Minutes of Region Meeting
Western Michigan Region
October 13, 2004   Brann’s Grand Rapids

Present:  Ron Edwards, Michael Walenta, Brian Klebba, Tony Wolfer, Colleen Wolfer, Chip Knappen, Shawn Rhoda, Jackie Bottomley, Michael Fick, John Jenkins, Ken Young, Cathy Young, Jim Williams, Deann Jenkins, Greg Hoppe, Larry Klose, Sue Brann, Mark Featherston,  Patrick Mulvihill

Call to Order and Introductions:  Called to order by RD John Jenkins at 7:05.  Mark Featherston – interim Section Chief for Section III.

Approval of Minutes of May Meeting – Meeting minutes approval - Chip Knappen moved and Michael Walenta seconded – motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Larry Klose presented  a printed report (copy on file) along with a new Region Roster.  Also included is a statement of Members Rights to a Financial Report.  Chip Knappen – page 2/8 – what is transfer of balances?  Consolidation of transfers.  Michael Walenta – are we getting this in e-mail?  What is donation under WMI – page 3/8.  Donation was received by Timber Ridge – cash from United Way.  Tony Wolfer -  page 2/8 – Pando and Nordic funds are flipped – request change.  Chip Knappen – if we are 503c are there limits to funds on hand?  No.  Ron Edwards moved and Michael Walenta seconded that we approve the report.  Motion passed.

Calendar Adjustments – Cathy Young - awards to Section should be January 24, 2005.

Timber Ridge: Jim Williams – WMI ski swap  is Nov 12 and 13 at Wings Stadium.  Michael Fick – Section II Basic hill needs to be moved from President’s Weekend – new date????  Brian Klebba – SES is at Pando Jan 16 – warm up Dec 11.  Considering date for Instructor Development course – same date as the Region Banquet????  (5-14-05) 

Region Director Report:

From the Division meeting in Chicago.

OEC to (???) MFR or EMT (B) Bridge Course – possible course will take people from OEC to be Medical First Responder or EMT and be eligible for state licensure – attendance at refresher will qualify for CEU.  This is an option if it is developed.

Next year’s OEC courses and scenarios -  when course is registered you receive course completion certificates, final test, 6 scenarios along with moulage instructions and directions for victims.

Direct Registration may be in the pipeline -  depending on software National office purchases, there may be the opportunity for individuals to register directly.  Question that this will undermine the position of the Patrol Reps to have a role in relation to the organization. 

New P&P changes Re qualifications & responsibilities for SC and RD -  In Central Division – the same qualifications have been described for SC and RD as were previously in the National description.

Senior Ski & Toboggan Manual – Strongly recommended that each eval team will contain at least one PSIA - II instructor at the senior level. 

Election Plans – Timing for election is different that  what is suggested by Division P&P.  When the April 2 meeting comes the new RD will be in place.  John Jenkins will be election coordinator since he cannot run again.  Erica Krol will be accepting nominations for RD and SC for Section III beginning Dec 1 – nominations closed Jan 31.

Section and Patrol Reports

WM1 Section:  Ski Swap will be held at Wings Stadium.  Jim Williams says candidate classes are in place.

WM2 Section:  Patrick Mulvihill said 10/2 was CPR/chair evac and 10/3 was OEC refresher for 150-160 people.  Ski swap will be the first full week in November.  Michael Fick said that candidate classes recovened.  There are 14 candidates.  The refresher was remodeled this year and went well.  Michael Walenta will be working on an agreement to connect the Nordic Patrol to Pando Patrol since National will no longer recognize service patrols.

WM3 Section:  Ron Edwards said that there are two new magic carpets at Crystal.  They have no candidates this year.  Region banquet will be May 14 and will be  karaoke event.  Deann Jenkins said candidate classes are active at Caberfae.

Aipline Advisor:  Division Ski trainers’ Workshop is at Boyne the first weekend in December.  Who are we sending and how much to subsidize?  Under discussion – depending on intent for this STW.  Larry Klose moved that the Proficiency Team decide who (8 people) goes and allocation of funds.  Ron Edwards seconded and the motion passed.

NSPC School -  Sue Brann says this will be a three day event to achieve level II.  We need to consider how we could fund people we wish to attend.  Chip Knappen suggested that we consider covering dues of those who maintain PSIA for patrol purposes.

Avalanche:  Request from Avalanche - John Jenkins stated that Carl Schiner requested course attendance at a Level 2 class this winter.  Tuition is $780.  Unless he has equipment to buy he can allocate budgeted funds for tuition and additional expenses can be considered.

Items From The Floor

Ken Young pointed out that Cannonsburg has many high level PSIA people.

Program Reports

Avalanche, Awards, Blue & Gold Banner, Instructor Development, MTR, OEC, Proficiency, Risk Mgmt./Legal, Ski School, Snowboard

Awards:  Kathy Young reminded us that the next meeting was two weeks away from the awards deadline.  Get awards started please.

OEC:  -  Brian Klebba  reminded us that people need to register courses with National.

Alpine

Jackie Bottomley will be scheduling a meeting to start the year.  Gregg Hoppe – to grade at senior level, you will need to attend T&T clinic 1/9 at Crystal.  1/8 STW.

Next meeting date (January 12, 2005) and adjournment

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