<Cue the Music!> “Ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and face the strange, ch-ch-changes…”
Rock star David Bowie is on my mind these days, in part because the Associates is hosting a program about his music and career on Friday, July 20th. But also in part because there are indeed a number of changes going on with our Associates Volunteer Program, and some of them might feel, well, strange! Or, certainly noticeably different.
As all of you know from an SI-wide email announcement in June, all Smithsonian Staff and all Smithsonian Volunteers will not be able to park under the Air and Space Museum as of October 1, which might seem like a strange turn of events given the long history of that parking perk for SI badge holders. Due to the massive renovations at NASM, the parking lot will become a staging area for all the construction work. This will take several years to complete. In the meantime, Smithsonian Enterprises has negotiated parking discounts for both daily and monthly options. Daily parkers will receive a 10% discount from any participating ParkWhiz garage nationwide.
The ParkWhiz app automates the parking process – using your phone to check in and out of garages, book in advance, compare prices and find you the cheapest parking – whether traveling for work, on vacation or out for the night.
To start saving on parking, click here to set up your ParkWhiz account. SI volunteers will use the coupon code VOLUNTEERDC10 and it will need to be entered into the Promo Code field at time of check-out. Download the Apple or Android apps to book directly from your phone.
Ch-ch-ch changes are also happening with our online volunteer scheduling website. Hopefully, we won’t “turn and face the strange” as the song goes, because instead of feeling strange, Vsys (an acronym for “Volunteer System”) will provide a more user friendly interface than EVANS, which we introduced to Associates volunteers back in July of 2013.
The timeline for this big change:
Monday, August 27 – Vsys goes live, EVANS is permanently turned “off.”
All “Rep” Volunteers will make fall program requests in Sign Up Genius, using a link I will provide in late August. This will likely be for a two-month period as we transition to Vsys.
Monday, Sept. 24 – An “Open House” Event at Ripley, from 11 am to 7 pm for our volunteers to drop by and see demos of the new system, pick up handy dandy reference guides for using Vsys, and just enjoy each other’s company and some nice refreshments. Please RSVP with Jenna via email – jonesjel@si.edu.
There will be other one-hour sessions at Ripley in late September and early October if you want to learn how to use Vsys in person, however none of these sessions are mandatory. You may choose to learn Vsys by using the reference guides instead (that is how you learned to use EVANS, we didn’t have any in-person sessions, if you recall.) Lastly, there will be an online tutorial via Moodle, which I will create in September and have available for you to watch in the comfort of your own home whenever you like.
I am confident that together we will make a smooth transition to Vsys and you will soon experience the nice features and appreciate that it works on multiple devices, including cell phones.
So! Ch-ch-changes are in the air, and onward and upward we go! (Do you still hear the song in your head? It is quite an earworm, isn’t it?)
Thank you for your continued commitment to volunteering with our programs, staff, and patrons. Please contact me with any questions you might have about these changes, happy to discuss them with you in greater detail.
Appreciatively yours,
Jenna
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Liz and Brigitte Reflect on Museum Sleepovers
A Few Volunteer Shifts Remain for final 5, can you help?
by Kiren Jahangeer, Guest Blogger
The film Night at the Museum had quite an impact on the Smithsonian – its debut ten years ago sparked the Smithsonian Associates to create Smithsonian Sleepovers so children could experience the museums in a unique way after hours. What first started at only Natural History has expanded to American History, Udvar-Hazy, and the National Portrait Gallery as well. Months of preparatory time ensures that these sleepovers run smoothly and are enjoyable for kids and their chaperones. The volunteers who lead the creative activities Brigitte and Liz planned bring the magic to life for all the participants. Their interaction with families in each of the exhibit spaces helps create treasured memories. These sleepovers could not run without the help of over 120 enthusiastic volunteers who contribute their time and energy from May until late August.
Liz Paige and Brigitte Blachere shared some of their fondest memories from their years of working on these events.
“A LOT of work goes into these programs, so it’s always such a thrill to finally see the families doing the activities we’ve spent so much time planning, and having a blast,” said Paige. Blachere remarked that “when parents come up to say thank you, it is very rewarding. It’s really amazing to hear from some people that they love these events so much, they spend their summer leisure time going to sleepovers at each of the museums.”
Rumors abound of a ghost that roams the empty halls of NMAH, but so far neither Paige nor Blachere have had any spooky encounters. They did however recall their favorite activities in each museum. “In Natural History, it’s when kids make their own bio-luminescent creature in the Ocean Hall. In Udvar-Hazy, it’s the Plane Game, where participants race using giant chess pieces to load/unload a plane. In American History, it’s the “Rube Goldberg” activity outside Places of Invention. The challenge here is to design an invention that will cause a marble to roll across a table and ring a bell, using everyday objects. The FOOD race is fun too!”
Want to get in on the fun this summer? There is still time! You can sign up to be an activity leader with Sign Up Genius. It's easy!
