Professional Ski Instructors of America

Mission Statement: PSIA/AASI-Alaska, founded Febuary 17, 1964 exists to provide division members profesional development, educational materials, marketing and other supportive services to best serve the snow sports community.

I'm Sorry to get this to you so late. I have counted and, recounted and, recounted and, recounted again the ballots.

We recieved 117 ballots mailed back. 30 of the ballots had more than 5 votes cast so they were not counted.

Everyone received more "YES" votes than "NO" votes. So here is the final count.

The new Board is:
Warren Souther           58 YES    3 NO
AL Clough                   48 YES    2 NO
Bill Ellis                       52 YES    18 NO
Daune Anderson         37 YES    6NO
Paul Todd                  37 YES    22 NO

Marty Decker           21 Yes    7 NO.
There was also write-in votes for Pat Ronan , Randy Bates, Caroline Ahrens, Brook Edwards, Mark Lukey,Robert Martin.
I will get you a more detailed report when I get to town next week
Tom Brayton

Hello Members

It is Time to vote for the Board of Directors. I encourage you to do some research [ask around] and find out a little about the people that are running for the Board of Directors. I believe that a good Board member puts the membership first and also has the ability to actively listen to and work with the other board members. The division has some important issues to deal with and the people we elect are the ones that will make the decisions that will determine its future. Please take a little time and try to get to know who the candidates are, so that you can make an informed decision.

The Ballot will be different this year. In an attempt to give the members more of a voice in who runs our division you will be allowed to vote either “Yes” or “No” for any candidate. This Yes/No thing may not work and you should let the next BOD know if you like it or not. I would like to thank the current Board for their courage in allowing this change. It says a lot about their commitment to the membership and their leadership skills.

Tom Brayton

President PSIA-Alaska

I, Duane Anderson, wish to declare my candidacy for a position on the PSIA/AASI –Alaska Board of Directors. I am a PSIA/AASI member of good standing #156546, Certified Alpine Level 2 (4/14/07) and Adaptive Level 2 (3/2/08). I have been a PSIA/AASI member of good standing since receiving Adaptive Level 1 certification in 04/99. I am a volunteer ski instructor at the Challenge Alaska Ski School at Alyeska and have been continuously since the 1995/96 ski season. In addition to instructing skiers with disabilities (or as some prefer, skiers with other abilities), I am one of several clinicians annually preparing new Challenge volunteers with the basic skills (both ATS and adaptive equipment) for teaching Challenge participants. I have skied at Alyeska since 1975, with a few spring break commutes from UAF (Fairbanks) before that. Ski instruction is a weekend passion; to pay the bills and buy new skis, I am a civil/structural engineer with an Anchorage firm.

I am aware there are numerous issues facing PSIA/AASI-Alaska and significant work will be required. I consider myself an open-minded thoughtful individual, considering all sides of the issues, while working toward the betterment of the organization. It is obvious that more structure within the local division is necessary, and I will work to that end.

This is an important and challenging time in the history of PSIA-Alaska. Out of turmoil and conflict always comes progress and synthesis, so we should be quite excited by the prospects that lie before us as an organization. This is the perfect opportunity to reinvent our groove and become a refreshed and vital division of PSIA. PSIA-Alaska needs new ideas and fresh energies. We have many excellent resources available to us (top notch guest clinicians of national standing, PSIA’s written manuals/workbooks and an untapped well of potential new and returning divisional clinicians and educators); all of these resources need to be brought into play. It is time for a shift in a new direction, back to our old priorities and more democratic way of operating as a division.

I am quite familiar with the history of professional ski instruction in Alaska, having been an annual dues paying and active member of this division since I earned Level II in 1972 at Skiland in Fairbanks, at age 17. In 1976 I earned my gold pin (Level III) at Mt. Alyeska. I have proudly carried that Alaska certification to full time employment as a ski teacher in Colorado, Utah and Oregon. Good years in my life. Although I am now a high school teacher, I’m running for the BOD because I want other Alaskans to experience that same divisional pride and to have their Alaska division PSIA certification propel them into years of satisfaction as a ski professional, as it did me.

