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Jill Carlson, Class of 2013

Being a CAF docent was on my bucket list for years and has been a fantastic highlight in retirement. I love showing off our city and sharing stories and information.I’m certified for Historic, Modern, Art Deco, and Discovering Chicago’s Historic Neighborhoods.  I will have 65+ tours this year.

My service includes DAN committee (5 years) serving as co-chairman for 2018, Gala volunteer (2 years), Scavenger Hunt (2 years), Certifier (1 year), Docent Engagement Task Force (1 year), Mission Statement Task Force; Long Range Strategic Planning Task Force (1 year); OHC (2 years)/Docent Interpreter Coordinator for OHC (3 years). I received a Service Award in 2015.

I strongly believe in giving back to an organization. It would be an honor to represent you on docent council, working to maintain/advance its high level of accomplishment. I’m going to work hard to make our move as seamless as possible. I’m a good listener and open to new ideas.

 

Hau Chyi, Class of 2015

A little bit about me: I grew up in Taiwan, pursued a Ph.D. at UW-Madison, working as tenure-track professor in China, and now a lecturer at Loyola, my multicultural and teaching experiences have prepared me to become a good docent!

I relocated back to Chicago permanently in 2013. With a full-time job, I’ve given 43 tours (and accumulating) this year. I am certified for the River Cruise and Chicago Masterworks, and actively engaged in training as a sponsor and volunteer coach. I am also the go-to guy at CAF for mandarin tours for the city’s Chinese visitors.

As a junior member of my beloved docent family, I have much to learn, but conducting research and planning for teaching are my daily routines. I believe my enthusiasm and unique multicultural background will be great assets to our cause. I’d greatly appreciate the opportunity!

 

Emily Clott, Class of 2012

CAF is at a crossroads, preparing to leave its familiar home to begin anew at its Archicenter at Michigan and Wacker Drive. For docents, the move entails both eager anticipation and the queasiness inherent in any journey to the unknown. We need a Docent Council that understands and addresses these paradoxical sentiments and provides guidance and stability going forward.

I seek a second term on Docent Council in my 6th year as a docent because I am new enough yet seasoned enough to comprehend the challenges the move presents. A member of Education and Communications Committees, I have served as a sponsor, certifier, and coach. I’ve led 65 of the following tours this year: River, Historic, Evolution, Neighborhoods by Bus, River Walk-Talks, and French Language.

I’ve been a Docent Interpreter at OHC for five years, and am co-chairing DAN this year. Please honor me with your vote.

 

Susan Foster, 2015

Enabling tour takers to experience Chicago and its architecture in new ways by discovering why design matters gives me great joy.

I am certified on Treasures; Must-See; Hidden, Mostly Outdoor, Art; and Discover Chicago’s Neighborhoods and will soon add Holiday Lights.  Averaging over 30 tours per year, I was recognized as the 2015 class member who led the most tours in 2015.

I was an interpreter during the 2015 OHC.  In both 2016 and 2017, I enjoyed docent enrichment trips and sponsored and coached new docents.  I will join the Enrichment Committee in October.

Having rotated off The Saints Grants Commission, I now look forward to listening to and representing docents.  I welcome the challenge of CAF’s move to new facilities and feel my managerial and team experience in leading through major corporate change will be of benefit as I work to advance docent programs and organizational governance and to support the ”Big Move”.

 

Lance Friedmann, Class of 2015

Being a CAF docent has become a delightful “second career” for me, where I can share my love of architecture with tourees, and contribute my organizational skills to CAF.

Just after retiring from a career in marketing and management at Kraft Foods in 2015, I certified on Masterworks. I loved describing Chicago’s amazing architecture to tourees, and the camaraderie among docents.In 2016

I added the River Cruise, led 57 tours, and began contributing to CAF in other rewarding ways: chairing the Marketing Committee, serving on three task forces, co-leading Project Fresh, organizing River Cruise Kickoff and Refreshers and docent events at River Point, Graceland, and Columbus, Indiana. I was honored to receive a Docent Service Award at 2017 DAN.

I hope to serve on Docent Council as we enter a time of change and challenge, for docents and staff. I am confident we can accomplish anything if we all work together.

 

Judith Kaufman, Class of 2010

Being a docent for the Chicago Architecture foundation is one of the most rewarding activities imaginable.  As Vice Chancellor of Advancement from Purdue University, I had an exciting and satisfying career.   Becoming a CAF docent is as fulfilling, satisfying and downright fun!  I am a very lucky retiree.

I have given more than 120 tours this year – more than 80 on the river.  I am certified for more than 15 tours – four of which are building tours.

I have sponsored and/or certified several brilliant docents, and serve on the Education Committee and co-chair Continuing Education.  I am associate tour director for the John Hancock Building.  Now I am completing my term on the Docent Council.

The next couple of years will be challenging.  Please allow me to continue to contribute to your voice – the voice of docents – as we manage these new challenges.

 

Renee Purner, Class of 2017

I am thrilled to be a CAF docent.  I was born and raised here in the city of Chicago and being a docent allows me to share the city I love and all it’s wonderful architecture.

I currently serve on the Tour Committee and am the 2017 Docent Class Representative.  As the class representative I have organized monthly outings for our class allowing us to continue to bond and share our interests in architecture.  I am certified for the Historic Skyscraper Tour and the Art Deco Tour.  To date I have given 14 tours and also participated as a Docent Interpreter for Open House Chicago.

I have had the opportunity to have a first hand look at how the Docent Council committee works and I want to get involved further.  If elected I would continue the work that is already in progress and hope that I could bring some fresh and new ideas.

 

Ellen Shubart, Class of 2006

I have been a docent since 2006; certified in about two dozen tours, which means I give more than 200+ hours in tours each year and about the same amount of time in service hours. I currently serve on the Tour, Marketing and Communications committees. The past few years I also served the docent body first as Docent Council president and, more recently, as Docent-at-Large. Last year, when I ran for this position I said I wanted to finish the work we had begun – meaning the efforts toward the move into a new Chicago Architecture Center. That work is still not completed. I am seeking one more term – the last one, for sure – in order to truly finish the task. I would like to continue to work with the CAF Board of Trustees to ensure that the docents’ strong role in CAF is maintained and perhaps expanded. That is why I’m running for Docent-at-Large and I hope you will support me in that effort