SnowPro The Official Publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Eastern / Education Foundation
EARLY FALL 2005
You Asked for It - You Got It!
New membership program adds value, cuts costs and time for instructors joining PSIA-E/AASI by Michael J. Mendrick Executive Director
A
fter a thorough evaluation of our membership structure last spring by the Board of Directors and thanks to their dedication to grow and strengthen the organization, there is now a dynamic new way to become a member of PSIA-E/AASI. Beginning this coming season, the new membership program will add value while cutting costs and time for instructors joining PSIA-E/AASI.
E. Many school directors were also looking for more consistency between disciplines for new members.
The New Program
will be able to do so at a significantly reduced total cost. They will enjoy a more convenient entry process and be provided an enhanced professional development value to prepare them for the certification path, if they choose to pursue it. Also, they will enjoy more diversity of educational benefits and programs if they choose to remain Registered.
In response to these points, the Board, at their June 2005 meeting, approved the creation of a new entry process into PSIA-E/AASI. Beginning this season all new members in all disciplines will join Key Elements of the New Program the organization as a Registered member. There is 1. A prospective member will no longer no entry-level event required to become a member; need to attend a dedicated entry event (i.e. First rather, schools will be providing most of the clinic Tracks) to become a Registered member. For snowpreparation for instructors to go on to a Level 1 exam board instructors, AASI members will no longer need in any discipline, should the member choose to do to take the Level 1 exam as their first event. so. This clinic preparation will, Impact: This greatly in most cases, combine existimproves convenience ing in-house staff training and reduces overall “cost with recommended training of joining” as a new elements from PSIA-E/AASI. member. For example: ■ During the 2004Once an instructor becomes a Registered member, he/she 05 season it cost a new may choose to sign up for a Alpine member $99 to Have you paid your 2005-’06 association Level 1 exam immediately so attend a two-day First dues? If not, your name is no longer in our long as all other qualifications Tracks event, plus $72 active roster of members for PSIA-E, PSIA are met (as detailed in the registered dues, for a and AASI. This means you could lose future Exam & Study Guide for each total minimum expense benefits and certification status. If you find discipline – available at www. of $171 (PLUS travel and yourself in this situation and want to stay psia-e.org). time away from work/ involved, reinstatement options are available. As a result, snowsports inhome).The new process Call the office at (518) 452-6095 as soon as structors interested in becomfor joining, beginning possible for more information. ing a member of PSIA-E/AASI
How This Came to Be In evaluating and addressing the membership development/retention issue, so paramount in both the Divisional 2004 Organizational Plan and the National Strategic Plan, the Board identified the following core issues that led to the development of this new membership program: A. The organization has experienced no measurable growth since 2000-2001. B. Surveys conducted by the Snowsports Growth Project (facilitated by Ray Allard) during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons indicated that the cost and time required to become a member were major deterrents to joining. C. Membership perception of “value for the dollar” is critical to both attracting prospective members and retaining existing members. D. Snowsports school directors have been calling for an easier, less time-consuming and less expensive entry path into PSIA-E than the “First Tracks” process, as well as increased input and participation into the entry level training process.
Is this your last issue of the SnowPro?
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the inside edge
2 ....... Editor's Desk
13 ..... Around the Regions
33 ..... Foundation Scholarships Available
4 ....... President's Message
16 ..... AASI Event Highlights
35 ..... 2005-2006 Event Schedules
6 ....... Premier Event Dates
25 ..... 15 Below Club News PSIA-E / AASI SnowPro • Early Fall 2005
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