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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
On behalf of your national staff "greetings"
from Lakewood. We are in the process of completing the year-end
inventory and it is also a good time to take inventory of the ongoing
work of the organization.
The first phase of the software and website
upgrades are due for release this summer. The new
electronic (paperless) registration system will provide a more
streamline registration process for Divisions and patrols and allow for
faster and more accurate processing of member cards by
national. The website has been improved both aesthetically
and functionally including an expanded member forum capability. This is
a big first step toward a much better website in the
future.
We continue to build on important strategic
partnerships. NSP and NSAA worked very effectively together this
past month to lobby for acceptable language in the pending NJ Helmet
legislation. NSP was also well represented at the recent
FIPS meeting and the relationship with FIPS is on a very positive
track. I am also happy to report that NSP and Brady
Publishing had a successful OEC 5th Launch Meeting last week. The
meeting solidifies what promises to be a long and successful
partnership producing and marketing the OEC 5th edition
textbook.
Finally as we approach the end of our fiscal year the
Board has been working very hard to produce a balanced
budget. The process has included a careful prioritization
of all pending projects and programs along with a hard look at all
expenses and revenue producing items. The membership
can rest assured that the financial matters of the NSP are being
decided in a deliberate and well reasoned
manner.
From all of us here at NSP Headquarters we wish you an
enjoyable summer. Please stop in and say hello if you are in the area.
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The NSP Board
meets via teleconference at 5 p.m. Mountain Time approximately every other
month. A schedule of the Board meetings can be found by
logging into member services and going to
"Member News," then "Board News." All members
are invited to listen in on the calls. Please contact Kristen Bergeron to request the call codes.
In May, two special Board meetings took place. The first
was held on May 14 to discuss the Annual BOD Meeting in June. RFBA 08-09: Reduce NSP travel
and meeting expenses by changing the NSP 2009 Annual Meeting normally
in Denver to a teleconference-based meeting was proposed.
The Board reviewed and discussed the
RFBA and, after strong support from the Division Directors on
the call, unanimously voted to keep the face-to-face meeting in
Lakewood, Colo. on (dates). The second special meeting occurred on May
27 to discuss the NSP fiscal 2009-10 budget. There, the Board voted on
the following:
- To table a discussion on
the potential OEC fee increase until after they had
discussed expenses, but no later than the Annual Board meeting in
June;
- To remove all travel
requests from the budget and send the budget back to all sources
asking that they justify travel requests and list goals and
objectives of intended meetings. A committee consisiting of
Bela Musits, Terry LaLiberte, Tim White, and Wayne Block will
determine if travel requests will be approved and reinstated in
the budget.
- To provide feedback to
the Finance Committee through a "prioritization
document" that rates Board activities. The document must be
returned by Board members within 10 days of receipt
and will include a column for comments and rating. Each Board
member was asked to prioritize using an "A,"
"B" or "C" scale.
Complete minutes from these 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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Administration
2009 Cycle B
Refresher Study Guide & Instructor's Guide
The 2009 OEC Cycle
B Refresher Study Guide will be available on-line for download
no later than June 8. The RSG will be available on the nsp.org
homepage or at nsp.org/Outdoor
Emergency Care/OEC Refresher Program. The Refresher Study Guide
will also be included as an insert in the summer issue of Ski Patrol Magazine.
A PDF of the 2009 OEC Cycle B Instructor's Guide has been posted at
nsp.org and is available for download. A hardcopy of the IG will be
mailed to all instructors next week. A special thanks to Greg
Bala and the Refresher Committee for another fine job!
Legal Component Added to 2009 RSG
Thanks to the entire NSP National Legal Counsel including;
Robert Scarlett, Kevin McQuillan, and Scott Eskelson, the 2009 Refresher
Study Guide includes several legal components. The group helped pen
two articles of importance to patrollers. The first addresses the need
to properly complete accident forms; the second is a discussion on the
NSP/NSAA Joint Statement of Understanding, which was renewed by the two
organizations at the end of last year. Be sure to look for these
articles in your RSG!
Outstanding Administrative Patroller Award
NSP Board Chair Terry LaLiberte presented Robert Scarlett,
NSP National Legal Counsel (left), with the Outstanding Administrative
Patroller Award at the Patroller Education Conference in Snowbird
in April. The award is a Gold Merit Star. Thank you, Bob, for your
many notable contributions to the organization.
