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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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From the Desk of Tim White 
As we close out 2008 and the celebration of NSP's 70th
Anniversary, I think it's fitting to recognize the advancements and
accomplishments we've made as an organization. Perhaps most notable,
we've reinstated two vital components to NSP's consumer education and
recruitment efforts: the NSP Safety Team led by Denny McMahon and the
NSP National Young Adult Program coordinated by Matt Abbadessa. Denny
and Matt's efforts have only just begun, and we're confident that both
programs will fortify and accelerate our abilities to expand safety
awareness among the skiing and riding public and also aid us in
recruiting the patrollers of tomorrow.
As proud as we are of these accomplishments, we're even
more excited about the return of our national Patroller Education
Conference (PEC '09) at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort on April 15-17,
2009. The conference will feature the Mid-Winter Board meeting with all
attending officers and patrollers exploring and sharing ideas about the
future of patrolling and our national organization. Sessions will also
be led by well-known injury researcher Jasper Shealy, PhD, of New
York's Rochester Institute of Technology, Hall of Fame skier and
women's instructor extraordinaire Jeannie Thoren and Snowbird's snow
safety guru Dean Cardinal. Also National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)
President Michael Berry will provide an overview of the current and
future state of the ski industry. If you plan to join us, please
remember to sharpen your pencils and your skis, as you will find no
finer place to attend a conference or better resort to ski than
Snowbird, Utah.
Wishing you the best for the holidays, and prosperity in
the New Year. We look forward to seeing you at Snowbird!
Sincerely,
Tim White (and Gus)
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November
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, please contact Kristen Bergeron to request the
conference call codes.
The November meeting took place on Nov. 19. In
that meeting the Board reviewed and discussed the National Office
written updates and voted on the following Action Items;
- The Board
approved sending PEC 09 information to NSP leadership through an
eblast. It will also be included in future newsletters
with language that states that the Board supports and recommends
attending the conference
- The
Board voted against adding the Education Committee as a
standing committee
- The
request to develop a National Alumni Program was referred
back to the Planning Committee in order to better define the
program elements
- The Board
approved the Compensation Committee's charter
- The Board approved
the Guidelines
for the Use of National Ski Patrol Monies report
developed by National Legal Advisor, Bob Scarlett and the NSP
National Legal Committee - the document can be viewed by logging
on the NSP
website, and checking under "Member News"
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 Closes on Dec. 1: Please
Vote!
The 2008 NSP Board
of Directors Election will close on Dec. 1 at midnight (Mountain
Time). Please be sure to cast your vote on-line at: https://eballot.votenet.com/nsp/. You'll need your
6-digit
member ID# and last name to log-on.
Eighteen candidates are vying for five open Board seats.
Each candidate's platform statement and bio information can be viewed
when you log on to vote and also at nsp.org in the
log-in "Member Services" area.
Education
Department
OEC Course Listings
The NSP website contains an on-going listing of all
registered OEC courses in all divisons. To view the list, go to www.nsp.org and click on
"NSP Education Programs." This link allows you to view
scheduled OEC courses as well as other NSP courses including Avalanche
I and Mountain Travel and Rescue.
New Mountain Travel and Rescue Manual Being Developed
MTR National Program Director Rick King and his team of
supervisors have been collecting new material to update the MTR Manual, and
are also busy creating an MTR enhancement seminar. Rick will also
be working with the education department to explore the creation of an
MTR distance learning program. Some of the updates to the new MTR manual will
include: information on GPS equipment, high-angle rescue, extended
backcountry care, and helicopters and other aircraft. There
are several hurdles to clear including Board approval of the project,
however it is hoped that the new MTR manual
will be available in 2010.
OEC 5th Edition Author Update
Authors of the OEC 5th edition met on November 5th
& 6th via conference call to discuss the status and project
plan for the upcoming textbook. Following the
announcement of a new editor, Dr. David Johe, there has been a slight
re-organization of the author team. New to the team will be Dr.
Warren Bowman. Dr. Bowman is a recognized name in regards to
OEC publications and he brings a wealth of experience to the
project. The authors will be an integral part of the review process
and are committed to producing a successful text that
is scheduled to debut in 2010.
Marketing/
Communications/ Events
The Patroller Education Conference (PEC 09) at Snowbird
PEC 09 is coming to Snowbird, Utah, from April 15-17,
2009. A detailed eight-page brochure about the conference,
speakers, lodging, ski instruction and on-hill sessions is available to
view or download on the NSP
website and will also be inserted in the December issue
of Ski Patrol
Magazine. The brochure also contains a registration
form--spaces will fill quickly so don't wait to secure your space at
PEC 09!
