Why Volunteer?

An Invitation to Volunteer in a Whole New Way

Want to put some excitement in your life? Being a Docent at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum can give you rewards you might never have imagined. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a volunteer the Docent Guild provides an opportunity for you to find out.

The Guild sponsors a special event, an Information Open House, just for people like you. Beginning at 10:00 am you will meet with current Docents who can tell you firsthand what this volunteer activity entails. During the two-hour event you will see firsthand what Docents do. You will have a chance to get all your questions answered by talking one-to-one with a Docent. To get the date of the next Open House and to sign up please email your name and telephone number to membership@nixondocents.org.

Why should you be a volunteer at the Nixon Library?

There are so many reasons–where to start! For one you meet the most interesting people. Our Docents come from all walks of life and bring a lot of varied experiences. Businessmen and women, teachers, police officers, health workers, attorneys–you name it. Working together creates friendships and mental stimulation. Professionals tell us that the rewards of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. They say the right match can help you to reduce stress, find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. Volunteers experience renewed creativity and motivation.

The Wow Factor

Our Library occupies a distinctive place as a significant historical landmark. Within Orange County it is consistently recognized as a top-tier cultural attraction and is frequently cited as one of the “Best things to do in Orange County.” Historians and travel sites often rank our Library as a Top 5 Presidential Library for its comprehensive and candid exhibits and its innovative, interactive museum design. With more than 70 exhibits and over 300 historical artifacts it is a “must see” for thousands of visitors from around the globe. Add to that the Library features a vibrant schedule of special exhibits and community events, ranging from historical commemorations to popular concert series. That’s a WOW!

Docents Walk the Walk
and Talk the Talk

The Richard Nixon Foundation and the National Archives and Records Administration have provided a tremendously rich environment at the Nixon Library for Docents to help preserve the Nixon legacy. From the new state-of-the-art galleries including an authentic Oval Office to the Birthplace to Special Exhibits, Docents are the grease that make the wheels turn. They tell the stories that help visitors understand history in a new and personal way.

Does being a Docent require
a big-time commitment?

The good news is that being a Docent gives you a lot of bang for the buck. To get all those wonderful volunteer benefits those who are still employed are required to do only two four-hour shifts per month, scheduled at your convenience. Those not employed put in three four-hour shifts per month. You pick the times that fit your schedule–morning or afternoon, weekday, or weekend.

What about training-
what can I expect?

The Docent Guild has a training program that will provide you with all the information you need. You will have trainers who will guide you through the process and give you tips and techniques to make you a successful and fulfilled Docent. Additional information about this can be found in the “Become a Docent” section of this website.

Is the Nixon Library calling You to become a Docent?

Today more than ever, our nation needs to honor its history and educate the public about its American heritage. Our Docents play a vital role in keeping alive the legacy of our 37thPresident. Motivated by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the community and to give back to the country that has provided so many blessings, our docents discover a sense of personal fulfillment. We experience the intellectual stimulation and the prestige of serving as the official hosts at one of only thirteen currently operating presidential libraries. We don’t just volunteer; we serve as the official stewards of a complex and pivotal era in world history. We are the Library’s public face to the thousands of visitors from across the country and around the globe. Is the Library calling you?

Presidential Libraries belong to
the American people – You and Me

If you are selected you will become a volunteer in one of 15 official Presidential Libraries under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is one of them. They are not actually like your everyday libraries. According to NARA, “The presidential libraries are archives and museums, bringing together in one place the documents and artifacts of a president and his administration.” The Richard Nixon Library and Museum gives us a unique and personal look into the life of the 37th President born here in Yorba Linda.

Where are the existing Presidential Libraries? Check out the map below!

When a president leaves office, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) establishes a presidential materials project to house and index the documents until a new presidential library is built and transferred to the federal government. These are repositories for preserving and making available the papers, records, collections, and other historical materials of every President of the United States since Herbert Hoover (31st President, 1929-1933). In addition to the library services, museum exhibitions concerning the presidency are displayed.

See them all at https://www.archivesfoundation.org/visit/presidential-libraries