New Discipline Policy

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On November 18, the Western Region Board of Directors voted to adopt a new disciplinary policy.  This policy was created to help uphold our standards of professionalism and accountability nationwide and as of this post, has been adopted by 6 of the regions across the country.  Aligning our disciplinary policies is another step towards nationwide unification and fosters the integrity of our brand in the industry.  The new policy was reviewed to ensure it respects the directives of our bylaws and will be updated in our Policies and Procedures Manual.  Please find the details of the policy below.  If at any time you are concerned about the conduct or activities of a member of our community, please email our CEO at mcooper@thesnowpros.org.

PSIA_Member_Discipline_Policy_APPROVED

Nov 1 Member Forum

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PSIAW_Member_Forum_11.1.24

Ownership Linkage Committee: 24/25 Goals

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The Western Regions new Ownership Linkage Committee (OLC) is hard at work laying out goals for the 24/25 Season.

As a reminder, the purpose of the OLC is to enable the board to create a strong and consistent two-way channel to listen to the membership and generate actions that further amplify member-value.

The committee, representing members and schools from across the region, has identified nine distinct groups to focus on engaging this season.  They have developed clear goals and values for each group and will be present at existing events (like trainings and forums) to provide updates, seek feedback, and listen to the needs of the members.

For more information on this year’s goals and values, see the table below highlighting each stakeholder group, who is managing communication, and what events you can expect to see the OLC attending.

The OLC would love to hear from you!  Please email them at ownerslink@psia-w.org

Associate Member Program

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WESTERN ASSOCIATE MEMBER PROGRAM

  1. Purpose

The Associate Member program is a new subcategory of membership aimed at enhancing service to members with unique profiles within PSIA-AASI. The purpose is to better support this cohort’s ongoing professional development while acknowledging the unique paths new members may engage in as snowsports instructors.

PSIA-AASI West remains wholly committed to the integrity of our assessments, delivered in line with National Standards and Performance Guides. We believe our Associate Member program more purposefully engages a growing member cohort, better supporting their professional development to meet the level of excellence we expect of every member of PSIA-AASI.

  1. Background

In recent years, PSIA-AASI has seen rapid shifts in its membership demographics. Members with no formal experience working or volunteering at a snowsports school are increasingly present in our membership.  This phenomenon is occurring nationwide but is more prevalent in some regions than others. Associate Members currently make up about 22% of the Western Region, one of the highest rates in the country. Having so many Associate Members present in our events and assessments creates a need to ensure we are appropriately supporting and communicating with these members.

  1. Definition

Across all 8 regions of PSIA-AASI, registered and certified members who do not currently and have never worked or volunteered at a snowsports school delivering resort approved lessons will be additionally classified as Associate Members.  

  1. Membership Status and Certification

The Associate Member designation is a subcategory description, it serves as an additional descriptor in our database that allows us to better serve members. Being categorized as an Associate Member has no impact on membership status or certification. To be clear:

  • Membership Status:  We have four membership classes: Registered, Certified, Alumni, or Lifetime. Associate Membership does not change or impact your current or future membership class. You could be in any of the four classes of membership as an Associate Member (Registered Associate, Certified Associate, etc.). You are only an Associate Member as long as you do not work or formally volunteer for a snowsports school. When you begin formal resort instructing through a member school and update your member school affiliation accordingly, the descriptive tag is permanently dropped from your profile.
  • Certification Levels:  Being an Associate Member has no impact on your current certifications. Whatever certifications you have earned and assessments you have passed, continue to be valid and respected nationwide. In the West, being an Associate Member does not limit what certifications you can achieve or assessments you can take. We acknowledge that teaching hours are the single most important factor determining exam success and lack of experience in formal resort instructing will significantly impact a candidate’s ability to successful.
  1. Program Benefits

Associate Members in the Western region are provided specialized events and training sessions tailored to build critical skills in snowsports instruction without direct access to resort-based resources. These custom courses increase transparency, foster accessibility, enhance the likelihood of exam success, and help connect Associate Members to a larger professional community.

