NAI Region VI Business Meeting

3/26/06, 12:10pm

Houston, TX

 

 

Staff Report:

NAI Associate Director Lisa Brochu gave a report from the national office. Noted that we supports each other individually and professionally. Thanked members for all of their support during her recent family struggles and move. Legacy Trust Fund for new office over half paid off. Certification program manager position open. Story about international trip to Korea. We can make a difference! Don’t hesitate to call national for assistance.

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Board reports:

 

Director’s report (Kelly Farrell)

  • Reminder that national board has been restructured, paring down 10 region directors on board to 4, elected by Regional Leadership Council. Kelly is not one of them but is alternate.
  • Regional scorecard being implemented. Will be on “leadership resources” of national website.
  • Pioneer exhibit region 6 purchased a square for Bob Jennings. Thanks to Pat Silovsky for getting this started.

 

Deputy Director’s report (Sarah Keating)

  • Exhibit updates--send pictures, logos should be sent to Sarah Keating.
  • Workshop financial aid. Volunteer, on as need basis $400 for financial aid to 4 50% aide to assist members to come to workshop. Application to appear in winter VIsions.

 

Treasurer’s report (Jay Schneider)

  • Checking acct $6750.01 Janus account $19542.11.

 

Committee reports

  • 2006 workshop: Tara Tucker reported 105 registrants here in Houston. No LA folks.
  • Newsletter: Pam Tooley encouraged everyone to send in stuff for newsletter.
  • Awards: Cyndi thanked for all the thoughts she received during the past few months while dealing with the death of her sister. John Miller is now head of national awards. All but one award is being awarded.
  • Scholarship: Kelly Farrell noted that $6000 was raised at Fort Smith.
  • Elections: Don Simons said 520 ballots sent out, 111 returned.
  • Webmaster: Kelly Farrell reported that Eric Leonard is willing to remain if asked but will relinquish to a new volunteer.
  • Whisper in the Wind CD project: John Miller noted decrease in price to $10.
  • 2007 National Worksho: Chair Pat Silovsky announced dates are November 6-10, theme “Broadening Horizons.”
  • 2008 Region workshop: Sarah Keating announced that it is supposed to be LA, if not then goes to OK.

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State Reports:

 

Tara Tucker-TX

  • At fiscal year’s end, a TPWD team of regional interpretive specialist have researched, written and published over 40 interpretive brochures, taught roughly a dozen CIG and CHI workshops, and completed about 40 interpretive master plans. This team, along with other professionals in state parks interpretation and exhibits branch, also conducted five full day training sessions on interpretation for TPWD park managers where each manager had to do a 10 minute interpretive presentation. Two additional state sites have been added to the World Birding Center complex is being opened in the next year. Hurricane Rita did considerable damage to Village Creek and Martin Dies Jr. State Parks, but are still forging ahead to improve interpretive programming in the Houston Region of Texas State Parks. A group of state park interpreters from the Houston region organized a group that meets quarterly for an idea exchange, fellowship, and to practice presenting interpretive programs for peer critique and review which was deemed a success. The budget situation remains critical for historic sites in the NE Region of TX Parks and Wildlife, but they will have a new interpreter/ranger at Purtis Creek State Park before summer. TPWD interpreters Dave Owens and Frank Roberts have contributed their talents to NAI.
  • At the Houston Zoo spring break has brought some days with over 13,000+ guests! A baby giraffe was born on March 15. The zoo has been involved in many conservation education projects, including a partnership with NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The Attwater’s prairie chickens have been transported to land they own and they grow browse for Koalas and other animals. A great opportunity for interpretation at both sites.

 

 

Jay Miller-AR

  • Ivory-billed woodpecker update- they have not been sighted this year. AGFC sponsored special license plate of ivory billed woodpecker. Tourism division, with a multi-agency task force, has jumped on with focus of “Conservation works.”  Since passing of 1/8-cent conservation tax, AGFC has built 3 nature centers at Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, and Ft. Smith--one in Little Rock in the works. NAI certification continues to expand. Agencies working together very well. State parks has several interpreter vacancies and is excited about May 1 opening of new lodge on Mt. Magazine. Thanks to Jodi Morris for providing the Ivory billed woodpecker pins for many participants.

 

John Miller--MO

  • Association of Missouri Interpreters is now an official chapter of NAI. Control of treasury was an issue. Was turned over to NAI. John Miller apologized for any lack of communication or problems that happened.
  • Noted Taum Sauk reservoir failure, and the interpretation possibilities at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park.
  • DNR received award for seasonal training program from NAI. Opened the eyes of many with DNR the did not even know of the training DNR does. 23 new CITs completed training at Burr Oak Woods, training, very challenging.
  • George Kastler is looking for seasonals and fulltime folks.
  • CD sales article review by NAI of it prompted sales, including one to Canada.
  • John Miller was nominated and accepted as NAI awards chairman on the national committee. Nomination criteria available online.  John would like to see more people nominated from Region VI for the national level. There is a May 31 deadline for national nominations.

 

Neil Garrison--OK

  • Budget cuts=loss of staff, story if fire and water too much fire and not enough water.
  • Did finally get some rain recently.

 

Kelly Farrell (reporting for Dave Latona)--LA

  • Thoughts from Dave: No LA people Turn to the person on your left and repeat after me, “I miss Louisiana”, now turn to the person on your right and repeat after me, “I miss Dave”. Good news is that no state park interpreters have been laid off in wake of Hurricane Katrina—their job duties have changed to cleanup but they remain on payroll.
  • Exciting opportunities to interpret about history as it is happening. Lots of thanks to everyone for thoughts.

 

 

Pat Silovsky (reporting for Schanee Anderson)--KS

  • Schanee Anderson is having a baby, which is why she is not present.
  • Great posters from Great Plains Nature Cente--see Connie Ledger.
  • National workshop in Wichita in 2007.

 

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Action Items:

 

Elections:

National bylaws have change to allow staggered elections with a 3-term limit. John Miller makes a motion to amend region’s procedures to allow staggered elections. 2nd by Sarah Keating. No opposition. Motion passed.

 

Electronic balloting reduces cost of postage and tends to yield higher voting returns. Fee is associated with electronic ballots but it is volume based and cheaper the more that use the system. Info on candidates is on a website. Pat Silovsky made a motion that we adopt electronic balloting with vote-now.com, following trend of national board to do the same. Connie Ledger seconded. Amended to not specify a particular electronic voting company by Jodi Morris, seconded by Jay Schneider. No opposition. Motion passed.

 

Scholarships:

In 2007 we will not hold a spring workshop (thus not have income from registration or auction). But, we will get 10% net profit or $2000 from hosting national workshop in our region, whichever is higher. Sarah Keating made a motion to offer 1 undergraduate and 1 graduate financial aid with scholarship funds and pay registration with the funds normally awarded to 3rd scholarship and money from national NIW.  John Miller seconds. No opposition. Motion passed.

 

Chapter status:

There are two types of chapters, student chapters are common, AMI Chapters are also growing. There was discussion about chapters having representation on NAI board. No action taken.

 

Board vacancies:

Membership – needs appointment—looking for volunteers

Awards -Cyndi Cogbill is stepping down—looking for volunteers

Scholarship –past chair Kelly Farrell is now Director—looking for volunteers

Webmaster -Eric Leonard will continue, but would like step down—looking for volunteers

Visions Editor –Pam Tooley and Lisa Cole will continue, but would like for someone else to take over the newsletter.

 

           

 

 

Sarah Keating motioned to adjourn, seconded by Jodi Morris. Adjourned 1:25 p.m.