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December 2011
Volume 4 Issue 12
The
Sweep!
The
NSP Month in
Review | |
| NATIONAL SKI
PATROL |
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133 S. Van
Gordon St. 100
Lakewood, CO
80228
303-988-1111
fax:
303-988-3005
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From the Desk of Tim
White
Unfortunately,
it is a tough start to the ski season, with trails
covered with only thin white bands of snow over most
parts of the country. Fortunately in our business, hope
springs eternal, and in this case our hope is for snow,
and lots of it soon.
In
the interim, patrollers need to be reminded to stay on
task, get along with each other, and focus on getting
the job done in the best way they know how. For years, I
have been a proponent of three basic but important rules
for patrollers and all mountain employees to follow:
Look Smart, Know Your Stuff, and Be Compassionate. This
worked well until the advent of small HD video cameras
such the as GoPro, smart phones with video capability,
and compact digital cameras that can record video. With
the advent of such technology, a fourth rule to follow
is to remember that your actions (either good or bad) as
a patroller may be digitally captured at anytime and
placed on YouTube that evening.
This
was unfortunately the case when a patroller was caught
on camera this week dropping the F-Bomb while lecturing
a young man regarding reckless skiing. In a very short
and regrettable moment, this incident created the
potential for the good will and professionalism of all
patrollers to be questioned. The good news is that the
reputation of patrollers as the Good Samaritans of the
slopes is still there, and the lesson has been
reinforced (Rule #4) to act professionally, with
courtesy and respect at all
times.
Happy
New Year, and I hope to see you on the
slopes!
Sincerely,
Tim
White
Executive
Director,
NSP | |
NSP
Board Election Results
The NSP is
pleased to announce that Gary Deaver, Ed Gassman, and
Bill Hummer have been elected to their first terms on
the NSP board of directors. Board Chair Burt Mitchell
and Assistant Board Chair Scott Marland have also been
re-elected to the NSP board of directors.
The
election was a very close one. A total of 1,666 votes
were cast. Bill Hummer won the largest percentage of
votes with 20 percent. Scott Marland received 18 percent
of the vote, Burt Mitchell and Ed Gassman each received
17 percent, and Gary Deaver received 15 percent of the
vote. Runner-up Charles Povlitz finished just below with
14 percent of the vote. Thank you to all patrollers who
voted.
NSP
also wishes to extend its thanks to departing board
members David Ginley, Bela Musits, and Clark Noble for
their years of excellent service. Their work has helped
to improve the NSP in many
ways.
NSP
donates to 10th Mountain Division Foundation
 The National Ski Patrol (NSP) presented to
the 10th Mountain Division Foundation several hundred
sets of Dufold long underwear to be sent to troops
currently serving in front line areas. Most of the
troops receiving the winter gear will be with the
current 10th Mountain Division Light.
Thomas
Hames, chairman of the board of directors of the 10th
Mountain Division Foundation, Inc., accepted the winter
gear for the 10th Mountain Division Foundation, Inc., in
cooperation with Mike Adams, staff counsel for Travelers
Insurance Company of Greenwood Village, Colo., and
founder of the Travelers Care Package program for U.S.
troops at Travelers Insurance Company.
NSP
donates food to Denver Rescue Mission
In
early December, after a survey of staff members, it was
decided to hold a food drive for the Denver Rescue
Mission in conjunction with the PSIA/AASI on the second
floor of the building in Lakewood. Multiple boxes of
food were collected over the course of several weeks.
NSP's Carol Hudson took the boxes of food to the
Denver Rescue Mission as
part of its Christmas celebration. Additionally, the NSP
made a matching donation in support of the Denver Rescue
Mission's work, which will help feed poor and
homeless people over the holidays. The Denver Rescue
Mission is the oldest full-service charity in the Rocky
Mountain region, and was named the top nonprofit company
in Colorado by Colorado Biz magazine in November
2011.
Clarification
of license modification policies for
narrowbanding
There
have been several inquiries regarding NSP's policies
relating to the modification of radio licenses to comply
with the FCC's narrowbanding regulations that take
effect January 1, 2013.
NSP
will modify all radio licenses issued to NSP for
narrowband compliance prior to January 1, 2013. Ski area
management is responsible for modifying ski area
management (i.e. business) licenses issued to area
management. NSP will assist area management with this
process if requested via the patrol director. There is
no cost to either ski patrols or ski area management for
narrowband license modifications. All licenses must be
modified prior to January 1, 2013.
Questions
may be directed to mailto:telecom@nsp.org? .
NSP
Women's Program offers new communication tools
The
NSP Women's Program has developed two new venues of
communication. You can interact with other NSP members
with an interest in the program via Facebook NSP National Women's Program.
This will be a great venue to go to for ongoing sharing
and communication. To complement the Facebook page, the
NSP Women's Program has a new website. Visit us at nspwomensprogram.org. It is a dynamic
information database that will be updated regularly.