These are the remaining dates:
15 more volunteers needed for Friday, August 31: NMNH
4 more volunteers needed for Friday, August 24: NMNH
4 more volunteers needed for Saturday, July 28: Udvar Hazy
8 more volunteers needed for Saturday, August 18: Udvar Hazy
4 more volunteers needed for Friday, August 10: NMAH
Have questions? Email Jenna at jonesjel@si.edu.
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Volunteer Picnic: Sunscreen Not Optional
by Janet Hewitt, Guest Blogger
The heat wave failed to keep a group of intrepid volunteers from enjoying this year’s Smithsonian staff picnic on July 2nd, on the grounds of the Folklife Festival. Admittedly, it felt close to a hundred outside, but a spirited group gathered for fun, food and the annual photo of Smithsonian Associates volunteers. Afterwards, Jenna passed out the bonus bucks so volunteers could sample the festival’s Catalan and Armenian food.
Was it the hottest day ever for a Folklife Festival staff picnic? Annmarie Pittman, a bus and event rep for more than 15 years, had a quick answer. “Yes,” she said. That made Guillermo’s Artisanal Gelato booth a busy place. I personally tried the cherry. Annmarie ordered the mango gelato, saying, “It was too hot for other food.” Some enterprising volunteers had asked if they could take their food downstairs into Ripley and enjoy it in the cooler confines of Jenna’s office or the staff kitchen. That’s where Carol Farris, who volunteers for lectures, bus trips and art courses, enjoyed the Catalan dish called Fideua Amb Allioli (vermicelli noodles with shrimp, squid, mussels and garlic sauce.) She planned to see the Burning Man exhibit at the Renwick after the picnic.
There were other desserts and iced offerings beyond gelato. Thanks to sharing lunch tickets with fellow office volunteer Jay Missal, I was able to indulge in Crema Catalana (a delicious custard--thanks Jay!) Both Annmarie and I however, (don’t know about Jay), passed on the Adult Gelato Pops (some of the flavors were Mojito and Apricot Brandy). As for other activities, free Smithsonian Segway tours were offered, a panel discussion on the evolution of home/craft brewing was presented, and then lots of live music under a tent by some Smithsonian staff musicians. (Anything under a shady tent was a big attraction, needless to say.)
This was my first staff picnic and the upshot was it was a lot of fun—and I learned a few things. Specifically, Nancy McGuire, an events and concessions rep, told me about the annual Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, known nationally for showcasing new plays. And from the panel on “Beer and its Transformations,” I learned that today’s craft beer drinkers have a lot for which to thank former President Jimmy Carter. It turns out the end of Prohibition did not legally lift the ban on brewing beer at home. So home brewers had to wait until Jimmy Carter signed such legislation in the 1970s. Who knew the Carter Administration would be such a hero to hipsters? Cheers Jimmy!
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Editor's Note: These interviews of two women who work beside our staff in our office were conducted by our new Guest Blogger, Joann Stevens.
Judy Clavelli
Smithsonian volunteers come in all ages, talents, and from many backgrounds. Those at Smithsonian Associates share two traits: Most are women (about 70% according to a 2016 SI wide survey) and all are passionate about the Smithsonian.
While volunteer perks and the prestige of association with the Smithsonian are draws, doing interesting tasks and knowing how important her work is to the Smithsonian is what keeps volunteers like Judy Clavelli returning.
Now in her 11th year as an Associates volunteer, Clavelli came to her role like many others, by chance.
“One day I was flipping through a copy of the Associates’ Program Guide, and saw an ad for volunteers and thought, this is my chance!” to join the institution that has fascinated her for a lifetime. As a college history major in her home state of Texas, Clavelli says she longed to work for the Smithsonian and upon graduation, she moved to the Washington DC area, where she found work with a defense systems manager. After she retired, Clavelli answered that program guide ad and received a quick response inviting her for an interview. The rest, as they say, is history, literally and figuratively.
As an Associates Office Volunteer, Clavelli works with two staffers who plan history (e.g. American, world, women’s history, etc.), culture and music programs, and studio arts (e.g. fine arts, photography, etc.) programs. On a weekly basis, she keeps track of program databases, class schedules and calendars. She also prepares all the folders for Studio Art Reps in the Spring and Fall, about 70 or more folders each session. And when asked to do so, she has contacted scholars and staff at universities for Smithsonian programmers.
“Whenever I say I am calling from the Smithsonian people light up,” she says. “It’s such an interesting place to work. This office is like a tiny piece of all the volunteer jobs at the Smithsonian. I like it here and that’s why I’ve stayed 10 years. I’ve thought wouldn’t it be great to work with museum collections or at the information desk to meet all kinds of people? But I like Smithsonian Associates.”
Although she works in an unusually located office, three stories underground, Clavelli has met notable people such as David J. Skorton, 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. “He came here to look around. That was exciting and we had a nice little chit-chat,” she says laughing.