In this month's PEC 09 spotlight: DR. ROB WILLIAMS
Dr. Rob Williams will be conducting a PHAT (Protect Your
Head at All Times) seminar at PEC 09. Dr. Williams is a longtime
Pediatric Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Intensivist at the
University of Vermont and a staff member of Fletcher Allen Health Care.
He has also been the Medical Advisor to the Smugglers Notch Ski Patrol
for the past ten years and an avid backcountry skier and
snowboarder. Dr. Williams and his research team have created
the PHAT program for skier and rider safety. The PHAT program is
a non-coercive program designed to encourage voluntary helmet use in a
positive way, utilizing role models, including ski patrollers, and
promotional brochures, posters, stickers, etc. To
find out more about the program, visit the PHAT
website.
Marketing Pro Dyke Shaw to Assist NSP with Sponsors
NSP has signed a contract with marketing
consultant Dyke Shaw of TransCoast Media (formerly Mellonhead
Media) to assist with sponsorship and marketing
efforts. Shaw is a ski industry veteran who has held positions
including director of marketing and sales at Mount Sunapee Resort,
N.H., and director of sales at Okemo Mountain Resort and and Pico
Mountain Resort in Vermont.
TransCoast Media provides advertising, partnership development and
media programs to numerous resorts and businesses. Current ski industry
clients include Colorado's Winter Park Resort, Schweitzer Mountain,
Idaho, Loon Mountain and Cranmore Mountain in New Hampshire,
Wachusett Mountain, Mass.,and the BEWI Snowsports
Expos. NSP looks forward to working with Shaw to expand
sponsorship opportunities and improve relationships with existing
sponsors.
National Office Upgrading Member Database Software &
Website
The National Office is in the process of
upgrading the software that houses our member database. At
the annual meeting in June, the Board approved funds to allow us
to update our 10-year old software. The project is currently
in the business-process review phase and the projected completion
is scheduled for March of 2009. The new software will include
an automated registration program which will greatly improve overall
efficiency of the registration process. The National Office is
also working on a re-design of the website that is scheduled
for March of 2009 as well.
A Friendly Reminder About Member Registrations
Please be sure to send your member registrations
through the proper channels, with the appropriate payment and
completed roster so that the NSP staff can get them processed
and returned as quickly as possible. Membership registrations are due
by Jan.1 and may be assessed a late fee after Jan. 31.
Registrations will be processed and membership cards will be issued in
order they have been received.
"Never Ski With Scissors" Safety Video Contest
Open to Patrollers
The always creative Jack Turner, the mind behind Snow
Monsters and other snow safety initiatives, has introduced "Never
Ski With Scissors," a search to find original video clips that
promote on-slope safety, courtesy and common sense. Entrants
must create a safety message for skiers and boarders and tell it
in an interesting way. All entries must be 60 seconds or shorter; the
theme can be a tenet of "Your Responsibility Code" or a
safety tip of your own. Up to 50 entries will be selected for a nationally-distributed film, website
and industry education program. If your video is selected, you could
also win a ski pass, skis, snowboard or other prizes. All patrollers
are invited to submit an entry no later than March 31. For more
information visit neverskiwithscissors.com.
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Women's Program Task Force
The NSP
Women's Program Task Force was developed in August of 2008
to recruit women to patrolling and better address the needs of current
women patrollers. Lisa Adams, NSP Board member, serves as
the task force chair and additional members include; Jeannine
Mogan, Suzette Krebs, Denise Cheney, Trudy Nye, Dolores LaLiberte,
Jeannie Thoren, Tim White, David Ginley, and Ed Gassman. The task
force met on Nov. 6 to discuss short and long-term
objectives. The group is planning to conduct a survey
that will help identify challenges faced by women patrollers.
They are also discussing holding a meeting at the PEC 09
conference. If you are interested in contributing your
thoughts or experiences about women and patrolling please contact Lisa Adams.
Fundraising
Committee Update
Now is the time of year for giving! The Anniversary
Fundraising campaign is going strong, but NSP needs your
help. To date we have pledges equaling $58,000 toward a five-year
goal of one million dollars. Your donations will help to
insure NSP's mission of service and safety for many years to
come.
Remember Your Fellow Patrollers Through the Charles
"Minnie" Dole Service & Safety Memorial Fund
The Charles "Minnie" Dole Service and Safety
Memorial Fund has been created to provide a means of honoring and
remembering both patrollers and friends of the National Ski
Patrol.
