General Information
Docents
Museum’s Volunteer Docents are Ambassadors to both Children and Adults
Docents, or volunteer tour guides, give their time and expertise to educate visitors about the museum and our collections. As in most museums, they are especially needed to act as the Museum’s ambassadors to our visitors – and on a shoestring budget.
The Museum has a core group of 25 docents. Docent Chris Shahan now works with Museum staff as Education Coordinator. She has a Ed.D., in Education and ensures that the programs for school children meet all educational requirements. She has developed two new school programs, one for kindergarten through second grade, and one for third through eighth grade. Response from teachers has been very positive. “We hope the museum is a place where children can come and have fun while they’re learning but also a place where teachers can be confident that what the students are learning can connect to the curriculum in the classroom.”
Docents Tad Saunders and Jerrie Jo Young frequently speak to community groups about the museum. Often dressed in cowgirl gear, they represent the museum by speaking to church groups, Rotary Clubs, and various other organizations requesting information.
After completing a docent-in-training program, docents volunteer two to four hours of their time each week as tour guides. They also attend monthly educational and business meetings to keep them up on what is going on at the Museum. Docent Deanna Smith, formerly a high school English teacher, has taken responsibility for scheduling guest speakers for the monthly meetings. Docents, as part of their continuing education, have attended the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, heard lectures by local historians and writers, and been treated to a talk by Mitizi Riley, member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
If you are interested in joining this elite group, please call Chris Shahan at 817-509-8975 or email her at chris@cowgirl.net.
General Information about the Docent Program
This is perhaps the most important volunteer positions in the Museum. Docents are the ambassadors to the community, the first person the public may encounter on a visit to the Museum. The docent program is designed to educate, stimulate and give the motivated learner greater skills in teaching and storytelling.
A docent makes a commitment to training both in the Museum and on their own to learn not only the stories of the women in the Museum but also the history of the American West. Docent training takes place 4 times a year, once a quarter. Training is held Mondays from 11:30am-1:00pm for 6 consecutive weeks.
A docent is required to do a minimum of 2 tours a month and to attend as many docent monthly meetings (the first Monday of every month) as possible.
If you are interested in Docent training please call Chris Shahan at 817-509-8975 or email her at chris@cowgirl.net.
What is a Docent
docent, adj. serving to instruct; teaching. n. a teacher or lecturer
Ideally, a docent should possess the following characteristics:
- Flexibility
Flexibility in working with tour materials, other docents, staff and museum visitors is the most important quality of a docent. - A professional attitude
Taking pride in your work, seeking to improve your skills and an openness to learning from your colleagues is the sign of a professional. - Sincerity
Museum visitors should feel that you are interested in what you are talking about. Your enthusiasm will encourage enthusiasm from museum visitors. - Understanding of subject matter
Your knowledge of the “Cowgirl” should combine the scope of the museum’s collection with a deeper exploration of the subject matter through suggested books in the bibliography. - Ability to speak in public
You should be able to express ideas logically, audibly and with enthusiasm. - Leadership ability
Establishing a common bond with your group at the beginning of a visit will enhance your credibility and authority as a docent. - Adaptability to different learning styles and abilities
Familiarity with the development and learning skills of children and adults will help you tailor your presentation to the learning style of your group. Changing your presentation to suit your audience will keep your talk fresh. - Ingenuity and imagination
Try to see the Museum exhibitions with fresh eyes every once and awhile. It may open a new perspective or story to you. - A willingness to learn
An openness to new ideas and information is essential. Learning is an ongoing process. - A welcoming attitude
Docents are the most commonly seen representative of a museum. Visitors who spend time with a warm and friendly docent will want to return to the Museum.
