National Ski Patrol “Realignment and Vision”

Summer 2014

Thank you for the invitation

• My name is Jim Woodrum • We also have several others from

the NSP National Leadership here:

Introductions:• Darcy Hanley: NSP Education Director• Janet Glaeser: National Board Member• John Thomas: Your Division Director• BrianCobble: Former Division Director, NB Candidate• Bill Sinykin: InterMountain Division Director, NB Candidate• Chuck Martschinke, Former Division Director• Jay Zedak: National OET Program Director• Tom Worley: Assistant National OET Program Director• Linda Barthel: National Women’s Program Director• Mike Husar: National Safety Committee Leader and Powder

Fall Committee• Sue Hayes: Powder Fall Committee• Dana Zedak: National Fund Raising Committee

Today's Presentation

• Part One: where is the memberships National Organization going!

• Part Two: The Joint Statement of Understanding with NSAA and other impactors on ski patrols and patrollers.

• To get started a little history challenge and our National Leaders will help me.

History of the National Ski Patrol

Proud United States and ski industry heritage, 76 years of service

Founded in 1938 by Charles Minot Dole Dole lobbied U.S. Army to create Americas first

ski troops for WWII; established 10th Mountain Division

The NSP was the only civilian organization authorized to screen and recruit applicants for the military

Original patrollers founded several ski areas including Aspen and Vail.

In 1980, the NSP was granted a federal charter by the U.S. Congress.

The National Ski Patrol Today

2013, 75th anniversary 30,000+ members (including patrollers &

mountain hosts) 600 patrols in 10 geographic divisions; one

professional division. NSP members promote safety in outdoor

recreation The majority of patrollers work as volunteers,

offering their time and expertise at no charge to improve the experience of outdoor recreationists.

Status as of 1/1/14

• Solving immediate NSP needs– Numerous action items– Gap in leadership

• A need to develop a vision and draft a plan to move NSP forward

• A bit of chaos at the National level

New Executive Director: John McMahon in Jan. 2014• John initiated a study on what was

needed in the NSP.• He examined feedback from National

Staff, Division Directors, Members, the Board, Industry Partners, etc.

• Using that feedback, he presented a plan to the National Board in the June 2014 Annual Meeting

• The remainder of this presentation will highlight some of that data

Staff feedback:• Information Technology:

• overly customized iMIS system creating on-going “bugs” to system, inconsistent data entry, limited iMIS training, in-ability to easily pull reports

• Phone system/protocol:• Over demand of winter call volume due to “bugs”

in IT, call routing inefficiency, and over use of national number to handle division question

• Establishing clearer job duties and procedures at the National Office:

• Lack of consistent protocols and procedures to duties

• Strategic vs. Tactical:• Need for strategic vision and goals• Roles of staff vs. board• “day to day” vs. long term vision

Division/Member Feedback:

• Develop strategic plan • Fix the NSP Database and IT systems, • Improve web content• Develop stronger/clearer relationship

with National EMS• Strong & positive action against

members that harm/disrupt organization

• Continue to increase board efficiency, lead by example, stop infighting

Division/Member Feedback cont…

• Develop new Revenue Streams• National immunity for patrollers• Education

– Easier resource access for instructors– Complete Outdoor First Care course – Enhance programs to become “best

of class”– Measure programs and delivery,

optimize dollars invested

Industry Partner Insights:(NSAA,PSIA,others)

• Thankful for volunteers and efforts• Believe we are engaged with

customers• Can be useful part of industry

solution– Build/credential chair evacuation– Relook at the Mountain Host Program– Workers Comp, Health care coverage

Industry Partner Insights cont…

• Keep NSP training in sync with what is needed at local area

• Keep up with trends industry/lifestyle of customers

• National vs. local issue• Tendency to create drama,

infighting: get your house in order!

Strategic Plan Process:

•Examine the NSP Mission:• What are the Challenges to the NSP:• Industry Trends:• Lifestyle Trends:• Environmental/Threats

Mission Statement

The National Ski Patrol is a member-driven professional organization of registered ski patrols striving to be recognized as the premier provider of training and education programs for emergency rescuers serving the outdoor recreation community. To meet that goal, and promote the safe enjoyment of snow sport enthusiasts, NSP supports its members through accredited education and training in leadership, outdoor emergency care, safety programs and transportation services.

Core Values• Excellence, Service, Camaraderie, Leadership,

Integrity

Challenges

In-Direct• EMT’s (including Wilderness)Comparison’s• Professional Patrols (APP)• FIPS (International)• Other Non NSP Patrols• Ski Industry Partners

– NSAA, PSIA, SIA• Other similar non profits

– American Red Cross

Industry Trends

• Aging industry leadership phasing out, new era emerging

• New ski area ownership• Resorts focusing more on guest

experience • Ski areas becoming more year-

round focused: Mt Bike, Ropes courses, slides, golf, ziplines, etc.

