This week, in the spirit of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we asked you to share your favorite part of volunteering at the CAC.
Here are your heartwarming responses:
“My external favorite thing about being a docent is leading the mid-century modern tour and seeing the look of appreciation on the guests’ faces as they begin to understand what modern architecture is all about. My favorite internal thing about being a docent, is sitting in the library with my fellow docents marveling at their intelligence and generosity as they share their knowledge about Chicago and its architecture.” – Bobbi Pinkert, Class of 1999
“I love the feeling that people are getting something good and valuable from my work. Chicago is a beautiful city, even with and despite its flaws, and through CAC we help people to see and understand that. Yes, I enjoy the act of leading tours, but each time it gets to be less about me and more about the visitors, and that keeps feeling better. So does the opportunity to meet and work with our warm and impressive volunteer community.” – Bill Page, Class of 2001 and Exhibit Host
“The best part of being a CAC volunteer is learning and sharing the great details of Chicago architecture. And as a suburbanite, I enjoy the energizing buzz of the city every time I come in on the train to give a tour.” – Jean Schlinkmann, Class of 2013
“I love meeting people from all over the world and sharing this city that I love. Relocating from NYC, I never thought I’d fall so hard for Chicago. Every view shows magnificent architecture and great stories!” – Judith Kaufman, Class of 2010
“I have two favorite parts – a) meeting people from all over the world who are always amazed by the beautiful architecture they see and by the welcoming spirit of Chicagoans and b) the incredibly varied architecture we get to talk about.” – Claudia Winkler, Class of 2007
“When I applied to be a docent, I thought that my favorite part would be a 2-parter: learning the material and then giving the tours. But it turned out that my favorite part of being a docent is knowing so many people at CAC that I like so much! Can’t wait to get back to seeing everyone live and in person!” – Pris Mims, Class of 2000
“My favorite part of being a docent is the connections I make with people from all over the world as they hear about this wonderful city, its buildings and its architects and the people who lived here and live here.” – Jill Brooks, Class of 2016
“I most appreciate being able to share my love and knowledge of Chicago with visitors and to tell homies things they might not have known about their city.” – Harry Hirsch, Class of 1998
“Interacting with guests of course! Getting to share a bit of my love for Chicago – the city where the skyscraper was invented!” – Ross Wirth, Class of 2019
“The best part of volunteering at CAC is introducing visitors to the architecture of Chicago. Especially for visitors who have come from outside America! I’ve experienced visitors spending over 2 hours at the model and the skyscraper exhibit, and they usually are from outside the country. It is so fun to interact with them, answer questions, and learn from them.” – Bob Adamshick, Exhibit Host
“I think my favorite part of being a docent is watching the faces of those taking tours when we enter spectacular interiors–Auditorium Building, Marquette lobby, light well at the Rookery, atrium at Marshall Field’s/Macy’s, the Cultural Center, the reception area at the Palmer House, etc. I sometimes even say to those on the tour, “Now I get to watch you as you come into this space.” I also enjoy watching people as they gather for tours and explore the map on the floor, sometimes giving a lesson to children or quizzing kids on their map skills, etc.” – Dan Jares, Class of 2017
“The thing that I most enjoy about being a CAC docent and Exhibit Host is the enthusiasm and interest that people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities have in the built environment. We all live in a building of some kind; we all see architecture around us daily. So whether we appreciate fine art or classical music or good literature, we all have opinions about the architecture around us.” – Leigh Gates, Exhibit Host and Class of 2016
“The part I enjoy most about my Exhibit Host role is being able to share Chicago and Chicago architecture and architecture in general with interested visitors!” – Carol Patterson, Exhibit Host
“I am tied in to a network of fellow docents that love Chicago as much as I do. I also like meeting people from all over the world.” – Greg Dreyer, Class of 2007
“What is your favorite part of being a CAC docent is an easy question. There are many answers. It’s the pleasure in giving tours – sharing our great city and its great architecture, the many opportunities for learning, and the CAC docents, staff and volunteers – smart, committed, generous and fun.” – Marcia Matavulj, Class of 2008
I am most excited when when sharing the beauty of Chicago , its skyscrapers and mixture of architectural styles from the the unique perspective while on the River Cruise.. My passion is history and sharing the growth of this city starting with the Erie Canal to the epic center of America. Alan Lessack, Class of 96
It is always interesting to talk with folks from all over the world who have come to Chicago to see ” our stuff.” And what grand things we have to share. Several years ago I had a chance to talk with a visitor from South Korea. We were standing by the Model City, and must have talked for twenty minutes–perhaps more, At the end of our conversation he invited me–when visiting South Korea–to look him up. He gave me his business card, and it was printed in Korean on one side, and English on the other. He was the CEO of Hyundai. (I was pleasantly surprised. He loved our city. I do hope to look him up–fairly soon–when air travel resumes. –Karl Bruhn