Lifetime Membership Discount Offer Ends June 30
The
discounted Limited Lifetime Membership Drive approved by the NSP Board
last year expires on June 30. Some of the discounted Lifetime
Memberships are still available. Those taking advantage of the deal pay
$550 for the membership instead of the standard $700 rate, and then
never pay national dues again. For information or to
take advantage of this special offer click HERE.
NSP Mountain Host Program Numbers Up
Since the introduction of the revamped NSP Mountain
Host program during the 2007/08 ski season, 14 patrols and 538 members
have signed up as Host members. Mountain Host members receive Outdoor
First Care medical training, NSP member benefits, access to NSP
customer service training and other perks. The program has been timely
as there is growing interest among alumni patrollers to join Mountain
Host patrollers. More information about the program can be found HERE
or by contacting Carol Hudson.
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Marketing/Communications/Events
Pictures from
PEC '09 Posted On-line
Thanks again to
all who attended the NSP Patroller Education Conference (PEC '09) at
Snowbird. You helped the make the conference a great success. The
Board will vote to have a 2010 PEC Conference at the Annual
Meeting in June. If you have any comments or suggestions
regarding a 2010 Conference please forward them to Chris Bourne.
Photos of the event have been posted at nsp.org.
Take a look at them HERE.
More photos and conference highlights will be available in the summer
issue of Ski Patrol Magazine.
Have your own images? Feel free to upload your PEC photos
at this
link. Click the sign in button in the top right corner of the
page. The e-mail address is nsp@nsp.org and the
password is natskipatrol.
NSP reserves the right to use any uploaded photos in national
materials. If you wish to receive a photo credit, you MUST place your
name in the description.
May Sponsor Spotlight: MountainSmith
Summer is here and now is the time to buy a new pack.
Remember, Mountainsmith has teamed up with NSP to offer a 35% discount
to all members. To shop with the discount, enter coupon code NSP35 on the
payment page when placing your order online at www.mountainsmith.com. Call Chris
Bourne at 303-988-1111 if you have questions.
 Ortovox Renews NSP Sponsorship
Ortovox will renew its commitment as an
Official Supplier to the NSP starting June 1. Ortovox has a
long-standing relationship with the NSP, and has been supplying
transceivers, probes and shovels to members through the NSP Winter
Catalog since 2002. The German company has been an innovator in
backcountry safety products for 28 years. For more information visit ortovox.com
or visit the "promotional offers" page in the member log-in
area at nsp.org
to learn more about special deals on Ortovox products.
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NSP
Committee Updates
Planning Committee
NSP Seeking
Advisor for National Women's Program
The NSP is seeking
a volunteer program advisor to direct its new National Women's Program.
An application deadline has not been set, though those interested
should submit an application as soon as possible. For more information
click HERE.
Nomination Committee
Call for Candidates for 2009/10 NSP Board Closes Monday,
June 1!
The NSP Nomination Committee has announced the opening of
the Call for Candidates for the 2009/10 NSP Board of Directors
election. If you are an NSP member interested in serving on the Board,
please complete and submit the application found HERE (PDF) or go to nsp.org to dowload a Word
version. Applications must be submitted no later than June 1, 2009
(that's this Monday). For a detailed outline of the specific skills,
qualifications and attributes that help qualify one for a seat on the
NSP Board click HERE. Please contact NSP with other questions regarding the
application process.
Fundraising Committee
Get a *FREE* NSP T-Shirt
The first 25 applicants to be approved for a new NSP
Rewards Visa Card will receive an NSP logo tee free of charge. The
limited edition cotton shirt comes with the NSP logo on the front and a
2009 "Step into the Future of Patrolling" graphic on the back
(and was a very popular item at this year's PEC conference). Don't miss
out: The offer ends 06/15/09 or until the limited supply runs out. Apply Now!
Terms of Offer: Limited quantity. Only available size is
XL. Shirts will be sent to the first 25 applicants in order of new
account open date. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer only
valid when you apply through the link in this May 2009 NSP Newsletter.
This promotion is offered and administered by PartnersFirst. Offer ends
June 15, 2009.
Help NSP Thrive for Years to Come Through Planned Giving
NSP is an organization that has had an impact on your
life, and what better way to make an impact on other patrollers lives
than to make a contribution from your estate through a bequest?
