The National Docent Symposium is a non-profit organization incorporated in California. Since 1981 the council, composed of representatives from 8 regions across the United States and Canada, meets annually to conduct its business and ensure the continuity of current and future symposia. In addition to the regional representatives, past, present and future host community chairs sit on the council. Currently there are 28 directors of this national volunteer organization. National symposia sites alternate by geographical region and are held every other year. Attending the symposium are volunteer docents and staff from a variety of institutions: art museums, natural history museums, science museums, ethnic museums, botanical and zoological gardens, historic homes and other cultural sites. The National Docent Symposium Council is committed to providing a forum uniquely designed to acknowledge the interests of docent educators. The symposium offers opportunities to explore innovative programs that encourage community and regional partnerships as well as the study of effective communication skills and cutting-edge technology.
Director Openings
Would you be interested in becoming a director of the National Docent Symposium Council? Directors meet and work with a wonderful group of diverse and talented individuals to ensure the continuity and excellence of the National Docent Symposium and its related educational endeavours. In addition to hard work, it is a lot of fun! One director from your area will be retiring at the end of this symposium, and we are looking for their replacement. If you are interested or want further information, please contact Janice Morelli either by email janicemorelli@gmail.com or by phone: 630 561 8586.
Kramer/NDSC Educational Grants
Carole and Gene Kramer were longstanding supporters of the NDS and proponents of docent education. In their honour the National Docent Symposium Council established a limited number of financial grants to help defray attendance expenses. These grants will act as a stipend to cover the cost of the symposium registration fee and a copy of the Docent Handbook. All applicants must be volunteer docents. There can be only one application for each museum or gallery. Special consideration will be given to docents from the southern Ontario region and to first-time attendees or museums not usually represented at the symposium. Grant application deadline is June 1, 2009. For Kramer/NDSC Grant information, contact Wendy Wiebe at 604 224 7051 or pawiebe@shaw.ca