Open Forum

Hello! My organization is starting to regain the volunteers it had before Covid, along with new volunteers. The volunteers are eager to work, which is great, but we want to add some structure to the volunteer program. We want to develop a handbook for volunteers and docents that describes the policies and procedures, job expectations, background of the organization, etc. Has anyone put together something like this before? Or do you know of some resources and examples that would help with creating a volunteer and docent handbook? Thank you!

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Kaitlynn Anderson
Museum Curator
Latah County Historical Society
Moscow ID
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Hi Kaitlynn,

Have you looked at AAM's sample document library? It has a few examples that might be helpful to you. 

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Heather Hakimzadeh
Senior Curator
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
Virginia Beach VA
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Kaitlyn,

We look at several examples of Volunteer Handbooks in our Managing
Museum Volunteers online course in preparation for the final assignment,
which is to update or create a Volunteer Handbook. Along the way we also
learn about recruiting volunteers, managing volunteers, best practices
of running a volunteer program, in-boarding volunteers, evaluating their
work, and recognizing them for their hard work. For more information
visit our Managing Museum Volunteers course page:
https://www.museumstudy.com/managing-museum-volunteers

--
Brad Bredehoft (he/him/his)
CEO
Museum Study, LLC
www.MuseumStudy.com

Hi Katilynn, 

We have lots of great information on the AAMV website for those managing volunteers in museums. We have free as well as members exclusive content. Here are suggestions on what a handbook should include at minimum:

• Mission Statement – Introduction to the institution, goals of the volunteer program, introduction to the president and staff, etc.
• Background Information – History of museum, map, frequently asked questions, etc.
• General Information – Transportation, important museum contact information, benefits (discounts on parking, cafeteria and gift store purchases, free admission to the institution, etc.)
• Procedures/Rules & Responsibilities – Dress code, professional behavior, emergency procedures, etc.

You can read more here: https://aamv.org/Standards-and-Best-Practices

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

Best wishes,

Brandi Shawn-Chaparro
Associate Director, Volunteer & Visitor Engagement
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

AAMV Western Regional Director

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Brandi Shawn-Chaparro
Associate Director, Volunteer & Community Engagement
Huntington Library, Art Museum, & Botanical Gardens
San Marino CA
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Hi Kaitlynn,

Our museum is affiliated with a state university, and the policies and procedures for volunteers are shaped by that relationship.  Although our volunteer program may be a bit more structured, our handbook contains many of the same things that you're looking to incorporate.  I'd be happy to share it with you if you think it might be helpful.

   

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Hollie Corbitt
Volunteer Program Coordinator
John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Sarasota FL
hollie.corbitt@ringling.org
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Hi Hollie,

My organization is in a similar situation. We are the county historical society, so we fall under the umbrella of the county and the 2 full-time staff are 3/4 county employees, and the historic house we manage is county-owned. We have a county employee handbook that some of the items for the handbook can be pulled from, but the historical society doesn't have an internal employee handbook. I would love it if you wouldn't mind sharing your organization's handbook. Thank you!

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Kaitlynn Anderson
Curator
Latah County Historical Society
Moscow ID
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2023 09:22 AM
From: Hollie Corbitt
Subject: Volunteer Handbook

Hi Kaitlynn,

Our museum is affiliated with a state university, and the policies and procedures for volunteers are shaped by that relationship.  Although our volunteer program may be a bit more structured, our handbook contains many of the same things that you're looking to incorporate.  I'd be happy to share it with you if you think it might be helpful.

   

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Hollie Corbitt
Volunteer Program Coordinator
John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Sarasota FL
hollie.corbitt@ringling.org
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Hi Kaitlynn,

We're in the same boat with volunteers coming back in full swing after COVID. Here is an example of our current Volunteer Handbook. I'd love to chat with you more if you have other questions. 

Best of luck!

Stacie

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Stacie Stearns
Development Manager
Living History Farms
Urbandale IA
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Thank you so much! 

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Kaitlynn Anderson
Curator
Latah County Historical Society
Moscow ID
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2023 09:41 AM
From: Stacie Hooker
Subject: Volunteer Handbook

Hi Kaitlynn,

We're in the same boat with volunteers coming back in full swing after COVID. Here is an example of our current Volunteer Handbook. I'd love to chat with you more if you have other questions. 

Best of luck!

Stacie

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Stacie Stearns
Development Manager
Living History Farms
Urbandale IA
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Hello Kaitlyn,

 I created from scratch a program back in 2008. I used the publications from National Docent Symposium Council, The United Way trainings and American Association of Museum Volunteers, https://aamv.wildapricot.org/

I structured the trainings as a course and created a syllabus. 

I hope this helps, 

Miriam Machado 

Frost Art Museum @ FIU

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Miriam Machado
Director of Education
Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum
Florida International University
3053481808
Miami, Florida, USA
"Museum Educator of the Year 2022"
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