The
exhibition will be drawn from the permanent collections of county
historical societies and museums throughout California, and aims to portray
and interpret our state in the year 1900 through a rich assemblage of art
and artifacts.

By bringing together representative pieces from across the state, the
California Historical Society will be able to present a sampling of
California's cultural and artistic treasures. In viewing them together, we
can not only examine the bewildering diversity of our state at the turn of
the century, but also gain a greater understanding of California life 100
years ago. This exhibition runs through February 12, 2000.

Training: During the mandatory training session held on Saturday, October
23rd, from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., our Education and Curatorial staff will
teach you about the exhibition, pertinent historical information and
touring techniques. Docents are required to attend the training session and
study the provided training materials. In addition, Docents are required to
give a practice tour/walk through prior to their first public tour. Lunch
will be provided! Please RSVP by October 21th if you plan to attend.

Qualifications: Docents must be responsible, reliable, and enthusiastic to
learn about the Society, California history, art and public speaking. No
previous experience is necessary.

Commitment: Docents should be committed to giving a minimum of one tour
per month throughout the duration of the exhibit, which runs from October
21st, 1999 through February 19th, 2000.

Benefits:

A terrific learning experience!

Complimentary membership to CHS after 3 months

As a member you will receive:

* 15% discount in the CHS Bookstore
* CHS quarterly journal "California History"
* CHS quarterly membership newsletter "California Chronicle"
* Invitations to special events
* Free use of the library and its extensive collection of photographs,
manuscripts and books

Upcoming Exhibits in 2000:

March 2 – June 17, 2000 America's Concentration Camps: Remembering the
Japanese American Experience

July 6 – October 21, 2000 Moment and Momentum: Seeing Time in 19th Century
Photography

For more information on becoming a Docent: If you would like more
information about our Docent Program, please call Janelle Wise Graves,
Director of Education at (415) 357-1848, ext. 22 (Jan...@calhist.org) or
Larisa Somsel, Education and Outreach Coordinator at ext. 24 (Larisa @
calhist.org).

California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco,
California