It’s time to select our representatives for the 2022 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 13, 2021. You will find a link to the ballot at the end of this message.
Please read the candidates’ bios below. Then click through 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)
Jill Carlson, Class of 2013
Becoming a docent was on my bucket list and continues to be a fantastic delight since retiring from teaching.
It is a special treat to give tours again. I am certified for 7 walking and 2 bus tours. In a “normal” year, I happily gave 50+ tours. I am also an exhibit host.
In addition to docent council, I serve on Education, DPRP, and Communications committees. As a member of a small Communications subcommittee this special 50th anniversary year, we have written weekly articles on The Bridge celebrating this achievement. Until 2020, I served on the DAN Committee, cochaired in 2018. I have served on numerous taskforces. I have been an OHC Docent Interpreter and Coordinator of Docent Interpreters. I have been an interviewer, sponsor, and certifier. I received a Service Award in 2015 and 2019.
I am running for reelection on a record of hard work and commitment as we move forward
from Covid.
Lance Friedmann, Class of 2015
Docent’ing and CAC have become a cornerstone of my life since I joined “the corps” in 2015. I love what CAC stands for and being part of our vibrant docent community.
I have been co-Tour Director of the River Cruise since 2017. I also support docents as a member of Docent Council and the Education Committee, and as a co-coordinator of All Docent Day for the past three years.
In the last year I’ve been gratified by docent response to our pivot to virtual delivery for “What’s New on the River” (OHC 2020) and revamped training for new River Docents. The new curriculum emphasized engaging guests through storytelling and presentation skills, received excellent ratings from trainees and coaches.
If I have the opportunity to serve a third term on Docent Council, my focus will be to keep guests at the center of everything we do, and to help docents find new ways to support CAC.
Cynthia Karabush, Class of 1992
CAC Docents welcomed me to the Chicago area 30 years ago, and they have been the source of friendship and enrichment ever since. Now I’ve retired and moved closer into Chicago, so I finally have time to give back and make sure new people continue to be welcomed, trained, and enhancing this amazing organization.
I’m certified for the four furthest north of our North Shore neighborhood tours (soon to be five, I hope), and have been certified for Millennium Park since its first docent class.
I have held a variety of service positions for CAC in between raising my children and working:
- Background research for the Maggie Daley Park Tour
- Math Committee, helping produce The Architecture Handbook
- Essay reader for the Newhouse Competition
- Greeter at the Gala
I recently retired from my second career as a high school librarian, where I became skilled in research and in grant writing.
Erica Myles, Class of 2019
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. This connection opened the world to me. I desire to contribute to CAC’s mission as a way to give back.
I’m certified for four tours including two certifications this summer. I had eighteen tours in 2020 including ten tours I picked up after reopening when the minimum requirement was waived. I’ve had eleven tours in 2021.
I volunteered for Open House Chicago for the past three years including as a District Coordinator in 2019 and interviewing Grammy Award winner Che “Rhymefest” Smith for 2020’s virtual OHC. I filmed a WTTW-Channel 11 segment on the Oak Woods Cemetery tour in recognition of Juneteenth.
I currently work in an academic library and enjoy applying my researching skills to preparing factual and entertaining tours.
Lisa Pickell, Class of 2015
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 there is. If elected I would like to help continue to make the CAC the best in can be!
I am certified to give three tours with the CAC: The River Cruise, Chicago Icons and the West Loop Pub Crawl. I have helped train and certify docents for the River Cruise and Chicago Icons. I’ve always made myself available to the tour directors if they need an extra set of hands and I’m always happy to pitch in when needed.
I do work fulltime, running our family business – designing, building and remodeling custom homes, but I am careful to make sure that if I commit, I’m 100% in, which I would be if given the honor of being elected to Docent Council.
John Schneider, Class of 2017
Hello, fellow docents! I am seeking your vote for a second two-year term on the Docent Council to continue to support you on our journey through the pandemic and to help navigate the Chicago Architecture Center back to a path of growth and differentiated offerings.
I focused on the River Cruise during the past two years to help us meet our revenue goals, and I was a coach for a new River Cruise docent in 2021. I also give the Chicago’s First Skyscrapers, Mid-Century Modern Skyscrapers, Chicago Icons, and Illinois Center Pedway walking tours, and I recently certified for an upcoming brand-new building tour, The Old Post Office.
I am a member of the Tour and Marketing Committees and I have been evaluating competitors on the Competitive Review Task Force.
I would be honored to serve on Docent Council again, and hopefully to seeing you more in person soon!
Docent-at-Large Representative
Robin Bauer, Class of 2016
Many thanks to CAC for opportunities to share my love for Chicago.
Prior to 2020, I averaged about 25 tours per year. My certifications include WTT, Historic Neighborhoods by Bus, Tiffany Treasures, Mag Mile and Fulton-Randolph Market District (co-tour director). Also, I volunteer as an Exhibit Host and Gallery Guide.
I joined Docent Council in 2019. I led a Task Force to revise our Handbook, including weather policies. In 2020, I became DC VP/Treasurer. I spearheaded DC’s “Docents Double Down” initiative, which raised over $30,000. I serve on the Education Committee (sponsor and certifier), and on planning teams for Docent Day (2019 and 2021) and DAN 2020. In 2020, I received a Service Award.
Now I’m a candidate for Docent at Large. During the trauma of Covid, CAC demonstrated great resourcefulness. I desire this opportunity to partner with the Board to propel CAC forward.
Thank you.
