Awards Program

Celebrate our profession and recognize those making a difference in interpretation. Please consider nominating someone (including yourself) whose work stands out. Do you have a colleague whose leadership, innovation, or passion for our work has inspired you? Nominate them for one of the seven professional award categories that the Sierra Pacific region offers. See below for details on how to write and submit nominations. 

Nominations must be completed and received by midnight on April 30, 2025, PST. Send nominations to NAISierraPacificAwards@gmail.com

What Awards are Given?

The Sierra Pacific Region offers one of each of the following professional awards per year: 

  1. Outstanding Interpretive Manager (formerly Master Interpretive Manager)
  2. Outstanding Public-Facing Interpreter (formerly Master Frontline Interpreter)
  3. Outstanding New Interpreter
  4. Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer
  5. Outstanding Retired Interpreter
  6. Excellence in Interpretive Support
  7. Meritorious Service (up to two per year)

Please note:

  • Recipients must be Sierra Pacific Region 9 NAI members at the time of their nomination, except for the Excellence in Interpretative Support Award
  • NAI members and non-members may submit nominations
  • Nominations are limited to one nomination per category for each nominator
  • NAI Sierra Pacific Board Director and current Awards Committee members are ineligible for awards during their terms

How to Write and Submit a Nomination

Here are the steps to  submit a nomination:

  1. Provide all of the information requested for the specific award category. This includes a cover sheet, supporting statements, and letters of support. See each award category (below) for details of what to submit.
  2. Complete and submit the Cover Sheet Form. You may attach the required statements and any letters of support you already have to this form as well
  3. Submit letters of support and other required statements (PDF format preferred) either with the Cover Sheet form or separately via email, by the deadline to NAISierraPacificAwards@gmail.com.
  4. Nominations must be completed and received by midnight (Pacific Time) on April 30, 2025
  5. Award recipients are required to provide:
    • a headshot photo, several images of themself working in interpretive settings, and a high-resolution file of their current organization’s or agency’s logo.
    • a short written or recorded acceptance statement, to be delivered (or shown) during the Awards ceremony at the Sierra Pacific all-hands meeting in the Fall of 2025. Recipients are highly encouraged to attend this event and present their acceptance live. 
  6. Nominees must be Sierra Pacific Region 9 NAI members at the time of the nomination, except for the Excellence in Interpretive Support Award.

Award Categories & Submission Details 

Outstanding Interpretive Manager

Presented to an NAI member who has worked for five or more years in the profession and whose current duties are at least 60 percent supervisory and administrative. Must demonstrate a mastery of interpretive techniques, site or program and staff management, and a respected ability to pass these skills on to others.

Submit the following information:

  1. Describe the nominee’s involvement and achievement in interpretation and management, indicating innovative programs, mentoring experience, creative approaches to making interpretive service available to the public, facility or program development, and management techniques.
  2. List key projects or programs developed by the nominee.
  3. Attach three letters of support, from colleagues familiar with the nominee’s body of work.
  4. Cover sheet (form available here)

This nomination packet, plus letters of support, should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).

Outstanding Public-Facing Interpreter

(Formerly: Master Frontline Interpreter)

Presented to an NAI member who has worked for five or more years in the profession and whose current duties are at least 60 percent front-line (direct contact with audiences) interpretation. Must demonstrate a mastery of interpretive techniques, program development, and design of creative projects.

Submit the following information:

  1. Describe the nominee’s involvement and achievement in front-line interpretation.
  2. List key projects or programs developed by the nominee.
  3. Attach three letters of support, from colleagues who are familiar with the nominee’s body of work.
  4. Cover sheet (form available here)

This nomination packet, plus letters of support, should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).

Outstanding New Interpreter

Presented to an NAI member who has worked fewer than five years in the profession, full- or part-time, and who demonstrates a recognized potential in interpretation, assumption of leadership roles, creativity in programming or facility development, and a commitment to the profession and NAI.

Submit the following information:

  1. Describe the nominee’s involvement in front-line interpretation.
  2. List outstanding projects or programs developed and describe evidence that the nominee has leadership potential.
  3. Attach three letters of support, from colleagues who are familiar with the nominee’s body of work.
  4. Cover sheet (form available here)
  5. This nomination packet, plus letters of support, should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).
Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer

Presented to a Sierra Pacific Region member who has worked five or more years as a volunteer interpreter, whose educational background is not in interpretation, and whose current volunteer duties are in front-line interpretation or administration of an interpretive program. Must demonstrate a mastery of interpretive techniques and program development; and must demonstrate initiative and a dedication to the affiliated institution. 

Submit the following information:

  1. Include the number of hours per year this nominee donates to the affiliated organization. 
  2. Describe the nominee’s involvement and achievements in front-line interpretation or interpretive program administration. 
  3. List any key projects or programs developed by the nominee. 
  4. Attach three letters of support, from colleagues familiar with the nominee’s work.
  5. Cover sheet (form available here)

This nomination packet, plus letters of support, should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).

Outstanding Senior/Retired Interpreter

Presented to an NAI member and life-long interpreter who is no longer working full-time in the profession (may be working part-time or as a volunteer), and who has dedicated his/her lifetime career to interpretation as a front-line interpreter, interpretive manager/administrator, or both. 

Submit the following information:

  1.  Describe nominee’s involvement in interpretation or management, past and present, with an indication of how the nominee has dedicated his/her career to the profession. 
  2. Attach up to two letters of support, from colleagues who are familiar with the nominee’s body of work.
  3. Cover sheet (form available here)

This nomination packet plus letters of support should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).

Excellence in Interpretive Support

Presented to an individual member or nonmember, governing body or official, administrator, business, agency, or organization who has shown recognition of the value of interpretation through exceptional and sustained support. This support may be broad based financial, administrative, or executive (or a combination of these), and serves as a respected model for other interpretive venues and contributors. Recognition may be for (but is not limited to) sponsorship or support for interpretive programs and enhancement of interpretive facilities. 

Submit the following information: 

  1. Describe the nominee’s efforts and how they have resulted in lasting benefits to interpretation and set a standard for the interpretive field. 
  2.  If efforts are for a specific project, describe the unique nature of the project, its impact on interpretation, and the audiences served. 
  3. Attach two letters of support, from colleagues familiar with the nominee’s work with the Sierra Pacific Region.
  4. Cover sheet (form available here)

This nomination packet plus letters of support should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).

Meritorious Service Award

Presented to Sierra Pacific NAI members who have performed extensive and invaluable service to NAI, especially at the regional and national level. 

Submit the following information: 

  1. Describe the nominee’s NAI-related projects and/or overall commitment to NAI. 
  2. Cover sheet (form available here)
  3. Attach three letters of support, from colleagues who are familiar with the nominee’s body of work.

This nomination packet should not exceed 5 pages (excluding cover sheet).

Questions? 

For more information, contact Awards Committee Chair, Lisa Borok (laborok@gmail.com)

2025 NAI Award Presentation Ceremony The awards will be presented at the Sierra Pacific Region 2025 Workshop Series during the Fall State of the Region meeting. Check back for updates!

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