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| Certification Testimonials |
August 7, 2007
To: Roger Riolo
Subject: Interpretation in Australia
Hey Roger!
I just thought that I would drop you an email and let you know what I have been doing with my CIG since I finished your class this spring. I'm currently working as an eco-guide at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat in southern Queensland, Australia. I have been leading guided walks through the subtropical rainforest and talking about everything from cultural history (how the O'Reillys came to the region, etc.) to natural history. Of course, with a continent as ancient as Australia and possessing such unique flora and fauna, the majority of the interpretation focuses on the natural history.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I have been daily using the skills that you taught me last spring, and I'm certain that I wouldn't be as successful at my job were it not for the quality of instruction that you provided.
Many thanks!
~jack! Newkirk
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June 2, 2006
Dear Tim and Lisa,
Since going through the CIT program in Gainesville, I have found a new position with the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program in Brevard County, Florida. This position is one of promotion and will allow me to do a lot of interpretation training and planning. I am sure that the CIT program was a big boost in helping me to obtain this job. So thank you! I am still all fired up about the things I learned and look forward to implementing them. The CIT program was, without a doubt, the best training program I have ever attended.
Regards,
Katrina
Katrina Morrell
EEL Environmental Education Specialist
(321)255-4466
kmorrell@brevardparks.com
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Fall 2005
Article appearing in InterpScan, the national publication of Interpretation Canada.
Download pdf. |
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July 11, 2005
Thanks to everyone at NAI!! Roger Riolo was my trainer at COCC in Bend, Oregon. I just received my certificate from Carrie, and a job for OPRD as an Interpretive Ranger Aide for the summer.....
Thanks to the training I received I am able to easily plan and the programs for the Jr. Ranger Programs, and the Evening Interpretive talks. In addition our Park made the news in the official FYI newsletter in recognition for a bicycle parade and old-fashioned kids games I coordinated for the park. The kids were thrilled to do some of the same things the children who first settled here did to celebrate our nation's anniversary, and the entire staff had fun at the first event of its kind at this park.
Roger Riolo is a fantastic trainer and mentor, and through him I learned the value of networking with other interpreters. My class is reuniting next term to form a chapter and we will need information for that.
I look forward to a long affiliation with NAI, and am happy to be a member....pam
Pam Callaway
Prineville Reservoir |
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February, 2005
From the "Texas State Report":
Fresh from the very first CIT train-the-trainers course held at NAI's new headquarters, Volunteer Programs Coordinator Katie Facker joined Colunteer Programs Manager Lia McDonald, another CIT on staff, in facilitating the Houston Zoo's first CIG training class. They split the 32-hour training course between two weeks to accommodate the schedules of the staff, which also helped students easily digest some of the more difficult concepts. Class participants hailed from diverse areas of the zoo, including two curators, three education staff members, one from Adminstration, two rangers, and numerous animal keepers/supervisors (five natural encounters, two primates, one carnivore, one John P. McGovern Children's Zoo, and two sea lion/koalas). They started with nine of the twenty taking the course but not choosing to become a CIG. As soon as the first day of training was over, there were only four who did not choose certification. They ate too much and had way too much fun! The staff was overwhelmingly surprised by the training, and several areas of the Zoo now want their entire department to become certified. Kate and Lia are confident that CIG training will continue to be in high demand at the Houston Zoo. |
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February 1, 2005
Dear Lisa,
Last week's CIT workshop was excellent, and I thank you and Tim for bringing such a top notch experience to interpreters in the Chicago Wilderness.
Enclosed is an article that ran in a local paper the day after the workshop's conclusion. I bring it up to illustrate that the workshop has had an immediate impact on my work. I submitted the article to the editor the Friday before the workshop. During the workshop, there were thought-provoking discussions about names and naming - healthy debates and rebuttals, Van Matre-isms and such. I might have written the article differently after these discussions than I did before. I'm finding that ideas can evolve and our philosophy of interpretation can mature with time, experience, and the invaluable networking with others in our field.
Valerie Blaine
Nature Programs Supervisor
Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center
Kane County Preserve District, Illinois |
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December 4, 2004
Lisa - late thanks (one year in an interpreter's life is nothing compared to the 1,000 year + life of a Redwood Tree!) for the exellent CIM Training Session last December.
Little did I realize back in 1989/1990 when I talked with Neil Hagadorn and other FS Interpretive Specialists about the need for some sort of NAI Program that would recognize the various talents and skills that we each have in our respective fields (Interp Planners, Managers, Guides, etc), that it would come full circle and end up being the best program I have particiated in in my 25 years of work in the Interpretive Profession.
Please pass along my personal regards to Tim and all the NAI Staff for their excellent work and dedication to interpretation.
