NSP Update: What’s Going On?

The Patroller Committee is happy to report that the PC website note, soliciting Members tax deductible contributions to offset Members litigation expenses incurred with respect to corporate governance and Member Rights has been clarified to insure compliance with IRS requirements.

The complete Donations posting can be seen on the PatrollerCommittee.org Editorials page.

In January 2006 the existing Board voted to increase dues by $20.

Why did the Board feel compelled to introduce a controversial dues increase when it could have been delayed for the new board to propose and support?

On May 11, the Finance Committee and other Board members had a conference call with Dick Everett and Mark Dorsey to review the proposed dues increase as the increase has yet to have a final approval. During the meeting it was disclosed that approximately $5 of the $20 was for supporting the New Educational Model. Nothing was finalized, so another session was scheduled for May 22 to continue the dues increase discussions.

What is urgent and what would be wrong with a financial study to evaluate the need for a dues increase? (Remember 2004-2005 NSP finances ended in the black.)

Few Members know anything about the New Education Model, which was referred to in Bob McLaughlin’s resignation letter as the "reorganization of its (NSP’s) long obsolete educational delivery system".

A review of the New Education Model was just started by the New Board members. It has not been communicated to the general membership for review or commentary. Reports from the few OEC Instructor Trainers who have seen it indicate the Model has some good parts and some areas of concern. Further study or evaluation has been suggested.

If the New Education Model and the supporting Dues Increase are needed and in the best interest of NSP and its Members, then there should be nothing to hide and nothing is lost by waiting for studies to be completed.

Members should also be educated on the model….. no more hidden agendas! Shouldn’t Members understand what the value is of the New Education Model, especially if it reflects a $5 dues increase?

R. Plumer (Feb 28), J. Rust (Apr 28), L. Acord (May 1), B. McLaughlin (May 9)

Four Board Members have resigned from office since the election results were announced on February 20. Three of the four have resigned since the Member Rights Bylaws were ratified on April 16.

The common thread of all the resignation letters seems to be "NSP can't Prosper" and "....the National Ski Patrol will be unable to effectively fulfill its mission, achieve its important strategic objectives, or to enact a much-needed reorganization of its long obsolete educational delivery system."

Why have these Board members quit instead of supporting Member involvement, constructively contributing in the healing of NSP and choosing to be a part of the solution?

What are the “important strategic objectives” and why is our education delivery system “obsolete”?

Process Schedule:

• May 1 - - - - - - - - Nominations Close
• June 1 - - - - - - - Nominee applications due
• September 1 - - - - Nomination Committee selects candidates
• September 10 - - - Candidates are notified
• Early October - - - Ballots distributed
• December 15 - - - All Ballots due
• January 1 - - - - - New Board Members officially take office

Board openings (7)

• Out on term limits (1) - Dick Everett
• Announced intent on not running for reelection (1): Jessica Simpson
• Resignations (4): R. Plumer, L. Acord, J. Rust, B. McLaughlin
• Board Member up for reelection (1): Terry LaLiberte

Nomination Committee

Board Members: Jim DeWeerd (Central), Bob McLaughlin (Resigned from BOD) Division Directors: Chris Ross (chair - Alaska), Fay Johnson (Professional); Member-At-Large: Ray Bryan (FWD)

Nomination Committee Expectations by Members

• Open and transparent selection process; (Central Division has sent a Resolution requesting the same to the NSP Board)
• NSP to publish all the Nominees names and their Applications
• B. McLaughlin’s vacant Nomination Committee Member seat be promptly replaced by the Board
• The Nomination Committee will present a “2 times,” fair and balanced Slate of Candidates (14) to Members for a vote

If the Nomination Committee is going to charter itself to select “qualified candidates” then each Nomination Committee member’s mindset and objectivity are important. The following may give you some insight:. - Chris Ross (Nomination Committee Chairman) - The World is Flat

NSP Executive Director

Steve Over was retired as NSP Executive Director at the end of 2005, after being the NSP Executive Director since 1982 and PSIA Executive Director since 1990. Since January. the NSP/PSIA Marketing Director, Mark Dorsey, has been acting as temporary NSP Executive Director. By all reports Mark Dorsey has not supported Member Rights or interests in any way, however there have been and are efforts today to support hiring Mark Dorsey as NSP Executive Director.

After what has happened since 1990, is it in the best interest of NSP, for NSP to have the same Executive Director as PSIA?

The Executive Director is the critical NSP staff position whose mindset and management style will drive the vital day to day operations of NSP and look after the best interests of NSP and its Members, which is critical in the urgently needed unification and healing of NSP.

Working for NSP Membership . . . . . The PC Team

* Messages can be easily sent to the Board by utilizing the “Send a Message to National” capability on Patrollercommittee.org.