Patroller Committee Weekly Communication

Week Ending: June 11, 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this communication is to foster member awareness and to provide a vehicle for the identification of issues which are important to the membership and the resolution of the same to the mutual benefit of the members and the National Ski Patrol.

A Call to Action

The common theme we are hearing from concerned members is ‘what can we do to get our voice heard?’ The national board meeting is less than 2 weeks away. The best use of your time and energy is to send an e-mail directly to the National Board Members and ask them to take action on your behalf. If you happen to know one of the board members personally, then pick up the phone and call. This meeting is critical step in the very survival of the organization and your voice will make the difference. Take the 10 minutes to send an e-mail or pick up the phone and call.

NSP.org Forum Postings Reflects Membership Views

There has been an increase of forum postings over the last several weeks. The theme for many is constant and reflective of the Patroller Committee’s objectives (listed below). To be clear, while the ‘Back Cross’ was the issue that ‘broke the Camels back’, it is a symptom not the cause (OEC 101). The real issues go to the heart of the organization and are directly reflective of where the board and the executive director have directed or allowed the organization to go.

Patroller Committee’s Objectives:

  1. The average Patroller is aware, informed and engaged in the future of the NSP
  2. There is a unified membership identity that protects the heritage and brand of the NSP
  3. The NSP leadership is responsive and accountable to the membership
  4. A new mission statement is developed that reflects the activity of the majority of members
  5. The National Board of Directors long-term goals and objectives are fully transparent to membership
  6. A democratic membership election process for Board of Directors and reasonable term limits are immediately implemented
  7. Dynamic two-way communication between membership, National Chairman and the Board of Directors is the norm
  8. Patrollers receive a fair return for membership dues and understand where the dues are going
  9. There is appropriate "separateness" of the interest of the NSP, PSIA and NSAA
  10. The NSP champions efforts that provide liability mitigation or insurance coverage for local Patrollers
From what we have been able to ascertain, all Central, Eastern and Rocky Mountain Division Resolutions for Change that are to be presented at the Annual Board Meeting are in alignment with the objectives of Patroller Committee. The Patroller Committee has and will continue to work towards a mutually beneficial solution for both NSP leadership and members by working through and with the line organization fully supporting their resolutions and plans for change.

Denver, June 2005

The NSP Annual Board Meeting will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 24-25 in Golden, Colorado at the Table Mountain Inn starting at 8:30 each morning. We are encouraging all registered national ski patrollers to attend this open meeting. This would be a great opportunity to see our leadership in action and understand their perspective, approach and note their priorities and actions to the issues of membership concern.

Did You Know?

Our organization has a proud history of service to the skiing public going back some 60-odd years. Roger Langley (National #1) stated in the first "Annual Report of the National Ski Patrol" that the main purpose of the National Ski Patrol were to "embrace all patrols in a single system."

He goes on to identify four major objectives for the organization:

  1. Encourage the formation of more local patrols.
  2. Raise the standard of requirements for membership in local patrols.
  3. Work towards the formation of an organized group for the advancement of the sport, the education of the skiing public, and the development of safety in skiing.
  4. Through organization, make general information available for all Patrols in all sections of the country, resulting from the study and efforts of the National Ski Patrol Committee. In line with this objective, all local Patrols whose sponsoring clubs are members of the National Ski Association automatically become a part of the National Ski Patrol System, upon registering their Patrols with the Divisional Chairmen.
    (Annual Report of the National Ski Patrol, 1939 - 1940, can be accessed online , 6/13/05)

What you can do….. and of course Take ‘5’ to Get ‘5’

Also within the PC.org is a very good page of suggestions to answer the question often heard “What can I do?”. Take a few minutes and read this section and get involved. Share what you have learned, pass the word, keep the momentum going. This is your chance to make a difference and have your voice be heard. Take 5 minutes this week to contact 5 other patrollers and get them to register on: www.Patrollercommittee.org. then ask them to contact 5 others.

Sincerely,
Your PC Team

To send an email directly to the NSP Board of Directors select "Send a Message to National" from the menu on the left.