About the Golden Eagle Audubon Academy
The Golden Eagle Audubon Academy is our volunteer preparation program. Many of our volunteer responsibilities require an orientation, training, or supervised practice including speaking to groups, teaching classes, leading field trips, serving on the Board of Directors and organizing community science events like the Christmas Bird Count. The Academy will provide a variety of programs throughout the year to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for a rewarding volunteer experience.
Winter 2025 - Presenter Training
This is a four-session training followed by assistant teaching to prepare volunteers to teach our classes at libraries and other locations in Southwest Idaho.
Volunteer presenters taught 35 classes in 2024 including “Introduction to Birding”, “Hummingbirds of the Treasure Valley”, “Create a Bird-Friendly Yard” and others. Class sizes varied from 5 to more than 40. Most classes are offered in-person in the evening, although we do offer some in the daytime. Most audiences are adults. Golden Eagle Audubon staff schedule the classes, and presenters volunteer for the ones they want to teach. Almost every class is co-taught by two presenters.
The Academy will help you develop your confidence as a public speaker, familiarize you with our current presentations (all in PowerPoint with speaker notes) and cover all the details presenters need to know to make their presentations. The Academy includes time to practice with the other participants, and you are expected to give part of one of the presentations in front of the group on the final day. We are offering the class for free, but we ask each graduate to commit to making at least two presentations in 2025 after their training is complete. Space is limited.
The Academy training will be held Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 11 and March 25 from 5:45 - 7:45 at the Boise Hillcrest Library. You need to attend each session.
This a good fit for you if you answer “Yes” to the following:
I’m good at public speaking or ready to get good at it.
I’m comfortable with Google Drive and PowerPoint or ready to learn.
I want to learn the material taught in at least a few of the presentations. (You don’t already have to be an expert.)
I can attend all of the training sessions and do the homework.
I can get around the valley during rush hour and at night to make presentations.
I will make at least two presentations after the training is completed.
Space is limited to 8 people and Golden Eagle Audubon members are given priority.
Need more information? Please contact us if you have questions about this class.