Hello!
It is my honor and privilege to pen my first monthly letter to “CAC docent nation” after having recently been elected Docent Council president. It is a weighty responsibility, and I have large shoes to fill, following Constance and the presidents before her. I’m fortunate to have both Robin Bauer as vice-president and treasurer and Judith Kaufman as secretary working with me, as well as a thoughtful and wise group of docent council members.
I know many of you, but certainly not all. Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity to meet and see all of you during the year. I’m a docent from the Class of 2009. I’m a full-time professor of accounting and taxation at Loyola University Chicago. I live in Lakeview with my wife and dog, Casper. My twin children live elsewhere (phew!). My son is doing graduate work at Stanford University and living in Palo Alto. My daughter works for a literacy not-for-profit and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
My goals for the coming year are simple. To collaborate effectively with CAC staff and volunteers, working together for our shared mission while appreciating the distinction of being a “docent.” To continue to work to clarify and document our rules and procedures in the docent handbook (this isn’t very glamorous, but important for us all). And finally, I’d like to work hard to reach out to hear some of the “unheard” voices among the docent community. We often hear the concern that “it’s always the same people” on docent council, running the committees, acting as tour directors, etc. I’ll be announcing an initiative soon that I hope will get more docent voices involved and heard.
Please know that my door (email?) is always open. My email address is kf*****@gm***.com. Don’t hesitate to send me your questions or concerns. The Docent Council is a body to represent ALL docents, but I, and my fellow council members must hear your concerns to serve you as best we can.
So, we embark on 2020. Perhaps it’ll feel like a calm year for CAC after the upheaval of the move in late 2018 and trying to figure out how it’s all going to work in 2019. But, there are many new and exciting challenges ahead. A new docent class starts soon. A new boat, the Emerald Lady, with many more departures, will be in the water this spring. New tours are being created and refined. And, I’m sure, they’ll be surprises. But perhaps the most pride I take in being a docent, is our flexibility and the ability to handle anything that comes our way!
So, cheers, to a New Year!
Kent
CLICK HERE to read the November 2019 Docent Council minutes.
Congratulations, Kent!
You’re a splendid choice, Kent. And, you were the very first docent I observed after being accepted into the training program in late 2009 after being inspired by going on several of Constance’s tours. You were both terrific role models for me, and I’m sure you’ll shine in your new role.