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What is a docent and what do docents do at SFBG?
The word docent comes from the Latin docere, to teach. In common American usage, a docent is someone who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, zoo, or botanical garden.
Docents lead visitors of all ages through the Garden- public tours, interpretation stations, and elementary school field trips, private tours. Children’s Walk Guides lead school field trips in the Garden. Both Docents & Children’s Guides are members of the Docent Council.
Docents may lead private tours and may assist with education programming during special events, such as hands-on kids activities during Flower Piano or the Annual Plant Sale, or participating in an off-site education or outreach event such as California Academy of Sciences NightLife.
What is the Docent Council?
All docents are invited to become members of the Docent Council. Annual dues of $35 provides funding for enrichments and other events. Meetings are held bimonthly (Jan- Nov), on 3rd Mondays, 10am-12pm in the County Fair Building.
What are the requirements for maintaining active docent status?
Attend 40 hours of required training, and commit to active participation for at least 1 year following training
Commit to leading 20 tours, stations, or special events per year (50 hours)
Participate in at least 6 hours of CE per year (maybe Garden sponsored or independent, i.e. participation in a plant society)
What Continuing Education opportunities are available for docents?
Enrichments: Lectures and tours on nature-based topics, hosted by the Docent Council, Mondays & Saturdays, 10-12.
Special Trainings: The Garden will offer focused training on special topics related to the SFBG collections, such as Magnolias (winter) or California Wildflowers (spring).
Public Programs: Volunteers are invited to attend any of the book talks, curator tours, and other public events. Program fees may apply.
Garden Talks: Monthly lectures or tours hosted by SFBG, presenting on collections in the Garden and related topics. Open to all volunteers. Starts January 2019.
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