We Want You To Run for the Board

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Hello from your Western Board of Directors!

PSIA-AASI West is on the precipice of some of the biggest and most progressive shifts yet.  Our Board of Directors provides strategy and governance that guides our mission, our commitment to national alignment, and our growing impact in the industry.  The membership has been abundantly clear and now is the time to step up and volunteer to contribute to leadership of, for, and by the members.

It’s Officially Board Election Season!

We are starting the search for candidates to run for election for our FY25 Western Board of Directors.

Before applying, it’s important to know that this is not an operational board and Directors do not engage in active management or administration of the organization.  The PSIA-AASI Western Board adheres to Policy Governance®, which shifts the focus to setting strategy, working towards alignment, leadership accountability, and membership engagement.  Anyone interested in running for the Board of Directors should be familiar with the basic tenants of Policy Governance®.

Please review this document on Policy Governance® prior to applying. 

We are looking for candidates who have the following qualities:

  • Have a vision of the premier Western member experience within a nationally aligned organization.
  • Have the skills and experience to implement ideas with available resources.
  • Are comfortable communicating with members outside of their circle, inclusive of different disciplines, identities, and experiences.
  • Have experience serving as a leader in organizations, particularly in the Non-Profit, Legal, or Government space.
  • We also welcome individuals with meaningful connections to philanthropy that can contribute to growing our grant income.

If this sounds interesting to you, and you have talent to offer in this space, run for the Board!

Eligibility:

  • Western Active Certified, Lifetime, or Alumni Member in good standing.
  • Achieved Level 1 Certification in any discipline.
  • It is highly encouraged that you live in the Western Region.
  • If you are currently instructing, you should be an employee of a Western Member School.

Time Commitment Required:

The Board conducts monthly 90-120 minute calls on the third Tuesday of each month.

The Board meets in-person twice a year.  Our annual Spring Board Meeting is adjacent to the Spring Convention, which will be held at Mammoth Mountain this April. Our two-day Summer Board Meeting is typically in Truckee in the early fall.

The time commitment is 10-15 hours per month (unless you are lucky enough to be an Officer, in which case that time commitment goes up significantly).

All Board Members are required to complete a 12-hour training course on Policy Governance®.

Further information on the director position and its responsibilities can be found here:

  1. The Director responsibilities are highlighted here in Article IX of our Bylaws.
  2. Expectations on how a director serves our membership are here in our BOD Cheat sheet.
  3. Our Director Onboarding Information can provide further details on the role.

If you have other questions please email mcooper@thesnowpros.org and the Western Board Recruiting Committee will contact you.

 Our deadline for Candidate applications is February 15, 2024. Our application is below:

PSIA-AASI Western Region Board Position Application

 

We Want You To Run for the Board

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Hello from your Western Board of Directors!

At PSIA-AASI’s Western Region, we are entering a very exciting time with our new CEO, Marisa Cooper and her band of merry helpers developing some great and fun ideas to support our members and their growth.  Expect to see some cool things in the coming months!  This work is because of the strategic objectives your Board of Directors has set in support of our membership.

It’s Election Season!

It is that time of year again when your Board of Directors kicks off the election season for the FY24 Season. As a result, we are starting the search for candidates to run for election to our next Western Board of Directors.

We are looking for candidates who have the following qualities:

  • Have ideas on how PSIA-AASI can better serve its members.
  • Have the skills and experience to implement those ideas.
  • Preferable have experience serving as a leader in organizations, particularly in the Non-Profit or Government Space
  • Either are familiar with Policy Governance® or are willing to learn and abide by the Board’s Policy Governance policies.

If this sounds interesting to you, and you have talent to offer in this space, please consider running for the Board!  Please note that you must be a Level 1 certified snowsports instructor and be an Active or Alumni Member in good standing to serve as a Director.

Time Commitment Required:

The Board meets in-person twice a year and conducts monthly Board Calls on the third Tuesday of each month. Our annual Spring Board meeting is adjacent to the Spring Convention, which will be held at Palisades at Tahoe this April. Our two-day Summer Board meeting is typically in Truckee generally in late summer / early fall.

