December 4-13, 2023
Instructor: Tim Merriman
Registration Cost: $235 (The certificate is an additional $165)
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI), is offering an online training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. It is designed for individuals who deliver interpretive programs or have contact with the public at interpretive sites. This course will be a combination of online instruction and virtual meetings with your instructor. Note, this course is designed to cover all the same material and requirements as the in-person Certified Interpretive Guide course and the certification awarded is the same as our face to face offerings. Prior to the start of the course, you will receive information from your instructor on how the course will work and the times you will be meeting.
Personal Interpretation: Connecting Your Audience to Heritage Resources by Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu is recommended reading for the course. It is available from NAI’s bookstore as a hard copy or Amazon as a Kindle book.
Course Options
There are two options for this course.
Option one: take the course without obtaining the CIG certificate.
Option two: take the course and add the certificate as a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG). You will pay an additional fee for the certificate. The CIG lasts four years and comes with a complimentary one year membership. If you are already a member of NAI we will add your complimentary membership onto the end of your current membership.
The CIG Program
The nationally recognized Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) program is designed for anyone in the interpretive field. Whether you’re a new hire, a professional looking to refresh your skills, or beginning a second career, this course will aid you in improving your presentation techniques. The course combines the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical strategies in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors.
This virtual course includes:
- The history, definition, and principles of interpretation.
- Techniques on how to make your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic.
- How to use tangible objects to connect your audience to intangible ideas and universal concepts.
- The 2 requirements needed to obtain a CIG (program outline, and 10 minute interpretive presentation).
Member Discount
Those choosing to apply for certification will receive a complimentary one year membership to NAI. Memberships will become active within a couple of weeks of registration and will allow you to make NAI purchases and other registrations at the discounted member rate. Once memberships become active, you will receive a receipt via email letting you know that you are all set up. Current NAI members will receive a one year extension on their current membership.
Dates and Times
This course will run from Monday 12/4/23 to Friday 12/8/23 from 8am to 12pm Hawaii Time. You will have the weekend to work on presentations. On Monday 12/11/23 we will have 20-minute coaching sessions with each participant on an appointment basis so you?ll know when to connect. We will be using Zoom and you will receive an invitation for each session. On Wednesday, 12/13/23 we will have all of the 10-minute thematic presentations by participants. You are required to attend all sessions, including the presentations of others if in pursuit of the CIG certificate.
Platform and Access
You will need a computer or laptop with excellent Internet access and the ability to login to Zoom.com for the online training. A smartphone or tablet is a useful backup device for emergencies but should not be your primary access tool. We do take hourly breaks on Zoom. Though international participants are welcome, all sessions are in English and presentations must be in English.
Further Information
Prior to the start of the course, you will receive information from your instructor on how the course will work and the times you will be meeting. For more information about the course, please contact Tim Merriman at timfmerriman@gmail.com or call (808) 854-3555.
Instructors Further Information
Prior to the start of the course, you will receive information from your instructor on how the course will work and the times you will be meeting. Tim Merriman is one of the originators of the NAI’s CIG program and co-author of the text, Personal Interpretation: Connecting Your Audience to Heritage Resources. Tim has 50 years of experience in the field in public, private and non-profit natural and cultural heritage organizations.
Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu, co-authors of
Personal Interpretation.
Special Terms and Cancellations
Cancellations cannot be made by phone and must be emailed to certification@interpnet.com.
Cancellations requested before November 20, 2023: will be subject to a $60 cancellation fee (unless the fees paid are less than $60); after this date no refunds will be issued.