Docent & Associates Handbook
HISTORY
	In 1987 the new facility to house the Michigan Historical Museum was nearing completion and the need for volunteers to act as docents was expressed by Dr. Martha Bigelow, Director of the Bureau of History. Responding to the call was a small group of individuals who included Belva Abraham, June Johnston, Barbara Leavitt, Polly McGurrin, Phyllis Maner, Dorothy Silk, Gene Walter and Mary Jane Wilson. These individuals, together with Ruby Rogers, Director of the Museum and Patrick Murphy, Curator of Education, became the Docent Steering Committee. With Mary Jane Wilson as Docent Coordinator, this committee proceeded to lay the foundation for the program. In March of 1988, a docent forum was held to seek out persons interested in participating in the program. As a result of this Forum, 118 docent candidates were enrolled in the first docent training course which began in October of 1988. In March, 1989, those docents having completed their classroom training participated in the Museum's opening week festivities, greeting the thousands of visitors and sharing with them our magnificent Michigan heritage. As docents proceeded to serve the museum on a daily basis, the Steering Committee finalized the By-Laws which were adopted by the membership December 1, 1990, saw the organization incorporated December 12, 1990, and granted a 501(c3) status in August, 1991. Monies to augment the museum support were raised through a special event, MUSEUM WITH STYLE, held in October, 1989 and through a two year grant from the Junior League of Lansing. These monies provided for educational enrichment of the docents, as well as for the Guild's initial project - an outreach educational pilot program initiated in the fall of 1990. The docent program is one of innovation, deep volunteer involvement and shared caring for the treasures of our Michigan history. Volunteers are privileged to benefit from the educational training that the museum so generously offers and to have the opportunity to share their education with others. The docents and the docent program are a necessary and integral part of the Michigan Historical Museum.

Welcome
History
Presidents (Coordinators)
Purpose and Objectives
Policies and Procedures
Docent Agreement
By-Laws
Information