At least 10 new docents are needed for the Murals Project and the Santa Paula California Oil Museum. Even the historic Downtown “at large would like to see tour guides, docents greeting Fillmore & Western Railway passengers to direct them to the downtown or take them there where they’ll spend money” before departing.The Santa Paula Theater Center is looking for volunteers, and “We would like to give tours of the Glen Tavern Inn where there’s a lot of history. It’s a short capture tour that can be done” during the limited time that train passengers are in the city who will be assured that docents “will get them back on the train on time.”The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula “definitely can use more docents, and that’s a tremendous treasure for our city that is now limited to when it can be open due to a shortage of personnel.” Guides for agricultural tours of orchards and backcountry areas are also needed, said Edwards.“We’re also trying to attract a younger demographic that wants to give back to the community and have pride in their community.” Over time, Edwards said, tourism opportunities will grow to include other ag-related businesses. High school students, including Future Farmer of America members, get school credit for community service, a perfect match with being a docent.“We’re also trying to reach out to those who might be retired or semi-retired.... There are plenty of docent opportunities for them, and the younger generation can tackle being a docent for activities” that require more physical activity.
Get involved for the New Year: Docent Fair offers volunteerism
December 05, 2007
Santa Paula News
An opportunity for giving is perfect for the season, and the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee is asking those who would like to give others the opportunity of enjoying the history, culture and scenery of the city to attend Friday’s December 14 Docent Fair.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAn opportunity for giving is perfect for the season, and the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee is asking those who would like to give others the opportunity of enjoying the history, culture and scenery of the city to attend Friday’s December 14 Docent Fair. The Fair will be held at the Limoneira Pavilion, 55 Hallock Dr., from 10:30 a.m. to noon.Margaret Davidson, the former Mayor of Santa Paula and a Santa Paula California Oil Museum docent for almost nine years, said she “loves being a docent. It’s very interesting... you learn more than you thought you knew about the history of the area, meet people from all over the world, and see people you haven’t seen in a long time.”“As we look to the New Year and resolutions, people should think about a service resolution for the community as a new, unique and fun and rewarding one,” said Chamber Tourism Chairwoman Carla Edwards. The “whole objective” of the December 7 Docent Fair is that tourism “is building in Santa Paula, and as the docent bank has aged we find ourselves in need of more volunteers to help our current ones.”And that includes younger docents, including high school students. “The Murals Project of Santa Paula, as an example, requires a lot of walking,” and although in the future the Limoneira Co. trolley will be utilized for the tour, Edwards said, “We still need more docents first.”
