It’s time to select our representatives for the 2023 Docent Council.
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As we have done for the past few years, voting will be electronic. Voting begins today and will continue through the end of All Docent Day, Saturday, November 5, 2022. You will find a link to the ballot at the end of this message.
Please read the candidates’ bios below. Then click on the docents’ names to view their short candidate statements. Be sure to watch them before you vote. You can also CLICK HERE to view the statements all at once.
You may vote for six (6) candidates for Docent Council, and one candidate for Docent-at-Large.
Don’t miss this opportunity to cast your ballot for your docent representatives.
Docent Council Candidates
(Listed alphabetically by last name)
I was honored to be elected to Docent Council, adding a new hat to my Docent collection (educator, interpreter, storyteller, advocate, city ambassador). In 2021, I gave 77 tours,
including nearly 60 River Cruises, but also Walk Through Time, Art Deco Loop, and AD Riverfront, Evanston. I thus received the Above and Beyond Award at DAN this April. I have
conducted 56 tours so far this year.
As a member of the Communications Committee, I contributed to our online effort, producing articles on the Evanston tour for The Bridge. Being involved in new class training as Sponsor,
Coach, and Certifier has been extremely rewarding. Last year I sponsored a 2020 class member and a River Cruise trainee. This year I had two River Cruise trainees. I’m very proud of them!
Serving on DC during the shutdown was a unique and challenging experience for us all, and together we developed policies that were fair, effective, and respectful for fellow docents and
other constituencies. This period showed a real test of everyone’s creativity and spirit.
I also served on the Election Committee, formulating best practices for our elections. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with returning and new DC colleagues as we collaborate
with our incoming new leadership and ensure that our voices and agency are well represented.
Docent Council is the voice of the docents, and I would add my experience to making that a strong voice.
I am certified on ten tours including the newest, the Columbia College Student Center. I have usually given between 50 and 70 tours a year.
I have served on Docent Council as a representative, president, and docent-at-large. I chaired the Library Committee , and as a member of the Education Committee, I help plan and coordinate the training classes and serve as a sponsor. I am co-director for Macy’s and Frank Lloyd Wright by Bus.
One of the “new” things I did during the pandemic was create a presentation for CAC@Home on Frank Lloyd Wright. I also co-edited the book celebrating 50 years of docent training.
I ask that you consider me as your Docent Council representative for several reasons:
- I hold a great deal of long standing knowledge and experience with Docent administration and the working relationship between Docents, staff and the CAC Board of Trustees.
- I work. I have the time to do the dedicated work of the Docent Council and I’ll represent you every day and at every meeting.
- Proof of my dedication to the success of Docents and CAC lies in my many activities with the CAC: I’ve served as Council President, as the Co-Chairperson of the Standards Committee, as the author and Tour Director of numerous CAC tours and as a sponsor and certifier of new docents. I generally give 100 tours a year and up to 200 service hours each year.
If you are looking for a representative that has your Docent needs in mind and who possess the passion and experience necessary to get things done, then please vote for me as your representative to Docent Council. Thank you!
Amanda Lewis, Class of 2019
I would be honored to serve on the docent council. This would allow me to listen and learn in order to provide for the needs of the wider docent body. My docent experience includes:
- 24 tours so far in 2022 and signed up for 12 more
- I am certified in 4 tours.
- One of my favorite tours to give is the Must See tour
- I was a coach for the Elevated tour training in 2022
- Served at the 2021 CAC Gala
- I plan to serve on the Communications committee
I grew up in a military family and spent my middle school years in Germany. A family vacation to Barcelona began my love of architecture. I have an undergraduate and graduate degree in Biblical studies. I live with my husband, Jon, and dog, Winston, in the heart of the city at Michigan and Lake.
I’m a proud member of the Docent Council and Secretary of the Tour Committee, a post in which I’ve been held prisoner since shortly after docent training in 2010.
In 2011 I engineered getting two new computers for the then Docent Library. This year we on the Library Committee worked to finally replace those computers (yes, they were that old!).
