Minutes of Region Meeting
Western Michigan Region, NSP
March 18, 2009 Brann’s, Grand Rapids
Present: Dave Corey, Dan Navis, Carolyn Navis, Doug Mesara, Sue Brann, Jim Woodrum , Erica Krol, Chip Knappen, Colleen Wolfer, Tony Wolfer, David Menke, Larry Klose, Tim Kirch, Michael Walenta, Kelly Godfrey, Dennis O’Brien, Patrick Mulvihill, Michael Fick, Donna Katerburg, Jack Katerburg, Ken Young, Gregg Hoppe, Jackie Bottomley, Tom Fisher, Mike Patterson, Pat Livingston.
Meeting Called to Order: Meeting called to order at 7:00 by RD, Tony Wolfer.
Secretary’s Report: Secretary’s report accepted as written.
Financial Report: Treasurer, Larry Klose, reminded everyone of the July 30 date change for end of year reporting. He has all the forms on line but will mail copies to everyone. Report on file.
ARD, Elections, Senior Electives: Erica Krol announced the election results from the Section I election. Stu Furrow is the new Section Chief. Elections are closed.
OEC Advisor: Erica Krol read Dan Goldberger’s written report. Copy on file. Discussion of who would assume the task of acquisition of pins, certificates, patches for Senior program completion. Tony Wolfer will purchase and distribute as needed.
Instructor Development: Pat Livingston says a group in Section I is interested in having a class. Dates are Thursday, 4-9 and 4-16. The meeting will be held in Plainwell. All others interested please contact Pat. Jackie Bottomley says Section III may be interested in holding a class in May.
Alpine Toboggan: Chip Knappen read a written report from Shawn Rhoda. Copy on file.
NSP-C: Chip Knappen read his written report. Copy on file.
Senior Hill: Chip Knappen gave Britt Gustafsons report. Bump clinic at Crystal Moutain was successful. The Senior Hill had all candidates pass some portion of their hill test.
Avalanche: Michael Walenta said no class was offered this year due to lack of interest.
MTR: Michael Walenta gave Marty Monsma’s information. Next MTR class will be in October.
WM3 Section: Tom Fisher says Section is strong.
Crystal Mountain: Gregg Hoppe says Crystal will close on Apr 29 due to lack of interest. Three new basic patrollers this year. First aid class starting in Apr with an on line course and will run through the summer and end in Nov. Crystal is recruiting patrollers currently. Crystal has installed a computer system that will allow all incidents to be recorded in a paperless system. Crystal is focusing on the patrollers and family.
Caberfae Peaks: Tim Kirch states that one patroller completed testing on a snowboard and is dually registered. They had a very well received TES with Shawn Rhoda. They are forming their OEC class for the next year and will have dates available for the May meeting. Caberfae will help the patrol provide training to upgrade patroller skiing.
WM1 Section: Ken Young says the Banquet will be May 2, with a live band, and Brann’s catering the dinner. Timber Ridge patrol had a meeting with the area insurance advisors. They had a witness card presented that they will make available to the rest of the patrol representatives. They have also been discussing the issue of cell phone cameras on the hill.
Timber Ridge: Sue Brann reported that they had a successful skier friendly season at Timber Ridge. She followed with reading her written report which is on file.
Bittersweet: Dan Navis reports they closed 3-6. 10 new basics. He is elected Patrol Representative for two more years along with his assistant Carolyn.
WM2 Section: Jack Katerburg says there are 19 candidates in the OEC class for this year. There was a one hundred percent pass rate for the Basic Hill held for Section.
Cannonsburg: Mike Fick states that the OEC program running through the winter season is quite successful. Final exam will be 5/26. 3 seniors and 3 basics have passed their requirements for completion of Senior and Basic status.
Pando: David Menke reported that Pando officially closee 3-7. One person passed the Basic Hill on a board and is the areas first boarding patroller. One person passed OEC this year. Successful year for the area. Those taking the TES offered at Pando 2-15 with Shawn Rhoda, Dave Corey and David Bolliet enjoyed the training and the day.
Nordic: Kelly Godfrey said that Nordic added a couple of races that they patrolled this year because it was a good season in addition to patrolling VASA and the White Pine Stampede. They have one new basic patroller.
New Business:
Michael Walenta spoke about the Boy Scout Venture Program as a way to recruit new patrollers. More information by e-mailing; michaelwalenta@yahoo.com.
Region banquet on May 2 will include a region meeting beforehand.
Tony Wolfer recommended thinking about the Division fall meeting since it is at Mackinac Island this year.
Mulligan’s Hollow may activate a new patrol to join our region.
Tim Kirch: Question regarding converting Candidates to Auxiliaries to cover liability issues. Jim Woodrum recommends registering the class members with National when they start their classes to assure that they are covered if they become Auxiliaries immediately after their class.
Division Director, Jim Woodrum: 3 STWs last year. Region Directors have requested that three workshops be held again this coming year. They will be specifically looking for toboggan IT’s to attend. Jim attended a meeting with Chris Stoddard, president of MSAA (Midwest Ski Area Association) and representatives of the ski areas in our division. What the perfect patrol looks like is a topic that Jim was requested to cover at the next meeting. Another topic was what the image of patrollers is that is presented to the skiing public relative to skiing ability. Jim encourages people to get credentialed through PSIA or AASI ski school. This is a good use of patrol funds. Patroller Education Conference (replaced Powderfall) is coming up in April. Discussion continued of PSIA or AASI training, value to patrollers and coming requirements for senior testing. Many board members expressed the difficulty of attaining and maintaining credentialing.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00.