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Final
Sweep
The NSP Month in Review
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NATIONAL
SKI PATROL
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133
S. Van Gordon St. 100
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Leadership During Trying Times--What Would  Minnie Say?
It's with great pleasure that I introduce the new NSP monthly member
newsletter. It's our hope that it will foster better communication with
the membership and keep you up-to-date on national news. The newsletter
is slated to be e-mailed to the NSP membership on the last Friday of
each month. We hope you find it informative and easy to navigate.
It's a busy time for the national office staff as well as
patrols around the country, as we all gear up for ski season. We're
coming off a somewhat challenging year here at national, with, as you
know, a new staff that's been learning to navigate the ins-and-outs of
the NSP. Thanks for being patient with us, and please make no mistake:
You matter to us and we will continue to work hard to effectively
deliver the services that you deserve and communicate with you along
the way.
I'd like to take this opportunity to compliment the NSP Board and
Chairman LaLiberte for passing many measures to allow the organization
to move forward, improve member benefits and re-invigorate the NSP
brand. These include funding a software upgrade (a capital
improvement long overdue), responsible budgeting combined with an
important fundraising initiative designed to stabilize the
organization, and supporting many creative initiatives including the
new Affinity Card program and the Patroller Education Conference (PEC)
'09.
NSP Founder Minnie Dole was a true visionary. So how
would Minnie guide the organization during tenuous
times? I believe there's no doubt that, first and foremost, he'd
encourage us to stay true to our guiding principles and core mission of
providing safety and service to people in need. I think he would
also encourage us to be bold and forward thinking, as he was, and,
finally, during this NSP Board and National election
season, he'd remind us all to vote for the candidates of our
choice. It's our NSP and patriotic duty.
From the Board and staff we wish you plentiful snow and a wonderful
holiday season.
Tim White, Executive Director
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October
Board of Directors Meeting in Review
The NSP Board
meets via teleconference at 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the third
Wednesday of each month. All members are invited to listen in on the
calls, and we plan to run highlights of each month's meeting here as
well as post the minutes on nsp.org.
The October
meeting took place on Oct. 15. During the meeting the Board
approved the new Avalanche
Instructor's Manual, which is available to order
through the NSP Winter
Catalog. (For more information see the Education Department
update below.)
The Board appointed Dr. David Johe as NSP National Medical Advisor. Dr.
Johe has also accepted the position of editor for the OEC 5th edition.
The NSP Affinity Card program was approved. The Affinity Card is a
NSP-branded Visa card that will be available to all
NSP members. (For more information see Fundraising
Committee update below.)
Complete
minutes from the Board of Directors Meetings are available on
nsp.org under "Member Services," then "My
Bookshelf" and "Downloads." Draft Board minutes are
available in the "Member News" area of nsp.org until they're
approved.
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NATIONAL
OFFICE UPDATES
NSP Board of Directors Election
The 2008 Board of
Directors Election opened on Oct. 15 and will close on Dec. 1 at
midnight (Mountain Time). Eighteen candidates have been nominated
to fill five seats on the Board.
Elections are
being conducted electronically via VoteNet, and all members
received the link to vote in an e-mail sent on Oct.
14 or a mailed postcard. If you haven't already, please go to https://eballot.votenet.com/nsp/ to
vote! You'll need your six-digit member ID# and last
name to log in. Members may vote for up to five candidates.
A platform statement and photo for each candidate are included in
the ballot, and additional information about the nominees is available
at nsp.org in the
log-in "Member Services" area. There you can view
each candidate's application, resume and
platform statement. One PDF document containing information
for all 18 candidates and is also available there. The PDF is
lengthy, but bookmarks have been included to make the
document easier to navigate. Follow these steps to use the
"bookmarks" tool:
1. Open the PDF titled "All
Candidate Information"
2. Go to the toolbar on the top of the page and
click on "View"
3. Select "Navigation Panels" from the Menu
4. Select "Bookmarks"
Each candidate is separated by bookmark, and their documents are
organized under their names. To view any of the documents from the
bookmarks, simply click on the title.
If you experience any problems or have questions regarding the voting
process please contact Kristen
Bergeron at NSP.
The NSP education team (program directors,
supervisors, instructors, ITs and national staff) have been
working hard to preparate for the coming season. Here are updates
on some education department projects.
OEC 5th Edition: OEC
Program Director Ed McNamara has been working with his team of more
than 60 professionals to rewrite the OEC 5th edition. In September,
David Johe, MD, was named editor of the 5th edition, replacing Michael
Millin, MD. The text, slated for release in 2010, will have a new
look that will celebrate the history of NSP and provide new information
that will help patrollers better care for patients.