Interpretation - It's more than just a job and it's definately more than an experience - it is a lifetime of caring, sharing and learning.
Thanks for making the journey fun. Best wishes to you & your family for a Happy Holiday.
My best personal regards to all at NAI
Dennis H. Strayer
Visitor Center Manager & Certified Interp Manager
dstrayer@fs.fed.us |
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| Hello, I just heard about your program through a friend who recently passed a workshop at the Seward Sea Life Center in Alaska. She highly recommended it to me. I have been volunteering at the visitor's center at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado, and have occasionally docented at the Gilpin County Historical Museum in Central City, Colorao. Since my friend was then offered a job at the Seward Sea Life Center, she believed I would benefit from your program... Sincerely,
(Ms) Robbie Zmuda
Black Hawk CO |
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January 5, 2004
Mr. Tim Merriman
Executive Director
National Association for Interpretation
P.O. Box 2246
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Mr. Merriman:
I am writing both in my capacity as the Deputy Executive Officer of a regional park agency serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, as well as the Chair of the Standards and Training Committee for the Park Rangers of California (PRAC), to commend NAI for the outstanding job it has done in the development of the professional certifications now offered.
I have found the training courses to be relevant and well designed and am confident that an individual who carries an NAI certification is a skilled professional with proven experience in the subject area. I am happy to report that all of my interpretive staff, as well as our park ranger staff, are now Certified Interpretive Guides (CIG). Several of my staff are also Certified Heritage Interpreters and Managers and we have begun training our maintenance staff and volunteers in the Certified Interpretive Host program.
"NAI certification preferred" is now a standard on our job announcements.
For an agency like ours, which does not have its own "academy" or formal training infrastructure, the certifications offered by NAI ensures that staff members have demonstrated a solid understanding of interpretive principles as well as the ability to both develop and deliver an interpretive presentation. I have seen a vast improvement in the quality of programs and interpretive skills since we made CIG an agency standard and have noticed that the training course motivates staff to continue their education and training in new ways.
Thank you again for these programs, which provide such a valuable service to our profession.
Sincerely,
Amy Lethbridge
Deputy Executive Officer |
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Tue, 4 Nov 2003 10:05:33 -1000
To: NAIPROGRAMS@aol.com
From: Millie Kim <...@lava.net>
Subject: aloha and mahalo
Hi Lisa
I don't know where you are at the moment, but I hope you are safe and well. Now that the dust is settling I did want to let you know how much "staying" power for me the CIT training has had.
Does this happen to you? Does this happen to other students who have taken the training? Would it be happening with most of those CA fish and game people who were in the class too?
If anything, the training has taught me that interpretation is "everywhere" -- whether it's a restaurant menu or hunter instruction or whale watching. But what I find most missing in the development of "cultural tourism" (our current dilemna on the big island) is the tourism industry person, the tour wholesaler, the party who can bring the realities of business to interpretation programs. If the interpretive program is only one part (integral part) of the entire tour package, who takes care of the rest of the parts? Do we care? Is this important?
Any comments or insights you have on this will be greatly appreciated. I know that Ray Tabata and Rob Pacheco are panelists on this very subject next week in Nevada!! It must be a "Hawaii" thing!
Aloha and mahalo for a great training experience! You and Tim really do a quality job. You should be proud of what you have put together to reinforce the idea of having respect for our resources.
Millie |
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From: "Amy Lethbridge" <... smmc.ca.gov>
Date: Wed Aug 27, 2003 4:06:26 PM US/Mountain
To: "Lisa Brochu" <NAIPROGRAMS@aol.com>
Subject: More CIH good vibes
Another great story...
An operations supervisor just called to tell me that Paul Quilici, the tall blond fellow in the attached photo, had asked him for a week of vacation so that he could take the CIH in September! The supervisor was so taken with the fact that Paul was this motivated he approved him to go on the clock!
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| June 6, 2001
Tim Merriman, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Association for Interpretation
Dear Tim,
Enclosed are the remaining required materials for review in application for becoming a Certified Interpretive Trainer. I did get your e-mail regarding your ability to promptly review materials for certification. I really appreciate that, since I am interested in teaching a CIG course for Gastineau Guiding Company employees as soon as possible!
Thanks again for a great course. I have applied some of what I learned in your course to my regular guide trainings this year, and it has been a great addition. The level of professionalism and the degree of motivation exhibited by our guides this year is unprecedented, and I attribute this to the training I received.
I also lead training sessions for two other tour companies in Juneau, and they have expressed an interest in offering a CIG course for their employees later this summer or next year. So things are looking good for the interpretive profession here in Juneau.
I hope all goes well with you too.
Sincerely,
Linda Whitman
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