SUMMER 2017 HEALTH ISSUES for GUIDES by June Bratcher
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TTHHEE NNAATTIIOONNAALL STTAANNDDAARRDD S www.NFTGA.COM The Newsletter of the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations SUMMER 2017 HEALTH ISSUES FOR GUIDES by June Bratcher Being a professional tour guide is not for the weak! It is a demanding job that requires more than just history and knowledge of your tour sites. It also requires that the tour guide be in top Wash your hands often. notch shape physically. To qualify as a tour guide, you must be sure you can handle the rigorous demands Use sunscreen and don’t forget to reapply regularly. of this vocation. Wear clothing in layers to fit the season so you can peel off or add more as needed. I want to give you an idea of what that involves. It begins with an annual physical. This will verify that you are Protect your eyes with sunglasses year-round. basically healthy having no signs of high blood pressure, Use shade to your advantage for you and your coach. diabetes, heart disorder etc. It is just better to ‘know before you go.’ Also, be sure your flu shots and helpful Don’t stand or park in the sun if you don’t have to so vaccinations are up to date as you are exposing yourself you can keep your cool. to people from around the world every day. Be sure there is plenty of water on board year-round. It is critical to maintain your stamina. You may not think Shoes – so important- must be comfortable. High heels of it as stamina, but walking long distances, climbing are never acceptable especially in getting on and off stairs and getting on and off the coach multiple times the coach. each day takes a toll on your body. What adds to this is On long trips, there will be down time, so go ahead and that every day is different, so a regular habit of cardio sit down and rest with your seat belt fastened, of course. exercise and strength training would be helpful. This will be especially necessary if you need to help a passenger who has fallen or even one who needs to lean on you Continued while walking to the bus or a place to rest. on Page 4 There are some things that can almost go without saying, but are very important: Stay well hydrated and keep lozenges on hand for your throat. NATIONAL FEDERATION OF 1 CONTENTS TOURIST GUIDE ASSOCIATIONS THIS ISSUE 888 Seventeenth Street, NW Suite 1000 Health Issues for Guides Page 1 Washington, DC 20006 [email protected] Chinatown Heat Page 4 If you have issues you wish the NFTGA Board or any of Wild Onions, Brotherly Love, and Kindred Bronze Page 6 the federation’s committees to address, here is a list of the appropriate parties to whom you should go. Each officer International Pow Wow — 2017 Page 8 and committee chair has his/her contact information Welcome to Industry Partner, AIANTA Page 9 posted in the Members List section of the federation’s website, www.NFTGA.COM. Where to Find World War I Monuments Page 10 Officers of the NFTGA Board PRESIDENT: Gene Reyes FEATURED COLUMNS VICE-PRESIDENT: Ellen Malasky TREASURER: Lisa Puccio From the President Page 3 SECRETARY: Bob Skiba DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE: Babs Daitch, From the Editor Page 3 Joe DeGregorio, and Katie Otten Our House Page 7 Committee Chairs BY-LAWS & ELECTION PROCEDURES REVIEW: Bob Skiba Tech Talk Page 8 LIAISONS TO MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS: Katie Otten MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Joe DeGregorio News You Can Use Page 14 NFTGA NEWSLETTER: Matthew Baker OUTREACH TO INDUSTRY PARTNERS: Ellen Malasky NFTGA Announces the EDITORIAL POLICY: All content submitted to The National Standard is published without compensation. Submissions may be abbreviated for space, clarity, or 2018 Biennial Conference! consistency, but will not be added to without notice. All content is chosen for publication at the discretion of the The upcoming NFTGA biennial conference editorial staff. Unsolicited contributions may be welcome, is scheduled for February 20th to 23rd, 2018, but prior discussion with the editor is strongly advised. in Philadelphia, PA. Our host will be the After publication, submissions and all associated copyrights newly renovated Wyndham Philadelphia revert to and remain the property of the author. Historic District at 400 Arch Street. It’s steps CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The statements contained away from Independence Park in the heart within the articles and columns of this newsletter are the of Old City Philadelphia, so there's history, perspectives, viewpoints, and opinions of the author and nightlife and great food right at your door. do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the NFTGA Board of Directors. On top of that, the Wyndham has given us a terrific rate of $119 per night per room. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Featured articles must be 1,000 words or fewer. Recurring columns must be 500 th words or fewer. Deadline for the Summer 2017 issue of 2018 marks the 20 annniversary of the The National Standard is 5:00 pm, Thursday, October 19, founding of the NFTGA and the 10th 2017. anniversary of APT (the Association of SUBMIT MATERIAL TO: [email protected]. Philadelphia Tour Guides) so Conference Submissions will only be accepted by email except Chair and former APT President Bob Skiba when determined through prior discussion with the promises that this will be a very special event! editor. You won't want to miss it. Registration will open later in the summer. Summer 2017 THE NATIONAL STANDARD Page 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT FROM THE EDITOR I hope everyone is well I freely admit that and touring is busy. I am an unabashed Your Board continues social butterfly. to communicate on a There are few things regular basis concerning in the world that I NFTGA business. love more than large We have some very gatherings of people important issues facing with similar passions us at this time: and interests, all armed with great The first thing is that conversation. This we need a NFTGA is the primary reason member to coordinate I am on pins and our insurance program. needles in excited Insurance, as we all anticipation of the upcoming NFTGA conference in know, is one of the major benefits of belonging to Philadelphia. I know there will be business to conduct, NFTGA. We need someone who can work with the workshops, keynote speakers etc. But frankly, I’m organization’s members and with the insurance company most looking forward to the networking. when payments are due. Otherwise, we need a person who is willing to learn and work with other members Many of you are, no doubt, familiar with the Broadway who can advise them on this important task. A full musical The King and I and its most famous song: description of the Insurance Administrator position “Getting to Know You”. Just as the schoolmistress has been sent to all member association treasurers. recognizes getting acquainted with her students as the Please give it some thought and consider helping your fellow most useful tool and the most rewarding benefit members with this important position. of teaching, I say the same is true of our work in the tourism trade. And it is certainly true of our We have been fortunate to have an outstanding Board participation in the NFTGA. There are so many cities for the last two years. But several of its members here in our own country that it had never occurred will be leaving the Board at the end of this term. to me to put on my “to see” list, and others that I Now is the time for you to consider running for the felt I had well and truly “done”. Getting to know so new Board. Help us keep the momentum going with many of you, who have a knowledge and passion new ideas on how we can better serve our members for those cities has kindled my interest to visit or and our industry. This is your opportunity to grow revisit every one of them. So yes, networking may and become a motivational leader. All positions on be a fun social activity. But I can testify – as both a the Board are open with the one stipulation that any guide and a tourist – it is also professionally valuable. nominee for President must have served a full term Truly the best of both worlds. on the Board to be considered. Copies of the Revised Nomination Policies and Procedures manual So, to the brilliant writers whom I have only met have been sent to all member association presidents on the internet, and the enthusiastic readers whose and secretaries. names I don’t even know, let me say how truly eager I am to see you in Philadelphia. How sincerely Come on in and get involved in this fantastic organization, formed I look forward to getting to know you. to help you, our all-important member. Matthew Baker Gene Reyes Editor-in-Chief NFTGA President Summer 2017 THE NATIONAL STANDARD Page 3 HEALTH ISSUES FOR GUIDES continued from page 1 Tips that add to your tour: Be sure there is a first aid kit on board and check to see that it is stocked. If not, ask the driver to take care of it. When possible, have some things in the ice chest just in case a passenger requests it, like orange juice. He or she maybe diabetic. Be prepared for any weather with gloves, scarf and small umbrella. It is a good idea to be aware of basic health issues by taking a Red Cross course to deal with emergencies that might come up.