I am Co-Tour Director of our 3 Pub Tours. Along with those tours, I give about 30 tours in a mix that includes Walk Through Time, What’s New, Historic Austin, Wabash Arts Corridor and, if it comes back, the Big Bus tour.
I sing in a choir that is excellent despite me. I also arrange a series of Spring and Fall migration bird walks..
I value the company of docents and love sharing with you the knowledge I acquire by submitting articles for The Bridge, even when asked to desist.
It is in the spirit of friendship with so many of you and a continuing wish to serve that I once again seek your vote for Docent Council.
I have served as my class representative on the council for the last 2 years. I’ve been impressed with how the docent ranks are self-governed and I enjoy contributing to that governance.
I’ve long held a passion for Chicago history and its fabulous architecture and have relished every moment of docent training and giving tours. Some specifics:
- I initially certified for A Walk Through Time and Must See Chicago. This year I added the River, the Columbia College Student Center and the Reliance Building. Since my initial tour certification in June 2021, I’ve conducted 48 tours, with many more scheduled for the remainder of 2022. I love giving tours!
- I’m a member of the Education Committee currently working to screen and interview candidates for the next class.
I am a retired technology executive. I also volunteer for the Youth Job Center in Evanston and play lots of golf and pickleball!
Thomas R Stelmack, Class of 2017
Becoming a docent fulfilled an avocational interest in architecture. I’ve been honored to be a member of the Docent Council during the past two years.
Certifications include: As walking tours 1st Skyscrapers, Must See, Walk Thru Time, Architecture of the Magnificent Mile (AMM), Fulton Market, and Gothic Chicago. I also do the River Cruise. Thus far in 2022 I’ve given 34 tours.
I am a co-Tour Director for AMM having co-developed the tour as well as two one-off bus tours: Gothic Architecture (March 2019) and Concrete Chicago (May 2020 cancelled). My Bridge-publishing include: Julian Hotel (two parts), Apple Store (four parts) and Gothic Architecture. I also contributed to the 2020 River Cruise manual. As a part of the CAC Live program I’ve lectured four times: “Gothic Chicago” x2 with two specific to materials: “Chicago’s Architectural Palate of Clay and Stone” and most recently “Not Necessarily Set in Stone: Cement and Concrete”.
I have participated in OHC for five years with two being district coordinator, served on the Tour Committee for 5+ yrs. and the DC Election Committee 2019 (at large) and 2021 (as chair).
Ross Wirth, Class of 2019
I am seeking your support in re-election to Docent Council.
Architecture has been a passion since learning from my mother to give architecture tours my childhood neighborhood.
For the last year I am honored to have served as Vice President & Treasurer on Docent Council. This is the end of my first term on Docent Council, prior I served as the 2019 Docent Council class representative (Go Bovines). As a member of the Tour committee, I focus on helping provide feedback on new and updated tours.
I enjoy conducting both Treasures and Walk Through Time. I average about 20 tours walking tours a year. I would have done more this year, but for reduced schedules and ensuring other docents can give tours as well. I give nearly my tours over weekends as I do work full-time during the week.
I work fulltime serving the P&C Insurance industry in technology transformation and Cyber.
I am excited for the opportunity to continue my focus on expanding sense of community, expanding diversity, and partnership with the CAC in a second term on Docent Council. I look forward to continuing to serve you!
Docent-at-Large
Constance Rajala, Class of 2008
I am running on my record of lots of experience in docent governance: three years as Docent Council president and two years as Docent-at-Large. Like Tom Brady, I couldn’t seem to stay retired…
Strong leadership is always important and in 2023 it will be especially so, with a new CEO, new DC president, new docent class and (probably) many new sources of inspiration for our docent community.
Usually the immediate past president takes the Docent at Large role, as its chief function is to support the new president and attend Board of Trustees meetings. Kent is taking a well-deserved break after three critical years.
It’s important for us docents to have an experienced and effective voice as we greet these new initiatives; I am confident I can provide that.
My brief retirement taught me that I will always be a concerned and committed docent.
Thank you/Constance
CLICK HERE to link to the ballot.