Greetings to All EMARI Region Patrollers

Again, this year, thanks go to the hard working EMARI Region Staff. We are well on the way to another ski season. Dave Hemendinger and his capable team completed the OEC Instructor/Trainer meeting in August and the OEC Trainer/Evaluator refresher held at the American Red Cross facility in Worcester. Individual EMARI Region patrol refresher dates have been set and your EMARI Region program advisors, who coordinate Avalanche, Mountain Travel and Rescue, Outdoor Emergency Care, Ski & Toboggan, Instructor Development and the Senior programs, have posted many of their clinics and seminars on the EMARI Region’s website calendar page. Check out the calendar for program specifics - day/date/time and contact info. The program advisors have also posted their program reports. Have some questions for any of the advisors? Give them a shout. Their phone numbers and e-mail addresses are on the EMARI Region website.

Some National and Eastern Division News –

• You have the opportunity to sign up for a NSP VISA Credit Card. On the NSP website, click on ‘card’ to apply. Your NSP Rewards card will earn points for everyday purchases. There is no cap on the number of points you can earn and your points don’t expire if the card is used within a 24-month period and points can be redeemed for 1% cash back. The NSP Rewards VISA card directly benefits NSP and its mission. A percentage of every dollar spent goes back NSP to underwrite programs and support the organization. In addition, $50.00 goes to NSP for every approved card.
• National BOD’s and the National Finance Committee have recommended that members be fully educated on NSP’s financial needs. NSP increased OEC Course fees from $30.00 to $60.00. The NBOD’s rescinded the $10.00 elective course fee.
• What would the fall season be without an opportunity for every patroller to exercise his/hers rights to vote for their National Board members? This year we will have a chance to vote for four patrollers to fill four seats on the National Board. The Eastern Division BOD’s will study the candidates and by about 10/1/09, the board will offer their analysis after carefully studying the candidate’s bios and platforms. The election will be open on October 15, 2009 and an electronic ballot will be used again this year. The election will end at midnight on December 1, 2009.
• Check out the ED promotional items on sale – insulated mugs, license plate frames, posters, bumper stickers, decals and various lines of clothing and uniforms. Soon to arrive – Eastern Division Senior lapel pins and Eastern Division sweater pins.

During the past year, the EMARI Region continued to make progress on many fronts –

• The EMARI Region Certified program continues to attract patrollers. The quality and commitment of instruction and the dedication and enthusiasm of the participants is exceptional.
• The Senior S&T and EMM programs are where patrollers can realize and demonstrate their proficiency, travel to other mountains, meet others in the family of ski patrolling and have some fun doing so.
• Avalanche, Mountain, Travel and Rescue programs are well attended and a good learning experience taught by veteran patrollers.
• Instructor Development is where all aspiring instructors have to pass through. We all have to learn a little about the NSP way, teaching and learning styles, communication and various instructional challenges.
• The EMARI Region’s finances are in excellent shape, our assets (toboggans, sled bags, BB, radios, trailer, etc.), are looked after and kept up and we are well positioned for the future.
• The 5th edition to the OEC Text and Manuals will be released in August 2010 and the EMARI region intends to help defray some of the cost for active OEC Instructors. National is also raising funds to help where appropriate.

Submitted by,
John W. Shipman, RD