HOW TO BECOME A MASTER DOCENT

For those docents wondering what it takes to become a Master Docent, the following guidelines have recently been offered. If you have any questions or comments, if you are on the blog click on comments and add your thoughts/questions. If you are reading this on email, I don't believe you can do a comment there, you will need to go to the article in the actual blog.

HOW TO BECOME A GRAYCLIFF MASTER DOCENT
For those who have already been certified (or are in training) to become a Graycliff Docent, the next question is usually: How Do I Become a Master Docent?

First, what is a Graycliff Master Docent?
  A Graycliff Master Docent demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the career of Frank Lloyd Wright, Graycliff as an example of Organic Architecture, the Martin Family and the Graycliff Conservancy's restoration endeavors. Graycliff Master Docents are expected to show a commitment to Graycliff, to focus on visitors interests and needs (including the ability to meet time constraints of tours,) encourage membership and volunteerism among visitors, and to take the initiative to learn more related to Wright's work and life, his relationship to the Martins, the Martins’ life and times and to Graycliff’s restoration endeavors.

   Docents are invited to become a Master Docent, based on the following minimum requirements:

1) Service for a minimum of two years as a Graycliff Docent

2) Giving a minimum of nine tours per year

3) Taking a refresher Master Architectural Tour
                  a.  Next year, a special lecture or tour relating to the historic landscape may also be required.

4) Joining the Graycliff Volunteer Blog

5) Having no complaints from visitors, to be able to meet tour time constraints, reliability, and willingness to encourage membership and volunteerism among visitors.



  Additionally, Graycliff expects that Master Docents will undertake on-going self-study, which includes such things as:

     1) Attending the annual Graycliff lecture series

     2) Attending lectures related to architecture and landscape architecture offered elsewhere

     3) Visits to other architectural sites, both local and national
                     a. Especially those by Wright
                     b. Or with landscapes by Ellen Biddle Shipman

     4) Attending Graycliff restoration updates
                      a. Usually given at Spring Clean Up, Annual Meeting and Volunteer Dinner and other times

      5) Attending other Graycliff talks and lectures
                    a. Additional talks and lectures are often given during the off season
                    b. Sometimes feature experts in the field, such as authors of reports, etc.

     6) Additional readings about Wright and related subjects

     7) Researching and giving talks and lectures themselves about a related topic, to Graycliff volunteers

Naturally, not everyone can do all of the self-study things listed above, based on their availability here in WNY, and their commitments to family, friends, work and the like. However, it’s expected that Master Docents will do at least some of these things each year.

ONCE YOU BECOME A GRAYCLIFF MASTER DOCENT

To maintain your status as a Graycliff Master Docent, you must do the following:

     1) Give a minimum of nine tours per year (unless excused due to illness or other acceptable extenuating circumstance)

     2) Give Basic as well as In-Depth tours

     3) Be current on Graycliff restoration and research, as reported in talks and printed materials for this purpose

     4) Read the Graycliff Volunteer Blog
             a. Contribute to the Graycliff Volunteer Blog, with info and photos on other Wright sites, interesting info you read about Wright, etc etc. and comments

     5) Have no complaints from visitors

     6) Be able to meet tour time constraints

    7) Be reliable for tours

    8) Encourage membership and volunteerism among visitors

    9) Continuing self-study as noted above.