What's Happening at the Rancho?
Celebrating Women's History All Year!
The Women's History Research Group has been working for 2 years. Nearly 1500 hours of research is culminating in a year of programs and stories.

We are currently developing our online exhibition on the IZI.travel app and will share the link very soon- keep a lookout for the amazing work of your fellow volunteers and student-interns from CSULB.
We are also developing a series of public programs celebrating Women's Stories from the Gathering Place. Most programs will be virtual or hybrid, and we'll need help developing ideas, logistics, planning, and presenting the programs.

Be sure to email Ambyr or Katie if you are interested in joining a program development committee or working on projects. Some of the programs we're planning include:
  • Mother's Day Garden Workshop (May)
  • Cooking for a Crowd with Mrs. Shinkle (June)
  • Crafts for kids connecting to the Bixby girls and livestock (July)
  • Teen/Young Adult program about civic action (October)
  • Holiday programs (December)
Above, Florence reading to her daughters Katharine and Sister in 1902.

Below, Girls in the Riding Club, Piedmont 1918
Preparing to Open Ranch House Interiors!
Volunteer Meeting 3/31 at 10:00 on Zoom

Please join the Zoom info meeting for Volunteers so we can
"show you the ropes" (literally).
During the meeting, we'll review changes and updates to visitor flow, COVID-19 regulations, and volunteer duties.

HIGHLIGHTS:
  • New Public Hours Wed-Sun 1-5 pm
  • New Volunteer stations in the Ranch House
  • New Volunteer schedules
  • New brochure and map
We will have time for Q & A at the end of the meeting, and we will record the meeting for those who cannot attend. 
Topic: Reopening the Ranch House Volunteer Meeting
Time: Mar 31, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 865 2887 7113

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Meeting ID: 865 2887 7113
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kczOJV1cNF
Get Involved
You're invited!
Volunteer Enrichment Workshop
Exploring Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Rancho Los Alamitos
Wednesday, 4/21, 9-11 am
Be included and help us keep the Rancho relevant.
Join your RLA Volunteer family on Wednesday, April 21, for a meaningful conversation about our different experiences of a shared history. This workshop will enrich your volunteer experience, and build confidence in your interactions with our diverse visitors.

Please RSVP by April 7 for this workshop using VICnet or email Ambyr. If you have questions, please reach out to your volunteer leadership or RLAF staff. We welcome your participation and input, and we're happy to address your concerns!
As part of the Rancho's Strategic Plan and our commitment to welcoming and reflecting our community, we've embarked upon a 5-stage DEI process to explore how diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are experienced in our community and onsite.

The 5 stages are:
  1. Education
  2. Assessment
  3. Diversity Statement and commitment
  4. Goal Setting
  5. Reflection
This workshop is designed for Volunteers to assess, educate, and reflect.
During this Zoom workshop, we will:
  • Explore the ways volunteers support the Rancho’s mission and goals.
  • Learn a shared vocabulary and understand why conversations about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are important to the Rancho and our Volunteers.
  • Make personal connections with other volunteers in small group interactions.

FAQs 
What if I've attended a meeting like this before? Should I still attend? 
  • YES! This workshop has been customized for the Rancho's volunteers, keeping in mind the knowledge, wisdom, and experience you bring to the table, and your unwavering commitment to supporting RLA's mission and our community. 
  • This meeting also takes into account the Rancho's unique history and our need to stay up-to-date and relevant in a fast-changing world.
  • However, if you attended the November 14th meeting, no need to attend as this will be a duplicate 
How will this impact my volunteer experience?
  •  As a Rancho volunteer, we rely upon your dedication and expertise to welcome our diverse guests. This is an opportunity for our volunteers to better understand the community we serve, to learn new tools to continue providing excellent experiences and to contribute insights for future programming. 
  • The Rancho is working on ways to both reflect and serve our community, and as you know, we rely upon our volunteers to be our “face to the world.” Thus, we need our volunteers to jump on board in support of our mission and strategic goals.
Will I feel uncomfortable due to the content or length of this workshop? 
  • 2 hours sounds like a long time, but it goes by very quickly because the Aspire Group has curated this interactive experience just for us. You may enjoy snacks and beverages during the workshop and there will be a break too. 

During this workshop, you'll be surrounded by other Rancho Volunteers who share your dedication and enthusiasm for supporting the Rancho. This workshop will be a safe space to explore the perspectives of our peers, examine the areas we each have to learn and grow, to support each other and the Rancho.
Remembering Michael Powers
Michael is lovingly remembered for her creative enthusiasm, particularly in developing memorable public programs. She will be missed by many at the Rancho and beyond.

The Funeral Service for Michael Ann Powers will be held on April 15, 2021,12:00pm at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, 1964 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa, Ca.

An open house will follow at Dan and Megan Macias' home, 1773 Bahama Place, Costa Mesa, between 2:00 and 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael Ann’s memory can be made to the Michael Ann Powers ’66 Mater Dei Scholarship Fund that has been created in her name. Gifts can be made to
http://www.materdei.org/donate. Designation - OTHER - enter “ Michael Ann White Powers ’66”
in the memo line.
Or checks can be made payable to Mater Dei High School with “Michael Ann
White Powers ’66” in the memo line. Mater Dei Alumni, 1202 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, Ca. 92707.
Looking Ahead
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Schedules are changing!
We are adjusting our open hours to Wed-Sun 1-5 pm.

We will automatically adjust volunteer schedules to match these hours.
If you have a "set schedule" and want to make changes, please
notify Ambyr at your earliest convenience.

Some volunteer shifts will be changing to accommodate visitors in the newly reopened Ranch House main hallway. Shifts will remain 2 hours and you may sign up for two consecutive shifts daily. In order to ensure that all priority stations are filled, your assignment may be changed as needed. Please join us for the info meeting and/or watch the recording to learn more.

We appreciate your continued flexibility, feedback, and enthusiasm for ensuring our visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit in our indoor and outdoor spaces. Please sign up for shifts in VICnet or by contacting Ambyr. As usual, I will send recruitment and shift reminder emails from VICnet to confirm your volunteer schedule.
Are you interested in joining the VSC Steering Committee?

We are always looking for volunteers to join the team and take on leadership roles! Please contact Susan Bradley Barta, your service area representative, Ambyr or Katie to learn more!

Positions currently available or coming soon:
  • VSC President
  • Public Programs & Special Events
  • Gardeners
  • Docent Representative
  • Community Outreach
Save the Dates for 2021 VSC MEETINGS
9:30 am Saturday mornings

  • April 17
  • June 19
  • August 21
  • October 16
  • December 18

We will continue to meet virtually via Zoom until it is safe to meet in person again.

RSVP in VICnet.
Contact Us
Concierge Shopping at the
Rancho Museum Gift Shop
or call (562)431-3541 to schedule your visit.
Please note that Ambyr will be "out of the office"
(and off the grid) from
Thursday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 6.

If you need assistance during this time, please call the main office.


RLA Office (Mon-Fri, 9-5): (562) 431-3541 or info@rancholosalamitos.org

If you need to cancel a scheduled volunteer shift or have an urgent matter,
please contact the Rancho Office.

Please reach out to Ambyr or Katie with volunteer scheduling or activities inquiries.

If you have livestock questions or concerns, you may contact
the Ranch Office, Ambyr or Katie, or
Livestock and Grounds Manager, Karen Thompson.

Thank you for helping us inspire, educate, and engage our community!