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Katie Hicks <[email protected]>
Fwd: NAI Region 3 newsletter - May 20121 message
Paul Caputo <[email protected]> Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 6:52 PMTo: Katie Hicks <[email protected]>
Begin forwarded message:
From: National Association for Interpretation Region 3 <[email protected]>
Date: May 4, 2012 2:41:11 PM MDT
Subject: NAI Region 3 newsletter - May 2012
Reply-To: [email protected]
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Dear Caputo,
Welcome to Southern Exposure, the newsletter of the National
Association for Interpretation's Region 3.
Photo: Look at the sunshine faces on these RIW participants!
Director's Report
Wow! What a fantastic regional workshop at Montgomery Bell
State Park! Hats off to April Welch, her planning committee and
Tennessee State Parks. Great sessions, field trips, networking
and socializing! And the workshop was a financial success with
the scholarship auction raising over $4,000! As I observed all the
happenings, three things really stood out to me:
1. Hospitality
2. Teamwork
3. Student Involvement
April and her team went out of their way to make everyone feel
welcome. Even with illnesses and looming budget cuts and job
May 2012, Vol. 20, No. 2
Director's Report
Treasurer's Report
What's Up?!
Report from Elections
NAI Region 3 Blog
Want Ads
Region 3 Strategic Plan
Pay it Forward to Florida!
Thanks from Scholarship Winners
New Scholarships for 2012
Carolyn Ward: Champion of Change
State By State
Trainings and Workshops
Save the Date
welcome. Even with illnesses and looming budget cuts and job
changes, the planning team carried on with a smile.
Professionalism personified! The team truly worked together and
supported each other. In addition, the workshop provided
opportunities for students to learn and be involved in the region.
This year's Outstanding Service Award went to Chance Finegan
for his work as the student rep on the board. Chance, in turn,
nominated another student, Henry Thompson as the Outstanding
New Interpreter.
While all RIWs are special, this year's workshop demonstrated
how our profession is changing, but yet we in Region 3 are able
to carry on or, as Perky would say "Party On!"
Well done, Region 3!!
-Kathy Gross
Treasurer's Report
We had a great Regional Workshop. The organizing committee in
Tennessee did an amazing job of obtaining donated materials
and services which allowed the region's treasury to grow by
approximately $4300. The auction produced the absolutely
incredible sum of $4438. We are ending the quarter with a
balance of approximately $33,000, which makes us one of the
better funded regions in NAI.
These numbers are important because RIW and its scholarship
auction are the now only source of funding for the region.
Formerly the region received money from the national office to
print and mail the newsletter, but with the transition to
electronic newsletters that funding has been eliminated.
The positive balance allows us to provide more opportunities for
scholarships and other services to our members. Besides the
regional scholarships, this year we have given tuition-only
scholarships for four members to go to a Certified Interpretive
Trainer workshop, and we will be offering a senior-level
scholarship to the National Workshop as well. We also joined
some other regions in become members of the Enos Mills 200 to
help support NAI.
Thanks for your support!
-Steve Dimse
What's Up?!
A new section of the newsletter! Do you have news to report to
other NAIers? Send in your news-promotions, awards, transfers-
to Rhana or to your state rep!
Chance Finegan is going to grad school in Region 5! Best wishes
to Chance and welcome to our new elections chair, Elizabeth
Slack!
Kathy Gross will be spending the summer leading interpretive
CIG Workshop
Stone Mountain, GA
May 22-25, 2012
NAI National Workshop
Hampton, VA
Nov 13-17, 2012
Region 3 Workshop
South FL
TBA 2013
Regional Officers
Director
Kathy Gross
Deputy Director
Jose Chavez
Jose.Chavez@
mecklenburgcountync.gov
Secretary
Linda Chandler
Treasurer
Steve Dimse
National Officers
Amy Lethbridge
President
Cem Basman
VP for Administration
John Luzader
VP for Programs
Theresa Coble
Treasurer
Amy Burnett
Secretary
Southern Exposure
Next submission deadline:
July 1, 2012, for publication in August
2012.
Editor
Rhana Paris
Kathy Gross will be spending the summer leading interpretive
programs at Zion NP in Utah. She is looking forward to exploring
and learning more about desert ecosystems. As always, Kathy is
reachable by email or on Facebook.