This website will be the foundation of communication
regarding program activity across the NSP. Take a look;
you will find information about the Women's Program and
a calendar listing the many women's clinics across the
divisions. Also, you will find information regarding
learning styles, tricks of the trade, skill and
leadership development, and gear. If you have any
questions or anything you might like to add, contact mailto:nspwomen@gmail.com?.
Polarmax
takes "Made in the U.S.A." to heart
Does
"Made in the USA" really mean all pieces of a garment
are made on U.S. soil? It does if you are Longworth
Industries, NSP sponsor Polarmax's parent company. NSP
Product Sales Manager Josh Jacobson and NSP Marketing
Director Christine Albertson received a firsthand look
at the North Carolina-based Polarmax/AYG textile
manufacturing plant.
 "It is heartening to see Americans hard at
work producing excellent products here in the U.S.,"
said Albertson.
The
factory begins with pieces of yarn purchased and woven
in North Carolina. The spools of fabric are then moved
to another warehouse (within the same block), where they
are laid on a machine and laser cut. More than 40 sewers
stitch base layer pants and tops together. Zippers and
color stitching are added along the way.
"It
is amazing to see the ladies sitting there with piles of
fabric putting together tops patrollers will be wearing
in the weeks to come," said Jacobson.
At
the applique presses, people add the Polarmax logo and
sizing labels by hand toward the end of the garment
process to show the care and concern that employees take
with each piece. After hearing from users about mixing
up pieces within their families, Polarmax has created a
new color-coded labeling system to help consumers
differentiate base layer pieces: black for men, red for
women, and blue for kids.
Each
piece of Polarmax base layer and AYG underwear is folded
and placed in packaging by hand. You will see the NSP
logo on Polarmax packaging. This amazing factory is
filled with over 150 employees working to create the
most durable, warm, comfortable, odor-free undergarment
available on the market today.
The
total carbon footprint your garment from Polarmax
travels before heading to you is less than 90 miles, all
within North Carolina. This is the tiniest carbon
footprint in the textile industry. There is no other
base layer company that can say that about their
product! New and innovative pieces come out of the N.C.
plant each year. Keep checking the NSP Pro
Page and the NSP
Winter Catalog for the NEW Polarmax winter base
layer and performance underwear from
AYG.
Patroller
Education Conference 2012 - Guest speaker Eric Alexander
Everest.
Elbrus. Cook. These are just a few of the mountains
world-class skier, climber, and mountaineer Eric
Alexander has scaled since 2001. What makes these trips
extraordinary? The experience Eric had while guiding his
blind friend, Erik Weihenmayer, to success during each
of these three trips. Listen and be inspired by Eric's
stories of teamwork, trust, courage, faith, and
integrity at NSP's Patroller Education Conference in
April 2012. Click
here and register today!
Don't
pay more - pay now! Check out all that is available at
our
current PEC brochure on page 8; price is only
$234.00. Registration fee GOES UP to $259.00 after
January 15, 2012. REGISTER NOW AND
SAVE!!!
Snowsports
Industries America Snow Show in Denver, January
2012
Registration
is currently open to all NSP members to attend this
season's Snow Show in Denver. This is an opportunity to
preview gear for the 2012/2013 season. You must
preregister online via the SIA website. Click
here to register. Show dates are January 27-29,
2012. In 2013, NSP will be celebrating its 75th
Anniversary during the SIA show. More details
will be coming to the NSP website shortly!
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Marketing/Communications/Events
Patagonia
The 3-Layer Patrol Jacket is as clean in line and form
as Telluride's San Joaquin Couloir, and as tough as the
runs off North Palisade Peak. It's the most durable,
lightweight, hard shell we've made for charging hard.
The 3-layer GORE-TEX® membrane is bonded with
waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX® Performance Shell on the
outside and a robust lining on the inside for protection
and durability. A DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish
fends off slush and sleet. The Optimal Visibility Hood™
is helmet compatible and 2-way-adjustable, with a
laminated visor. The patented Touch Point System™ embeds
cord locks in the hood and hem for on-the-fly
adjustments. Other details include coated, watertight
Slim Zips for reduced bulk, an adjustable,
fully-featured powder skirt, and low-profile pleated
cuff gussets. Buy one today from the NSP Winter
Catalog, available online at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=76htuscab&et=1108932096488&s=17162&e=0013L86yIWAJwvn9A-Ak-Nyk90RK9MEcXqvynVqtjSCgCbOPilkqZh_aUpusFu4KanLsKvu3ATCne0W5jz7BqpRpjPt2S5S06LrdJHZ07qcR7g=.
Highgear
At
Highgear, we're passionate about the great outdoors.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains trails to the slopes of
the Rockies, nature provides the inspiration we need to
create innovative products for outdoor experiences. When
we look out the window, we see an extraordinary
playground just waiting to be explored. Our mission is
to enhance your outdoor experience and active lifestyle
with Highgear's Tools for Adventure. The
latest watch in the Highgear Summit Series is the
Highgear AXIO HR™. This item is a triple threat:
altimeter, barometer, and heart rate monitor. The Axio
HR™ is designed with the outdoor adventure seeker and
fitness enthusiast in mind. Track your vertical speed,
barometric pressure drops, and exercise data with one
intuitive instrument. Check out the Axio HR™ and other
great Highgear items on the NSP Pro
Page.