Lifestyle Trends

• Frustrations with Lack of a Work/Life Balance, simpler life

• Blooming Social Needs– Skilled volunteerism

• Lifetime Learning• Importance of Home and

Community• Health, Self Improvement, Fitness,

Eating Right

Environment/Threats

• Diminished NSP Relevancy • Cost to patrollers outweighing

benefits of volunteering • Misunderstanding of JSOU between

patrol/NSAA/ski areas• Worker’s comp, healthcare

coverage for volunteers• Ski Area Mountain Host programs• Inadequate services for NSP

members: (IT, Education, web)

Primary Strategy of the NSP:

• Elevate NSP’s Relevancy to:–Membership–Ski Resort/Areas–General Public

Elements to support: • Rekindle “spirit” of organization• Develop and follow strategic plan• Strive to be “best in category”• Provide required level of IT

services• Provide appropriate level of

education and programs• Increase revenue streams• Increase membership

Elements to support cont.. • Increase effectiveness of

communications to members• Increase team (staff) effectiveness • Develop accountability and

measurable performance goals• Build stronger collaboration with

industry partners• Improve committee function utilizing

NSP stakeholder expertise• Increase understanding of JSOU• Elevate leadership role

NSP Office chart

John McMahonExecutive Director

Tricia BurnsExecutive Assistant

NSP National Office Organizational ChartJune 1, 2014

Jack DonahueIT Support

Carol HudsonAdministrative

Coordinator

Joanne GalkoFinance Dir.

Darcy HanleyEducation Dir.

Cheri OverstonDir. Of Memb

Regis. & Awards

Candace HorganCommunication

Dir.

Melanie HoodMarketing &

Dev. Dir.

Josh JacobsonProduct Sales

Manager

Kate PeineAccountant

Jill BjerkeEducation Assistant

Jen MillerMembers Services

Manager

Cara CrowleyMarketing

Coordinator

Rachel CraneMerchandising &

Event Planner

Rob WilcoxWarehouse Supervisor

Now, why do we do this?

Today’s Issues and the Impact on Patrollers/Patrols

Key Topics Joint Statement of Understanding Insurance Coverage Releases Healthcare New Safety Initiatives Fundraising Importance of Nurturing fruitful

relationships Future of NSP

Joint Statement of Understanding

Paragraph 1:

A patrol, once established at a given ski area, is under the supervision of the ski area management and must abide by the policies and procedures established by that management.

Joint Statement of Understanding cont…

Paragraph 4:NSP and NSAA recognize the importance of educating lift evacuation participants as to appropriate lift evacuation techniques and the specific implementation details in the ski area lift evacuation plan. The establishment of necessary policies and procedures for lift evacuation, lift evacuation training, and the selection of equipment to be used in conjunction with such evacuation or training is the sole responsibility of ski area management. Patrollers will participate in lift evacuation and lift evacuation training only as ski area management shall direct.

Joint Statement of Understanding cont…

Paragraph 6:

It is recognized that ski area management ultimately supervises and controls many of the patrolling activities of individual NSP members and NSP registration units at each ski area. As such, it may be asserted that the ski area bears legal responsibility for such acts of its patrollers. It is also understood and agreed that there are services provided by individual NSP members based upon their training received from NSP.

Insurance Coverage NSP provides insurance for its

registered educational programs. The ski area provides general liability

insurance coverage for volunteer patrollers if:

1. They are acting at the direction of the Mountain

2. While performing within scope of their duties

Lawsuit have been brought against patroller’s.

Releases NSP is working with NSAA on this issue as a

good industry partner – seeking a fair and balanced solution

Considerations:• Inherent risks in sport• ANYONE who gets season pass releases• Patrollers in WORSE position than guest? • Indemnification Provisions• Releases from family members• Health Insurance• Workers Comp issues

Healthcare

NSP does support the concept that Patrollers should maintain individual health care policies.

New Safety Initiatives NSP National Safety Committee

• Currently working on Accident Investigation Manual

“Your Responsibility Code” 50th Anniversary, which started in 1964-65, two year initiative

Reckless Skiing / Collisions, Mountain Safety Patrol

Mountain Hosts, sometimes referred to as Ambassadors, Yellow Jackets, Courtesy Staff, etc.

Fundraising NSP, its Divisions, Regions, and patrols

perform fundraising to help generate funds to promote the mission of the NSP. • Cover costs like OEC refreshers,

training, patroller enhancement, etc

Monies and items purchased by such fundraising remain the property of the entity and are maintained by its Divisions, Regions and Patrols

Using non profit funds to purchase for profit equipment – insurance coverage issues

Importance of Nurturing Fruitful Relationship

Mission of patrols is to provide safety, rescue or first aid care to customers

Patrollers act as “Brand Ambassadors”, love to sell their mountains and engage heavily with potential customers

When patrollers feel valued by area management, it transcends into stronger, positive customer interaction

Fund raising and NSP events provides positive exposure of the ski area to the public

Importance of Nurturing Fruitful Relationship

Important for patrollers to understand area management expectations so they can work collaboratively towards meeting their needs

Importance of OPEN Communication with Patrol

The better a Region/Division is informed on area management needs, the better they can educate patrollers on fulfilling expectations

NSP in the Future

Relevancy Partnership Resources Skilled Volunteerism Mountain Host Humanitarian Cause

Thank You for your service!