Sacramento Area Event

Monday, May 20, 2024
Roseville Utility Exploration Center, Roseville, CA
Workshop Training: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Optional tours and dinner – see schedule below

Register here: interpnet.com

Join us as we build community, enhance our interpretive skills, and co-create tours in and around the newly remodeled Roseville Utility Exploration Center. Cap the day with reflection on practices and a networking mixer, with the option to carry on conversations over dinner at a local pub. 

The day begins with an optional offsite tour of the Pleasant Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant. The focus is on how urban infrastructure can be the inspiration for connecting with both nature and community. 

Then join us for lunch on the patio (included with registration) and welcome remarks, as you get to know other attendees. Next, we move into two lively and interactive sessions to introduce and expand your knowledge and skills with Dialogic Interpretation techniques. 

After a break, continue with a tour of the Utility Center and nearby trail, using these spaces to co-create a tour together and discuss ways to incorporate new techniques and information into your practice. 

End the day with a group reflection on today’s learning as well as a discussion about incorporating new tools and ideas into your practice. We wind down with raffle prizes, updates about the NAI Sierra Pacific region, networking time, and the option to keep the conversations going over dinner at a local pub.

Registration CLOSES at midnight (PDT) on May 15, 2024.  The maximum number of attendees is 65 people

Schedule

9:30 – 11:30 am:  (Optional)  Offsite Walking Tour of Pleasant Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant – 5051 Westpark Drive, Roseville, CA

Description: Wastewater stays hidden in the shadows until it decides to go on an unexpected
adventure. Only then do people start asking questions! But fear not, because there are simple
things anyone can do daily to be the hero of the wastewater tale rather than the villain. In
about 24 hours, we can purify and remove the waste from wastewater before we place it back into the environment or recycle it. We purify up to 30 million gallons of water daily. Get behind
the scenes on what happens after you take a shower, flush the toilet, or do the dishes. Where
does all that go?
Join us on a walking tour of one of the two wastewater treatment plants in Roseville. The route
is about 1.5 miles in length, with some inclines, and is wheelchair accessible.
Come prepared for the beautiful spring weather with close-toed shoes and long pants
(required).
Attendees travel to and from the offsite (a 10-minute drive) in their own vehicles. We
encourage carpooling. The gate will be open and parking is clearly marked. Please arrive
early to meet your leader; the tour begins promptly at 9:30. After the tour, drive to the main
Workshop site at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center, in time for lunch (provided).
Limited to 30 participants (pre-registration required).

For a sneak preview, see: www.roseville.ca.us/facilitytours

Presented by: Melissa Kinsey, Interpretive Services Specialist II, and Staff of the Roseville Utility Exploration Center

12:00 pm: Welcome, Lunch, Networking

Description: Get the overview of the day, relax after your commute and/or tour, and meet other workshop
participants over lunch (included in registration cost).

1:00 pm: Workshop Session 1
Title: Introduction and Overview of Dialogic Interpretation

Description: Our audiences come to us with mixed feelings and opinions on many issues.
Some feel more emboldened to voice their views, which might be in conflict with the mission or
values of our organizations. This session explores the scope and building blocks of Dialogic
Interpretation. DI is a growing set of interpretive practices that can help you foster meaningful
conversations around “the hard stuff,” without resorting to confrontation. Through interactive
activities, we will explore and practice DI methods built on empathy, active listening, and
finding common ground.

Presented by: Lisa Borok, Director of Sierra Pacific Region, retired frontline interpreter and
owner of Borok Consulting & Training. Lisa is a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), Certified
Heritage Interpreter (CHI), and Certified Interpretive Trainer (CIT) through NAI.

2:00 pm: Workshop Session 2
Title: Dialogic Interpretation in Action

Description: Now that you’ve practiced some of the building blocks of Dialogic Interpretation,
let’s explore some of the DI methods you can use in your programs and interactions with
guests (and other stakeholders). Participate in Arc of Dialog (sometimes called Facilitated
Dialog), Mission-Based Dialog, and Audience-Centered Experiences. Learn how they are structured and where and when they might be useful to your programs and community
building.

Presented by: Pia Loft, Supervising Naturalist I at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve,
East Bay Regional Park District. Pia is a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), and a Certified
Interpretive Trainer (CIT) through NAI.

3:00 pm: Workshop Session 3
Title: Each One Teach One and Reflection on Practice

Description: Using the Utility Exploration Center’s new exhibits, plus the nearby urban trail as
our inspiration, help to co-create a group tour, and discuss ways to incorporate new techniques
and information into your interpretive practice.

Presented by: Melissa Kinsey, Interpretive Services Specialist II, Roseville Utility Exploration
Center

4:15 pm: Community Building

Description: Join us at RUEC’s patio and demonstration garden for Region Updates, FUNdraising Raffle,
Reflections on the Day, and Social/Networking time.

6:00 pm: (Optional) Dinner Offsite

Description: Keep the conversations going over dinner (not included in the registration cost) at a nearby
restaurant. We’ll gather at the Utility Exploration Center patio and caravan over.

Download Schedule Here:

Sacramento Area Workshop Schedule