The newly elected Docent Council began its new year with a Feb. 7 wide-ranging discussion about the tour scheduling process, the numbers of tours offered, the number of docent slots available, and the availability of tours for those needing to fulfill basic requirements. The meeting’s focus on tours was in response to direct action taken by Docent Council at a January retreat and in response to recent docent complaints about tour scheduling.
CAC Staff presented the 2023 tour scheduling process and there was an extensive discussion about the numbers of building and neighborhood tours and the availability of tours in general, given the large incoming new docent class.
It was announced that several actions have already been taken by staff:
- The cost of building tours has been reduced to $15, $10 for members. Docents suggested at the meeting that staff consider making these tours free for members.
- The Marketing Department is increasing building tour marketing. A new “Cozy up to a Building” campaign has launched. An ad has already appeared on Facebook.
Additional actions taken by Docent Council regarding tours include:
- A task force will be created to review procedures on scheduling and assigning docent slots. Recommendations will be incorporated in the process for tour year 2024.
- Caroline will be contacting those few docents who may be adversely affected by the existing 2023 schedule and find ways to get enough credits to maintain their standing.
Docent Council also took action to improve communications with the larger docent body:
- Agendas of Docent Council meetings will be posted on The Bridge, alerting docents to the topics under discussion. Docents are always welcomed at Docent Council meetings.
- Minutes of Docent Council will be electronically approved by the council and then published, likely within a week, to the broader docent community.
- The President’s letter to the docent body will be posted the week after the Docent Council meeting.
These are only the first steps that Docent Council will take to improve communications with docents and better relationships with staff. More to come!