FLOW
"Sick
since 96." Flow started in 1996 as a unique binding
company, and has since grown into a world-renowned
snowboarding equipment innovator. Now, with
award-winning snowboards, boots, and bindings, Flow
continues its commitment to snowboarding and progressing
to the next level. View the technology behind Flow's
gear and shop for your next board, boots, or bindings on
the NSP
Pro Page.
Cascade
Cascade Rescue is
pleased to announce that we have vastly expanded our
product offerings to include Petzl, Rock Exotica,
Austrialpine, Barryvox, SMC, and much more, including an
expanded line offering all PMI and Conterra products.
You may also want to browse the recently updated
NSP-only section for "Better-than-Pro-Pricing" on patrol
gear, carabineers, and more! Make sure you join us at
PEC12 for a sneak preview of some killer new Cascade
products, including some "Maximum Fun" time on the hill
at Copper!
 Facebook
Do
you like prizes? Is that a trick question? Log onto
NSP's Facebook page for your chance to win awesome
prizes from now until the end of February! Just visit www.facebook.com/nationalskipatrol and
click on the "NSP Contests" tab on the left-hand side
for instructions on how to win!
NSP
Photo Site
You
do not need a login ID to view the photos posted by your
fellow patrollers at the NSP photo site. Simply click
this link, or go to Flickr and search for NSP Photos
under Users. The login ID is used if you want to post
new photos of an event or your patrol. To post photos, go to Flickr, click Sign In, enter the
login ID "nspphotos" and the password. The password for
January is pec2012; if the login does not work,
e-mail Candace
Horgan. |
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A
Message from Education Director Darcy
Hanley
Happy
Holidays and all the best in 2012 from the Education
Department!
It
was a busy month that was topped off by the OEC division
supervisors meeting the first part of December. On the
NSP website is the Senior OEC Manual, OEC IT Manual and
a revised OEC written test version 1 and 2. Both of
these manuals can be used this season, or phased in next
season. Please contact your division OEC supervisor with
your questions. In addition, NSP will close courses that
have been left open for more than 180 days, return
illegible course completion forms, and request
instructors send your course completion form
electronically to mailto:shadsall@nsp.org?. It will be
easier to locate your record that way. We are manually
processing all of the refresher records and instructor
records this month, and should have the member data
updated close to the end of January. As records are
updated, we print OEC cards. The instructor cards will
be printed at the end of January.
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Fundraising
Matching
Gifts
Did you know that many
companies offer matching gifts programs for employees
that contribute time or donations to NSP? Each company
is different, but you can easily find out if your
employer participates by asking your human resources
department. Ask if they have a matching gift program,
and how you can get involved.
Catalog
items!!
NSP Shield
Logo Hitch Plug
NSP is excited to
announce the addition of the NSP shield logo hitch plug!
This extremely unique product features a clear coat
polish that assists in rust prevention while also
providing a beautiful aesthetic luster. The plug has
been cut into the shape of the shield logo and made from
fabricated aluminum. The current design will fit 2-inch
receivers. (NSP is working with the manufacturer to
create plugs that will fit smaller receivers as well;
stay tuned!) This product is a great way to show off
your NSP pride all season long. Note: This product does
not come with a trailer hitch locking pin. We are making
these available for $35.00 each. You can find this
product in the "Holiday Gifts" section of the online
catalog, as well as the "Logo Gear" section.
SKU #18411.
 Ortovox S1+
The
Ortovox S1+ has arrived, and limited quantities are now
available for purchase through the NSP online catalog.
NSP will be receiving enough to fulfill the needs of our
members wanting this product. You will NOT be able to
order the S1+ through the NSP Pro Page; Ortovox has a
limited supply from Germany, and they will be fulfilling
the needs of vendors first. If you would like an S1+,
please order through the NSP online catalog. The S1+
retails for $449 (MSRP), and is available through NSP
for $315!! You can find the S1+ in the "Backcountry"
section of the online catalog. If you have any trouble
ordering the S1+, please call Josh Jacobson at
303-988-1111, ext. 2629. SKU
#18371. |
NSP Visitors
of the Month
James
Rick Roberts
Rick
Roberts, a former board member from the Southern
Division, stopped by the office to speak with NSP
Executive Director Tim White about a variety of issues
right before Christmas.
Thanks
for stopping by!
Rick
Rosenwald
 Rick Rosenwald, of the Ski Brule
Ski Patrol in Wisconsin, stopped in right after
Thanksgiving.
Thanks
for stopping by!
Ted
and Camille Chase 
Ted
Chase, from the Ramstein Ski Patrol in Germany, and his
wife, Camille, stopped by the office in early December
to say hi.
Thanks for stopping
by!!!
 Mike and Kerri
Pangman
Mike
Pangman, of the Heidelberg Ski Patrol in Germany, and
his wife, Kerri, stopped by the office right before New
Year's Eve.
Thanks for stopping by!
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news. An archive of all issues of The Sweep is
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