Report from Elections
Region 3 is accepting candidates for its Director and Treasurer
positions. The director, of course, is responsible for overseeing
the region. While previous board experience/membership is not
required, a prior leadership position (board member, committee
chair, state representative, etc) is strongly recommended for
those who want to run for office.
The treasurer manages the finances of the region, although all
money goes through the national office. The majority of the
treasurer's work involves the disbursement of scholarships and
dealing with the regional scholarship.
Each position runs for two years. Contact Elizabeth Slack, our
new elections chair for more information or to place your name
on the ballot. You can reach her at [email protected].
You must contact her before June 30 in order to be on the ballot.
Help keep the party going in Region 3 by considering a run for
office!
-Chance Finegan, Elections Chair
NAI Region 3 Blog
As social media evolves and information is being pushed at
accelerating rates NAI Region 3 wants to make sure that we have
an outlet to learn and share with other interpreters. During the
last Regional Workshop the Board agreed to launch a Blog with a
wide variety of contributors that will be adding interesting and
relevant content on a weekly basis. The blog will not only be a
place to find out about trends, current job opportunities or read
about success stories, this will be also a place for you to share
with other interpreters about your own interests and stories.
Make sure that you visit the blog weekly at:
http://nairegion3.wordpress.com/
* If you would like to become a blog contributor please contact
me at [email protected]
-Pepe Chavez
Want Ads
Historian to compile Region 3's rich history. Where have
workshops been held? What year? Who has received awards? And
who is Perky?! Please contact Kathy Gross @
[email protected] to volunteer your services.
2013 Region Workshop in South FL - Contact Debbie Fritz-Quincy
at [email protected] to be part of the planning committee.
Photos
Want to showcase your site or highlight
a recent event? Send photos on jpg to
Rhana when you submit your
information! Your photos may be used as
the masthead or within the body of your
article. Remember: if children are
recognizable, you will want to have a
photo release from the parents or
guardians.
Regional Chairpersons
Awards & Scholarships
Whit McMillan
Communications & Webmaster
Jose Chavez
Jose.Chavez@
mecklenburgcountync.gov
Finance
Steve Dimse
Membership
Gretchen Greminger
Elections
Chance Finegan
State Coordinators
AL: Helena Uber
FL: Kevin Bowles Mohr
Ernie Lynk
GA: Randy Smith
KY: Jamie Cook
MS: Bob Brzuszek
NC: Eli Strull
Jason Urroz
PR & VI: Eliezer Nieves
University/college contacts: if anyone knows any faculty
members who currently teach interpretation or related courses,
please contact Chance Finegan or Henry Thompson, Student Rep.
with this information. We would like to invite them to become
involved in NAI.
Region 3 Strategic Plan
At the recent Region 3 board meeting, an updated strategic plan
was approved. The plan focuses on improving communications,
providing opportunities for members to become more involved
and reaching out to diverse audiences in our region. Please visit
the Region 3 website www.nairegions.org/3 to read the strategic
plan in its entirety.
Pay it Forward to Florida!
We as interpreters know the difficulty of accurately portraying
the cost/benefit ratio of our craft. We know it isn't possible to
calculate the ripple effect as we "pay it forward" through our
interpretive messages and personal contacts. It is a fact,
however, that a professional gathering, training, or workshop is
only as successful as its presenters and its attendees. And, that
a professional organization is only as strong as its membership!
Thanks to all who attended, supported, and presented at the
2012 Regional Interpreter's Workshop!
Natural Harmony in the Volunteer State, held at Montgomery Bell
State Park near Nashville, TN, was a tremendous success thanks
to all who participated, donated, planned, and hosted the event!
Thanks to Chance Finegan, NAI Region 3 Election Chair and
Student Representative, for organizing our first mentoring
program. Thanks to Melissa O'Lenick for organizing a fresh take
on roundtable discussions by hosting the "HOT TOPICS"
breakfast; and for organizing and encouraging networking
opportunities through the "New Member Scavenger Hunt".
Thanks to Tom Christensen for livening up our LIVE auction with
his fast talking and quick deal making that produced one of, if
not, the most successful scholarship auctions in our Region's
history. Thanks to Michael Kirschman, Jose "Pepe" Chavez, Steve
Dimse, and Kathy Gross for impeccable professional leadership
and guidance throughout the planning process and their
continued support during the workshop week. And, last but
certainly not least, thanks to the planning committee members,
Tennessee State Parks, and especially Montgomery Bell State
Park for their southern hospitality, attention to detail, and time,
both personally and professionally, to "pay it forward" to our
profession and to our Region!
