It’s time to select our representatives for the 2024 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 11,2023. 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 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 want to become a member of the Docent Council to brainstorm and implement new ideas and to contribute what I have learned though working with other experienced docents and with new docents in new docent training.
- Tours. Currently certified for 11 tours, co-tour director of 2. Developed 2 tours. On track to give 50 tours in 2023.
- Education Committee Activities.
- Co-Chair for 2 years
- Chair of staff/docent committee to devise a model for complete redesign of New Docent Training (2014)
- New docent training since 2015. Prime concentration on recruiting, selecting, assigning, training, and consulting with readers, sponsors, and certifiers. Also served in these roles myself.
- Docent Council. Member for 3 terms plus one year as Docent at Large.
- Open House site developer in Pilsen.
- During our move in 2018, early learning of 3 tours so that I could certify 17 docents.
- Term as a performance review team member.
Thank you for considering me as your Docent Council representative for the next two years. I consider myself fortunate to have been accepted into the world of the CAC, not only for the great new friends I have made, but for the opportunity to educate the public on three things I’m passionate about: History, Architecture, and Chicago!
I am equally passionate about contributing to volunteer organizations in leadership roles. I have participated as a trainer and certifier for the River Cruise and have given 40 tours this year. I am certified for A Walk Through Time, Must See Chicago, and the River Cruise.
I am a retired orthopaedic surgeon (foot and ankle specialist), but still spend time in volunteer roles for national orthopaedic organizations. I have been president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, president of the Board of Directors for the Orthopaedic Learning Center in Rosemont, and currently chair the Courses Committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (I love education!). None of these activities qualifies me to be a member of Docent Council, but they do illustrate my commitment to do what I can to improve volunteer organizations.
My name is Darcy Krulisky, a member of the docent class of 2017. After working out of state for over forty years, I retired and returned to Chicago. Taking CAC tours re-acquainted me with my home town and inspired me to become a docent. After the CAC’s move to 111 E. Wacker, I worked as an exhibit host as well. Last year I added the role of Associate Director of the Wabash Arts Corridor tour.
Currently certified for five walking tours, I will have given 34 tours in 2023 by September 30. This year I sponsored one new docent and certified five others. In the past I also have been a Docent Council Election Committee member.
Since returning to Chicago, I have volunteered for Open House Chicago annually, for Lurie Children’s Hospital, and for Ronald McDonald House.
For all that CAC has given me, I hope to repay the organization by being a conscientious participant on Docent Council and a representative voice for docents.
I’ve been enamored by Chicago’s architecture since I took a Burnham in Chicago Now class at DePaul University in 2008. I didn’t spend much time downtown as a kid, but after that class, my love for Chicago grew… so much in fact, I even named my dog Burnham Hudson Manteck after the amazing Daniel Hudson Burnham. Since becoming a docent I have immersed myself in docent culture as much as my schedule allowed.
Some specifics include:
- I initially certified for Walk Through Time and Must See Chicago, but then also became a River Cruise docent in 2022. I plan on training for many more tours in the future!
- I’m a co-chair for the Digital Task Force sub-committee with Docent Council.
- I am a member of the Education committee and have recently become more involved by scoring applications, I’ll be interviewing docent candidates, and am one of the docents coordinating sponsors, readers, and coaches for the upcoming training class.
- I’m a member and have taken the lead on the photography features group that does monthly photo features in The Bridge.
Aside from being a docent, I taught high school art (photography, digital illustration, AP Art) and coached HS girls bowling, but recently took a hiatus to further pursue my goals within my business, KAMera Chicago Photography, as an architectural photographer. With this time in growing my business, I have also dedicated a lot of time to being more involved in CAC. One of my pieces is on permanent display in the Chicago Gallery at the CAC in the video – it’s the exterior shot of FLW’s Robie House, which I photographed for WTTW’s ‘10 Buildings That Changed America.’ I am excited to delve deeper into the world of CAC as I continue my journey building my business and inspiring the world to grow as in love with Chicago as I am!
My name is Erica Myles. I’m a member of the 2019 docent class. I was introduced to CAC as a high school student via a CAC architecture appreciation class. I desire to contribute to CAC’s mission as a way to give back.
I’m seeking re-election to Docent Council. I’ve also served on the Docent Council Election Committee. I’m currently serving on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and co-chairing the Defining the Docent Experience Task Force with Kathy Baker.
I’m certified for four tours and have led 22 tours so far this year. I volunteered as a District Coordinator for Open House Chicago for the past three years. I was delighted to receive the Docent Service Award for 2022.
I just joined a mission-driven lender specializing in helping independent real estate developers on the South and West sides. My role is to train investors to be great landlords.
I would like to be considered for Docent Council to further my participation in an organization that I believe is one of the best run volunteer organizations out there. If elected I would like to help continue to make the CAC the best it can be!
I was elected to Docent Council 2 years ago and since then have enjoyed participating on the Election committee in 2022, and a special task force committee to enhance Docent/Staff Collaboration in 2023. I am certified to give The River Cruise and the West Loop Pub Crawl. I have been a coach and certifier for The River Cruise. I was also asked to join the Board of Trustees in 2023. Being able to engage with the CAC in different ways has given me unique insight into the organization that I believe is beneficial to the docent community.
I work full-time, running our family business – designing, building, and remodeling custom homes, but I’m always happy to make myself available to help the tour directors and pitch in when needed.
Hello, fellow docents! I am seeking your vote for a third term on Docent Council.
I am currently Secretary, and I am helping lead a new task force focused on improving collaboration between staff and volunteers.
My focus has been the River Cruise and the Old Post Office tours. I also give Chicago Icons and Mid-Century Modern tours. I will hit my average of giving 30 tours this year and I will learn the revived Chicago Pedway tour this fall. I am a member of the Marketing and Tour committees, helping to make sure we continue to offer and promote a variety of tours that appeal to many.
I was a River Cruise coach this past year and am a reviewer for the Docent Peer Review Process.
My goal is helping you love your volunteer experience while helping make CAC the #1 destination for learning about Chicago and its architecture!
Catherine Thomson, Class of 2023
My passion is arts education, and it is a joy to share this passion with my CAC colleagues. I am the 2023 Class Representative, and I co-chair the Task Force on Docent/Staff Collaboration. I rapidly met the training and touring requirements for walking tours, and I look forward to river training in 2024.
I am a full-time residential property manager and a part-time “edutainer,” celebrating the achievements of women in story and song. My singing sideline affords me the opportunity to serve as Co-Director for Education on the Board of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals.
From 1997 – 2006, I lived in Italy and led art and architecture tours. From 2012 – 2021, I was a docent at the Art Institute of Chicago.
I would be honored to win your vote to serve on Docent Council, where I will work enthusiastically to advance CAC’s mission and support our Core Values.
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 three more years as Docent-at-Large. Like Nancy Pelosi – weathered and wiser — I think there are still some things that I can do for my constituency: you.
Strong leadership is always important and in 2024 it will be especially so, as Eleanor completes her first year as CEO, Ross and Lori raise the profile of Docent Council, and another new docent class and (probably) many new sources of inspiration arise for our docent community.
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 re-entry into docent governance this year taught me that I will always be a concerned and committed docent.
Thank you/Constance