Please state in whose memory the gift is made and provide
the address of the family. The Fund will inform the family of the
contribution and the name of the benefactor, without revealing the
amount of the gift. The contributor will also receive a letter of
thank you from the fund. All gifts larger than $500 will allow
the honored patroller's name to be listed on the Memorial Plaque
proudly displayed at the National Office in Lakewood, CO. A
Plaque honoring and remembering the patroller will also be sent to
their home ski patrol, for the Patrol to display in their patrol room.
NSP Affinity Card, Available Now!
 NSP has been working in collaboration with
PartnersFirst to create a branded National Ski Patrol credit
card. Each time you us the card a small portion of the
proceeds will go to the NSP to help support the organization. In
addition the NSP Visa rewards card offers money-saving
rewards and the opportunity to earn points every where you shop:
- Redeem points
for travel, merchandise and cash
- 1 point per
$1 in net retail purchases for everyday spending
- No annual fee
- 0% fixed APR
on balance transfers
The card is available NOW, and applications can be filled
out by clicking Apply Now
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Meet
one of the National Office Staff
 Drew Whitam
dwhitam@nsp.org
Drew joined the NSP staff in October as Assistant
Warehouse and Purchasing Manager. He oversees catalog sales
and assists with warehouse operations.
Drew grew up in Norfolk, Va., and attended the University
of South Alabama.
1) Snowboarding--both at ski areas and in
the backcountry
2) Hiking and camping in the summer with friends and his
beagle, Marlee
Fun Facts:
Drew got his degree in education from the University of
South Alabama, where he also played football. He taught 8th grade
history in inner-city Atlanta for three years before moving
to Colorado. He is a Washington Redskins and Denver Nuggets fan.
Snow Skills:
Drew managed a ski/ all-mountain shop in Durango,
Colo., before moving to Denver. On his days off you'll likely find
him snowboarding at either Vail or Breckenridge.
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NSP
Winter Catalog Item of the Month (available at nsp.org)
 Gearmax® M
Series Backpacks
This mountain-friendly pack offers the first truly new
design in sports and athletic packs in more than two decades. The
patent-pending Gearmax® backpack looks and carries like a conventional
pack, yet with one quick zip expands into a portable locker that allows
easy access to contents. The heavy-duty hanging L hook quickly attaches
to a locker, tailgate, fence or even a tree, and allows the pack to
transform into a wall of ventilated mesh pockets with all contents
within easy reach. The mesh pockets allow a quick inventory of clothing
and gear while providing superior ventilation  that inhibits odor
and mildew. When closed, the top external access pocket provides
easy access to the interior without the need to open the bag. Side
pockets and Velcro keepers allow additional equipment to be carried and
available for quick access.
Material: 600 Denier Polyester
Dimensions: 19"H 13"W 11"L
Weight 4.0 Lbs
Available online only
SKU #17250
$59.95
Holiday Gift Certificates
NSP Catalog gift certificates make great gifts for
patrollers! If you are interesed in purchasing a gift certificate
please contact Christine by email or call 303-988-1111 ext. 2629.
Due to circumstances beyond National Ski Patrol's control,
the delivery date of the Patagonia® Patrol Vest (Item #O210) in sizes
Small, Medium, and Large has been delayed until February 2009.
Patagonia® has offered its' sincere apologies for the manufacturing and
shipping delays.
For those patrollers that have already ordered a vest and it is
currently on back-order, NSP is mailing a $25 gift
certificate for the inconvenience. This gift certificate is
good for one year from the date of issue and can be applied toward any
future Winter
Catalog purchase.
NSP does have a limited quantity of the Patrol Vest in size XL.
If you need to cancel/change your order, or have any other questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact Christine Gouwens at
303-988-1111 ext. 2629.
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Special
Report: Patrollers and Terrain Parks
Freestyle terrain
has become a mainstream amenity at resorts nationwide. The term
"Freestyle Terrain" collectively refers to halfpipes, terrain
parks, terrain features, terrain gardens and freestyle courses. Over
the past several years, the industry has seen increasing demands for
this type of terrain and as a result resorts have gained valuable
experience in the design, construction, maintenance and operational
aspects of it.
To address various
aspects of Freestyle Terrain, The National Ski Areas
Assocation (NSAA) released the Freestyle
Terrain Notebook to its member ski areas in August of
2008. The Notebook is
an informational resource that reflects a culmination of a year-long
effort between the NSAA and ski areas, and contains resources for
topics including risk management, guest relations, education, freestyle
site selection and design, and operations. The Notebook is a
valuable resource to resort managers, freestyle terrain staff and
educators, and patrollers who play an important role in
assisting ski areas with managing risk in Freestyle Terrain. For
more information on the Notebook
contact your patrol director or area management.
