Athenæum
Teresa Knight, President of the Athenæum Docent Club, is offering a two week training session for all those who would enjoy becoming a volunteer Docent for the Athenæum. These sessions will begin as soon as we have
a few more people interested in participating.
There is no charge for these classes. Fluency in the German language is not a requirement. Being able to speak easily to groups of strangers would be a definite plus.
But what does a Docent do at the Athenæum you are probably asking yourself. For our group and because the Athenæum is not only an historic site, but the building is still in use for many activities, our Docents have it really pretty easy. Actually a Docent at the Athenæum is there to provide guided tours for our regularly scheduled monthly tours as well as be available for specially requested tours - we will make sure people have enough lead time to determine if they can be there.
Is this beginning to sound exciting, or what!
We have monthly Docent meetings which would be a plus if new Docents could attend occasionally, but it is not required. We just ask those who volunteer lead at least one tour each year.
Just what is required of a Docent?
The Docent is the front line of connecting with people interested in the Athenæum. A Docent is a tour guide. Docents are given the information, facts, and dates, and they are then to translate that information in an interesting and informative manner to those individuals who requested a tour. Docents should share their own passion/reason for volunteering to lead tours.
Tours should include:
History of the building, dates it was built, architect firm (Vonnegut and Bohn), some architectural information.
The YMCA and The Rathskeller restaurant are the city’s oldest gym and the city's oldest continuously operating restaurant.
Why you became a Docent.
This will be done by getting to know the history of the Athenæum and important facts and milestones in its long and storied history. How the German community worked to make the building happen and what obstacles were faced along the way. Remember that the building was built before electricity was available so everything was done by hand, No machines were involved.
Main Objectives:
To lead tours of the Athenæum and to personally connect with people by telling the story of the building’s history and adding your reason for volunteering to be a Docent. Provide those who are on the tour with a sense of history and the work and struggles involved in creating something that has not only survived the decades but is doing well and still manages to adhere to the original vision of the facility: to create a place to connect as a community; to foster a sound mind in a sound body.
The following are core requirements necessary for Athenæum Docents:
Desire to be an informed tour leader.
Completion of Docent Training.
Ability to relate to people of various temperaments and personalities.
Ability to lead at least one tour per year.
All necessary supplies for the classes will be provided by the Athenæum Docent Club. In order for the supplies to be ordered in sufficient quantities and the proper sized room reserved, prompt registration will be very helpful. As part of the training sessions will be held out of doors, it would be advisable to wear comfortable clothing and proper outer wear to match the weather. The classes are not a dress-up occasion.
If this opportunity sounds like something you would be interested in please contact Teresa Knight by e-Mail tcknight1127@yahoo.com or by phone at (317)-823-9196 for registration. She will also be happy to answer any questions you might have.
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