Chinatown Docent

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Position description: Docents lead small groups of visitors and school groups on an educational walking tour through San Francisco’s Chinatown to promote a better understanding of the history of Chinatown, the Chinese American community, and the role of the Chinese Culture Center in Chinatown. Docents are often the first and lasting impression of an entire community; as such, docents will be required to attend extensive training, be available for tour preparation, and be open to learning that will rework the meaning of a "tour experience." Knowledge about Chinatown history is not required, but a plus.

The Chinese Culture Foundation is also developing more tours (Chinatown art, food, etc.) and is looking for people interested in helping with research and development.

Duties/Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Attend Informational Session & docent training (6-10 hours)

• Willingness to be part of an art, historical, and cultural learning community

• Learn components of tour route(s) and key aspects of Chinatown

• Lead a group of 15-20 people (often school-age children) on walking tour minding for safety and enjoyment of participants

• Disseminate historic components of Chinatown and cultural aspects of Chinese in America

• Responsible for mindfully serving as a community representative for the Chinese Culture Center, and the Chinatown community within a historically accurate socio-political context.

Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn, create dialogue, share different perspectives, and stimulate discussion with the public about Chinatown and Chinese America

• Willingness to convey nuances and challenge preconceptions about Chinatown/Chinese Americans as a community

• Connection to the SF Chinatown community or a willingness to become invested in the community and share that connection with others in a meaningful way

• Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills. Ability to tell a story a plus

• Flexible and able to problem-solve in situational circumstances. Responsible, dependable, and punctual

• Ability to comfortably walk the hills of Chinatown

• Enjoys interacting and engaging with the public especially school children. Friendly and outgoing personality a plus

• Bilingual Chinese is a plus. Previous docent or tour guide experience a plus.

Benefits

• Excellent training and community involvement

• Meet like-minded people interested in sharing and learning about history, culture, and heritage

• Opportunity to explore culture and see Chinatown through a new lens

• Opportunity to create a relationship with Chinatown and redefine boundaries in a meaningful way

• Flexible schedule

Please send your resume and letter of interest to: tour@c-c-c.org