Other OEC News: The NSP Pro Division now has
its own OEC division supervisor. Erik Forsythe, a pro patroller
from Colorado's Crested Butte Ski Area, will be working with
McNamara other OEC supervisors to help the Pro Division develop
its internal OEC program and resources. Assisting with his work is Deb
Endly, a long-time patroller and former OEC supervisor for the Central
Division. Deb has been appointed as the Assistant National OEC Program
Director.
Outdoor First
Care: The NSP's Outdoor First Care program is also
being revised. This course, which is designed for Mountain Hosts, ski
area personnel and outdoor personnel, trains participants to provide
first aid until the arrival of OEC-trained personnel. The course is
slated for release mid-winter 2009.
Affiliate Program: The NSP Affiliate Organization
program has been revised and is now available on an easy-to-use CD-ROM.
This program, which was created in 2002, enables non-NSP members to
obtain the same training offered to ski patrollers. As part of the
revision process, a wealth of new materials and resources were created
to better meet the needs of affiliate members.
Avalanche
Program: NSP Avalanche Program Director Mike Laney
and his team of experts have been working tirelessly to update the Avalanche Instructor's Manual
(AIM). The text, which serves as the primary tool used to
teach NSP avalanche courses, contains the latest information on
avalanche safety and rescue techniques. The new AIM was
selectively piloted last season and is scheduled for release in
December 2008. It's available in the NSP Winter Catalog, item # 17301. The
Avalanche Rescue
Quick Guide and the Avalanche
Rescue Fundamentals text are also being updated and will be
released in early 2009. (Catalog items #511 and #17300, respectively.)
Course
Registration Reminders for Instructors: A reminder
to all NSP instructors to register all of your education courses,
including recertification courses. This ensures that your course is
covered by the NSP liability policy and that both our instructor
activity and member training records are accurate and up to date. Also,
be sure to order your enrollment fees within two weeks after starting
your OEC class. This will ensure that you receive your final tests in a
timely fashion. Enrollment fees include the final exams, both written
and practical, answer sheets and course certificates. Finally,
please send your course completion forms to the National office within
two weeks following completion of your class.
Marketing,
Communications & Events
Patroller Education Conference at Snowbird
The
2009 Patroller Education Conference (formerly Powderfall) will take
place April 15-17 in Snowbird, Utah. "PEC '09" is
taking shape and promises to be a world-class educational
opportunity for all volunteer and pro patrollers. Highlights include
the inaugural Patroller Challenge (a skills competition for
the coveted Gold Cross Cup), ski instruction with Snowbird's top instructors,
myriad on-snow and classroom education seminars, receptions
and awards program. In addition, the NSP Board will be
on-hand to conduct a Board Meeting and engage in leadership discussions
with fellow officers, program directors and attendees. More
info about the event is available for download here. A registration form is available on nsp.org and will also be included in the fall issue of Ski Patrol Magazine.
Help spread the word!
IN THIS MONTH'S PEC SPOTLIGHT: Jeannie Thoren!
Women's ski gear guru Jeannie Thoren will be a
featured guest at PEC '09. Thoren has been named "One of the 100
Most Influential Skiers of the Century" by Ski magazine as
well as one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People in Skiing in
the last 50 Years" by Skiing.
Thoren's recommendations on women's ski gear have influenced
manufacturers and the industry for more than 30 years. At PEC, Thoren
will offer an on-snow clinic and classroom instruction. She
also travels the country advocating the importance of the proper
equipment as an essential component to women enjoying
skiing. Click here
to see her website. Her 2008/09 schedule can be found here.
Member News
Registration Update
Registrations are starting to come in and, again, will be processed in
the order in which they are received by National. Patrol Reps and
registration coordinators: Please remember that it's important to get
registrations in early and often to insure prompt arrival of your
membership cards.
An on-line registration program is currently being developed
as part as an overall software upgrade. Automated registration is
being piloted by Central Division this year, and automated on-line
registration will be available to all NSP members next year.
In the meantime, members can update their personal information
on-line. If your address, e-mail or phone has changed, please
log-in to NSP
Member Services to update your record.
Lifetime Memberships for 50-Year Members
Just a reminder that at its Annual Meeting in June,
the NSP Board unanimously approved eligibility for a free Lifetime
Membership to any member with 50 or more years of service to the
organization. Eligible members can contact Cheri Overton
at NSP to get an application or download one from nsp.org.
And to Help Your Pre-Season Prep...
Frequently Asked Member Service Questions
Q. How do I login to the member site?
A. Members who have never logged in before or have not activated their
account can go to nsp.org
and
select "Member Services/Activate Your Account." Enter your
six-digit National ID number and last name, then click "Submit."
