Minutes of Region Meeting
Western Michigan Region, NSP
March 10, 2010, Brann’s Grand Rapids

Present:  Chip Knappen, Britt Gustafson, Shawn Rhoda, Erica Krol, Doug Mesara, Jim Barlas, Dan Goldberger, Dan Navis, Stu Furrow, Larry Klose, Tony Wolfer, Colleen Wolfer, Tim Kirch, Brian Klebba, Don Smith, Jack Katerburg, Mike Pattersen, Mike Fick.

Secretary’s Report:  Minutes accepted as written.

Treasurer’s Report:  Larry Klose – budgets for the next season are due in to him.  Discussion of expenses for 2009-10 season. 

OEC Advisor Report: Dan Goldberger – the major event has been the SEM final at Cannonsburg.  Thank you to Mike Fick and Cannonsburg.  7 candidates – 6 passed – 1 new senior.  Two OEC classes at Cannonsburg and Crystal currently running.

Alpine Senior Proficiency Report: Britt Gustafson – Very successful Senior Hill final – Martha Nowak and Laura Cameron completed thier senior requirements.  Fair test and successful – everyone passed something.  Chip Knappen worked as a QA with Linda Barthel and received information that our senior hill test is the best senior test in the Division.  It is being considered that the final date should be closer to the warm-up date.

Alpine Toboggan Report: Shawn Rhoda – three TESs this year Bittersweet 16 people Caberfae with 13 and Pando with 5 participants.  All went well.  Program purchased 2 new toboggan carriers which stay with Shawn to be used around the Region.  He also worked the SES that was originally Kevin Fultz project before his injury.  Chip Knappen also involved.  He believes that the PSIA instructors that were involved may make themselves available to travel.  Asked Mike Fick if he would consider hosting a TES at Cannonsburg.  Mid February would be a possible good time within the region.

Awards Advisor Report: Jim Barlas – awards are coming along.  He is waiting for the committee to get back to him on who they are recommending.

Elections Report: Erica Krol -  Erica spent zero dollars for elections.  Section II did not need to host an election and Jack Katerburg will continue as Section II Section Chief.  Will need budget dollars in the next year to conduct a Region Director election.

Section 1 Report: Stu Furrow – Section I sent 7 patrollers to the Olympics.  Their awards write-ups were completed on time and hand delivered to Jim Barlas.

Timber Ridge Report: Doug Mesara – TR closed for the season today.  Pretty good year.  5 candidates and 1 auxiliary patroller took the hill test and passed.  5 will enter the OEC program.

Bittersweet: Dan Navis -  has been gone for 3 wks and is out of the loop.  All the candidates completed their hill training.

Section 2: -  Jack Katerburg – Basic Test had 10 candidates with 7 successfully passing.  Region banquet will be hosted at Cannonsburg May 1.  6 of 7 candidates passed the SEM held 3-7-10.

WM Nordic Report: Kelly Godfrey was not present but e-mailed a report.  The Nordic ranks are growing!  We have 3 new Nordic patrollers this year.  Some of the larger races patrolled this season were the White Pine Stampede in Mancelona, the VASA in Traverse City and the Gran Travers in Traverse City.  Two of oour patrollers, Dan Goldberger and David Snoek patrolled the Birkie this year (Hayward, WI).  We have 4 new candidates that are practicing and hopefully will be ready to take their test next season.

Cannonsburg: – Mike Fick – they are closed this week but will be open Sat and Sun and close for the season on Sunday.  Mr. Brown and the patrol are all happy.

Pando: Tony Wolfer for Pando - The best year ever and about 11,000 visits over the previous best year about 3 yrs ago.

Caberfae: Tim Kirch – OEC class starting 4-18.  Dates will be published soon.  Expect 12 new participants.  They expect 2-3 of the pro patrollers to take OEC/  Should be wrapped by Nov to have auxiliaries ready.  They will have an OEC refresher this Saturday for a person who did not complete a refresher.  They can take 2-3 additional people if anyone still needs their update.  5 new members to the patrol.  3 members from the OEC group also passed their Basic Hill.  They have dedicated a snow gun tower to Kevin Fultz.  Brian Thurston passed the ski and toboggan elements of the senior program.  Caberfae has a new toboggan IT in progress – Dave Woerful.

Crystal Mountain: Brian Klebba for Gregg Hoppe – 3-4 weeks of season expected yet.  This weekend the Family Palooza slush cup will be held and sign on patrollers are welcome.  OEC midterms are this weekend and will conclude in early June.  Hosted Senior Hill with great snow conditions.  4-6 auxiliary candidates.  May have a total of a dozen new patrollers.  Will ask if Crystal will host an SES in the 2011-12 season.  Erica mentioned a possible interest in having a womens clinic next season at Crystal.  Chip also mentioned that he trains candidates for senior every Mon and Thurs at Timber.  Also Brian told us about Paul Kelly being injured.

Erica has qualified for her PSIA level II.

National Patroller Education Conference: Don Smith says he is taking a group to the PEC .  He is putting two teams in the event.  They will go a day early to train with a guy from Pacific Northwest.

Blue and Gold: Can be sent out electronically as soon as Section II is ready with their info for the banquet.  Brian Klebba suggests a motorcycle tour for the morning.

Next meeting is May 1 for budget and calendar planning.  It will be followed by the Bob Flink wine and cheese 50th patrolling year celebration.

Meeting adjourned at 8:09.