It has been an intense few weeks since the national election, I’m still reeling and don’t have the answers. I want to thank Eleanor for hosting a Townhall to provide a space to discuss or simply be together. I encourage you to continue to give grace to yourself as well as your colleagues, family, friends, and neighbors.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the ~ 200 docents who participated in the Docent Council elections, a key part of our self-governance. Please join me in welcoming the new members of the Docent Council: Cynthia Bates, Rene Cantu, Ellen Shubart, Jessica Williams, and Donna Gabanski (who will serve as docent at large). Additionally, congratulations to MaryJo Hoag and Tom Stelmack on their re-election.
Although I did not secure re-election and will be concluding my term at the end of the year, I am proud of the work accomplished during my tenure on the Docent Council, including my time as President. My involvement has always been motivated by a commitment to stewardship and continuous improvement. We have made significant progress, though much remains to be done.
I hope that the 2025 Docent Council and future councils will continue to prioritize important areas such as succession planning, docent and staff collaboration, and mentorship and stewardship. I sought re-election to a final term in order to further these critical initiatives, particularly the implementation of a successful succession plan for the next generation of leadership. However, the outcome of the election suggests a preference for a different direction among the voting docent body.
It is encouraging to have the presence of several members from the classes of 2020 and beyond on the council. Notably, for the past two years, the current Class Representative has not been elected to Docent Council. With over 30% of the council composed of returning members who have previously served, it seems that the voting body values the experience of those with prior service over the perspectives of newer docents. I encourage you to continue fostering an environment that allows new and diverse voices to contribute to the development of exceptional tours for the next fifty years of our docent program.
See you on the streets,
-Ross Wirth
rw****@ar**********.org
515.451.1438
Docent Council Minutes can be found in the “Files” section of Better Impact.
Click on “See All Files” and scroll to find the Docent Council Minutes section.
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Ross, I’ll miss your vision of a DC that could actively shape and implement strategies that would benefit the entire docent community. I hope that new leadership will commit to continuing the important work relating to succession planning, mentorship and collaboration. You invested so much time and energy in establishing a platform for change; I’m optimistic that it will eventually be the foundation for a forward looking Docent Council.
Ross, Over the past five years you have stepped in and stepped up to many challenges at the CAC. Your energy has been non-stop whether it was social gathering of the Bovines of 2019, to the top of the heap at Docent Council President. You have been a leader who has brought diversity and inclusion to the forefront. While you certainly had a vision for CAC you utilized strategies to allow other voices to be heard. You put an incredible amount of effort into fair practices so ALL volunteers and staff could succeed. The work is not complete. Let’s hope the 2025 docent council picks up the torch and complete the job. So very grateful for your generosity, your wisdom and your commitment.
Ross, thank you for taking on this challenging task.