Workshops


Registration/Cancellation Details
 

Mission-Based Dialogue Workshop

Instructors: André Copeland & Yvette Méndez

Registration
Registration Rates: $200 Regular Price / $125 with NAI Member Discount
NAI CE Credits: 6
Maximum 25 participants per session

Recent studies suggest many individuals have conflicted feelings about topics such as history, social equity, human rights, and animals residing in zoos and aquariums. Our conversations with visitors can help align the goals of our respective organizations with their values. Understanding Mission-Based Dialogue’s principles and techniques will provide you with skills to engage in productive, mission-based conversations. This 5-hour workshop will highlight activities and exercises that provide an empathetic context, help develop active listening skills, and use questioning strategies that foster meaningful conversations that can lead to more balanced and productive outcomes.

André Copeland, Interpretive Programs Manager at Brookfield Zoo, has been an active National Association for Interpretation (NAI) member since 2004. André is a Certified Interpretive Trainer and is sanctioned to teach NAI’s Certified Interpretive Guide and Host curriculum and as a Lead Trainer is sanctioned to teach the Certified Interpretive Guide and Host Train-the-Trainer curriculum. He also has experience applying interpretive principles in an organization focused on animal welfare and conservation.

André has more than 27 years’ experience working in the zoological field which includes animal care, program development and management, frontline interpretation, interpretive training, interpretive planning, and community outreach programming. His passion is creating a bridge for people to connect with nature and André continues to amass experience in communication to improve that ability.

Yvette Méndez, she/her, is the Assistant Manager of Public Engagement and Training at Brookfield Zoo. Yvette has been volunteering and working in the zoo field since 2006. She earned her CIG in 2009 and has spent the bulk of her career in front line interpretation. During this time, Yvette also used her experience to coach and mentor novice interpreters. Earning her CIGT and CIT in 2017, Yvette has since facilitated an average of two CIG courses a year, including many virtual CIG courses. She currently develops training for staff and volunteers in interpretation best practices at Brookfield Zoo, and is involved in exhibit interpretation and program planning.

Upcoming Workshops

Wednesday, March 20

7:00am–1:00pm Pacific/10:00am–4:00pm Eastern

Register Here for the March 20 Workshop

  • 9 of 25 Slots Filled, March 20

Tuesday, April 23

7:00am–1:00pm Pacific/10:00am–4:00pm Eastern

Register Here for the April 23 Workshop

  • 6 of 25 Slots Filled, April 23

Registration and Accessing a Workshop

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Registration closes at midnight the day before the workshop. You must sign in to your NAI account to register for a workshop. If you need help, email login@interpnet.com to have your login credentials reset. Once you register for a workshop, you will receive an email confirming your registration as well as the workshop date and time.

Workshops are held on Zoom. Login instructions and the link to access the workshop on Zoom are sent the day before the workshop from webinars@interpnet.com. Please add this email address to your contacts list to ensure you receive the login instructions. We also recommend you check for any system updates to your computer or Zoom prior to the webinar to ensure you are able to access the webinar the day of the event.

If you are logged into your NAI account, workshop confirmation emails and login instructions can also be found on your account page under the ‘My Communications’ tab.

Cancellation Policy

NAI will accept registration cancellations or changes, in writing, up to 5 business days prior to an online training. Participants can choose to change their registration to a different course or webinar of equal or lesser value for free, or receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee. Changes and cancellations should be emailed to registration@interpnet.com.

Continuing Education Hours

You will earn continuing education hours equal to the duration of the webinar. NAI staff will verify your attendance and automatically record the hours on your account. To ensure we can verify your attendance, please login to the webinar with your full name via Zoom. We recommend you check for any system updates to your computer or Zoom prior to the webinar to ensure your ability to login.