In addition, NSAA
has been working with Burton Snowboards for several years on the Smart
Style initiative, a collection of collateral materials that resorts can
use to promote freestyle terrain safety in a clear, unified message.
The program provides simple ways to promote safety: educational posters
to hang in patrol rooms or around a ski area, a Smart Style video that
can be show in rental shops, and a helpful website at www.terrainparksafety.org.
Finally, as our friend Jeannine Mogan, Patrol
Director for the Three Rivers Park District in Minnesota, recently
pointed out, patrollers should be encouraged to spend time in Freestyle
Terrain. This can be daunting, but a management-approved ride in a
snowcat that's working in Freestyle Terrain can be fun, educational,
and can help build relationships with the freestyle staff. Having
patrollers shadow Freestyle Terrain users who are on competitive teams
or instructors can be enlightening, as patrollers will get a feel for
how to navigate the terrain. It might also help attract young freestyle
users to the ski patrol.
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NSP
Sponsor Information: Take Advantage of Promotional Offers!
Promotional offers
from NSP sponsors are available to all members. To take advantage of
the Promotional Offers link at nsp.org:
1. Log-in and click on " Member
Services"
2. Click on "Promotional Offers" in
the left-hand column
3. Click on the logo of the company you're
interested in. Some require you
to register, as offers are based on member classification.
4. Questions regarding the offer, the status
of an order or any customer
service
issue should be directed to the sponsor.
NSP is excited to
welcome these NEW sponsors:
AUCLAIR GLOVES: Auclair is the premium sport and outdoor division of
Paris Glove of Canada Ltd., one of the oldest glove companies in North
America. The strong, dependable and performance-oriented Auclair gloves
may only be ordered through the NSP Winter
Catalog. www.auclairgloves.com
BERN UNLIMITED HELMETS: Bern produces excellent helmets for
men, women and juniors, many which include interchangeable helmet
liners. Bern also sells knee and elbow pads. To order, click on the
Bern logo on the NSP Pro Page and proceed. On step #2 of the
payment process you'll be asked for a discount code: use code
IND-BERN
(case sensitive). Once entered, a 40% discount will be
calculated for NSP members. www.bernunlimited.com
OPEDIX WELLNESS GEAR: Opedix launched its science-based
S1 snowsports tight to help protect knees from the wear and tear
incurred from skiing and riding. The state-of-the-art Opedix line
addresses underlying biomechanical factors associated with discomfort,
pain and wear on the knee joint. Opedix Wellness Gear™ products may be
purchased through the NSP Winter
Catalog. www.opedix.com
WILD RED ENERGY BARS: This new high energy bar created by
patrollers will provide a quick pick-me-up. Look for the
bright red packaging at natural food stores nationwide beginning in
December. They will also be featured at the PEC '09 Conference in
April.
YAKIMA RACK SYSTEMS: Yakima has been making "bomber
quality" vehicle rack systems for more than 25 years.
Support for the NSP sponsorship program includes Yakima's cargo, bike,
snow and watersports rack systems.Yakima products can be ordered
through the link on the NSP Pro Page. www.yakima.com
Please also
welcome back our RENEWED sponsors. NSP is glad to have their
continued support and are looking forward to a great season.
CASCADE TOBOGGAN: Check out the new Trama One Toboggan at this years PEC
'09 Conference! www.cascadetoboggan.com
PHILIPS MEDICAL: Philips Medical is working with the National
Ski Patrol to make HeartSmart automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
available to patrols at ski areas across the
country. Phillips Medical specials will be coming soon,
check the NSP pro page in mid-December for more information!
www.medical.philips.com
ROSSIGNOL SKI COMPANY: Check out the new Rossignol Web
page via the NSP Pro Page. This site has been created with
patrollers in mind. www.rossignol.com
RUDY PROJECT NORTH AMERICA: Rudy Project
designs/manufactures hi-tech sunglasses, goggles and accessories using
the application of science, advanced materials and computer technology.
www.rudyprojectusa.com
Last but
definitely not least, please keep in mind our CONTINUED sponsors.
Adventure
Advocates
Duofold
Grabber
Warmers Goode
Skis
Hestra
Gloves
Highgear USA
Smith
Optics
Subaru of America
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Corrections to the October Newsletter - Otter Ski
Patrol
The October newsletter stated that the Otter Ski Patrol is
affiliated with Mt. Mansfield when, in fact, they are housed
at Killington/ Pico.
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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