Minutes of Region Meeting
West Michigan Region, NSP
January 12, 2005 Brann’s Grand Rapids
Present: Sue Brann, Tony Wolfer, Colleen Wolfer, Michael Fick, Michael Walenta, Kathy Young, Ken Young, Chip Knappen, Erica Krol, Stu Furrow, Jackie Bottomley, Gregg Hoppe, John Jenkins, Deann Jenkins, Dave Corey, Brian Klebba, Carl Schiner,
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by Region Director John Jenkins at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of October 13, 2004 were accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s report was accepted. Copy on file.
Election Report: Erica Krol states that nominations will close January 31. Three people are running for Region Director, Ken Young from Section I, Tony Wolfer from Section II, and Dennis O’Brien from Section III. Jackie Bottomley has accepted the nomination for Section Chief for Section III. John Jenkins will e-mail the report from Erica to all line officers and post all information on the web site. A paper summary will be mailed to each patrol for use for members without internet access. February 14 ballots will be mailed to the membership. March 7 will be the deadline for ballots to be returned. Results will be announced on March 15. Discussion held of question about using the National data base for a candidate to contact all region patrollers. Information can be requested from the Region Secretary.
Webmaster: Any files on the website that are password protected may be accessed by e-mailing Larry Klose and requesting access. The site received compliments.
Program Reports
Avalanche: Carl Schiner says on February 5&6 at Nubs Nob, 8 people are scheduled to show up for the Avalanche program. Attendance limited to 15 people. Carl plans to attend a Level II Avalanche class at Whitefish, NY.
OEC: Brian Klebba for OEC says Senior Emergency Management is scheduled for Sunday Jan 16 at Cannonsburg. Bob Garlinghouse and Michael Fick are coordinating. Brian needs Section II and Section III instructor availability.
Awards: Kathy Young says awards are due at section by Jan 24 (to Kathy by Feb 7). We need one hard copy and one electronic copy.
Alpine: Proficiency information from Jackie Bottomley – mailing was sent about events with pre-registration information included. For the clinics on Jan 8 and 9 not a whole lot of response was generated ahead of time. Sue Brann spoke about the Ski Trainers Workshop held Sat Jan 8 – a good day was had and the day was spent meeting trainers specific requests. Concern was expressed that NSP-C at the Division level did not support the region workshop. Also there was discussion of fees from PSIA for unregistered courses. NSP –C should be able to develop a plan for registering in house training events. Fees are related to prep courses and insurance to cover teaching the events. Also discussed was the multiple dues requirements for members to PSIA, NSP and NSP-C. Gregg Hoppe says that a clarification recently was that NSP-C instructors could only be covered by insurance if they were PSIA certified. Gregg Hoppe moved that Kevin Fultz be tasked with determining an equitable reimbursement of NSP-C dues and expenses and present it at the March 9 meeting. Motion seconded by Tony Wolfer. Discussion – this program is recognized as being more costly than any other program because of its connection with PSIA. Other programs are directly NSP related. Motion was passed unanimously. Gregg Hoppe spoke about the T&T calibration clinic at Crystal Sunday Jan 9. Some debate and conflict arose in the afternoon about the PSIA standard and NSP standard. Graders will calibrate the Saturday evening before the senior test. TES Sunday Jan 23 at Caberfae and SES Saturday Jan 22. Chip Knappen gave Gregg Hoppe compliments on his efforts at the T&T Clinic.
Nordic: MTR will be Feb 4,5,6 at Udell Hills – Michael Walenta for Marty Monsma.
Section and Patrol Reports
Bittersweet: Stu Furrow spoke – Bittersweet – candidates are progressing. They are working out problems registering courses. 24 candidates.
Timber Ridge: Ken Young – Timber Ridge – 9 people have passed OEC – 7 registered candidates entering the skiing program.
Crystal: Gregg Hoppe – Crystal is not accepting candidates at this time unless they are family members of existing patrollers.
WM2 Section: Michael Walenta spoke for Michael Fick for Patrick Mulvihill for Section II – Cannonsburg has their Hill Test scheduled for Sunday Feb 13 at 8 am. General call for evaluators for this event.
Pando: Tony Wolfer for Pando – we have one candidate who is also a manager – difficulty with him attending hill training classes.
Crystal: Brian Klebba spoke for Ron Edwards - Crystal is open with very few problems through the holiday season. Expansion problems are coming up which will require the NSP building to be relocated.
Carberfae: Deann Jenkins – the entire area is open and functional. There are 5 candidates who have passed OEC and are in hill training now.
Items from the floor:
Michael Walenta – showed fund raiser items. GVSU will be having a fund raiser and groups of 12 can volunteer to man the phones in March 1-800-442-2771 ask for Linda Kennedy this week. Funds generated must be used for educationally related expenses.
John Jenkins mentioned that at the Division meeting there was a discussion of a family who was being audited for their deductions for ski patrol expenses. One auditor feels that for these to qualify that expenses must be education related. However another ski patroller who is an auditor says this is incorrect.
Brian Klebba needs someone from WM3 Section to be the Section OEC Advisor.
Banquet – Section III at Caberfae – Karaoke – May 14.
Next meeting – March 9, 2005
Adjournment at 8:36 pm