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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 the season winds down, it is a good time to reflect
back on the highlights, like that epic ski day with friends, or the
time your patroller skill set was really put to the
test.
Here at National our season was busy and productive.
The Patroller Education Conference is nearly sold out, and with more
than 225 attendees, it will be the largest NSP conference in recent
years. Mountainsmith and Aflac have been added to the growing
list of companies offering special products and discounts to member patrollers.
I am also pleased to report about new volunteers stepping forward to
help guide national programs. I would like to thank Paul Tracy
and Chuck Herbert for heading up a team focused on developing an
organizational wide quality management program. I also wish
to acknowledge Doug Howlett as the new ID program advisor (pending
ratification of the Board). We encourage others to get
involved in a positive way to help guide the organization into the
future.
We continue to make strides in four critical areas
including improved member services and benefits, maintaining high
quality and delivery of educational programs, building stronger
relationships with strategic partners like FIPS and the ski area
operators and, most importantly, financial stability and growth.
In the coming issues of Final Sweep, I will write in more detail about
these efforts.
As we watched the tragic story of actress Natasha
Richardson unfold we were reminded of the fragility of life. We
were also reminded about the importance of safety and taking all
precautions to protect oneself. While it is unclear whether a ski
helmet would have made a difference, it may have, and clearly we
can expect a growing public outcry for mandated helmet use.
Personally I feel the answer lies in education, and patrollers can do a
great deal to help educate the public about helmet use.
However, in order to be effective you must be willing to
walk the walk. So, if you don't currently wear a helmet, I hope
you will consider wearing one next season for your safety and the
safety of others.
Remember, while we don't always agree, it is clear that we
are bound together by far more than what divides us.
Stay focused on the positive and stay safe,
Tim and Gus
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Welcome New
NSP Members
NSP would like to welcome the
following new member patrols:
Sun Valley Heli Ski, Idaho--Pro Patrol
Hillberg, Alaska--Mountain Hosts
Elk Ridge, Calif.--Pro Patrol
Echo Mountain, Calif.--Pro Patrol
We'd also like to acknowledge
our affiliate members:
Vineyard College of Missions, Idaho
H2O Heli Ski Guides, Alaska
Alpine Rescue Team, Colo.
Western Carolina University, N.C.
S.A.R.T.A Group, Canada
Colorado Mountain College, Colo.
Gould Academy, Maine
Peak Emergency Response Training, Canada
Southern Arizona Rescue Association, Ariz.
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National
Office Update
New Instructor
Development Program Director Named
Pending
ratification by the NSP Board, Douglas Howlett of Pennsylvania's Spring
Mountain Ski Patrol in the Eastern Division has been named director of
the NSP's Instructor Development Program. Howlett was selected from a
number of applicants and replaces Ed Humphrey, who resigned earlier
this year. A career educator, Howlett's professional roles have
included school teacher, public school superintendent and adjunct
faculty at New Jersey's Camden County College. He's been a patroller
since 1971 and is the Eastern Pennsylvania
Region instructional development coordinator, an OEC
instructor/instructor trainer and an ID instructor/ instructor
trainer. Howlett was awarded a Yellow Merit Star for his work on
the Instructional Development Program Committee and was instrumental in
the development of the current ID textbook and the program's E-learning
course.
 On-Line Catalog Closeouts
Log-in to the Winter Catalog
area at nsp.org to check out the
many discounted close-out items that are now
available. Special offers include the NSP Dale of Norway
sweater for just $157 and the CamelBak Helion day pack for
only $66. Be sure to take advantage of the great offers, as
close-out merchandise won't last!
NSP Updating Member Addresses
The NSP national office is in the process of
updating/confirming all member addresses, which enables us to
communicate with you effectively and provide information in a
timely manner. Please be aware that you may receive a phone call or
e-mail from Tessa Hund (thund@nsp.org) who is working
with the NSP on this update. It's important that you respond to
Tessa so that we can update our database. Also, please remember
that youcan update your contact information by logging in to member
services on the NSP website.
 Aflac Insurance
Insurance provider Aflac has extended its
accident, cancer and dental policies to NSP members at association
rates. Aflac offers a distinct service: Instead of paying the
medical provider, Aflec pays the insurance holder. Therefore, you
control the cash benefits and spend them as you like. To enroll visit www.chooseaflac.com/nsp. Or,
to learn more about the benefits, costs and limitations of
all Aflac policies, call Donni Cochran at 970-928-9212.
Marketing/Communications/Events
 PEC '09 Registration Closes April 1 (No Foolin')
The NSP and its members are looking forward to a
great Patroller Education Conference in Snowbird, Utah, from April
15-17. The
snow is falling! Snowbird has received 35 inches in
the last 48 hours and they are expecting another couple of feet this
weekend! To date they have had 447 inches! Please remember
that conference registration closes on Wednesday, April 1. Members will
not be able to attend PEC if they have not registered by this
date! For questions or to register please contact Chris Bourne at NSP.
Snowbird Exclusive: Dynastar's Spring Daze Photo Contest
Bring your cameras to PEC '09 at Snowbird and join
in the fun of Dynastar's Spring Daze Photo Contest. In honor
of the patroller conference, Dynastar has added a special NSP category
to the contest. Win skis and other great prizes! Get the details HERE.