“I enjoy all the perks. I purchase and attend programs, and sometimes receive comp tickets to programs. I can get into museums and avoid the long lines. I’m hoping to use that perk soon when I take my grandsons to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.”
She says she encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to volunteer and to explore the Smithsonian. “There is something for everybody here,” she says. “The fact that we have so many volunteers working (at the Smithsonian) is what helps to keep the museums free and functioning. I find it enjoyable. I love meeting all the different people. It makes me feel important having my Smithsonian badge.”
Taylor MacBain
When Taylor MacBain scanned the Smithsonian website in 2014, seeking an interesting summer internship, she never dreamed she’d find a leadership opportunity and appreciation for her management skills.
Now in her fourth summer as a volunteer for the Smithsonian Associates’ Discovery Camps, MacBain oversees ten weeks’ worth of kids’ camp activities and recruitment/training and management of the volunteer Youth Teaching Assistants who run the camp with Smithsonian staff and educators.
The camps use Smithsonian resources to plan wide variety of themed camps for more than 200 children each week. Youth participate in age-appropriate learning activities offered in 10-12 day camps each with with 20 or more children.
MacBain says she took the internship to work with children, even though her college major was industrial labor relations. It has been a challenge she has never regretted. “I did this for my personal satisfaction, to give back to the community,” she says. “It’s satisfying to see the changes you can make in peoples’ lives by working with children, that our work is meaningful.”
Most campers and YTA volunteers live in the Washington, DC area. But “we get tons from all over the country and the world.” Having campers from Thailand for a week or two or a teen YTA volunteer from Sweden is common, she says. Parents visiting DC for extended vacation or work periods seek meaningful learning and socialization experiences for their children, and the Discovery Camp delivers.
“This year we had a girl as a YTA volunteer, from Italy. A lot of the volunteers are former campers,” who transition to YTA when they age out of the camps. MacBain says. Some YTA volunteers may also qualify for high school community service hours, but what she finds most exciting is seeing the YTA youths’ personal development.
“The education and working with children,” are potent teachers says MacBain. Campers “are as young as five and as old as 15." YTA volunteers are 15 -18 years old. She notes, "They’re developing opinions and personalities. The program gives them the opportunity to have a leadership role, responsibility and learn new skills as they also learn to adapt in a work place environment."
“We take the campers to the museums. That’s our whole premise, museum-based education. Every camp goes to a different museum every day. We go all around the city and also take bus trips. Our goal is to use all the resources of the Smithsonian.”
The 21-year old MacBain graduated from Cornell University this spring and will begin law school at American University come September. Asked what insight she would give youth seeking summer internships, MacBain offers sage advice, having also interned outside the Smithsonian:
“More than anything it’s the professional experience and education” the Smithsonian offers that makes internships here unique, she says. “There are things we have here I did not know existed,” such as Dorothy's Ruby Slippers,worn by Judy Garland in the classic children’s film The Wizard of Oz. The slippers are in the popular culture collection at the National Museum of American History.
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Where Are We?
By Janet Hewitt, Guest Blogger
Before we tackle the question of where these ladies reside today, we thought it might be helpful to delve into a little Barbie doll history. Whether it’s the high cheekbones, perfect little bowed mouth or lovely lashes, it’s pretty obvious these are Barbies. Where they live today in the far-flung diaspora of Smithsonian museums is a serious question, and we will get to it in a minute. But first some history.
Mattel, Inc. introduced Barbie to the world at the American International Toy Fair in New York, on March 9, 1959. She was the brainchild of Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel with her husband Elliot. The first Barbie had that iconic fifties movie star look (blonde or brunette ponytail with bangs, black and white-striped swimsuit and gold hoop earrings). Initially, they sold for $3.00. The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan and roughly 350,000 were sold during the first year of production.
Barbie became a cultural icon and consumer demand grew for a more diverse look for the pervasive doll. The first official African-American Barbie was introduced in 1980, along with a Latina Barbie. (Barbie did have a Black friend named Christie who debuted in 1968). The company also came out with Barbie dolls showcasing various male-dominated professions opening up to women (think astronaut in 1965). And in 2018, Mattel released a new Inspiring Women collection that features 3 ground-breaking women in history: Amelia Earhart (aviator), Frida Kahlo (artist) and Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician)
But back to our dolls--who are clearly Native American editions. We have three questions for you:
- Which year did each of them debut (because they are all from different vintages)?
- Which specific Smithsonian museum exhibit do they currently appear in?
- Which of these three dolls sold the most or is currently valued most highly by collectors?
Good luck explaining to your grown children (or significant other) why you are doing research on Barbie dolls on your computer.
ANSWERS TO LAST ISSUE’S Where Am I?
The lovely pair of pink ballet slippers belonged to former presidential daughter Chelsea Clinton. You can find them today in the National Museum of American History in the exhibit “The American Presidency—A Glorious Burden.”
