Call for Candidates in Regions 3, 4 and 7 — See page 42 Fall 2003 The Official Publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Eastern/Education Foundation
It’s Official! “15 Below” youth club, Region 7 ratified by Board By Michael J. Mendrick Executive Director Acting in response to overwhelming member support, the PSIA-E/AASI Board of Directors ratified the implementation of two major initiatives; the “15 Below” youth club and a new Region 7. “Both of these initiatives were carefully considered for more than a year,” said PSIA-E President, Bill Beerman. “Thanks to a lot of hard work and research on the part of task force members as well as member feedback, it became clear that the time had come for both ideas to become reality. A special thanks is due to Bill Hetrick, who proposed the youth club concept, and Region 4 elected representatives Angelo Ross and John Cossaboom, who brought the Region 7 proposal to the table.” Note: See Bill Hetrick’s editorial on page 2 for more insight on the creation of the “15 Below” club.
New club for 10-15 year olds tagged the “15 Below” club The PSIAE youth club, newly named the “15 Below” club, was established to create and maintain an interest by young people in snowsports and snowsports teaching. “The goal is to create an early connection with this age group of snowsports enthusiasts so they establish a comfort level with PSIA-E and AASI and are ‘ready to go’ as regular mem-
bers when they turn sixteen,” said Executive Director Michael Mendrick. “As a side benefit to our own membership growth and helping support the snowsports growth initiative of NSAA, I think we’ll also see the quality and professionalism of our sixteen-year-old members enhanced through this club involvement.” Beginning on January 1, 2004, any person may become of member of the “15 Below” youth club provided (s)he shall: (a) Pay such dues (currently $15) as established for “15 Below” club members by the Board of Directors. (b) Be at least 10 years of age and less than 16 years of age at the time of application. (c) Be sponsored for “15 Below” club membership by a current member of PSIA-E. (d) Meet other requirements as established from time to time by the Board of Directors. Young snowsports enthusiasts will belong to the “15 Below” club, under the umbrella of PSIA-E, while not being full members of PSIAE. Initially, benefits for youth club members will include: • Receipt of a personal copy of each SnowPro newsletter, which will include a special “15 Below“ section and articles. • Access to all PSIA-E/AASI pro shop education materials at member rates. • Educational events throughout the season that will be tailored specifically to this group and coordinated by the Advanced Children’s Educator staff. In this first season, there will be one event concurrent to the PSIA-E Spring Rally in late March at Killington. • A membership packet with club member card, promotional stickers and other material specifically targeted to this membership group.
SnowPro ◆ Fall 2003 ◆ Page 1
It's me again... and I'm in the centerfold.
• A streamlined entry process into full PSIA-E/AASI membership at age 16. Upon that date, club members can bypass “First Tracks” and go directly to the Level I exam if they pay the Eastern and National dues, have attended two club events during their club years (one of which is within two years of taking the Level I exam), have a snowsports school director signature, and have had 50 hours of instructional experience/training at the local snowsports school level. The “15 Below” Task Force will continue to work on new ideas for future implementation, including additional club events and “15 Below” merchandise and clothing. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome as we move ahead with this important initiative. Write to “15 Below” care of psia-e@psia-e.org. continued on page 3
on the inside
Editor's Desk 2 "15 Below" Club Application 5 Marketing Update 6 PSIA National News 13 Around the Regions 14 2003-04 Event Schedules 20-26 Wizard's Words centerfold Nordic Events Descriptions 36 Your Turn 39 Regions 3, 4 and 7 Election Rules 42