  • Associate Member Forum:  While we recognize the critical role of member schools in providing mentorship, this forum is designed to create a space for dialogue, support, and practical training. These monthly online events, running from November to April are open only to Associate Members. Topics will include training, certification, professional pathways, and education. Attendees will be provided individualized mentorship to meet their professional needs. These Forums are completely FREE to registered participants.
  • New Training Courses:  Intro to PSIA-AASI Snowsports has been redesigned to better support and prepare Associate Members for exam success. The new 5-day course covers the basics of delivering student-centered lessons, accurate and precise demos, receiving and delivering feedback, mock assessments, and avenues to participate in the larger PSIA-AASI community.
  • Direct Access to Resort Hiring/Volunteering:  Associate Members interested in hiring and volunteering resources for our Western Member Schools will have access to mini-job fairs, facilitated hiring-manager introductions, and a library of resort employment information.
  • 1:1 Coaching: This year, we are piloting a new program to provide individualized coaching and training for our Associate Members. All Associate Members are guaranteed a personalized online mentorship session. There are a limited number of on-hill sessions available for Associate Members this year to provide coaching and training. Sign-ups will occur at the Associate Member Forums.
  1. Western Associate Member Fee

Western Associate Members will be invoiced a $50 fee every season.

This fee supports the creation and delivery of the Associate Member program benefits, including forums, hiring resources, and coaching. Associate Members who are unable to pay the $50 should reach out to the Western Region office to submit a financial hardship petition.

  1. Our Promise to Western Associate Members

While dedicated to the integrity of our assessments and the professionalism of our industry, PSIA-AASI West also remains devoted to ensuring our region is a welcoming and inclusive community for all former, current, and future professional snowsports instructors. We are committed to the following:

  • Western Associate Members have equal standing in the region; they have the same value, voice, and opportunities as any other member in our region.
  • Western Associate Members have equal access to public events and exams and will be registered for events on the public calendar in the order those registrations are received.
  • Western Associate Members will never be charged more than the publicly listed price for events, exam fees, or event lift tickets.
  • There are no limitations on certification opportunities for Western Associate Members, these members may register for any event they have met the prerequisites for.  We strongly recommend adhering to the highly suggested prerequisites for each level to ensure exam success.
  1. Implementation Timeline
  • Request to Western Members to update their Member School Affiliation: Aug 30
  • Announce transition from Unaffiliated to Associate: Sept 9
  • Reminder to update Member School Affiliation: Sept 24
  • Last chance to update Member School Affiliation: Sept 30
  • The Associate Member subcategory goes live: Oct 1
  • Fee invoiced to all Associate Members: Oct 4
  • First Associate Member Forum of the 24/25 Season: Nov 18
  1. Future Goals
  • Evaluate the program’s success, gauge event participation, and gather participant feedback to continue to evolve the program in service of Western goals and strategy.
  • Continue to increase training opportunities for Western Ed Staff to ensure we are prepared to productively engage Associate Members while fostering professionalism and inclusion across the region.
  • Track hiring and volunteering turnover rates to gauge the interest of Associate Members in moving into resort instructing roles.
  • Explore ways to improve the visibility and relationship of Associate Members with other Western Members and Member Schools.
  • Expand offerings to meet the evolving needs of Associate Members.
  • Leverage data and regional experiences to support the evolution of Associate Membership in other regions across the country.
  1. Questions

Please contact Marisa Cooper, CEO PSIA-AASI West with any questions (mcooper@thesnowpros.org).

24/25 Exam Fees

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As you plan your season, we want to ensure that everyone is aware of the increases to our exam fees. Level 1 exams have increased $15/day, and Level 2 and 3 have increased $25/day. Education and premier events have not increased. Sign up early to access reduced First Chair pricing on all events. Please refer to exam pricing on the website for a full breakdown of event costs.

