The Interpretive Site
Coalition (ISC) originated in February of 1991. The first meeting was held
at Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty, Missouri. The purpose
of the first meeting was to establish a cooperative volunteer recruitment
program that would benefit our staffs, volunteers and the communities we served.
There was a need for volunteer training and a need to come together and complement
each other's interpretive program efforts.
Since that time, the ISC has evolved from recruiting and training volunteers
to a not-for-profit 509 (a) (1) organization comprised of historic sites,
nature centers, science centers, museums, and other related agencies. It has
become an interpretive information network for the greater Kansas City area.
ISC continues to provide volunteer training and professional development but
has expanded its mission to ensure positive benefits to the communities served.
Members of ISC want citizens to have knowledge of and the opportunity to visit
all these unique interpretive sites around Kansas City. Therefore we make
a concerted effort to make our communities aware of what we have to offer
and how to find us.
Annual membership per site is $25.00. This establishes the site as a coalition member and one representative to attend meetings. Additional staff can be added for $5.00 each. Membership varies from year to year but consistently represents every corner of the metropolitan area. Sites vary in size, programs and in the number of annual visitors. Some are historical in nature, others cultural, and still others are science and nature oriented. All sites are very involved with community and all offer interpretive programs to the general public. To be a member of ISC, a site must meet the "interpretive programs" requirement and other membership guidelines as outlined in Article IV Membership, Section I of the ISC Bylaws.
Kansas
City's Passport to Adventure: In 1994 ISC initiated the Passport
to Adventure Hunt event to help coalition sites promote themselves and each
other through an open house weekend. Many changes have been made from the
original event to help with the success of the program. With the help of our
member sites and these improvements, it has become the organization's major
activity for promoting sites and encouraging visitation and is now titled
Kansas City's Passport to Adventure.
Professional Development: Through workshops, conferences
and other activities, ISC offers members, staff and volunteers the opportunity
for professional development and enrichment.
Kansas
City Nature Coalition: ISC is a member of KCNature.org.
Be sure to visit KCNature for its monthly newsletter and detailed listing
of events at its 12 member organizations.
ISC will continue to offer members information, activities, and opportunities to help others promote their sites and offer a quality experience for all visitors. The organization has completed a series of goal setting activities that will help direct our activities and priorities for the long term.