The time commitment is 4-6 hours per month (unless you are lucky enough to be in a Officer position, in which case that time commitment goes up a bit).  There is also an expectation that the successful candidates will take up to 8 hours of training in advance of starting their service as a Director to ensure a cohesive next term for our Board of Directors.

Further information on the director position and its responsibilities can be found here:

  1. The Director responsibilities are highlighted here in Article IX of our Bylaws.
  2. Expectations on how a director serves our membership are here in our BOD Cheatsheet
  3. Our Director Onboarding Training is highlighted here to provide you further information.

If you have other questions please email info@psia-w.org and the Western Board Recruiting Committee will contact you.

 Our deadline for Candidate applications is February 15, 2023. Our application is below:

 

PSIA-AASI Western Region Board Position Application

 

We Want You To Run for the Board

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We are looking for candidates to run for election for our next Board of Directors.

Do you have qualities and experience that would make you a valuable member of the PSIA-AASI Western Division Board of Directors? We are looking for candidates who have the following qualities:

  • Have ideas on how PSIA-AASI can better serve its members.
  • Have the skills needed to implement those ideas.

Other qualities that are desirable:

  • Experience serving as a leader in larger organizations, particularly in the Non-Profit or Government Space
  • Familiar with Policy Governance® or are willing to learn and abide by the Policy Governance® guidelines

If you think the answer to most of these questions is “yes,” please consider running for the Board!

In the past, our Board has consisted of our best experts in the various snowsports disciplines helping us to operate our division. With the change in the Bylaws in December 2019, our Board has shifted its focus from an Operational Focus to a Policy Governance Focus.

The Board physically meets twice a year (when COVID restrictions are not in place) and conducts monthly Board Calls on the third Tuesday of each month. Our annual Spring Board meeting is the Thursday before the Spring Convention. Our two-day Summer Board meeting is typically in Truckee the first weekend of August.

Further information on the director position and its responsibilities can be found here in Article IX of the Bylaws.  If you have other questions please email info@psia-w.org and the Western Board Recruiting Committee will contact you.

Our deadline for Candidate applications is February 15, 2022. Our application is below:

The information you provide in the application will be published on our Website, EDGE Newsletters and the Election Platform

PSIA-AASI Western Region Board Position Application

 

The 2019 Board Of Directors Results

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Thank you everyone who voted in our Board of Directors election. Your opinion matters, and the election results are in! Please welcome our new and returning members of the board!

New to the Board

 

Jaime Marso-Tanner

PSIA Level 2, June Mountain Ski School Director

I’d like to be one of those individuals that not only works to maintain the high standards and quality performance that has always been associated with PSIA-AASI but I’d also like to work to improve the organization from within.  From my association with PSIA-AASI I have learned that no matter how skilled you are, there is always room for improvement; this philosophy also holds true for organizations.

Who I am

I am a wife and mother. I run the June Mountain Ski and Snowboard School. I’m very proud to have recently received my Level 3 Alpine Ski. I taught geology and oceanography for 9 years. I am a member of Mammoth Lakes CERT.  I’m a certified EMT and volunteer my services.

Volunteering is part of who I am. I’m happiest when I can share my knowledge, skills, and passion for skiing with others. It’s a personal goal of mine to bring the joy of skiing to others while also instilling respect and love for the environment.

What I can do for PSIA-AASI:  

I’ve worked on the linkage membership committee board for 2 years. I’m interested in educational collaboration on the national level and consistency between all divisions. I want to present some fresh ideas and ways to help PSIA-AASI grow and evolve into an even more impressive organization. Once I am involved, I commit myself fully.

And most importantly, I know how to listen.

 

Returning:

Greg Lyons

PSIA Level 3, Children’s Specialist 2, Cross Country Level 2, Telemark Level 2, Current PSIA-AASI Western Division Board of Directors – President

As a full-time instructor for 31 years at Heavenly, I strive to create a safe, enjoyable lesson that includes making sure the guest feels valued, confident, internally motivated, passionate for their snowsport and wanting to return for future lessons.  As I work to improve at this, I have been honored to earn “the Most Requested Instructor at Heavenly” three times.

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Oregon State University

It has been an honor to be President of PSIA-AASI-W for the last three years. I believe my years of experience, working with the board, its committees, the PSIA-AASI-W staff, and the membership make me uniquely qualified to continue to serve on your PSIA-AASI-W Board of Directors.

