AGO Volunteers were treated to an Asian inspired menu, Chinese-zodiac displays, as well as a chance to reconnect with fellow volunteers at the Volunteer Annual Gathering (VAG) on September 30, in Galleria Italia. Volunteer President Phyllis Couzin gave her annual address, an edited version of which may be found below:
Five years ago this November the Gallery reopened to the public after having been closed for more than a year. I clearly remember opening day – the crowds, the excitement and the feeling of pride. The year that followed was a year of change for many volunteers. The Gallery Guide program underwent enormous upheavals: a name change from Docent to Gallery Guide, a new style of touring and a new shift structure. Because of new hourly requirements, many Guides from the evening-weekend group with demanding full-time jobs left. Some, I believe, are here tonight as part of our Alumni program. The School Guide program changed as well, and many of those volunteers, unhappy with the changes, moved into the daytime GG group, which then required a rebuilding of the school program. Art Rental and Sales moved off-site onto University Avenue, and the Grange reopened with new volunteers and a new program. In some cases, volunteers were also dealing with new staff. All in all, it was a very unsettling year. By the time I became President in June 2010, volunteers were becoming more comfortable. Then, soon into my tenure, Travel AGO was closed.
The AGO is an organization that welcomes and embraces change. As volunteers at the Gallery, we have to accept those changes and incorporate them into our specific roles. Sometimes staff invite us to partner with them in bringing about changes, and sometimes they do not. We have to be open and flexible, to understand and accept that we are part of a larger organization.
Additional significant changes have occurred during the past six months. The Gallery Guides have a new staff leader and will begin an enhanced touring program this fall. Art Rental and Sales has moved back into the building, but with fewer volunteers. Prints and Drawings has a revised schedule and, perhaps most importantly, the School Guides have been disbanded. Many of them have been placed in other positions, and they are all keeping their badges for the year ending September 2014. This last change was the most difficult, for staff and volunteers alike. I was brought into the process at an early stage and I know how concerned and stressed staff were over making the decision and carrying it out.
My experiences have taught me that AGO staff responsible for volunteers rarely introduce changes haphazardly or without careful thought to the effect of these changes on both the volunteers and their programs. I have not agreed with every change; there are times when my voice is heard, and there are other times when it is not. I know that I cannot win all the time, but it still hurts when I lose.
As Volunteer President I find myself in a strange and occasionally lonely position, straddling volunteers and staff. I have striven to represent you to the best of my ability and will continue to do so this coming year. Thank you for coming and have a wonderful evening.