March PEC Spotlight: PSIA Alpine Team Coach Rob
Sogard
PSIA Alpine Team Coach Rob Sogard will be leading the ski
instruction clinics at PEC '09. Rob was a member of
the PSIA Alpine Team from 1996 to 2004, and is now in his second
term as team coach. His teaching career began in 1983 at Wilmot
Mountain, Wis., where he was a staff trainer and USSA Masters race
coach. In 1987, he began instructing at Snowbird, where
he's been ever since. Rob is currently the assistant director for
personnel and coordinator for guest services at the resort.
 Mountainsmith Signs on as NSP Sponsor
Pack and accessories maker Mountainsmith has signed on as
an NSP sponsor, and now NSP members are invited to get discounted
Mountainsmith gear just in time for that summer backpacking trip or car
camping! To see the full range of Mountainsmith products, go to
the Mountainsmith
website and begin shopping. All NSP members are eligible to
receive 35 percent off retail by entering the code NSP35 at
the bottom of the payment page in the coupon section. Also, NSP
will receive a small donation from Mountainsmith for each item ordered.
So that new backpack, gear bag or beer cooler will support
both Mountainsmith and the NSP.
 March Sponsor Spotlight: Highgear 
NSP sponsor Highgear, maker of technical and
top-of-the-line timepieces, is offering all NSP members a 50
percent discount on the sleek, new Axio Max altimeter watch
through the month of April. Built on a user-friendly module, the
Axio Max features triple-sensor technology, including a Swiss air pressure
sensor, altimeter and compass. Itʼs equipped with a 100-hour
chronograph, a multitude of alarms for use in monitoring hydration,
altitude and rest, and a mineral glass lens that is water resistant up
to 50 meters. To take advantage of the offer, go to www.highgear.com
or call 888-295-4949 and use code NSP09S. This
offer expires April 30, 2009.
NSP Reps to Attend FIPS World Congress in Sweden
FIPS--or the Federation Internationale des Patrouilles de
Ski--is an organization that brings together ski patrol organizations
from various countries and represents patrolling and ski
safety worldwide. The annual FIPS World Congress will take
place in Are, Sweden, from April 25-May 2. The NSP is a
member of FIPS, and NSP Executive Director Tim White and National
Board Chair Terry LaLiberte will be attending the conference to
represent the organization. Click HERE
to find out more about FIPS.
Add Events to Industry Calendar on NSP Website
If you have an event of which you'd like other
NSP members to be aware, please submit the details of it to
Kristen Bergeron (kbergeron@nsp.org ) to add to the
industry calendar at nsp.org. Please include date, time, location and a contact website
or e-mail for the event.
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NSP
Committee Updates
Fundraising committee
70th Anniversary
Fundraising Campaign
A total of
$66,975 has been collected and pledged to the 70th Anniversary
Fundraising Campaign. Donors include NSP members, corporations and
friends of the organization. Thank you to everyone that has helped get
the campaign off to such an amazing start! For more info on how to
donate contact Chris
Bourne at NSP.
Charles "Minnie" Dole Service and Safety
Memorial Fund
 The Fundraising Committee
would like to salute all of the dedicated, enthusiastic past
patrollers of the NSP. We recognize and appreciate their devotion to
skiing, patrolling and living by the NSP creed "Service and
Safety." To celebrate this special category of one-time
NSP members, The Charles "Minnie" Dole Service
and Safety Memorial Fund has been established to
provide a means to honor former patrollers and friends of
the National Ski Patrol.
Donations to the Fund are now being accepted. Once a
donation has been made, the Fund will inform the family of
the honoree that a contribution has been made in his/her name and
will also name the benefactor. The amount of the gift will not be
revealed, but those larger than $500 will be listed on the Memorial
Plaque, pictured here, which is proudly displayed at the NSP
national office. For donations of $500+, a
plaque honoring the patroller will also be sent to the
patrol with which they were once affiliated. (If the member was
affiliated with more than one patrol, the donor can determine to
which patrol the plaque will be sent.) Please contact Chris Bourne at cbourne@nsp.orgto find out about
contributing to the Fund.
The 2009 NSP Nomination Committee has been
finalized. The group will be chaired by Far West Division Director
Stephen Simi and will include NSP Board members Jim Decker and Dave
Ginley, Southern Division Director Morgan Armstrong, and
Member-at-Large Jerry Muszynski, who is a 39-year NSP member from the
Far West Division. The Nomination Committee will be organizing the
call for candidates and the election process for the 2009 NSP
Board of Directors election.
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Meet a
Member of the National Office Staff
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NSP
Winter Catalog Item of the Month (available at nsp.org)
 Axio Mini by Highgear
Designed for women, the Axio Mini refuses to sacrifice
functionality for its petite size. In addition to the Swiss altimeter
sensor, thermometer, barometer and chronograph, the Axio Mini includes
a rest alarm, two altimeter alarms, a hydration alarm and two daily
alarms. Water resistant up to 50 meters, this timepiece has a mineral
glass lens and an EL backlight system for an easier read in darker
conditions. Consumer replaceable battery.
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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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