Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless but because they’re priceless. –
Sherry Anderson, Author
It is indeed an exciting time to be a Volunteer for the CAC as our transition is now in full swing.
Student field trips bid adieu to the Railway Exchange lobby last week. The first walking tours have begun departing from 111 E. Wacker. CAC orientation sessions for current volunteers have been completed. Over 100 new Exhibit Hosts and Guests Services volunteers were welcomed into the family at orientation sessions last Thursday and Saturday. Training programs for Exhibit Hosts and Education Guides will continue throughout this month and into September. And, yes, we are now branded as the CAC.
Whew….and, on behalf of all the Volunteers, a big thank you goes out to Michael Malak, Gabe Lyon, Angela Esposito, Rebecca Millham, Caroline Duda, and Erin Carlisle for your efforts in authoring and facilitating the many preparation activities currently in progress.
And thank you to the volunteer team for your enthusiastic response to the many emails and opportunities now coming your way. The new CAC will be a “plus-up” experience for both volunteers and our guests. Building on that spirit, I encourage all of us to “plus-up” our volunteer involvement as we move into the new center.
If you’ve previously focused on being a Guest Services Volunteer or Education Guide, sign up to become an Exhibit Host as well. We will soon have many, many, many shifts to fill.
Once you’ve completed your Exhibit Host training, put your new skills to work immediately by filling a shift during the member, donor, and VIP preview events and festivities during the CAC’s opening week beginning August 27.
If you’ve previously worked one shift per week as an Exhibit Host or Guest Services volunteer, make it two (or more) per week as Volunteer Matters sign-ups begin for September and beyond.
If you haven’t done so already, please reply to Cathy Fey’s email seeking Onboarding Buddies to connect with and welcome our new friends as we are hoping to reduce the “oldtimer-to-newbie” ratio for this program.
And we would welcome your joining us in adding your name to the list of volunteers who are generously making even a small donation to the “Meet Your City” campaign that contributes to the funding of the new center.
Thanks to everyone for your patience and participation as we approach the grand opening of the CAC. And please continue checking your email and The Bridge, as there will no doubt be a few more twists and turns in the road before we host our first guests in the exhibit spaces at 111 E. Wacker.
Go Cubs, Bob