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Reopening and Volunteer survey

  • 1.  Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-14-2020 06:36 PM
    Hi everyone!
    I manage the volunteer Docents at Washington National Cathedral and have already started thinking about when we reopen. Most of my Docents are 60-80yro. I'm considering sending the Docents a survey to get a sense of what they are currently thinking about reopening - specifically if we reopen and they are not comfortable/able to return at the same time. I wonder if many of them will wait until a vaccine is available. Has anyone surveyed their volunteers about reopening and what that may look like for them? If you have, would you mind sharing your survey? Thanks!
     Wishing everyone a healthy and safe week!
      Jenn

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Michaelree Squire
    Deputy Director of Visitor Programs
    Washington National Cathedral
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 2.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-15-2020 10:44 AM
    Hi Jennifer,

    We've been having similar conversations at The Contemporary Austin regarding our docents, most of which are also 60+. A survey is a great idea, and I'll propose this to our team who coordinates their tours. While discussing our eventual re-opening, we noted that docent-led tours of any size would likely be a later step down the road as we ease back into our onsite programming. Hope to share more soon! 

    Best,
    Sarah

    ------------------------------
    Sarah Schultz
    Events Production Manager
    The Contemporary Austin
    Austin TX
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 3.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-15-2020 11:09 AM
    On a much smaller scale, we will encounter the same issue.  And virtually all of our big events, fundraising or otherwise, are planned or manned by volunteers.  Hadn't thought of a survey. Will be watching here.

    ------------------------------
    Deborah Bell
    Central Sierra Historical Society & Museum
    Shaver Lake CA
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 4.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-15-2020 01:08 PM
    Hi Jennifer,

    You might be interested in participating in this survey that is being put together for the arts and culture sector. It's not limited to only surveying volunteers, but it seems like volunteers could be included as an audience.
    http://culturetrack.com/COVIDstudy/

    Take care, 
    Becca

    ------------------------------
    Becca Hatheway
    Informal Education Programs Manager
    National Center-Atmospheric Research
    Boulder CO
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 5.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-15-2020 01:46 PM
    Becca, 

    The Culture Track resource/survey looks promising.  I would be interested to know what other institutions participate.  Thank you for the link.

    Sincerely,
    Christina

    ------------------------------
    Christina Brown
    Director of Membership Programs
    Phoenix Art Museum
    Phoenix AZ
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 6.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-15-2020 03:20 PM
    Hi Jennifer, given the average age of your docents, asking them about their plans to return seems like a reasonable question.

    Some of your docents might make their decision based on the new health & safety practices that you put in place for them. If you've been been developing those policies and communicating them to the docents, you may wish to reiterate them in the survey.

    Elisa

    --
    Elisa Kosarin, CVA
    Volunteer Engagement Specialist
    Twenty Hats
    www.TwentyHats.com
    (703) 967-3516



    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 7.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-16-2020 09:48 AM
    Hi Jennifer,
    Thanks for posting a great question that is on so many of our minds!  I agree that a survey seems like a wise and respectful move. 
    I will keep my eyes open for anything and when we tackle this - I will happily share a draft. 
    Stay safe and healthy everyone!
    Cheers,
    Andrea

    ------------------------------
    Andrea Cochrane Tracey
    Historic Site Director
    Carlyle House Historic Park
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 8.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-20-2020 01:19 PM
    Thanks everyone! I'm working with my Docent Committee now to craft a survey and I'll be happy to share when it's done. A little note - when I emailed my Docent Committee about creating the survey, they promptly responded with loads of general thoughts and ideas about reopening, not just about a survey. I now will make sure that I will have a comment section for the survey because they are clearly thinking about reopening as much as we are! :)
    Jenn

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Michaelree Squire
    Deputy Director of Visitor Programs
    Washington National Cathedral
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 9.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-21-2020 11:39 AM

    Hello Jennifer,

    I'd love to see the survey that you're sending to your docents.  Is that something you'd be willing to share? 
    My email address is kathy.dumlao@brooksmuseum.org.
    Thanks!

    Kathy



    ------------------------------
    Katherine Dumlao
    Director of Education and Interpretation
    Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
    Memphis TN
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 10.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 09:02 AM
    Jennifer, I would be interested in your volunteer survey. eendslow@chestercohistorical.org 

    Thank you in advance!

    ------------------------------
    Ellen Endslow
    Director of Collections/Curator
    Chester County Historical Society
    West Chester PA
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 11.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-21-2020 09:09 AM
    I would definitely be interested in this, Jennifer!

    ------------------------------
    Jessica Trump
    Volunteer and Internship Programs Supervisor
    Corning Museum of Glass
    Corning NY
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 12.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-21-2020 12:39 PM
    I too, would be interested in examining the survey for volunteers and docents. ​

    ------------------------------
    Jan Smith
    Executive Director
    Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
    Neenah WI
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 13.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 09:24 AM
    Hi Jenn,

    I also have been thinking about sending a survey to our volunteers as we think about reopening and what that will look like for our museum. 
    I'd love to hear your thoughts about what you will include in your survey and some of the feedback provided by the docents through the Docent Committee.
    Wishing you all a safe and productive week. 


