AZAD is the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents, a nonprofit that facilitates communication between docents. It began in 1985 when docents from 35 zoos met. AZAD membership has three categories - Active, Inactive, and Associate - and is open to volunteer educators, former docents, and those interested in zoos. Benefits include a quarterly newsletter, access to resources on the AZAD website, networking at annual conferences through presentations and social activities, and opportunities to travel. The document encourages joining AZAD to learn, share knowledge, and connect with others who share a passion for the natural world.

1. ©AZAD2012

2. WHAT IS AZAD
AZAD is the Association of Zoo and
Aquarium Docents.
AZAD is a not-for-profit association whose
purpose is to facilitate communication and the
exchange of information between zoo and
aquarium docents.

3. WHEN DID AZAD BEGIN?
Docents from 35 zoos came together at the First
International Zoo Docent Conference held in October
1985 in Houston, Texas.
The following year another international conference was
held in Kansas City, Missouri. Delegates, representing
41 zoos selected a “Steering Committee”, created a
Bylaws Committee and began a newsletter, Symbiosis.
The first conference to be advertised as an AZAD
Conference was in 1987 in Los Angeles, California.

4. WHO CAN BE AN AZAD MEMBER?
AZAD Has 3 Individual Membership
Categories PLUS Organizations!

5. ACTIVE
Volunteer Educator - So if you educate people at
your zoo this would be YOU!
INACTIVE
You were an active docent, but distance, lack of
time or other factors have intervened but you still
enjoy reading about and socializing with like
minded individuals.
ASSOCIATE
You are interested in zoos, conservation, and
animals but have never been actively involved,
you volunteer or you are a staff member at a zoo
or aquarium.

6. Do You Fit Any of the
Above?
AZAD
WANTS YOU!

7. Why Should I Join AZAD ?
to communicate & exchange information
with other members
to receive Symbiosis, AZAD’s quarterly newsletter
to travel the world to exotic locations
to broaden your horizons at annual conferences
to access online resources

8. • AZAD’s quarterly newsletter via Email
or Print - by request if you prefer
• Written by members for members
• Source of information about our
natural world
• Updates from member organizations
• News about AZAD

9. Website for access to E-Symbiosis – anytime!
Past, Present & Future
Issues
Adobe PDF Files in
COLOR

10. Travel to Exotic Places with Like
Minded People on Trips Focused on
Nature, Animals & Culture
Costa Rica, Hawaii, Alaska, Kenya, Singapore,
China and Thailand and more!

11. AZAD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

12. What Would I Do at a
Conference?
Go see Pre & Post Trips at Host City
Attractions.
Represent Your Organization as a
Delegate.
Network with Fellow AZAD Members.
Hear about Exciting Research or
Projects from Keynote Speakers.

13. Attend Presentations & Workshops.
Shop for Unique & Animal Themed
Items in the Wildside Room.
Photo Contest, Raffles & Prizes!
Enjoy old Friends & Make new Friends!
A Day at the Zoo/Aquarium!
FUN! FUN! FUN!

14. Pre and Post Trips
St. Louis, Memphis, Pittsburgh and Chicago

15. Ice Breaker & Banquet

17. Recent Keynote Speakers
http://www.amphibianark.org
Photo credit:
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/
http://www.projectpuffin.org/ATPUVideos.html

18. Workshops and Papers
Recent topics
 “What’s In Your Pocket?”
“Bamboo: What’s In It For Pandas?”
 “Kali Jon, Baby Orangutan”
“From Swamps and Bogs to Pollywogs”
 “Photographing Zoos”
 “From Lust to Dust: Explaining Those Awkward
Subjects”
Check out www.AZADocents.org for more!

19. Zoo Day

22. Have Fun!

23. Sharing…
Our knowledge
Our experiences
Our enthusiasm
…with others who share our passion for the
natural world

24. Networking
An opportunity to connect with zoo and aquarium
docents & volunteers from across the U.S.,
Canada and beyond
A resource for information
A personal connection for
visiting other zoos & aquariums
A new friend

25. www.AZADocents.org

26. AZAD Website includes:
General info about AZAD
Membership application
Excerpts from Symbiosis
Merchandise order form
Upcoming events
Future conferences
AZAD sponsored trips
Links to related organizations
Papers from previous conferences
Link to AZAD Facebook

27. Follow
us on
Facebook

28. Tell me again why
should I join AZAD?
With AZAD you can:
LEARN
SHARE
CONNECT
ENJOY

29. I’m In -
How Do I Sign Up?
Individual Memberships
Forms are Available:
www.AZADocents.org
Important Forms / Individual
Membership Form
In Symbiosis
Many Zoos Have Forms
Available in Volunteer Area
membership@AZADocents.org

30. Photo Credits
Marie Lerch - Elmwood Park
Ann Hengesbach - Detroit Zoo
Ann Marie Fogarty - Brookfield
Larry Martin - Maryland Zoo
Bob & Bev Shaff - Seneca Park
Laural Shanon - Cameron Park
Kidport.com
©AZAD2012

31. What are you waiting for?
If you want more information go to
www.AZADocents.org
membership@AZADocents.org
Thank you for your interest!