Nichols House Museum Docent Program Description
Applications for 2016 due by 1/15/16
Looking for something new to do in 2016? The Nichols House Museum is starting a volunteer docent program! We are looking for anyone over the age of 18 who is eager to learn and share their knowledge with the public. Docents will be trained to give engaging half-hour guided tours of the historic house to visitors who hail from around the world. The program includes 2 months of training (February-March) and requires a one season commitment of volunteer guiding. A season lasts from April-October, with additional special event volunteer opportunities available.An evaluation will be held at the 6 month mark. College students who are interested in the program can commit to two consecutive semesters of guiding.
Training
Training will last from 10:00 am-12:00 pm every Tuesday from February 2-March 15. Topics to be covered include: Progressive era history, Nichols Family history, identification of decorative art styles, and visitor engagement. Light additional reading will be required, as will the development of a personal tour script.
Tour Season
The museum’s busy season lasts from April-October, when the museum is open 5 days a week. Tour guides are asked to work a minimum of 8 hours per month, in shifts of 2 hours. Tours are offered at the museum every hour from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Tuesday-Saturday. In addition to giving tours, docents will have the opportunity to participate in various continuing education activities throughout the season.
Interested? Please fill out the application below and submit to Ashley Jahrling Bannon, Head of Stewardship and Interpretation, at . Please contact Ashley with any questions about the program via email or at 617-227-6993.
Nichols House Museum
Volunteer Docent Program Application
Full Name:______
Address:______
Email Address:______Phone Number: ______
What is the best way to reach you: email phone
Current or most recent full-time employment or activity:______
Education completed: high school college/university graduate school
Major or concentration (if applicable): ______
Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper, with a 250 word maximum for each answer:
Why do you want to become a docent at the Nichols House Museum?
______
Please list any tour guiding experience, education, and/or training which would be relevant to being a docent at NHM:
______
Please list any additional skills, interests, or limitations of which you would like us to be aware:
______
How often are you available to give tours? (each shift will be two hours long)
Multiple times a week weekly bi-weekly
Which days will you be available?
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Optional materials: resume
References may be requested later on in the application process.
You must agree with thefollowing terms before submitting your application:
I understand that this is an application for and not a commitment or promise of volunteer placement. I understand that if I am placed as a volunteer with The Nichols House Museum, I will receive no monetary compensation or benefits for the time spent on volunteer activities. I certify that I have and will provide information to the Nichols House Museum that is true, correct and complete to the best of my knowledge.
___I agree
Signature: ______Date: ______