CIH Schiele Museum October 2017

Certified Interpretive Host Training Workshop

October 10-11, 2017
Schiele Museum
1500 E Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054
Instructor: Stephanie Berggrun
Registration Cost: $120 (Certification is an additional $150)

The Certified Interpretive Host Program

The Schiele Museum, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), is offering a training course designed for staff or volunteers who have contact with the public, but do not necessarily lead interpretive programs.  Anyone age 16 or over with a desire to increase their knowledge and skills related to customer service and interpretation may participate.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History is dedicated to inspiring wonder and appreciation for science and the natural world through programs, exhibits and research. We strive to lead the Charlotte region in promoting awareness and understanding of natural history and science by providing an attractive, visitor friendly environment for learning that is both experiential and informative. For more information check out www.schielemuseum.org

Course Options

There are two options for this course.

Option one: take the course without obtaining certification.   Option two: take the course and add certification as a Certified Interpretive Host (CIH). You will pay an additional fee for certification and you must complete the open book CIH Literature Review. The CIH 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.

Why Become a Certified Interpretive Host?  

A positive first impression of your site can leave a lasting mark on a visitor. Many times, that first impression is made by a campground host, maintenance worker, fee booth attendant, site steward, trail monitor, law enforcement ranger, or front desk volunteer. If you interact informally with visitors, this course will teach you easy ways to strengthen your public interactions while supporting the mission of your organization.  

Specifically, this 16-hour course covers:

  • Customer Service Skills
  • Hospitality and Communication Skills
  • Tips for Handling Difficult Visitors
  • History and Importance of Public Lands
  • History, definition, and principles of interpretation

Texts Used in the Workshop

During this course, the books on interpretation listed below will be mentioned and some of their ideas explored. They are what the open book CIH Literature Review exam covers and are useful texts for anyone in the field to read. You are not required to purchase these texts for the course and a loaner set of these books will be provided by your instructor during the class for those who choose to add certification. If you would like to buy your own set for use during the class or for you own library, you can order them from NAI’s online store as individual books or as a package and listed under “CIH Literature Review Library Package”.  Click here to go to the NAI Store.

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 days of registration and will allow you to purchase course books 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 setup. Current NAI members will receive a one year extension on their current membership. If you are registering for $0, your membership will become active when you are certified.

The texts are:

  • The Gifts of Interpretation, by Larry Beck and Ted Cable (Sagamore Publishing, 2011)
  • Personal Interpretation: Connecting Your Audience to Heritage Resources, by Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman (National Association for Interpretation, 2015)
  • Interpreting for Park Visitors, by William J. Lewis (Eastern National, 2001)

Instructor

Stephenie Berggrun is the Environmental Educator for the Schiele Museum of Natural History. She not only has experience connecting people to the natural world from the past, in the present and for the future but also in organizing and implementing large events, accomplishing interdepartmental projects and navigating the ins and outs of a public-private partnership. Stephenie is a Certified Interpretive Trainer and Guide and enjoys helping all staff and volunteers of interpretive sites understand how their role ties into the organization’s mission and leads to positive guest experiences. Stephenie lives in Belmont, a suburb of Charlotte, with her husband and toddler.

Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact Stephenie Berggrun at stephenieb@cityofgastonia.com or call (704)866-6915.  

Special Terms and Cancellation

Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed, postmarked, or faxed by September 24, 2017; a nonrefundable processing fee of $50.00 will be assessed. Emailed cancellations should be sent to registration@interpnet.com. Cancellations cannot be made by phone.

No refunds will be given after September 24, 2017.
When
10/10/2017 - 10/11/2017
Where
Schiele Museum 1500 E Garrison Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28054 UNITED STATES
Online registration not available.

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