Docent Program  •  Committees  •  Other Opportunities
 

For more information on any of the volunteer opportunities listed below, please contact the Conservancy at (213) 623-CITY or email Connie Humberger at volunteers@laconservancy.org.
OR click here for a printable sign-up form.  

COMMITTEES 
Historic Theatres Committee
The Historic Theatres Committee promotes the preservation of historic theatres in Los Angeles as economically viable community, cultural, and architectural resources. Activities include researching local theatre histories, conducting oral histories, planning the annual Last Remaining Seats film series, and other theatre-related endeavors. For more information, see the Historic Theatres Committee section of this site.

Legal Committee
The Conservancy's Legal Committee provides pro bono legal assistance to the Conservancy on preservation projects and policy issues. Committee members, mostly attorneys with experience in real estate, land use, or environmental law, testify at public hearings, prepare legal briefs, and negotiate legal agreements on behalf of the Conservancy.

Modern Committee
The Modern Committee (or ModCom) was formed in 1984 in response to the unabated destruction of post-World War II architecture. Since then, the committee has expanded to include all 20th-century architecture and related fields. The committee plans tours, exhibitions, lectures, and field trips, and also plays an advocacy role in nominating potential historic landmarks and in protecting significant Modern buildings. The Modern Committee typically meets the third Monday of every month from 7 to 9pm. For locations, call the Los Angeles Conservancy at (213) 623-CITY.

Please visit the Modern Committee Website (www.modcom.org) for more information.

 
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OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 
A number of other volunteer opportunities exist to suit the interests of almost anyone looking to help the Conservancy:

House Tours
Assist with historic, architectural, and neighborhood house tours.

Community Outreach
Staff Conservancy membership/tour information tables at Conservancy and other community events.

Office Aides
Assist in the Conservancy's administrative office with phones, mailings, filing, and special projects.

Advocacy Support
Write letters or make calls to help save historic resources on an as-needed basis. Every voice makes a difference!

Docent Program
Share your love of historic Los Angeles by joining the Conservancy's walking tour docent corps (see below).

 
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DOCENT TRAINING  STARTS IN JANUARY
Would you like to share your love of historic Los Angeles with others? Join us in January for training to become a docent for our year-round Walking Tour Program. It’s a great way to learn more about the city, meet new people, promote the work of the Conservancy, and take an active role in preservation by raising awareness of our architectural treasures.

As one of the most visible and recognizable programs of the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Walking Tour Program is a primary outreach tool to future constituents of the Conservancy and of historic preservation.

Through informative and engaging walking tours, the program strives to:

• Create awareness of the built environment and architectural resources, to encourage a stake-holder ethic across the socio-economic and generational spectrum of Southern California residents.
• Engage interest in the history and future of Los Angeles through interpretation of its historic resources to build a constituency for preservation.
• Promote individual involvement in preservation advocacy, including membership in the Conservancy.
• Inspire current members, volunteers, and supporters of the Conservancy to greater involvement.
• Remain affordable , high-quality, and diverse; both in terms of topics covered and delivery methods.
• Serve as a hub for historic preservation education in Los Angeles County.

So what do docents do? Docents lead tours and serve as ambassadors for the Conservancy. Through training, volunteers learn about preservation, architecture, Los Angeles history, and how to give an engaging and informative tour. Rather than working with a script, docents receive in-depth research materials to create their own individualized tour. Our experienced veteran docent corps provides mentorship and on-the-street training for new recruits.

It takes minimal prior experience to be a volunteer docent. Applicants are required to take at least two Conservancy walking tours before submitting an application. Each person who completes the Conservancy’s docent training commits to leading a minimum of eight tours within their first year.

Training will take place on Saturday, January 24, 31, and February 7, in the afternoon. Four additional Saturday morning field sessions will be held in February and March. We are recruiting docents for our regularly scheduled weekend tours (most are on Saturday mornings) and for special weekday group tours.

Applications must be received by December 31. Applicants will be notified by January 7. The training class is free for Conservancy members and $40 for non-members, which will be applied to membership. For more information about becoming a Conservancy docent, please contact Annie Laskey, program manager, at alaskey@laconservancy.org or (213) 430-4209.

Download application form