On April 24 around 30 volunteers and staff from half a dozen cultural institutions around the GTA gathered at the AGO to share insights and opinions on training methods and delivery systems and improving visitor experience.

First, staff from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) spoke about how they introduced online training to help manage the needs of orienting and training 3500 volunteers annually. Despite a steep learning curve with the software they introduced two years ago, they were successful in reducing the logistical headaches of getting such a large number of people through in-person training sessions, simplifying training for returning volunteers, and improving tracking and testing.

After a short break, the AGO’s Melissa Smith led a discussion about the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ pilot project involving a “dialogic” method of docent training,  based on an article by Richard Lachapelle and Emily Keenlyside of Concordia U.  Attendees debated the merits and feasibility of the approach, and shared training success stories (such as youth becoming more engaged on topics such as inclusion when they were able to relate stories of peers; and using small groups to reinforce concepts introduced at large group workshops) and issues (such as managing the expense and administration involved).

Rounding out the morning, the AGO’s Paul Ayers presented on how he was able, with a few glitches, to successfully introduce the language buttons worn by the AGO’s Info Guides to help them better connect with visitors.

Reaction to the presentations was quite positive and attendees went away with lots of great ideas for their own institutions.  The next event will take place in November, venue TBA.

Started at the AGO in 2012, Volunteers Connect meets semi-annually to share best practices regarding volunteer management and experience.  Many thanks to Vol Con Chair Phyllis Couzin for organizing the Spring meeting.