initiatives and action plans, continued from page 1 “Youth Club” for 10-to-15-year-olds. This effort was also spearheaded by Bill Hetrick and was viewed by the Board as a proactive effort to encourage young people to get involved in snowsports, be introduced to snowsports teaching, and build their interest in PSIA-E and AASI so they are “ready to go” as regular members upon turning sixteen. A task force was set up (chaired by Marty Harrison, Region 2 Director) to establish implementation details and timetables and will report back to the Board at our October meeting. For more details, see the article on proposed bylaws revisions on page 38 of this issue. More information will be available in the fall issue of SnowPro as well. • In response to initiatives proposed by the Snowsports School Management Committee (chaired by Einar Aas), the Board approved the establishment of a task force to research the potential impact, challenges and (or) benefits of allowing younger age (14 – 15) full members into PSIA-E. I will be naming members to that task force this fall. This is not related to the youth club proposal, which is a “booster club” concept whose members will not be members of PSIA-E until they become of age (currently 16). • The Board voted to accept the AASI proposal to develop a freestyle accreditation program with $800.00 in budget support. • In another move responsive to member feedback, the Board approved a new program for accelerated full certification in one season, to be called the Early Admission program. See Pete Howard’s article in the “Zipper Line” section of this issue for more details. In addition to the action taken on proposals and policy initiatives, the Board reviewed and approved several “action plans” submitted by various committees to help them develop new programs and tools for members.
• A new Nordic web-based study guide project, with $1,750 in funding. Of the $7,443 in available (budgeted) Opportunity Fund monies, $5,850 was allocated, leaving a balance of $1,593 for future consideration at the October 2003 BOD meeting. The BOD also discussed and endorsed the proposed change of the national association to the American Snowsports Education Association, which would ser ve as the umbrella name for the organization. PSIA and AASI would remain, as would their respective shield and logo. No motion or vote taken at this time. In financial matters, the Board approved an Eastern Division operating budget (not including the PSIA national dues pass-through) in the amount of $1,500,874.00. This budget projects a positive fiscal year-end balance of $404.00. Last but certainly not least, the Board offered a sincere thank you to Joan Heaton as she completed her years of service as the Education Committee Chairperson. Fortunately, Joan will continue to serve as the coordinator of the growing Area Rep program, and we look forward to her continued contributions to that important effort. As you can see, the Board addressed a full menu of ideas, proposals, initiatives and action plans, at all times keeping working toward finding a balance between what was fiscally feasible and what best served the needs of our members. More information on some of the recently approved initiatives is available throughout the pages of this issue of SnowPro. I encourage you to give us a call at (518) 4526095 if you have questions or comments.◆◆
New Action Plans approved: • The development of an AASI Eastern Standards video at a cost of up to $1,000.00. • An Alpine Teen Initiative program, an exciting new initiative to build membership growth by bringing in-house education to young ski and snowboard teachers. This was approved with $1,000 in funding from PSIA-E and $700 in funding from EF Terry Fund. • An Alpine DCL Outreach program, as a membership initiative, to subsidize the provision of free one-day clinics for select schools that are not currently affiliated with PSIA-E. This was approved with $2,100 in funding to pay DCLs for time and expenses. • Support of the Snowsports Growth Project in 2003-04 in the amount of $2,000 in EF funds, as a portion of the funds raised from the Pro Jam Silent Auction.
SnowPro ◆ Early Fall 2003 ◆ Page 3
editor's desk, continued or listen! We don’t just sit and ask for more! Don’t we turn the TV or radio off, or, at least, attempt to change to something else? If we have the power to do so, we may even adjust the antenna – the basic receiving system - and try to improve the signal. It seems that we can take the same approach to all the “noise” in our daily lives by simply turning off the system, or adjusting the receiving system (yourself) to something else that is less consuming. A quick review of the newspaper each day and a visit to a quality news channel should be enough to keep up with the daily news. Why allow ourselves to be bombarded by things that are negative in our lives and which have the potential to detract from our productivity and the enjoyment of our lives? As we prepare for the upcoming season let’s try to put the daily “noise” in our lives in proper perspective. Certainly, it’s expected that we will be concerned about major news items. But, should we allow ourselves to be continually consumed by things over which we have no control? We have the luxury of the pure blessing of being able to enjoy some of the most beautiful places on earth, and some of the most beautiful winter weather. It is a true privilege that has been given to us to be involved in skiing and riding. I cannot imagine a more beautiful and satisfying activity than that in which we’re involved. The excitement, privacy and pure ecstasy that comes from being in the mountains in the winter and being able to experience the sensations of snowsports is an absolute privilege of which we have chosen to take advantage. Let’s not miss out on these wonderful sensations, and this wonderful privilege, because we allow ourselves to be consumed by all the “noise” in life. Maintain your focus and your concentration by controlling and managing the “noise”. Allow yourself to embrace only those stimuli that enhance your life experiences and pass these same stimuli on to your snowsports guests. Embrace only that which adds positively and constructively to your personal goals within your own value system. Best wishes for a wonderful upcoming season. ◆◆