I’d like to continue our efforts to provide educational opportunities that our membership wants to participate in: on snow clinics, in-door clinics, online training, and other programs—all with the goal of allowing you, our members, to succeed as professional instructors.

I believe PSIA/AASI-W needs to develop long term strategies and policies that provide an exceptional experience to our members today as well as the framework for an exceptional experience for our members and organization in the future.

I will advocate for PSIA/AASI-W to provide exceptional training to its present and future leaders.  Our Board of Directors, office staff, Member School Directors, Education Staff, and Resort Trainers need to be provided exceptional training.  

 

Lea Logal

AASI Level 3, Freestyle Level 2, Children’s Specialist 2, PSIA Level 1, AASI Ed Staff, Bear Mountain Resort Training Manager, Current PSIA-AASI Board of Directors – Publicity Chair

Hello Western Division Membership. I have spent three years serving on the Western Division Board of Directors as the Publicity Chair. In that time I have worked for the membership to help provide the best experience in both educational and certification events possible. I would love to continue my service with the Board and continue to help grow the Western Division.

Having been a proud member of the Western Division since I started in this industry in 2004; I have worked hard to become an examiner and part of the AASI Western Division Snowboard leadership. It is important for me to see this division continue to innovate and inspire in the snowsports industry.

Currently, I am working for Big Bear Mountain Resort as the Ski and Ride School Training Manager. It has been incredible to move down to Southern California and be able to positively impact and influence a whole new base of dedicated and passionate snowsports professionals.

Growing the value of membership in the west through our premier events, promoting interaction and connection between our members, while listening and taking action on our member’s constructive feedback will keep the Western Division leading the way.

 

Blaine Lomen

PSIA Level 3, AASI Level 2, Children’s Specialist 1, Alpine Ed Staff Team Emeritus, Current Western Division Board of Directors – Ed Foundation Chair

I have been an instructor, trainer, supervisor, assistant director and most recently a director of a ski and snowboard school, giving me a broad range of knowledge and experience in our industry. Within our division, I have been an examiner and on the Board in many different positions bringing past experience and understanding of our culture and membership.

As a Board member for the last three years, I have been the representative to our Education Foundation Board also where I’m the Vice President. If you have followed the Foundation, you have witnessed the growth and great strides in communicating with the membership.

I am also on the Finance Committees of both Boards. Though pouring over the finances of the organizations is neither fun or “sexy” it is important to keep tabs on where we are month to month and how your money is being spent/allocated.

I understand the big picture as well as the finer details of our path and mission. I think the strengths of both the Education Foundation and PSIA-W Boards is the fact that we are very focused on how we can serve the membership better and more efficiently and I am dedicated to seeing that continue.

Getting Involved In Your Organization

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By Lea Logal

How can you have a voice and contribute to the success of the Western Division?

Running for the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of PSIA-AASI Western Division Members working for each and every member of this organization.  Running and serving on the board can give you a voice in present and future direction of the Western Division. Strong candidates who truly have the best interests of the membership at heart ensures that the people elected will make decisions that will benefit all members and the organization as a whole.  

Not ready to make the 3-year commitment as a Board Member?  There are also committees that work directly with the Board and Board Members on projects throughout the year.  We are always looking for people ready and willing to get involved for our membership!

To apply for a spot on the Board of Directors, contact our administrative director, Kristi, at kjereb@psia-w.org

Writing An Article for our website or The Edge

The content for our Western Division Newsletter and our online web posts is currently by and large contributed by our Board of Directors and perhaps an Educational Staff member here and there.  There are no restrictions on who can contribute to that publication. If you have a unique experience to share, and idea for a column that the readership might enjoy, or an article that can help your fellow instructors with their day-to-day success, the door is always open for you to contribute that content to our digital and print publications.  Having a larger number of member voices contributing to our divisional bi-yearly publication creates a stronger community, culture, and educational platform for all of us. Email your articles to info@psia-w.org and we will take a look at them!

 

Volunteering at Events

We are a non-profit organization that runs on the hard work and dedication of our staff, membership and volunteers.  Often at some of our bigger events we can use an extra set of hands to greet participants, make sure meeting areas are marked, communicate with membership, and help with a variety of other tasks that we may just need an extra set of willing hands to complete.  