    All the best,
    Allison Mannon

    ------------------------------
    Allison Mannon
    Volunteer Manager
    Museum of the Bible
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 14.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 11:20 AM
    Hello Jennifer,

    We are working on one as well at our museum - please share information if you would and thank you!

    Myrna Hawbaker

    ------------------------------
    Myrna Hawbaker
    Volunteer Coordinator
    Corning Museum of Glass
    Corning NY
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 15.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 11:55 AM
    Hello Jennifer,

    We are planning on having a virtual session with our volunteers to discuss certain scenarios on when we do reopen.  We have many areas where our volunteers interact with our visitors and we need to modify their positions.

    ------------------------------
    Carol Thomson
    Volunteer Program Manager
    Museum of Flight
    Seattle WA
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 16.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 12:48 PM
    I'm interested to know how institutions are approaching the topic of volunteering...period.  What is determining your threshold for permitting volunteers to be back on site?  Obviously, there are the health department guidelines; however, certain volunteers may want to come back, but should not due to health conditions. 
    -Andrea

    ------------------------------
    Andrea Cochrane Tracey
    Historic Site Director
    Carlyle House Historic Park
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 17.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 01:27 PM
    Edited by Deborah Price 04-22-2020 01:52 PM
    Hi Jennifer,
    Would love to see this survey as well.  Informally, when speaking with volunteers I have asked for their thoughts on returning. So far, everyone wants to return when we reopen..  We are not a hot spot for Covid-19 in this community and most volunteers are eager to return to something that resembles a normal life. We shall see..

    ------------------------------
    Deborah Price
    Volunteer and Group Tour Manager
    Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
    Winchester, VA
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 18.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-22-2020 02:52 PM
    Hi Jennifer and all,

    I manage the docents for the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, FL.  Like most other volunteer groups, majority of our docents are 60-80.  As the museum plans for reopening and events over the summer, I am concerned about our docent availability.  I created a short survey (using Survey Monkey) for the docents asking them who will be in town, who will be available and willing to conduct tours, what safety precautions would make them feel comfortable returning to the museum, and what type of tours would they like to lead (as we have tours for children, adults, the community, unstructured "tours", etc).  All of the questions are multiple choice (except for the safety precaution question which is open box) to help determine who is not available and why (some docents may be traveling and I don't want to assume their absence is because of COVID-19).  I've also seen on other forums that managers want hold a training for their volunteers to help them return to work.  I am considering this so the docents know what precautions our museum is taking.  I hope this helps.

    Jeanene Watters
    Museum Educator
    Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
    Jacksonville, FL

    ------------------------------
    Jeanene Watters
    Museum Educator
    The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
    Jacksonville FL
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 19.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-23-2020 11:55 AM
    Hi Jennifer,
    I am also working on a survey for our volunteers. It is more about their overall experience, but will include some questions related to the COVID-19 crisis. I would love to see your survey. I'm happy to share our questions as well, if you are interested. Thanks!

    My email is sheila.brommel@mnhs.org

    ------------------------------
    Sheila Brommel
    Evaluation Specialist
    Minnesota Historical Society
    Saint Paul MN
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 20.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-23-2020 04:59 PM
      |   view attached
    Happy Thurwedaturday (because I don't know what day it is anymore :))!

     Hopefully everyone can read the attachment of the survey for the National Cathedral's Docents. Thanks to the MO Historical Society for sharing what they already had and helping me get the framework for my survey. I hope this is helpful for many of you! I'll be happy to share results as well.
     
      Jenn

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Michaelree Squire
    Deputy Director of Visitor Programs
    Washington National Cathedral
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 21.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-24-2020 10:47 AM

    Great and thank you for continuing this conversation. We have 350 volunteers who are highly dedicated, but also in the most vulnerable demographic. We have some built-in limits since we're on a Naval Air Station (controlled by the Department of Defense), but many of them have military IDs that will get them onto base. We're looking at various phased-in options, and will continue to follow and contribute!

    Best,

    Marc



    ------------------------------
    Marc Levitt MLS
    Archivist
    National Naval Aviation Museum
    NAS Pensacola FL
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 22.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 04-24-2020 12:41 PM
    Thank you so much for sharing this, Jennifer, it's very helpful!  I worry about sending a questionaire so soon, because there is so much unknown but I agree with your timeline and I think that for myself, it would / might help me figure out by the replies, about how many will not be coming back.  I foresee so many changes in the coming year it would be nice to know approximately how many volunteer docents would even consider coming back without a vaccine available.

    Thanks again, looking forward to reviewing your feedback too,
    Sherri 

    Sherri Jones (she/her/hers)
    Assistant Administrator of Education
    Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

    1430 Johnson Lane

    Eugene, OR 97403

    jsmatour@uoregon.edu

    sdjones@uoregon.edu

    541-346-0910

     

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    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 23.  RE: Reopening and Volunteer survey

    Posted 05-01-2020 02:01 PM
    Edited by Kenneth Howard 05-01-2020 02:02 PM
    Hi Jennifer,  Thank you so much for sharing your survey!  It was very helpful.  How did you distribute this, did you use survey monkey, Cognito forms, or another platform?  

    Kathy Gleditsch

    ------------------------------
    North Carolina Museum of History
    Raleigh NC
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more