(If you've already activated your account, you'll receive an
e-mail reminding you of your login information.) If you've not
previously activated your account you'll be asked to create a password.
Once completed, you're ready to go.
Q.
How can I change my contact information?
A. Once you log into Member Services, your profile will
appear. You'll see an icon towards the top of the page that
says, "Edit Your Member Record." Click and make your edits,
then save changes. You'll receive an e-mail notice that the change
has been made. If you need to edit your name, e-mail nsp@nsp.org or call
303-988-1111.
Q.
How can I place a Winter Catalog order?
A. The NSP
Winter Catalog is available on-line and via mailed hard
copy. Anyone can view the catalog's educational materials on-line, but
only NSP members can view the entire catalog. To peruse the on-line
catalog, log in to your Member Profile Page and select
"Winter Catalog" on the left hand navigation. Once you enter
the catalog, you can begin to shop. Be sure to select your size before
adding the item to your cart. To change quantity, highlight it then
click the "Update Quantity" button. Catalog orders may
be submitted via the website, mail or fax.
Q.
How can I change my status?
A. Any changes to your status and patrol can only be made by your
patrol representative. If you feel there is an error with your
membership records, you must contact your patrol rep.
Other National
News
Ski Patrol Series Debuts on truTV
A new documentary series (not reality show) featuring the
ski patrols of Crystal Mountain, Wash., and Blue Mountain, Pa., begun
airing on the truTV network (formerly Court TV) on Oct.
20. The series, which features real-life, on-the-job
patrollers doing day-to-day patrol activities, was filmed over the
course of several months last ski season. It's gotten great
reviews from the involved patrollers. For more info on the show, along
with clips and interviews of featured patrollers, visit the truTV website.
Please Participate in Important FIPS Patroller Injury
Survey
Since its last Congress at Snowbird, FIPS (in English, the
International Federation of Ski Patrols, of which NSP is a member) has
been canvassing patrollers around the world for details of
injuries they have sustained while patrolling. The FIPS Patroller
Injury Survey aims to identify the nature and extent of injuries to
patrollers and detail any short- and long-term or permanent
consequences. Unfortunately less than 30 survey responses have been
completed, with only a small portion from U.S. patrollers.
FIPS needs your help to make this a meaningful and useful
study. To complete the study questions, go to http://www.fips2007.org/mediagallery/ and select
"Patroller Injury Survey" to download the form. E-mail
completed forms to Rik Head or mail them to
P.O. Box 3275, Ashburton VIC 3147 Australia.
Anniversary Spotlight: Congratulations to the Otter Ski
Patrol
As the NSP continues to celebrate its 70th Anniversary
year, we'd like to recognize the Otter Ski Patrol at Vermont's Pico/Mt.
Mansfield, which celebrated its 72nd Anniversary as a part of
the National Ski Patrol System in 2008. The Otters were one of the original
three patrols to join the NSPS. Thank you for your continued
support!
Meet NSP's
2008/2009 Sponsors
NSP is excited to announce that a great group
of new, renewed and continuing sponsors are signed on
for 2008/09. Please keep your eye on the Promotional
Offers page on the member side of nsp.org to receive
excellent discounts from all of these sponsors:
AuClair
Gloves Cascade
Toboggan
Bern Unlimited
Helmets Phillips
Medical
Opedix Wellness
Gear
Rudy Project North America
Adventure Advocates
Patagonia
Grabber
Warmers
Smith Optics
Goode
Skis
Subaru of America
Highgear
USA
Level Gloves
Promotional sponsor offers are available to all members.
Here's how to take advantage of the Promotional Offers at nsp.org:
1. Log-in and click on "
Member Services"
2. Click on "Promotional
Offers" in the left-hand column
3. To view a company's
promotional offer, click on the appropriate logo.
Some
sponsors require you to register, as offers are based on member
4. Questions regarding the offer,
the status of an order or any customer
service
issue should be directed to the sponsor.
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 NSP Committee Updates
Fundraising
Committee
"Giving
back will help make NSP a viable organization in the snowsports
industry. As the NSP continues its service in our communities and
resorts with public safety, we hope the general public, businesses and
patrollers will remember the NSP in their end-of-year giving. As
the ski season begins and the holidays near, many of us give to
Scouting, YMCA, clubs and churches. We should also remember to give to
the NSP."--Norris
Woody, Fundraising Committee Chair
70th Anniversary
Campaign
On June 20, the
NSP kicked off the Anniversary Campaign, an important
national fundraising campaign that will span five years
and play a considerable role in guiding the organization into the
future. We are on our way to reaching our goal of $1,000,000 over five
years! To date, $56,420 has been pledged. With your continued support,
the NSP can reach its goal. Pledge cards are being included in
each Winter Catalog
order and will also be included in an ad in the fall issue of Ski Patrol Magazine.