If you think by numbers, here's a breakdown of February's event:
$50,000: that's how important the sponsors of the
Regional Interpreter's Workshop supported us and our
profession through "in-kind donations"!
$4281.49: that's the revenue generated for the Region 3
SC: Whit McMillan
Brian Thill
TN: Melissa Squirlo
$4281.49: that's the revenue generated for the Region 3
coffers thanks to tremendous sponsor support and
exceptional attendance during these difficult economic
times!
$4438: that's how successful the scholarship auctions were
thanks to the generosity of bidders like you!
1980: that's how impressive the overall workshop was for
one attendee- "I have been attending NAI conferences
since the early 1980s and have not been to a better one. I
came away inspired to dive deeper into interpretation and
with an admiration for the creative and inventiveness of
my peers."
117: that's how many friends and colleagues you missed if
you weren't able to attend!
24: that's how many new members joined our professional
association by attending the RIW!
12: that's how many core planning committee members it
took to made this year's workshop an overwhelming
success! Thanks to Jeff Sellers, LaRae Smiley, Rob
Sherrill, Ronnie Douglas, Anne Marshall, John McKay,
Sonya Wood Mahler, Dr. Philip Smartt, Randy Hedgepath,
Sandy Bivens, Melissa O'Lenick, and April Welch for a job
well done!
And if you process by sensory experiences, here are the
highlights:
Richard Leigh's voice that enraptured audience members
while they enjoyed some of the best, homemade carrot
cake and strawberry shortcake our taste buds have ever
experienced.
The "party bus" that remained in downtown Nashville after
the Keynote Dinner.
Hot ticket items at the LIVE auction that included
moonshine, Frisbee golf baskets, and the ever so
priceless, Perky!
Storytelling and acorn whistle blowing; communication and
planning techniques; innovative ideas shared about
alternative exotic plant use by Dr. Robert Bixler, Jessica
Goodrich, and Wren Smith; contagious passion connecting
children, of all ages, to nature by Marty Silver; and an
energizing atmosphere at the opening social thanks to the
Tennessee State Parks Ranger Showcase, Lynchburg
lemonade and Prichard's moonshine, tastes of Tennessee
morsels prepared by the Montgomery Bell Conference
Center, and lively bluegrass and dancing thanks to
talented volunteers, friends, and employees of Tennessee
State Parks.
But, if that's not enough, just wait until next year! The 2013
Regional Interpreter's Workshop will be hosted in south Florida:
Debbie Fritz-Quincy is looking for planning committee volunteers
so get involved, "pay it forward", and continue our tradition of
excellence and professionalism in the field of interpretation!
***Debbie Fritz-Quincy, Director of Hobe Sound Nature Center,
can be reached at (772) 546-2067 or at [email protected]
April Welch, RIW 2012 chair
Thanks from Scholarship Winners
Jamie Cook
I cannot express the deep gratitude I have for receiving a
scholarship for the 2012 Region 3 Workshop. This was my second
regional workshop and both have been incredible in inspiring me
in working harder to provide quality interpretive experiences to
our visitors and with my colleagues. It's an amazing opportunity
to visit other sites, learn from your peers, and most of all build
incredible friendships in just a matter of a few days. Almost
immediately I was able to utilize information from the sessions
to my graduate studies and professional work. If you participated
in the silent or live auctions, you helped in making this
experience available for students, volunteers, and professionals.
I can't thank the members of Region 3 enough for their
generosity and most of all warm friendship. I'm convinced that
we are one of the best NAI Regions in the country. Thanks again,
Sunny Southeast!
Nicholas Scarborough
Winning a scholarship to this year's NAI Region 3 Workshop was
invaluable and worth more than any scholarship could grant a
person. I learned many things at the conference, especially
things I could not have learned without attending, like how to go
about the job hunt in this business, make effective interpretive
signage, and be an interesting and educational storyteller. While
improving useful skills can be accomplished by other means, the
people I met could not have come together in another way. As
cheesy as it is, I found where I belong. I often act silly and I
happily perform in any venue. I love seeing diversity and I strive
to bring positive changes to my community. I care so much about
our resources but I also care so much about our fellow people. I
am here to protect and preserve the world that I can without
prohibiting change. I am here to ensure that all persons have the
opportunity to learn, understand, and appreciate the miraculous
wonders of the one planet we have to call home. I am a willing
spokesperson for Earth and a humble servant to humanity. I AM
an interpreter.
