Minutes of Region Meeting
Western Michigan Region, NSP
October 13, 2010, Brann’s Grand Rapids

Present:  Sue Brann, Doug Mesara, Jim Barlas, Erica Krol, Kevin Fultz, Dan Navis, Stu Furrow, Larry Klose, Tony Wolfer, Colleen Wolfer, Shawn Rhoda, Greg Hayes, Colene Hayes, Mike Patterson, Nancy Hensley, Don Smith, Jim Woodrum, Jay Zedak, Tom Fisher, Gregg Hoppe, Jackie Bottomley, Dan Goldberger, Steve Stryd, Brian Klebba.

Meeting Called To Order:  Meeting called to order at 6:58pm at Branns Restaurant.

Secretary’s Report:  Secretary’s report accepted as written.

Treasurer’s Report:  Larry Klose says he is happy with electronic financial reporting.  Changes are expected on next year’s financial reports.  Consolidated Region Report shows $115,782 ending balance.  Larry also reports that he has updated the web page.

OEC Advisor:  Dan Goldberger reports Crystal graduated 5 candidates in June.  Active classes going at all the other patrols.  Successful refreshers at Section I, II and Crystal with Caberfae coming up.  Everything is still on track for the 5th edition of the OEC text to be released in the first quarter of 2011.

WM Section 1:  Stu Furrow  reports that the patroller who stores all their ski swap items has retired and someone new has stepped up so they are good to go.

WM Section 2:  Mike Patterson reports that refresher went well and they are working toward the ski swap.

WM Section 3:  Tom Fisher says the End of Year Meeting will be at Crystal on May 7, 2011.  They will try to have packages for rooms and whatever else Crystal will make available.  Sue Brann brought up that this is Mother’s Day weekend which we had discussed at the May meeting.  Tom will see if the meeting can be shifted to April 30.

Bittersweet:  Dan Navis – Jan 2 they will be holding a late refresher at a training facility by Lake Doster.   Contact Dan Goldberger.  Fee planned at this time is $25.  Will probably not run and OEC class next year as they have enough patrollers to cover their needs currently.  New at Bittersweet is a new loft in the cafeteria.

Timber Ridge:  Doug Mesara says 6 people in candidate class.  Some dirt moved in the parking lot area.

Cannonsburg:  Mike Patterson says the biggest change is new owners.  They will check to make sure planned seminars are still okay.  Dirt is being moved and they are getting a magic carpet and a mini poma lift.

Caberfae Peaks:  report sent by Tim Kirch read.

Crystal Mountain:   Gregg Hoppe says 5 candidates just finished OEC class and one from Cannonsburg.  They expect 12 new candidates out for hill training.  Staff is still the same which works well for them.  They did run a downhill chair evac which was difficult with larger individuals.  They are looking for further information on how to improve the process.  Jay Zedak says he has a video that he will share.

Womens Ski Clinic:  Jackie Bottomley spoke regarding a planned women’s ski and toboggan clinic for our region ladies.  It will be held at Caberfae starting F Jan 21 through Sunday Jan 23.  Sue Brann, Britt Gustafson and Erica Krol will help.  Limited to 20 at a cost of $150 to $180/ person including lodging, meals and lift tickets.  Currently 8 rooms reserved.

Instructor Development: clinic will be available this fall with Jackie Bottomley teaching.

Blue and Gold:  Colleen Wolfer says newsletter format seems to be getting obsolete.  Offer to send monthly updates.  Board agreed with idea.  We also discussed having a link to a newsletter on the region web site but decided that e-mail without attachments or links was more direct.  A discussion followed of updating the web site address and adding pictures to the site.

Jim Woodrum:  Tim White with Subaru said their marketing advisor was interested in ways to better contact the NSP membership.  There will be more information on our website.  Darcy Hanley has been hired by the National office.  Jay Zedak will replace Darcy Hanley.  Dan Moss will replace Jay Zedak.   Bev Benzing will be stepping down as Division Treasurer due to job issues and responsibilities to parents.  Joe Hannah from Marquette will replace Bev.   Dan Somalski is having serious health problems and his duties will be divided up and handled for now.  Trollhaugen , Boyne Highlands and Cascade Mtn will be hosting the ASE program.  Chicago Ski Show had Jeannie Thoren present and spoke to Jim and said she and her husband could host clinics for the ski patrol and wishes to promote more women in ski patrol.  Suggestion to attend our spring banquet.  National Board election coming up – ballots will be out on Friday.  Region Directors are ranking the candidates and the information will be available on the Division web site.  Jim feels that in addition to considering the board members to elect that we need to look at finance,  education and the national database.  Jim led into introduction of Jay Zedak and the ASE program.

Jay Zedak:  Discussion of the ASE (Accredited Senior Evaluator) program.  Encouraging current technique through the evaluator staff on current standard equipment with calibration throughout the Division.  Level II and III PSIA accredited individuals do not have to participate in an exam.  Written pretest online to do at home before the exam.  Members have a three year window to complete the evaluation.  ASE preparatory clinic and ASE exam are available.  The changes do not affect senior toboggan evaluators but do affect the ski assessment.  Concern has been expressed that we will lose many senior evaluators.  Jim Woodrum says that the program has the ability to change as needed to find out how it will function.    Gregg Hoppe asked for clarification of requirements for PSIA accredited evaluator to be team member on the alpine senior evaluation.  Three year window applies and this season having one member of the examining team also be PSIA covers requirement.  Gregg also asked if there was any discussion about having a later exam date. Jay Zedak says there is also a possibility that this can be available at the calibration clinic.  If Division examiners are called on to fulfill positions, Jim Woodrum says division budget will cover sending them but he requests that region cover housing and feeding them.  Do not have to be current senior examiner to be in the ASE program.  NSP does have the ski school insurance program.  The program is available to patrollers who are toboggan trainers and teaching skiing as a part of toboggan training.  Membership applications are on line.  Go to www.NSP-CSkiSchool.com .

Clarification of STW attendees – Patrol Reps attend free of charge according to Jim.  We can send unlimited numbers from the region.  Recertification of toboggan Its also taking place over the last year.

Election:  Erica Krol announced that this year is election for Section III Section Chief and for Region Director.  Nominations open Dec 1 and close Dec 30.  We will have further info in a monthly update newsletter.

Meeting Adjourned:  Meeting concluded at 9:10pm.