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Western Section:

From Jim Jacobs

For the first time in three years we had a possive season, we had the weather and snow on our side and the section membership had an increase. The only negative thing I heard was that the size of the crowds were not as large as the areas would have like to seen.

The Western Section now has 240 members. That's up form our 236 members of last year. So how can we keep everyone we presently have and how do we find more candidates?

Our section has hosted a variety of NSP programs. 2 OEC classes, 2 OEC Senior clinics, OEC Senior evaluation, 3 S&T Senior clinics, Toboggan Enhancement Seminar, and Women's Skiing Enhancement seminar. Thank you to all of the program administrators and instructors involved in presenting the programs. Congratulation to Bill Csikese in completing this Senior S&T and to Kim Bellas, Roger Strane, Bill Kozlovich, Ray Buchko, Jose Van Zaig, Gigi Dreskier, Jen Jones, Chris Briden and Ed Myers for Senior OEC.

Now for the news form the spring division meeting at Albany. Patrollers please get involved in the politics of the NSP. You were asked to vote for your National Board, the ballot was in the National Magazine Fall 2002 issue. Out of a possible 6700 vote in the Eastern Division approximant 200 votes were returned. All of you that did not vote, you vote was counted as a positive vote. Now with Eastern Division changing the election procedures. Each patroller will vote their Region Director. In turn each Region Director will be come a member of the Board of Director for the Eastern Division. It's very important that you vote for the best-qualified candidate. This will be the only voice you have. You may no longer have a Section Chief or Patrol Rep. to voice your concerns. For those smaller patrols that have a candidate for the Region Director good luck if the opposing candidate is from a large patrol. Whether you vote for or oppose what's on the ballet, remember you must vote or you're screwed.

Eastern Division

S. E. Schopfer

Ski Sawmill, Denton Hill, Mountain View, Tussey Mtn. (PSOC), and Blue Knob all were positively effected by the outstanding winter weather this season. All areas opened within a week of each other and all 5 areas closed almost within the same time period. OEC Fall Refreshers went off without any major mishaps and the OEC Delinquent Reports are being taken care of as I write this. I'm pleased to report that all of the 2003-2004 Patrol Confirmations were submitted on time and all 6 of the 990's will be submitted ahead of the deadline.

Most recently, at the Eastern Division Spring Officer's Meeting on April 26/27 in Albany, we changed the future of the Eastern Division Governance and Direction for Program Delivery for the years to come. The Implementation Task Force has been chosen and their mission is to carry out the planning and execution of the Transition Plan. More on this as it develops on the Eastern Division Website.

The high point of this year was watching the Denton Hill Patrol revive itself under the leadership of their new Patrol Director, Molly Bovard. It was like the Patrol did a self- administered A.E.D. At the end of the season, I attended the Denton Hill Awards Banquet and was honored to present Molly with the Denton Hill Patroller of the Year Award. The standing ovation she received by the 70+ Patrollers and family members attending was richly deserved.

As many of you have come to understand, our industry is changing. Guest Services, Tubing Parks, Terrain Parks and Snowboarding (Riding), and shaped skis are innovations to the Snow Sports Industry that are here to stay. Our coalition with the Ski Instructors Association and the Ski Area Owners/Operators Association by sharing the same headquarters in Denver and Executive Director are only some of the ways that are keeping the sport alive and growing. Every year, each Ski Area sees changes in the demographics and Skier/Snowboarder/Tubing visits. Together, we can, and do, make a difference in Skier Education and Patient Care for those that are injured. We are learning superior customer relations skills and polishing our positive attitudes to assure the Snow Sports Industry continues to prosper.

ALUMNI NEWS

Fellow Patrollers, 2002 marked my first year as the western Appalachian Region Alumni Advisor. Last summer I worked diligently to contact patrollers who failed to register with their patrols the previous fall. In addition I sent letters out to all patrol directors and fellow alumni advisors asking for suggestions and ideas. The feedback was not as promising as I had hoped but I did get some good ideas. In February Dick Barron of Seven Springs Mountain Resort graciously allowed me to hold an "alumni day" at his mountain. Notices were sent out to all of the existing alumni. Seven Springs provided complementary lift tickets to the alumni, several of which braved the cold and blowing snow to make a few turns. When we weren't out on the slopes we shared camaraderie and stories from pervious patrol experiences. Later in the morning with the funds returned to us by the division, we went to lunch in the main lodge dining area. I must say the food was excellent. The afternoon was marked more skiing and the day ended round 3:00 PM as many of us had a long trip home. All in all the day was quite successful. Next year I am planning on having another alumni day although at this point I'm not sure which mountain I will ask to host it.If you are no longer interested in active patrolling or