VNC Minutes November 14, 2015

The VNC met in the CNM lunchroom.

Attendees: Dan Wieder, Becky Wieder, Eileen Martinez, Dave Boyer, Kathy Wellbrock, Mark McFann, Mike Moser, Mary Cairns, Gail Geddis, Ken Glaze, Randal Rand, Eileen Frame, Debbie Sherman, and Sara Chai Gail called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The minutes from the August 8, 2015 meeting were accepted.

Ranger Eileen Martinez Insights:

• The number of volunteers at CNM has grown substantially in the past several years.

• The goal for staff is to train all volunteers by following the model established by TPERP (i.e., formalized training for each aspect of the park as well as a point person to contact for training and information regarding each aspect).

• On Jan. 16 and Feb. 6, 2016, the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) will offer training in the Certified Interpretive Host (CIH) category (for volunteers who have contact with the public but do not deliver interpretive programs). This 16-hour course can help you respond better to visitors by increasing your knowledge and skills related to interpretation and customer service. For information about the CIH program, visit http://www.interpnet.com. If you are interested in attending the training, please contact Eileen (eileen_martinez@nps.gov).

Old Business:

• Mark McFann is an EMT trainer and he again offered to do CPR training for VIPs. He will coordinate with Eileen.

• Becky reminded the committee of Dan Zeller’s recommendation that all VIPs work shifts in the Visitor Center.

Committee Reports:

Whipstaff (Gail, Mike): No current report. The next meeting will be Nov. 18, 2015.

Volgistics (Gail): Please remember to log your hours in Volgistics, including hours for special events.

Tidepool Committee (Bonnie; Dan, Becky, Pauline): Becky reported:

• The Zone 2 northern-most pillar has collapsed. The two others are still standing.
• We are developing a Creature Feature sign to use at the tidepool education table. Thanks to Art Geisler and Alex Warneke, we have a two-sided A-frame design with information about the Owl Limpet. We are getting prices on printing (the A-frame is the same type of sign we have for our welcome message and tide information). We hope to have several creatures to feature on a rotating basis.
• There is a ‘mailbox’ on the Open/Closed sign at the table. It contains our laminated tidepool field guides. Visitors are encouraged to borrow and return them. We are having more printed.
• There is now standard official verbiage to respond to questions about the ‘secret cave’. The verbiage reads: “The cave is not a secret. It is located between parking lots 2 and 3. It is extremely dangerous and difficult to attempt to reach it. It is not recommended that you attempt to visit it. The cliffs are unstable. Be aware you may not be able to get out of it depending on the tide. You enter at your own risk if you attempt to visit it. If marine mammals (in this case, typically seals or sea lions) are present in the sea cave area (and they frequently are) visitors are required by law to maintain a distance of at least 150 feet*. Failure to follow this law could result in fines of up to $11,000 and/or 1 year in prison. The park actively enforces this law.” *The sign on the kiosk says 50 to 100 feet, so it needs to be updated.

Website (Dan): Dan reported:

• On Jan. 1, 2016, all NPS sites will change.
• The nature section is being updated with the help of park interns.
• The culture section needs to be redone. • He is trying to make sure the information on the site is consistent with the information in the e-binder.
• The increase in park fees will not take place until Jan. 1, 2016, rather than the Nov. 1 date originally given.

E-Binder Reference Manual (Dan W., Dan Z., Beth, Becky, Setara): Dan reported the committee is hoping to have the latest version ready to go in January. It will be accessed online on the VIP Voice and through Volgistics.

Military History (Ken Glaze): Ken reported:

• Plans for Fort Rosecrans Goes to War! are going smoothly. On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6 (from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.) there will be various tours and re-enactments as well as a vintage car show. On Monday, Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m. there will be a live-stream of the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii ceremony. See the rack card for more details, and visit http://www.pearlharborevents.com Special Events: See latest postings in VIP Voice (https://vipvoice.wordpress.com)

Centennial Debbie reported that the Every Kid in a Park program offers 4th graders passes to all parks until next August 31. The passes allow 4th graders and other occupants in the car free entrance. Debbie goes to the schools and does an orientation for the students. Debbie asked about the possibility of getting some lanyards for the passes (perhaps through CNMF or CNMC?).

