I really love this time of year. The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler, and we start to think about our wintertime activities. Through all this change, I must tell you about the exciting summer.

The first big news that you all have probably read about in the email from National is that we now have eight divisions instead of nine. Alaska Division has joined with the Northwest Division. The final vote count was August 11^th. Their dissolvement is still on going in both divisions and in National. This process will take some time, but everything to date is going very smoothly. We do need everyone’s help though; in your searches on websites, ours included, please watch for references to nine divisions or the Alaska Division. We need to make these changes in all nomenclature.

The Presidents had bi-monthly phone calls this summer. We are all working together with continuing what was started last year at the fall conference. Our goals are to:
 – Enhance the relationship with schools to collaborate on opportunities for professional development and education of instructors.
 – Improve, increase and customize communication programs and resources between PSIA-AASI members, member schools, and industry partners.
 – Complete the transition in consolidation, consistency and cooperation regarding education and certification.

The President’s’ Council Fall Conference was a huge success. We had three major outcomes for the weekend. They were to:
 – Clarify the “why” of the President’s’ Council.
 – Solidify the structure of the council.
 – Establish goals, action items and timelines for the council.

To address the “why,” we revised our mission: “To foster and develop pathways for better communication and collaboration nationally, keeping the membership, industry partners, member schools, and guest at the forefront of all decision making.”

To address the structure of the council, we created our President’s council charge: “As presidents we exist to: build relationships, support each other, share best practices, provide continuing governance education, and find common ground and establish consistency.”

In establishing goals, we created three new goals for this upcoming year which will all be works in progress with ownerships, timelines, and outcomes. These range from creating communication resources to governance. All these goals will be worked through with our respective Boards of Directors and each of our respective National Board Representatives. It is an exciting time for the organization and Intermountain Division with our renewed collaboration to our ends with the other seven divisions and National.

I have spoken with the directors about the need to re-engage the SIRC Committee (Snowsports Instructors Representative Committee). They are very receptive, and will be forwarding names, from their schools of people that want to sit on this committee. We should be in full swing in December.

Talking to harassment once again, this has got to be one the most difficult things I have ever tried to put my head around. However, with the establishment of the member Code of Conduct, it makes it clearer. We must always be aware of harassment incidences. We will be taking these very seriously. We must do our due diligence in these matters. I will be working with the National office to establish an online quiz/test/training about harassment. We will grant Education Credits for taking it. This training will be in conjunction with National’s e-Learning program. I’m looking forward to working with National’s office to make this happen.

It’s gearing up to be an exciting winter season. I wish everyone a safe and prosperous year. The job boards are open and we are all hiring! As always, best regards,

Rich McLaughlin

PSIA/AASI Intermountain President

Return to Menu