New Scholarships for 2012
Thanks to a very successful Regional Interpreter's Workshop, we
now have the chance to offer some new scholarships! Please
make sure you apply and encourage other members that qualify
as well.
Regional Workshop Scholarship for Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands
Who may apply: Region 3 members from Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands
the Virgin Islands
What does it cover: Travel to the conference (paid as a
stipend) and registration
Application Due Date: July 15, winners will be notified by
August 15th
Leadership scholarship for National Workshop
Who may apply: Current or past state coordinators, board
members, and committee chairs. Region three members
holding the CIT, CIM, CHI or CIP credential. All applicants
must have been a member of Region 3 for the two years
prior to the application year
What does it cover: Registration and a travel stipend to
the conference
Application due date: June 15th, winners will be notified
July 15th
In addition to these, please remember that we will still be
offering scholarships for our Regional Workshop which will be
due November 1.
Look for a new and updated scholarship form for these
competitions on the Region 3 website very shortly!
Legal disclaimer: some preference may be given to those
regional members who have not gone to a NIW or a regional
workshop before. Note other requirements on the scholarship
form. No member of the scholarship committee, their employees
or immediate family is eligible for scholarships.
-Whit McMillan, Scholarship Chair
Carolyn Ward: Champion of Change
On Thursday, March
22nd, Carolyn Ward,
the CEO of the Blue
Ridge Parkway
Foundation and
Editor of the Journal
for Interpretation
Research, was
honored at the
White House as one
of 13 leaders from
around the country
being recognized as
a "Let's Move!
Champions of
Change" for their
work to inspire and empower America's youth to lead active,
healthy lifestyles.
Carolyn Ward was chosen for the award for her work in
Carolyn Ward was chosen for the award for her work in
developing the Kids in Parks program. Kids in Parks installs self-
guided, brochure-led hiking trails (called TRACK Trails), designed
to connect children to the outdoors while simultaneously
addressing the health problems associated with physical
inactivity and nurturing the next generation of stewards for our
public lands. Since 2008, the program has grown from one TRACK
trail at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, NC, to
a national network of TRACK trails.
For more information about the Kids in Parks program, please
visit their website: kidsinparks.com
-Jason Urroz
State By State
GEORGIA
Georgia Members Meeting
Make plans to join us on Saturday, September 15, 2012, in Stone
Mountain Park. Come for lunch and an hour meet-and-greet with
other Georgia NAI members. This meeting is part of Stone
Mountain Park's Naturalist Rally-a day of hikes, talks, and
exploration in a unique habitat. We encourage you to come for
the whole day. Details will be finalized by May.
Contact Naomi Thompson, Education Supervisor at Stone
Mountain Memorial Association, at
770.498.5619
KENTUCKY
Kentucky had great representation at the 2012 NAI Region 3
Workshop in Nashville. Over 15 people from the Bluegrass state
attended, representing over 5 different organizations! Nashville
will never by the same, thanks to those folks to their North.
Thanks to all of you within the Region who made the event
spectacular!
Kentucky is making some changes, too. As with many states,
there is a lot of ground to cover, geographically speaking, when
making networking opportunities available to our members
across the state. So we are working to form sections that will
host their own networking and training sessions. Kentucky will be
divided into thirds to make single day travel easier and hopefully
to increase involvement. Kentucky NAI will still have an annual
meeting at alternating locations throughout Kentucky. Thanks to
all in Kentucky who are helping in this process!
MISSISSIPPI
May 19. The Native Orchids of South Mississippi at The Crosby
Arboretum, MSUES, Picayune, MS. 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Learn to
recognize and enjoy many of the thirty species of orchids native
to the Gulf Coast. Glen Ladnier, long-time orchid enthusiast and
member of the Gulf Coast Orchid Society, will discuss habitats,
plant and flower characteristics, and touch on common
conservation techniques Members-free; non-members-$5; non-
members' children-$2. Call 601-799-2311 for information.