 

Donations to Ed Foundation

Our Education Foundation mission “is to provide education opportunities for PSIA/AASI-W instructors looking to enhance their personal growth and further their careers in snow sports instruction.”  The Education Foundation is actually a separate, fundraising body who supports the educational goals of PSIA-AASI Western Division Membership. Donations made to the Ed Foundation fund scholarships for Western Division Members, supplement Western Division educational events, and help create better educational offerings for all of our  membership. Find out more and donate here

 

Come to Our Events (even if you don’t need continuing ed credit)

The best way to support your organization is to further your own educational and certification goals.  We want to help you grow personally and professionally. The Western Division has some of the best clinicians and trainers in the industry all with your needs and goals at heart.  Joining us with your own progression and clear goals in mind at any of our educational and certification events is a win/win for both you and your organization!

 

PSIA-W welcomes our new board members

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Thank you everyone for running for or voting in our members of our Board of Directors election. There are 3 who were re-elected, and one new member, Terry Peters. You can find out more about each member here.

Re-Elected:

Artie Castro

My name is Artie Castro, and I have had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors for the past 5 years first serving as the Member School Chair and now as the Snowboard Vice President. I have also had the opportunity to serve on the Education Foundation Board during this time as well.  I am asking for your vote so that I can continue to serve you the members who play an integral part to the success of PSIA/AASI Western Division. I have had the opportunity to be a member of this fine organization for 28 years and have seen how PSIA/AASI helps our members with so many opportunities within the Snowsports Education Community and would like to continue this tradition. As an Alpine Level 3, Children’s Specialist Level 2, Freestyle Specialist Level 2, Snowboard Level 3, and a member of the AASI Western Division Ed Staff, I have benefited greatly by my affiliation with PSIA/AASI and want to continue to help others do the same as a Board Member of this amazing organization. Thank you for your consideration and thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to serve you these past 5 years.

Email Artie @ artiecastro@gmail.com

 

Rachel Bauer 

People are my passion. I love working with and facilitating people in new and old projects, streamlining our efforts and collaborating ideas and decisions. I feel I would be an asset to the Board of Directors and our membership because

I keep my promises to others. This is easy to do when we (as a Board) focus on small, incremental goals. So far in my ex-perience with working with this group and our membership, there have been many opportunities to feel the satisfaction of a job well done. This focused intent has proven to be beneficial to my success and maintains my high level of reliability.

I hope to continue to work with the Board and the Western Division membership so to cultivate maximum productivity within myself

Leigh Pierini

I have been fortunate enough to be a member of this Board since this Spring, 2017.  I currently hold the Member School Chair position. With this role, I am also the Western representative on the National Snowsports Director’s Task Force.

In the short time, I have served on the Board, we have made great strides in delivering- ing on the Director’s wish list. It would be an honor to continue to serve the membership and the Directors by having a chair on this Board of Directors.

And a warm welcome to new Board member Terry Peters.

Terry Peters

Hello, my name is Terry Peters. I work full time at Northstar California as a trainer and as an instructor.

I have been on Ed Staff since 2003, and I wish to be a voice for our members and instructors. For those of you who don’t know me, I am known as the Energizer Bunny. I have been putting a lot of thought into what I can do to make our division and industry more successful, appealing, and beneficial to our current membership and future membership. I would like to take this energy and passion I have and see the PSIA grow so that there are accessible and definable benefits to the membership beyond certification. Life in Resort Towns can be hard; I want to find other ways to make having a life in these amazing areas easier.

Since I am a line instructor, I listen to and most definitely empathize with the challenges and needs of the instructors I work with. I want to bring your voice to the board.

I have tried to be as successful as possible with my experiences in the ski industry. Starting in Canada I worked to get my CSIA Level 3, my Freestyle Cert and my Level 2 Race Coach. Adding my to my development I obtained my PSIA Alpine Level 3, Freestyle Level 3, Children’s Specialist Level 2 and Snowboard Level 1. Still looking for ways to develop my knowledge I worked in Australia for 10 years. Working in different countries has allowed me to become open-minded and see many different points of views and needs.

Their roles will begin April 26th at noon.