“The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself.
I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.” – Barack Obama
This week puts a wrap on the peak field trip season for our Education Guide team. And despite the “challenging” weather, it’s been a successful season, with visitor counts for our 90-minute student adventures up 35% over last year.
I had planned to use this month’s posting to provide a sneak preview of key upcoming events for the Education Department, and I will do so.
But first, and more importantly, I need to send positive thoughts to our fearless leader, Angela Esposito. Angela has gone public with news of her impending medical leave of absence, and we all wish her the best during her upcoming recovery. I had the privilege of witnessing Angela being her usual incredibly energetic and upbeat self as she joined us leading a throwback version of the Student Loop field trip last week, which suggests that her prognosis of being back with us and better than ever by early August seems like a very sound bet.
In her usual fashion, Angela has put our house in order for the coming months, and here’s what’s on tap for upcoming CAC training sessions and events. In mostly chronological order…
New Exhibit Host Training: Saturday, June 22 and Saturday, June 29. As always, we encourage all Volunteers and Docents who haven’t done so already to attend these informative and entertaining sessions; plenty of Exhibit Host shifts are available as we engage with our CAC guests. Please contact Caroline for details if you are interested in signing up.
Millennium Park Tent: Monday-Friday, August 5-9. The CAC will be once again be participating in this annual summer city event, facilitating hands-on design projects for kids and families. Education Guides and CAC staff will have a blast as they serve two hour shifts between 10AM-2PM inside the festival tent.
New Education Guide Training: Tuesday-Wednesday, September 24-25. We also encourage Volunteers and Docents to expand their CAC horizons by joining the next class of Guides. New and current guides will be especially encouraged to participate in…
Chicago Architecture Biennial Training: Tuesday-Wednesday, October 1-2. I am happy to confirm that CAC Education Guides will once again be leading 90-minute student field trips engaging with the exhibits at this fabulous event in the Chicago Cultural Center. Based on personal experience from the 2017 Biennial, this is the ultimate experience for our Guide team.
This year’s theme is “And Other Such Stories”, with Artistic Director Yesomi Umolu from the University of Chicago curating exhibits created by 80 prominent architects, artists, and researchers exploring how design relates to land, memory, human rights, and civic participation. The Biennial will run through January 5, 2020, and the conversations with our student guests as we open their eyes to the exhibition content and the splendor of the Cultural Center will be memorable.
Volunteer Appreciation Night: Thursday, September 26. With apologies to Caroline since she does all the heavy lifting for this event, I am scooping her with the news that our annual VAN is on the calendar. At this very festive gathering, Lynn Osmond and the CAC staff will offer their annual thank you to the Volunteers as we celebrate the culmination of our first year in the CAC. Look for an upcoming Save the Date message from Caroline, and book this night in your calendar.
Volunteer Gift Card Pick-up: Now. A friendly reminder…the Amazon gift cards rewarding us for our service over the previous year are available for distribution. Drop by Caroline’s desk on your way to the Sears Volunteer Library next time you’re in the CAC.
Congrats to our Education Guide team for completing another busy spring season, and let’s all continue to staff the available workshop, field trip, Insiders’ Guide, Mobile Cart, and Read & Build shifts as we help Rebecca and Mizael fill Angela’s large shoes as we look forward to her return.
Cheers, Bob