Community Outreach (Bernie): No Report

Internships (Tavio, Keith): Gail reported that the CNMC Meet the Interns night on Nov. 7 went very well. Keith made a great emcee, and the interns gave wonderful presentations about their work.

4Rs (Tavio): No report

VIP Voice/Blog (Dan Z): Nothing new to report. All VIPs need to go to the site (http:// vipvoice.wordpress.com) and enter their email on the right side menu and then select ‘follow’ to stay up-to-date on new posts. For step-by-step instructions on how to use the VIPVoice, see the minutes from the July 11, 2015 VNC meeting.

CNMC (Randal): Randal reported:

• The lunar eclipse event (with CNMF) on Sept. 27 raised over $5,000 for the park. There were some issues with trash and smoking.
• The December Lights event on the 11th will allow those in attendance to see the holiday lights from the park. The event is free for members; it will be treated as a fundraiser for others.
• The February Valentine’s Day event will be another fundraiser.
• There will be moonwalks and other events in the coming year.
• CNMC is budgeted to give the park over $33,000

CNMF (Mike): Mike reported:

• CNMF has undergone some changes over the past few years. With new leadership and new vision, membership has doubled, and CNMF is trying to expand its giving program beyond what is sold in the Visitor Center.
• CNMF will celebrate its 60th year in 2016 by having a 60-for-60 campaign, encouraging donors to give $60 in addition to their donation for the year.
• There will be another Sunset 5K Event in 2016.
• On Oct. 17, CNMF hosted the MVPA Convoy at the park.
• There will be a fundraiser in April, 2016: Hops Over the Vine.

New Business/Announcements:

• Debbie will be standing in for Tavio while he is away from Dec. 23 to Feb. 19.
• Debbie is recruiting walkers to help carry the giant Blue Whale in the Big Bay Balloon Parade on Dec. 30. There is a sign-up sheet on the refrigerator in the CNM lunchroom.
• There will be a Grand Opening celebration for the newly remodeled trailer/education table today at 2:30 p.m.
• There is a new wall calendar in the hallway of the admin. bldg. that lists the events for the month. It was recommended that the calendar have the names of those in charge of each event. It was also recommended that a copy of the calendar be placed in the Visitor Center notebook.
• Save the Date: On January 23, 2016, there will be a retirement party for Superintendent Tom Workman.

Review Open Action Items

• Becky and Setara are still working on the newly named Volunteer Orientation Guide, or VOG (formerly the Volunteer Training Manual). They are hoping to be done in January to coincide with the newest edition of the e-binder.
• Dan is hoping to meet with Tavio this week to finish reconciling the VIP job descriptions.
• All VIPs need to log FY 2015 hours in Volgistics.
• All volunteers should sign up for VIP Voice.

Next Meeting: December 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the CNM lunchroom

Adjournment: 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Becky Wieder

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September 10, 2015

Superintendent Tom Workman
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive San Diego, CA 92106

Dear Superintendent Workman,

On behalf of the volunteers at Cabrillo National Monument, we would like to thank you for your renewed commitment to providing VIPs with dedicated work space at the park.

The Volunteer Navigation Committee is willing to help with the tasks required to make the dedicated space a reality. The space would help us create the infrastructure to better manage and care for our VIPs. It would also allow the program to reach its next set of five-year goals that aim for expansion into programmatic outreach and leadership. We have already discussed having a ‘Volunteer(s) of the Day’ or ‘Lead Volunteer(s)’ on duty during the days and hours the park is open to help wherever needed and to orchestrate and support VIP measures at the park. We believe this is a critical element in our support of CNM, its staff and its resources.

At VNC meetings we have discussed what we would like to have in a dedicated space: a computer, a phone, radios, reference materials, a table, chairs, etc. We’ve also discussed where the area might be located given the current space limitations at the park. We are happy to brainstorm ideas about reconfiguring current spaces to better serve both staff and VIPs.

Thank you again for your support of the volunteer program at CNM.

Sincerely,

Gail Geddis, VNC Chair

Becky Wieder, VNC Secretary