NAI Region 4 Board Report Spring 2013

Organization

Officers, Elected Fall 2009:

Director: Tim Krynak, Cleveland Metroparks (OH)

Deputy Director: Jenn Wright,Kalamazoo Nature Center (MI)

Secretary: Jill Vance, MonroeLake, Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs(IN)

Treasurer: Susie Edwards, Hamilton County Metro Parks(OH)

Appointed Positions:

Communications: Lynneanne Fager, Upper Wabash Interpretive Services(IN)

Archives Committee: Renell Simrau, Wood County Park District (OH)

Awards: Nora Sindelar, Geauga Metroparks (OH)

Grants/Scholarships: Maureen Stine, Natureology, CHI, (MI)

Interpretive Project Grants: Rick Stronks,Algonquin Visitor Center (ON)

Membership: Becky Parkin (Lake Metroparks) and Renell Simrau (Cleveland Metroparks,(OH)

Nominations: Julie Champion, Huron-Clinton Metroparks (MI)

Student Involvement Chair: DorothyMcleer,UM-Dearborn EIC and Amy Louella Gregg,Ball State (MI)

Training/Member Services: Jason Newman, Cincinnati Nature Center (OH)

Ways & Means: Marquita Manley (IN)

Website: Rich Niccum: Preservation Parks of Delaware County (OH)

Volunteer Coordinator: Mary Beth Hudson, Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation Department (OH)

Policy/Procedural Changes:

  • No policies have change since spring and will revisit the procedural manual in January 2014.

Strategic Planning

  • Region 4 has a 2-year strategic plan. The immediate past director serves as the champion for strategic planning. The strategic plan was revisited and updated in January, 2013. The plan is posted on the NAI Region 4 website at and will be revisited in January 2015.

Regional Plan of Action

  • The 2013 plan of action, which includes committee goals and projects for the year, was updated at the January 2013 board meeting and is posted on the web at and will be revisited at the January 2014 board meeting.

Membership

  • The membership committee developed a new brochure to utilize to recruit new members.
  • The membership committee set up a NAI both at ODNR “Wildlife Diversity Workshop” in March.
  • Membership remains strong with consistent numbers over 600 Region 4 members.

Finances

NAI Region 4 continues to have a strong financial base. As of December 31, 2012, our balance was $50,739.15. The region presented three grants to the regional workshop.

  • The amount for Interpretive Project Grants remains the same for 2013 with total to be awarded this year is $2,500.00.
  • The region continues to offer grants to the National Interpreters Workshops (2 at $750)
  • Region 4 offered grants to the 2013 RIW in Ontario at $250 each.
  • The region provides funds for up to 2 at $1,000 academic scholarships.
  • Region 4 willcontinue to provide stipends of up to $100 for students that present at RIW.
Scholarships, Awards and GrantsAwards

Region 4 2012 Regional Award Recipients

Sandy McBeath/ Part time seasonal

Renell Simrau- Cleveland Metroparks

Beth Spieles- Dawes Arboretum

Outstanding New Interpreter

Dave Brown- Kalamazoo Nature Center

Master Frontline Interpreter

Pam Machuga-Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Master Interpretive Manager

Rick Stronks- Algonquin Provincial Park

Outstanding Interpretive Program

Algonquin Public Wolf Howl

Distinguished Professional Interpreter

Sarah Hopkins- Kalamazoo Nature Center

Interpretive Project Grants

In 2012 there were a total of seven applicants requesting a total of $5459.44 Four were awarded for a total of $2484.00 (2012 budget was $2500). There will again be $2,500 available for Interpretative Projects in 2013.

The recipients include:

  • Lake County Metroparks, Kirtland OH $513
  • Leslie Science Center, Ann Arbor MI $825
  • Livingston House Society, Reynoldsburg OH$321
  • Ball State University, Muncie IN $825
Publications and Sales Items
  • Bird-a-thon pledges and promotion began. Bird-a-thon is competitive between all three states and Ontario. Each creates a team and gets pledges for birds sighted.
  • Region‘s “Good Four-Tunes” CD sales have already paid for the production and sales continue to be good.
  • Interpretive booklets continue to be sold though Acorn Naturalist.
Workshops and Activities

Regional Workshops

  • February the 2013 RIW in Perth Ontario.
  • Total registered 70 (plus 8 committee chairs)
  • Full workshop 64 (4 cancellations or no-show; 2 rec’d 50% refund)
  • 1-day 6
  • Members = 56 + 2 students
  • Non-members = 11 + 1 student (2 @ 1-day registration which doesn’t include membership)

Mini-workshops/Trainings

  • No workshops we offered the first quarter this year. However, they continue to be difficult to offer as registration is extremely low. Region 4 is researching the possibility of offering Webinars in the upcoming year.

Miscellaneous

  • Regional Leadership Council Scorecard submitted in the Excel format as required.