Shelagh Barrington, Past Chair Alumni and Weekend/ Evening Gallery Guide Co-Chair May 2015 writes about the Tea, held May 26:

A beautiful warm summer like day for our Third Annual Alumni Spring Tea. Our past volunteers and their hats found long time friends and came to see what the current volunteers are up to.

The visually accessible seminar room 3 in the Weston Family Learning Centre brought a number of staff into investigate as familiar old friends were spotted enjoying each others company and the AGO goodies. Deborah O’Leary,  Director Staff and Volunteers, and Kathleen McLean, Adult Education came into say hello and Brenda Rix, Ast, Curataor P&D joined us to remind the Alumni of the monthly talks given by our highly informed P&D volunteers. Melissa Smith and Holly Proctor, who do a great job supporting the volunteers, were on hand to hear the views of our past volunteers, many of whom made some very interesting suggestions. Deb Kennedy, Volunteer Executive Co-Chair, was here to welcome the Alumni on behalf of the Volunteer Executive and share the sad news of the passing of AnnWilcox her much admired Co-Chair. Shelagh Barrington, AGO Alumni Past Chair introduced the very able and long time AGO volunteer, Michelle Abrams as the new Alumni Chair.

Mary Henderson our distinguished elder statesperson  of the Day Time Gallery Guides (45 years!) gave the Alumni a succinct but extremely comprehensive overview of the wonderful Emily Carr, New Perspectives on a Canadian Icon exhibition.The Alumni were interested in the plans for the renovations to Grange Park, Matthew Teitelbaum’s successor and how the Strategic Plan is informing operations around the gallery.

If for any reason you find the need to retire from active volunteering at the AGO please know there is  a place for you in the AGO Alumni group. Informing your volunteer group chair will allow your information to be passed onto Holly Proctor who can ensure you are invited to the Alumni events. If you know of a past volunteer, with at least 5 years of active volunteering who has not connected with the AGO Alumni please have them contact Holly Proctor [email protected].  Our past volunteers, the Alumni,  are people we want to remain connected to the AGO and whom we want to honour for their commitment and dedication.