May 21. Southeastern Prairie Symposium at Mississippi State
University. The primary goal of this symposium is to synthesize
effective approaches to prairie restoration and enhancement
throughout the region by identifying broad-scale generalities in
management practices and biota while recognizing differences at
the specific ecosystem level. Three concurrent sessions focusing
on management, the natural biota, as well as working grasslands
will unite researchers, biologists, and managers from across the
southern United States (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC,
TN, TX) and increase communication among state, federal, and
non-governmental partners in prairie habitat management. For
more information email [email protected]
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Brown Bag Meeting
Interpreters from South Carolina gathered amongst the bald
cypress, water tupelo, and loblolly pines of Congaree National
Park for a state NAI "brown bag" gathering. In addition to the
sounds of northern parula warblers, pileated woodpeckers, and
blue-gray gnatcatchers, Interpreters from across South Carolina
made their own noise sharing conversations on relevant topics at
their centers. Interpreters shared the challenges and best
practices related to topics such as, "doing more with less" and
the opportunities and challenges of volunteer programs at our
sites. Many more individual networking sessions occurred during
lunch and while hiking through the bottomland hardwood forest.
This informal gathering brought together interpreters from
Congaree National Park, SC State Parks, US Forest Service,
South Carolina Aquarium, Riverbanks Zoo, Clemson University,
Amick Designs, Charleston County Parks, and a special visit from
our Region 3 Deputy Director Jose "Pepe" Chavez. A special
thanks to the folks at Congaree for hosting this gathering.
Our next state gathering will take us to the Lowcountry of South
Carolina and will be hosted by Charleston County Parks in August
or September, stay tuned for a definite date.
Trainings and Workshops
Certified Interpretive Guide Training Workshop
Tuesday, May 22-Friday, May 25
Confederate Hall Historical and Environmental Education Center,
Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, GA
$242-$377 per person for the 4-day class. Visit
http://www.interpnet.com/certification/workshops/CIG-2012-
05-Georgia.shtml for more information and an application.
Smoky Mountain Science Teacher Institute
June 18-23
$50 non-refundable registration fee. Register through the Great
Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont at
www.gsmit.org/smsti.html
Sustainable Forestry Teachers' Academy
Coastal: June 25-29
Mountain: July 23-27
Contact Renee L Strnad, NC Project Learning Tree Coordinator at
919-515-5518
POW! The Planning of Wetlands
Friday, July 20
Walnut Creek Wetland Center, Raleigh, NC
$50 includes curriculum and course materials. Contact
Environmental Concern at 410-745-9620 or at www.wetland.org
WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands
Saturday, July 21
Walnut Creek Wetland Center, Raleigh, NC
$45 includes curriculum and course materials. Contact
Environmental Concern at 410-745-9620 or at www.wetland.org
International Museum Theatre Alliance Conference
August
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA
Contact IMTAL website here with the information about this
conference at http://imtal.org/atlanta_2012.asp
The Ecophysiology and Evolution of Aquatic Insects: A
Workshop for High School Teachers
August 1-3
Workshop includes classroom materials, lodging near
Waynesville, NC and lunch each day. Register by contacting
Susan Sachs at (828) 926-6251 or [email protected]
Project WET Workshop
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Agapé Center for Environmental Education near Fuquay-Varina,
NC
$13 covers facility use to workshop participants. $19.75 covers
the Project WET Guide. Total cost of the workshop: $32.75. To
register, [email protected] or 919-552-9421 x 210.
Project Learning Tree Workshop
Saturday, September 22
Agapé Center for Environmental Education near Fuquay-Varina,
NC
Thanks to a generous grant from PLT, there is no fee for this
workshop. A returnable deposit of $25.00 is required to reserve
your space. To register, [email protected] or 919-552-
9421 x 210.
Got Elk!: Fall Research in the Smokies
October 28-30
Cataloochee Valley
$75 includes lodging, some meals and transportation to and from
Raleigh. Register through the NC Museum of Natural Science at
www.naturalsciences.org.
Salamanders and Storms: Studying a Changing Climate
November 2-4
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Workshop fee includes all instruction, materials, meals and
lodging. There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee. To
register, visit www.gsmit.org
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***
Paul Caputo
Interim Executive Director
National Association for Interpretation970-484-8283888-900-8283 (US)
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International Conference on Heritage InterpretationJune 15-18, 2013Sigtuna, Sweden
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November 6-9, 2013
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