An increase in fees helps support the following:

• Helps cover inflation and the rising cost of doing business in California.
• Ensures that we can grow clinics and exam offerings at smaller resorts farther across the region.
• Keeps our assessment groups small, guaranteeing more time and individualized attention from examiners.
• Sustains examiner training, fostering more consistent and transparent exams, and allows us to offer increased benefits to our education staff.
• Specifically supports our transition to a 2-examiner format for Level 2 and 3 exams, assuring our ability to deliver nationally aligned assessments consistent with our regional partners across the country.

We want to assure you that this board approved decision was made after ample research and discussion. Member Schools were informed in April to ensure that they could budget appropriately for exam reimbursements.

The cost of events should never prevent you from pursuing your snowsports goals. Financial Aid for dues, Lesson Logs for free CEU’s, and increased access to Scholarships ensures that PSIA-AASI West remains accessible, even for our members in the lowest income brackets. Contact mcooper@thesnowpros.org if you have questions about how to access our financial support programs.

We encourage anyone trained, prepared, and ready to pass their Level 2 or 3 to sign up for an exam. While we know exams can be a learning opportunity, exams are not the best place for high quality learning and professional development. Folks seeking CEU’s (who haven’t met the suggested prerequisites) should look to any of our new education clinics, which are our lowest priced and most accessible events.

Aug 1 Member Forum

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PSIAW_Member_Forum_8.1.24

Relevance and Engagement

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Following the March 2024 Member Forum, Dino White, Western Board Chair, called together a committee to discuss the concerns being raised by a portion of the membership.  This committee, including some of our most vocal members, was tasked specifically with developing 3-5 strategic short term actionable items within scope and influence of PSIA that will increase engagement for all demographics and increase relevance specific to our youngest demographic.   The committee submitted an extensive report, suggesting a wide range of ideas.  On July, the Board of Directors requested we publish our review of the committees report, available below.  We thank the committee for their ongoing commitment to the region.

R&E_Proposal_Review

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

 

Member Meeting: Bylaw Vote | 12.19.23

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Join us online on Tuesday, December 19th at 5:oo pm for a Member Meeting and vote on potential changes to the Western Region Bylaws.

YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND THE MEETING: Member Forum

BYLAW VOTE RESULTS: 

PSIA-W 2023 Bylaw Results

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

KBYG_12.19.23_ Forum

By-Law Change Summary: 

We believe that the region is best served by board members who bring applicable and beneficial skills and experience to the group, improving our capacity to operate strategically and sustainably.

We believe that as member interest in running and voting for the board has diminished over the last decade, we would be well served by additional avenues to appoint necessary talent to the board.

We also believe that by providing more clear qualifications for board candidates, we ensure a minimum level of engagement in the regional mission.

In summary, there are two material changes being proposed.  First, to clarify that certified members must be active if they wish to run for a board seat, stating that Active Certified members, Alumni members and Lifetime members are eligible to run for the Board of Directors.

Second, the new bylaws propose 6 seats voted in by the membership and 3 seats appointed by the board of directors (with the intention of appointed seats bringing necessary skills and expertise to the leadership).  The bylaws currently permit for 7-12 board members, voted on by the membership.  For a full break down of logistics and term cycles, please refer to the bylaws posted below.

Please refer to the boards rationale in the document below.

Bylaw_Change_Rationale

Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions prior to the vote: mcooper@thesnowpros.org

Use the document below to help organize your thoughts on each of the suggested changes.

12.19_Bylaw_Vote_WS

DRAFT of Bylaws up for membership vote on 12.19.23

Draft Bylaws (Clean)

DRAFT of Bylaws tracking all changes up for vote on 12.19.23

Bylaws Draft (Redlined)

2023 General Members Meeting

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Join us for the 2023 General Members Meeting Saturday, April 29th at 5:00 pm.  The meeting will be held in the Olympic Village Events Center at Palisades Tahoe.

2023_Member_Meeting_Agenda 2023_Members_Meeting