Are You A Spark?

In the waning hours of 2009, I have been contemplating what the new decade will bring. In my home state of Arizona, the budget is a disaster. Cuts have been proposed that would all but eliminate our state park system, along with hundreds of jobs, many of which involve interpretation. Private institutions are struggling to find sources of funding through dwindling foundation grants and donations. NAI has been holding discussions on how to make the organization more efficient, how to maintain membership and attract new members. I am sure many of you are facing similar challenges.

We can either look at our cups as being half empty or half full. I, for one, prefer to take the half full approach.

The recent NAI workshop in Hartford provided an opportunity for NAI members of the Interpretive Media Section to air their ideas on how the IM Section can better meet the needs of our members. I want to assure everyone that your leadership team is taking seriously your suggestions and concerns and will be working in 2010 to make things happen. The flood of new online technologies and social networking websites can provide ways for us to improve our communications and networking capabilities. Everyone has expressed the need for access to better information pertinent to interpretive media development. Certainly, the new IM website Spark, and our e-newsletter, will be central to our efforts to meet member needs.

However, we need your help to keep our cup half full.

One of the 2010 goals of our leadership team is to update the content on Spark more frequently, and to send regular newsletters. However, we need the help of you, our membership, to make this happen. Have you come across a resource that could be helpful to others in the field? Have you attended a workshop where you have been inspired? Can you write a short article on some aspect of interpretive media? Please let us know. We can help you develop an idea. Email the Editor, or go to the Spark website and click on the ‘Participate’ tab to find out more about how you can get involved.

I am sure we will all be busy in 2010, focusing on our jobs and the challenges that are ahead of us. Your leadership team is a group of dedicated professionals who have pledged hours of their spare time to help make the IM Section a viable arm of the NAI. Anotole France said, “Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people’s curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch fire.”

Please consider dedicating a bit of your spare time in 2010. You are the ‘spark’ that can ignite the fire.