1 SPRING 2016 The Official Publication of the ProfessionalSnow Ski Instructors of America Eastern / Education Foundation 2016 Eastern Membership Survey Results What you value, what you need and how you feel about your membership By Michael J. Mendrick, Executive Director irst and foremost, thank you to the more than 1,450 Eastern Division members that took the time to complete our sixth annual membership Fsurvey in April. The 47 questions covered everything from benefits to events to member services to dues value to recognition and rewards for snows- ports instructors and you provided us with an awesome supply of both data and Executive Observations: comments. In fact, more than 5,750 individual comments, suggestions “Improvement in my teaching” is again far and away the highest rated value of and concerns were shared by members. These comments will be shared PSIA-AASI membership by all levels of experience and all age groups. Also, it is with all Eastern leadership and play an important role in helping us determine clear that most members are not in it for “the stuff” (discounts, gear) – as much what to work on for you in the coming months in prep for next season. as they are in it for the experience, improvement and connections that membership Overall survey demographics: provides. • Total surveys completed – 1,455 Indications: • Surveys completed by age group: 16-29 (130, 9.8%); 30-39 (100, 7.5%); 40-49 We should continue to focus on ways to improve the membership experience (160, 12%); 50-74 (897, 67.4%); 75-plus (43, 3.3%). in terms of helping instructors become better teachers, skiers and riders while • Nearly half of surveys completed by members in their first 10 years of not discounting the value of social elements and tangible benefits and promo- membership (45.3%). tional tools to help improve the economic rewards as well as the personal. • 80.2% of surveys completed by members in the Alpine discipline Overall I would rate the quality of member service I receive from division office staff as: • Nearly half of surveys (45.7%) completed by Level 1 members • 63% of respondents identify themselves as part-time instructors Below is a summary of some of the key questions and results along with observations and potential indications of those results. The entire survey and data results can be viewed at: http://www.psia-e.org/ms/2016survey/ The PRIMARY value I get from membership in PSIA-AASI is (please select the most valuable element): Overall I would rate the quality of educational experience I receive from division education field staff as: continued on page 4 >> inside National Report 6 Around the Regions 11 Region 3, 4 & 7 Elections 14 New Certifications 20 Your Turn 25 2 your input and ideas with us. See the cover story president’s message for a summary of results and trends. Your Board The Official Publication of the ProfessionalSnow Ski Instructors of America Eastern / Education Foundation of Directors takes this annual survey very seriously ERIC JORDAN and we spend countless hours analyzing all the Volume 42, Number 4 data in order to make the best decisions possible Michael J. Mendrick, Editor regarding our short and long term goals to meet Kathy Brennan, Assistant Editor your needs. This strategic planning will be a major The official publication of the Professional component of our upcoming June meeting along Ski Instructors of America-Eastern with a thorough review of this past season so that Education Foundation we can assess our performance and continuously 1-A Lincoln Avenue make improvements. Albany, NY 12205-4907 As I enter my final season as President, I Phone 518-452-6095 Turning the Page on wanted to share with you some current goals that Fax 518-452-6099 are being addressed. As you know, retention of www.psia-e.org a Challenging Season our younger members has been and continues to be a major focus of ours since they represent the reetings Eastern members, I hope you General Information future health and sustainability of the organization. had a great winter season despite the Submission of articles, photos or other Equally as important, we are looking to increase Gdifficult hand Mother Nature dealt us. In items for publication is invited. Articles are our online course offering so that you can earn typical Eastern fashion, we all rallied and made the not to exceed about 1000 words. Receipt of educational credits year around from the comfort best of it. As you might imagine, PSIA-E event atten- submissions will be confirmed to the writer. of your home. These e-courses will also cut down dance was significantly affected by the late start and Upcoming deadlines are published in each on your overall cost to maintain your membership early finish to the season. I also realize that it was issue of SnowPro. Material should be sent to since you will not have to take time off from work extremely challenging for you to attend events since “SnowPro Editor” at: [email protected] as an and incur any travel expenses. Lastly, I wanted to many were being cancelled throughout the season. MS Word document attachment. assure you that we are laser focused on increasing That being said, I am very proud of our member ser- All submitted material is subject to editing. the awareness of our members to the skiing and vices team as they worked tirelessly to accommodate Its use, whether solicited or not, is at the dis- riding public. We will be building out our current members and move them to different events. cretion of the editorial staff. All published mate- web site at www.learntoskiand ride.org in order I would also like to thank you, the members, rial becomes the property of PSIA-E/EF. Articles to better connect you with the guests that will be for bearing with us as I know it is very frustrat- are accepted on the condition that they may be visiting your resorts. Look for more details on all ing when an event gets cancelled and you have to released for publication in all National and Di- these initiatives in the summer and fall editions of be transferred into another event that requires a visional publications. the SnowPro as our staff works hard the next six schedule change on your end. Please know that SnowPro is published four times per year months to make these projects a reality. we always have the member’s best interest at hand by the Professional Ski Instructors of America- Lastly, I would like to congratulate and and we try to accommodate everyone as best as Eastern Education Foundation. Permission recognize Matt Boyd, Eric Lipton, and Brian Smith possible. We are certainly hoping for some better is hereby given to all National and Divisional for their selection to the National Alpine Team as weather next season so we can get back to business publications to copy original material from this well as Amy Gan on her selection to the Snowboard as normal and provide you with the most robust newsletter providing credit is given to PSIA-E/ National Team. In addition, Geoff Krill was named schedule possible. Thank you also to members for EF and the author, and the material is not al- National Adaptive Team Captain. This is a huge recognizing our efforts via your responses in the tered. Articles that contain specific copyright accomplishment and we are very fortunate to have 2016 Eastern Membership Survey. 90% of you rated notices may not be reprinted without written these talented individuals in our division. Also, I our member services as “excellent” or “good” and permission from the author. would like to congratulate Jeb Boyd on his appoint- 92% rated our education staff the same. ment as the Teams Manager for PSIA AASI. Jeb’s Speaking of our survey, we once again recently Note: Material published in SnowPro contributions over the years have been instrumental surveyed the entire Eastern membership in order which has been provided by persons not in moving us all forward and I look for big things to gauge our performance and set our goals for writing in an official capacity, and for of- to come from under his leadership. the 2016-17 season and beyond. Thank you to the ficial purposes, is the responsibility of the That’s it for now, as always, please do not hesi- nearly 1,500 members that took the time to share author, and is not necessarily endorsed by tate to contact me at [email protected]. << the Association. PSIA-E/EF reserves the right to refuse or Life’s a edit all advertising. MOUNTAIN Not a Beach 3 Snow PSIA-E executive tracks Education Foundation & MICHAEL J. MENDRICK, PSIA-AASI Eastern EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Staff Michael J. Mendrick The Winter of our Discontent Executive Director Will they feelDon Haringa it on the e weren’t a particularly happy bunch much – we only ran 43 Alpine Level I exams vs. 62 street?Director of Education & Programs this winter. Or whatever that just was. L I exams in 2014-15 due to early sign-up issues Sue Tamer WAutir? Sprinter? Winfall? I can’t quite and late weather/cancellation issues. This alone By Peter Howard,Director of AlpineOperations Education & come up with the best hybrid term to describe the accounts for nearly 200 less new members. Certification Chairman Board of Directors period of December 21, 2015 and March 20, 2016 President but it sure wasn’t winter like I remember it. Ever. Event Attendance as of April 2016 Eric Jordan And I have lived in upstate New York for more than (projected year-end) Vice President Ross Boisvert half a century.