Rotary Botanical Gardens

Goal of the Position:       Provide a pleasurable and educational experience for visitors in Rotary Botanical Gardens’ outdoor garden by sharing the history of gardens, architectural information, and horticultural information. 

Responsibilities:

Docents interact with visitors in a professional, cordial, and respectful manner. Docents will train for a specific garden area of their choice with the opportunity to expand interpretation responsibilities across the entire Garden. Specifically, docents are expected to be able to:

• Answer visitor questions
• Offer information about the history of Rotary Botanical Gardens
• Identify architectural garden elements and design features
• Assist visitors in identifying plant material
• Promote respect for the Gardens so as to minimize visitor damage to plants and garden structures
• Provide guided tours as docent interest and knowledge increase
• As volunteers gain experience, help train future docents
• Join garden crews and help maintain the garden beds (optional)

 Qualifications:

• A basic understanding of horticulture and botany, and/or a willingness to increase knowledge
• General knowledge of RBG and an enthusiasm for horticulture and gardening
• Ability to comfortably engage visitors in their surroundings
• A pleasant and out-going personality
• Ability to spend up to 2 hours standing and walking in the gardens

Dress:

Docents should dress appropriately for the weather expected during the 90 minute-plus outdoor shift; attire should be casual yet appropriate for work with the public. Garden Docents will be given some form of I.D. (name tag or volunteer vest) to identify you as a Garden Docent. Volunteer t-shirts are available for purchase.

 Orientation/Training:

• Training will be offered on an as-needed basis.
• On-line podcasts are available for at-home study (more under development)

Time Commitment:

Scheduling is flexible. Docents are asked to be available at least two 90 minute sessions per month.  Shifts are encouraged for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, between 10am to 2pm and Tuesdays, 5pm to close; also as-needed to coincide with special events.  Individuals may also come in whenever time allows or convenient.    

Staff Contacts:

Mike Maddox, Director of Education, (608) 752-3885×17, mike.maddox@ces.uwex.edu

Program description adapted from Olbrich Botanical Gardens Volunteer Docent Program.