In the 1980’s I served as Education Chairperson (and was a clinician/examiner) for the division. My background includes many years experience as a ski school director, adaptive ski teacher and race coach. I stopped coaching Mighty Mites in 2006, but have continued to participate regularly in divisional educational activities.

To introduce myself to our new instructors, my name is Warren Souther. I have been a member of PSIA since 1992 and active with the Alaska division for the last 13 years. In the last three years I have attended the Presidents meeting, attended Examiner colleges, tried out for the national Demo team and collaborated with other divisions to ensure continued educational opportunities.

As your division’s vice president I have advocated for greater educational opportunities for the member ship. My accomplishments for the Alaska Division include:

I am seeking reelection to continue to advocate for more opportunities for the membership. Ideas that I would like to see put into place in the next three years include:

As a new parent I would like to see programs started that help our youngsters develop into better skiers as well as productive citizens. I believe this starts with the elected leaders and how they work with each other and the group. This continues through the trust placed onto committee’s to help develop programs. The ability to encourage others to better the organization, to develop programs designed to encourage participation is needed.

I have been a member of PSIA- Alaska and active ski instructor since 1986. I am Alpine level 3 certified, hold a USSA Coaches Level 2 certification and recently received NRM Children’s Accreditation. I have been a clinician/ examiner for the Alaska Division for over 10 years and have served as Certification/ Education Co- Chair for the past 5 years. I am also a trainer for the Eaglecrest Showsports School. In these various capacities I have conducted clinics and exams at Eaglecrest, Alyeska, and at Birch Hill in Fairbanks. These opportunities have allowed me to experience the unique site specific needs of these three main nodes of the Alaska Division.

I believe one of the main tasks of the board is to serve the members and member Snowsports Schools of the division. The Alaska Division has made great strides since the 1980’s when I first became a member. However to continue to grow as a Division we need to remain focused on the specific needs of our members which are different for each region of the Division.

Whether elected to the Board or not I will continue to advocate for the members and member ski schools along with their site specific needs.

My name is Paul Todd. I am running for a position on the Alaska Division Board of Directors. As a 20 year member of PSIA/AASI Alaska, and an active instructor all of those years, I have held many positions serving as a volunteer. I previously edited our Division newsletter, and served as a Challenge Alaska board member for several years in support of adaptive programs.

I am a level 2 Alpine and level 1 Adaptive instructor. I presently serve as the Secretary for our Division, and represent Alaska on administrative matters to the National board and staff, and to other division “Executives.” Recently this has involved issues of making nine Divisions’ computer software systems work into new National association management software (AMS).

As Secretary, I have accurately kept member records including contact information, certifications, accreditations and continuing education credit, plus board minutes and draft agenda for Board meetings. Broadcast e-mails are sent to keep you informed of Board activities and other news. It is always a pleasure to help you, the members, with various requests for information and assistance.

I ask for your vote, and to review the candidate statement of Duane Anderson. Although his may be a new name to many, I believe he would give strength to our management team.

My fellow snow sports instructors. My name is Bill Ellis and I am running for a position on the Alaska board. As a 30 year member of PSIA and a 20 year member of the Alaska division, I have held many positions serving as a volunteer.

I am a level 3 Alpine and Adaptive instructor as well as a certified Snowboard Instructor. I presently serve as your national representative as well as the treasuruer for the organization. I have taught skiing in four division as well as Japan and Europe.

As your representative to the national board, I have worked very hard to develop relationships with other division representatives which serves to help our division. My relationship with other representatives was instrumental in preserving the national subsidy which helps support clinic leaders coming to our division.

As acting treasurer, I have accounted for every penny of your money as well as produce quarterly and year end financial statements for the memebership as well as the board. Financial statements are available for all divsion members and we as well as all other divisions as well as national do not make that information available to non members. Hence the decision to pull our financials off of the non secure web site.

I am asking for your vote and I will continue to work hard as a division volunter

Bill Ellis