The June 2021 quarterly docent organization meeting was held at the Sonoma Barracks on Saturday, June 12th. About thirty people were in attendance. The return to in-person meeting was well received even if face-to-face really meant mask-to-mask. Of course, masks were dropped to sample the assortment of delicious baked goods from the kitchen of Suzanne Berube.
Sharon Douglas presented the results from the recent docent survey showing that more than 80 percent of docents are expected to return to giving tours at the Sonoma and Petaluma State Historic Parks following the COVID-related park closure. Signup sheets were available at the meeting and online signups should be available soon.
Several longtime docents have retired including Carole Ciarolla, Helen Herbaugh, David Segal and Denise Ziganti and they were thanked for their many years of service. New docents will be needed to maintain our full service once public tours are resumed. The absence of a Volunteer Coordinator at this time makes docent recruitment and resumption of docent training difficult.
Other highlights of the meeting included updates by Ranger Rob Pickett on our parks and by SPParks President Jim Danaher on the Parks Association. Vera Svalgaard gave an update on the Mission altar cloth project, including a preview of the beautiful lacework. Lisa Tremblay displayed some interesting books available from the docent library; docents can gain access to the library by contacting Lisa. She also reminded the audience of lectures to be presented in the Mission Chapel in the fall.
The next docent meeting is scheduled for September 11th and a picnic is planned for some time in August.
Vera Svalgaard holding the Mission altar cloth, a work in progress.