Your tax deductible donation is an important contribution to the future
of NSP. Proceeds will go towards many important causes including
programs to enhance safety in skiing, promoting youth programs to
ensure the next generation of NSP leadership, and
maintaining quality assurance in all education and credentialing
programs. If you'd like to make a donation at any time, you may
mail it to:
NSP Fundraising Campaign
133 S. Van Gordon Street, Ste. 100
Lakewood, CO 80228
Limited Lifetime
Membership Drive
A limited supply of discounted NSP Lifetime Memberships are still
available through the NSP's Limited Lifetime Membership Drive. Two
hundred Lifetime Memberships have been offered for a discounted rate of
$550 during the Drive (regular rate is $700). Lifetime Membership
holders never have to pay dues again! To take advantage of this
special offer visit nsp.org and download the application on
the "Member Services" page. Lifetime Memberships
make great holiday gifts.
Affinity Card
Program
NSP has been working in collaboration with Partner's First to
create a branded National Ski Patrol credit card. The NSP Visa rewards
card will be available Nov. 20. Members pay no annual fee and a
reasonable interest rate. NSP will receive a
small percentage of dollars spent, which will help fund
future NSP goals. Application information will be posted on
the NSP website and will be included in the November newsletter.
Governance
& Bylaws Committees
Policies and
Procedures Updated
The Governance
Committee has updated the NSP
Policies and Procedures manual. The 2008/09 version is
available for download at nsp.org on the "Member
Services" area under "My Bookshelf" then
"Downloads."
Bylaws Update
The Governance Committee has been working in conjunction
with Bylaws Committee to update NSP's Bylaws.
The Bylaws Committee has been tasked with making the new
version of the NSP Bylaws unified. The revisions are currently
in the 14th draft. Once the Governance Committee has approved the
Bylaws, they will be sent to the Board for review.
RFBA Process Being Reviewed
The Governance Committee has also been working on improving to the RFBA
process with the development of an evaluation guide for RFBAs, as
well as programs and projects. Do you know what an RFBA is?
"RFBA" stands for Request For Board Action. Any member
in good standing may submit a proposal for Board consideration by
filling out an RFBA and submitting it to National Chairman Terry
LaLiberte. RFBA forms can be submitted on-line and are found on
the log-in side of nsp.org under "My
Bookshelf" then "Forms" (5.3 Consideration
of Proposals).
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 Meet one of the National Office
Staff
Christine Bourne
cbourne@nsp.org
Christine is NSP's corporate relations and meeting
planning manager. In addition to overseeing the planning of company
meetings and conventions she's involved in the current
NSP fundraising initiative and manages
sponsorship/ advertising sales.
Hometown:
Christine
grew up in Orlando, Fla., and worked with Mickey and the gang at Disney
World.
Why she loves Colorado:
In 1998 Christine moved to Colorado to pursue her love of
rafting. She is now an experienced rafting guide, having
been guiding for the past 10 years.
Fun Facts:
Christine loves bluegrass music and has attended many bluegrass
festivals and concerts. She is also an avid athlete and
has participated in several sprint distance triathlons.
Snow Skills:
After many years of snowboarding, Christine has recently taken up
telemark skiing (any tips are greatly appreciated!). When she has
her choice, she can be found at Snowmass in Colorado. Christine
and her dad enjoy skiing together and have had a father/ daughter ski
weekend every year for the past 14 years.
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NSP
Winter Catalog Item of the Month (available at nsp.org)
 Men's NSP 70th Anniversary Hoodie
Warm and
comfy, this hoodie is made of a 10-oz 80% cotton/20% polyester fleece
blend. Double stonewashed for added extra softness and a vintage
look. Features a double layer rib at cuffs and waistband, and a
ribbed vee insert at the neck. Also sports a chunky drawcord with
metal grommets. In navy with NSP 70th Anniversary art detail screened
on front in gold and brown and gold cross logo on left shoulder.
#17240
Men's S-XXL $35
Women's NSP 70th
Anniversary Zip Hoodie
A great addition
to NSP women's apparel. This zip hoodie is a winter wardrobe
essential. The style is an extra comfortable 8.5-oz
70% cotton/ 25% polyester/ 5% spandex blend. In scarlet
with "National Ski Patrol" in gold, navy and white lettering,
and "1938-2008" in navy. NSP gold cross logo and 70th
Anniversary logo on left sleeve at shoulder.
#17241
Women's S-XXL $35
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Final Sweep was created to keep NSP members informed about national
news. If you have news that's relevant to the national ski patrol
audience, we invite you to submit it for consideration for Final Sweep.
Please send it to Kristen Bergeron by the 15th of
each month.
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