By making bequests and other "planned gifts," you can
continue to help NSP grow for future generations. Click HERE to
create a place in your Will and your heart for NSP. Please
contact your financial advisor or CPA for more information on planned
giving. Chris Bourne at cbourne@nsp.org
from the national office can also assist you if you have any
questions.
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Special
Report: New Jersey Helmet Bill Proposed
New Jersey may be the first state to adopt a ski helmet law. A bill
proposed in the NJ State Legislature would require all children under
age 14 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding. In its current
incarnation, Bill A3612, sponsored by Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, also
calls for fines for ski area operators that don't provide rental
helmets and for parents/guardians who fail to ensure that their child
is helmeted. The bill also requires a ski area operator to establish
written procedures for the provision of medical care to an injured
skier, which are to be followed by the employees or volunteers working
at the ski area.
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)
and ski industry groups, including NSP, do not support the New Jersey
helmet bill as proposed. However, NSP and ski industry groups
would support a helmet law that's based on the bike helmet law
model, which places responsibility for enforcement on local law
enforcement and the responsibility of violations with parents/legal
guardians. As drafted, A3612 is not based on bike helmet law; the
measure attempts to make parental obligations into ski area
obligations. Though the NSP and NSAA object to the current draft of
A3612, the organization are communicating with legislators in the state,
as the ski industry has a vested interest in developing a workable and
effective statute that can serve as a model for other states should the
bill pass.
To further promote helmet use among kids, NSAA
is also spearheading a new, collaborative helmet campaign to advance
the shared goal of slope safety. NSAA launched the Lids on Kids (lidsonkids.org)
interactive website in 2002 in an effort to educate kids and parents
about helmet use on the slopes. As a result of this and other education
efforts by resorts, ski helmet use is now at 70 percent for kids under
age 9 and under and 60 percent for kids age 10-14. Now the ski industry
believes that helmet use among kids can be increased more. To that end,
the new campaign has the goal of increasing helmet usage among kids to
100 percent by 2012. NSAA will be establishing strategic partnerships
with state and regional ski associations as well as NSP, PSIA, SIA and
other industry groups to develop the 2009/10 season-campaign, which
will include helmet-related public service announcements, artwork, posters,
videos, promotions, website development and an aggressive PR
campaign. For questions regarding helmet issues and the New
Jersey helemet bill contact Tim White.
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Meet a
Member of the National Office Staff
 Wayne Block
Finance Director Wayne Block came onboard in July 2008 and
oversees all aspects of NSP financials. Previously Wayne worked for a
consulting company and travelled extensively; prior to that he worked
for the non-profit National Association of School Nurses.
Hometown and Education: Wayne grew up in Pekin, Ill.,
and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Finance
and Accounting. He's been a CPA in Colorado since 1977.
Family: Wayne has two boys, both soccer players. His oldest son,
Caleb, will be a junior at the University of Colorado in Boulder, while
his younger son will be a high school senior with aspirations of
attending Stanford in 2010.
Work Experience: Wayne has worked in accounting since graduating from
college. His professional experience includes a variety of positions
including public accounting, privately held corps and non-profit
organizations.
Snow Skills: Wayne hadn't skied before moving to Colorado from the
Midwest. His first ski adventure was at Eldora Ski Resort in Nederland,
Colo. Since joining the NSP, he's skied than ever before, and hopes to
keep it up.
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NSP
Winter Catalog Item of the Month (available at nsp.org)
Swix Large Gear Bag with Wheels - On Sale for a Limited
Time
 This fully padded,
reinforced gear bag has a large, 30-inch clam-shell opening. The top
section has two individual compartments and there are air mesh vents
for wet boots or dirty laundry storage. All inside zippered
compartments are outlined with neoprene stretch panels to prevent
zippers from blowing out, and there's also a steel-reinforced bottom
with studded, molded skate wheels. A name-tag holder is on the side
panel. 12 lbs.
SKU #17179 Was
- $99.00 NOW - $54
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NSP Visitor of the Month
 At the end of
April we received a wonderful addition to our newly-remodeled
museum. Wren Hudgins donated his rusty parka jacket to the
national office. His son, Alex, was kind enough to drop it
by. Thank you for your gift Wren!
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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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