The Georgia Capitol Museum, a division of the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, is seeking volunteers to conduct tours of the Georgia Capitol. Volunteers will be responsible for welcoming visitors to the State Capitol and sharing information about Georgia’s history and legislative process.
Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to see first-hand how the state legislature works, while providing informative and interactive tours for schoolchildren and adults.
Please complete and return the Volunteer Application form below.
Georgia Capitol Museum Volunteer Application
POSITION AVAILABLE:
Tour Guide/Desk Attendant –This position requires providing information to visitors, answering tour desk phone calls and providing tours of the Capitol to scheduled groups and walk-in visitors. Most tour groups are comprised of elementary age students, although older students and adults also tour the capitol.
The volunteer will be asked to use information provided to learn a basic history of the Capitol in order to conduct tours. Upon learning the information, the volunteer will conduct a tour of the building for the Tour Manager. Once comfortable with the information, the volunteer will begin giving public tours. Preparation time for learning tour material is usually 2-3 weeks.
Because of the nature of our work, volunteers must apply and are carefully selected. Relatively few of the people who want to volunteer are “hired.” Volunteer candidates must complete an application. Those who are deemed suitable candidates to become volunteers will be contacted for an interview. Applicants must agree to a background check, and commit to working shifts of three to four hours at least twice a month.
Please return the completed form to the Georgia Capitol Museum: Tracie Murray at or mail to Georgia Capitol Museum, 206 State Capitol, Attn:Tour Desk, Atlanta, GA 30334.
Name
Address
Phone
Do you have prior experience as a tour guide? Please explain.
Describe any experience you have working with children.
How many days/hours per month are you interested in volunteering?
What days/hours are you available to volunteer?
EXPECTATIONS
Volunteering at the Georgia Capitol Museum is a privilege because the division upholds an important public trust. This trust includes caring for the state’s most valuable collections as well as serving the public – the taxpayers who support the division – with dignity and care. Our basic expectation for staff and volunteers is that each will rigorously uphold that public trust at all times.
Volunteer Expectations
Treat all co-workers and visitors with dignity and respect Dress appropriately
Be willing to learn all required job information Arrive to work punctually
Wear volunteer badge at all times
RIGHTS AND REWARDS
Just as the division has expectations of volunteers, it is appropriate for volunteers to hold certain expectations. As a volunteer, you have rights and rewards.
The right to be treated as a co-worker – not as just “free help”
The right to suitable assignment – with consideration for personal preference, education, and background
The right to sound guidance and direction – by experienced and thoughtful staff
The right to be heard – to feel free to make suggestions and to be shown respect for your opinion
THE CAPITOL MUSEUM
The Georgia Capitol Museum is located in the State Capitol Building. The museum seeks to preserve and interpret the history of the Capitol itself as well as the events that have taken place within its walls. To carry out this purpose, the museum collects, maintains and exhibits artifacts, including historic flags and works of art, within the State Capitol.
In addition, the Capitol Tour Desk is located on the 2nd floor and is the starting point for tours of the building. More than 50,000 tourists from across the state, the country and the world visit the Capitol each year. School groups visit the Capitol to learn about the history of Georgia and Georgia’s government by taking a tour that supports our state curriculum standards. Visitors may choose to look through the museum on their own or participate in our museum activity, Fun with Ms. Freedom. Some visitors come to research a painting or search for a statue on the Capitol grounds.
While the Capitol serves as a tourist attraction, it is also the center of Georgia’s government and the location of three executive offices. This means that people coming to the Capitol may not be interested in a tour, but are conducting business instead. These visitors are often seeking to locate a meeting room, press conference, or legislative office.
Volunteers will encounter large crowds, especially during the legislative session. At times, the Capitol environment can be quite hectic due to the vast numbers of people in the building. Volunteers must remember the important public trust we hold while interacting with this diverse audience. Every person who enters the Capitol is a visitor, and therefore, must be assisted to the best of our ability and treated with respect.