It’s my privilege to be a Cabildo Docent.
The Friends of the Cabildo Docent Award is such an honor
do-cent
a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or zoo.
Becoming a Friends of the Cabildo (FOC) French Quarter Walking Tour Guide has been a process years in the making. The program is quite demanding of the prospective guide’s time. The class meets three days a week for four weeks. That schedule challenges anyone with a full-time job. For me, as a self-employed type, I would have to give up four weeks’ billable in terms of my training schedule. That just wasn’t feasible.
Over time, my teaching workload diminished. The companies I taught for re-structured their approaches to customer training. They switched from instructor-led classes to videos, web-based classes, etc. What was giving up 12-18 days’ billable over four weeks morphed into four days, one week out of the month. It was a no-brainer to make that choice. That was my plan, then. basically put myself on the bench for the Month of March.
I announced this plan late last Summer. A friend who is an FOC guide suggested that I consider becoming a Cabildo docent immediately. While leading tours requires certification and a license, the docents don’t. I could learn the exhibits in the museum and get right to it. That’s what I did. I earned an invitation to the FOC’s annual “appreciation luncheon” because of the time I spent staffing the information desk and leading in-museum tours.
Imagine my surprise when I heard my name called, recognizing me for my contribution to the FOC! Such a privilege to hang out with these folks. Thanks to all of you. I’m looking forward to doing more of the same–explaining things in Cabildo exhibits, as well as helping with the nascent Presbytere Docent program. And, of course, answering the most-asked question at any museum, where the restrooms are located!
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