Apr

Volunteer Spotlight: the dynamic duo of Carl and Toby Rabbin

Staff member Michael Rubin introduces us to the Rabbins, a couple for whom Smithsonian volunteering is a family affair.

It was 1997 when Carl and Toby Rabbin saw a Washington Post ad from the Smithsonian calling for new volunteers. Their two daughters were old enough to be home alone for a few hours on Saturdays, and Carl and Toby were looking for the opportunity to get into D.C. more often (from their beloved suburban Olney, Md. home). They love the vibrancy the city offers, so the Smithsonian seemed a great fit.

Carl and Toby Rabbin have been volunteering for the Smithsonian since 1997. (Photo by Michael Rubin)

Brooklyn-born, Carl moved around a bit before settling in the D.C. area. A software-engineer contractor, he has served at various defense agencies in the Washington, DC area, working on projects that he can’t discuss (not even for a Volunteer Voices profile!). Toby was born in Toronto, and moved to Baltimore while still in grade school. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and was a full-time professor at Trinity College in D.C. (now, Trinity Washington University), and an adjunct faculty at area universities. Even when she was teaching part-time, she has also held full-time positions as a management trainer for Goodwill Industries, a bereavement director at a hospice, and a volunteer manager for a credentialing organization. Currently, she teaches Communication at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. The couple has been happily married since 1977. They have two daughters; Beth is a speech pathologist in Richmond, Va., and Erica is a registered dietician in Pittsburgh, Pa.

When they started as Volunteer Information Desk Specialists in the late 90’s, new volunteers were assigned to the museum where each was most needed. Carl’s original assignment was at the National Postal Museum, which at the time had been open for only about 3 years. He eventually moved on to the National Museum of Natural History where he has been ever since. For Toby, her first assignment at the Castle turned out to be perfect, as she still volunteers there today! Both have enjoyed cross-training at other museums. For the Rabbins, some of their favorite volunteering memories have been those occasions when they have been able to work side-by-side. Sharing July 4th shifts is particularly fun; they both love interacting with visitors who exude national pride.

While Carl and Toby do not always work in the same location, they do both work at the same time. This makes the shared experience even more special as they almost always do something fun together after their shifts, such as sharing lunch, taking in an exhibition, or seeing an IMAX film. Exploring the Smithsonian together is not only something they share with each other, but they take those experiences with them to their information desks to share with their visitors.

There is something else that they share as they volunteer; the lasting friendships that they have made. Both sets of desk mates are part of the Rabbin extended family and, through Carl and Toby, they have all come to know each other and frequently have lunch together as a larger group.

For those of us who work as staff support for volunteers, it is the interaction with them that is among the most rewarding parts of our jobs and careers. It’s nice to know that feeling is mutual, because Carl and Toby both express their appreciation for the coordinators they and all Smithsonian volunteers work alongside.

In 1997, the Rabbins thought the Smithsonian would make a great fit for them. Ask anyone who has worked with Carl and Toby (or any of the countless visitors fortunate enough to encounter them at an information desk); the Smithsonian lucked out!

Michael Rubin is a Visitor Services Coordinator with the Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management.