News and Information
Patrol Competition Rescheduled 'til March 14th!
The WMR patrol competition, originally scheduled for March 7th, has been rescheduled until the 14th. See the article below for more detail.
EMM Senior Final Evaluation
The trainer evaluators leaned forward as if one, straining to hear the words of the candidate before they were whisked away, never to be heard again ... (words that is, not evaluators!)
Well, actually this is not at all what happened!
For once this season, the weather behaved beautifully for the senior EMM final evaluation. It seemed that every clinic held this season was plagued with rather nippy temperatures, often being below zero with the wind-chill factor. The candidates and TE's (Trainer Evaluators) had put in a tremendous amount of time and effort throughout the entire winter, and the candidates' progress was visible on many levels.
Each candidate was presented with three scenarios. They had to assess, come up with a plan of action and then competently lead their team to the conclusion of the scenario. Not a mean feat with the stopwatch going and three TE's and a site-coordinator staring intently at you.
The Senior EMM program is designed to perfect a patroller's management skills, develop confidence in problem solving and leadership skills. The program also helps fine tune how a patroller reacts at an accident, as well as his/ her ability and adaptability to do well under pressure.
Having said so, I now would like to take a moment to congratulate Peter Alusitz, Karen Kelley, John Migliaccio, Dan Moriarty, Andy O'Flaherty and John Slyer for the successful completion of the Senior EMM program. Well done, indeed! I especially would like to thank Bill Welch for helping me at every clinic.
As it takes about 30 people to run the final evaluation, I would like to thank all of the TE's, site-coordinators, patients, transport and moulage gurus. It would not be possible to do this without all of your help!!
Nicky Enhorning-Picton
WMR OEC Senior EMM Coordinator
Ski Patrol Competition Annoucement
UPDATE: Date changed to March 14, 2010!
The 2010 Western Massachusetts
Region Ski Patrol Competition will be held at Berkshire East on March
7, 2010. This yearly competition pits the skills of the Region's
patrols in a day of skill, guile and camaraderie. Recent events have
been comprised of teams from alpine, nordic and college patrols.
Additionally, composite teams made up of free-heelers, knuckle draggers
and "seasoned" patrollers have successfully competed. Tinker
and Cupcake will have some new challenges for this year's
event.
The basic guidelines for teams are a minimum of 5 patrollers with a sixth as an alternate made up of male and female members in any combination. Teams must provide their own toboggan and standard ski patrol packs. Pre-registration by March 1 is requested along with a $5/participant entrance fee. This includes a pre-event coffee and donuts, lunch and award ceremony at the end of the day.
If you want to come and enjoy the event, act as a judge, or assist in any way please let host Dave Sacchitella know as soon as possible so as to get an accurate head count.
Click here for further course information and registration forms.
If you have any questions, comments or requests, please contact:
Dave Sacchitella
dsach@sbcglobal.net
59 Farmstead Lane
Glastonbury CT 06033
860 982-7951
2010 Regional Director Election - Correction
The 2010 Regional Director elections will held during the 2010 refreshers. The deadline for nominations is 04/01/2010. To nominate yourself or someone else please contact Gerry Pollard. If you have question relating to the process contact Gerry or see the Eastern division bylaws for clarification. If you have questions relating to the position responsibilities and commitment requirements see our current RD Bryan Sinclair.
Region Director candidates must be active registered patrollers in the region that they seek to represent, have a minimum of five seasons of patrolling experience, and have achieved Senior Alpine, Senior Nordic, or Certified status. Members currently registered as Auxiliary Patrollers are qualified to become Region Director candidates if they have met the requirements described above at some point in their patrol career. (Bylaws section 4.1) The term of a Region Director shall be two years. A Region Director may serve no more than three consecutive terms, if elected, not counting any terms served in accordance with Sections 3.1 or 3.5 herein. The Region Director's term shall commence on April 1, after the election. (Bylaw 4.2)
Get to Know the WMR Director Election Candidates
While the WMR Director election is several months away during the next refresher cycle -- now is the time to get to know the candidates! Currently we have three candidates who have been nominated. You still have until March 1st to nominate yourself or someone you feel is right for the position. There will be a spot on the ballot for write in candidates as well as all that are nominated. We hope to see 100% voter turn out this election.
The three candidates are Gerry Delisle of Berkshire East, Chris Cruz of Jiminy Peak and Joel Sevick of Butternut. All three are currently serving as Assistant Region Directors (Section Chiefs). Feel free to contact them all to voice your opinions and let them know how you feel about issues at the Regional, Divisional, and at the National levels.
Let them know where they should be spending your dues.
2009-2010 OEC Class Completed
Once again the OEC Class has been completed with a record 34 candidates passing. We would like to pass on our congratulations to the following people:
| Berkshire East | John Leckey Donald Sonn |
Catamount | Troy Murtagh |
| Blandford | Robert Carrara Bob McKeever Renee Whitaker Jaroslaw Przbyla Elizabeth Gloster Karlyn Frye Amanda Berry Robert Tower Scott Hathaway Francis Cain Chris Cowan John Conway |
Jiminy Peak | Robin Lundgren Bridget Maloney Pamela Smith Michael Smith Jason Card Molly Durnin Ray Sokol Dorothy Dimouro |
| Butternut | Andrew Sauer Jr. Brandon Stevenson |
Bousquet | John Yates Jacob Mullen |
| Notchview | Patricia Jung | Otis Ridge | Claire Romeo Theresa Dunn Amy Rintoul Paul Zielinski David Day Cyril Goulet |
We were fortunate enough to have some outstanding support for the evaluations, which ran the entire day, December 5, 2009. It is the people involved in this program, which makes it so successful. If there is anyone with some experience, who wishes to become more involved and help out with our lessons or practical skills, please keep an eye on the website, the schedule is posted there and we would welcome you with open arms. Helping out with this program is a fantastic way to get the brain in gear for the upcoming year, and pass on some of your experiences to the new people. The participants are always eager to hear what different situations they may encounter, and they put in tremendous effort to master the skills required.
With that said, we would like to acknowledge those patrollers who volunteered their time during the class and helped out at the final evaluations.
David Benoit , Paul Descoteau, Scott Rockefeller, Don May, Scott May, Mike Noyes, Bryan Sinclair,Dave Strezpa, Janet Hogodin, Stuyvie Bearns, Karen Kelley, Maryanne Richardson, Jim Law, Cheryl Strauss, John O'Neil, Deb Tully, Mark Piacenti, Byron Call, John Chaves, Colleen Halvorsen, George Langa, Andy O'Flaherty, Donald Berry, Lori Bassett, Jeff Bassett, Jorm Jacques, Christopher Gloster, Joel Sevick, Andrew Sauer, Jim Higgins, Laura Tucker, Ann Migliccio,John Migliccio, Dave Childs, Larry Gould, Al Mason, Bob Roest, Frank Engles, Nicole Chaves, Erika Halvorsen,Deanna Todd, Rex Channell, Trish Watson, Paul Knaplund, Leo Robillard, Linda Clifford.
A special thanks to Scott Rockefeller for obtaining permission for us to utilize the mill office space and setting up the area for the final exam.
Our sincere appreciation to Blandford, Bousquet, and Jiminy Peak and Lee Ambulance Garage for allowing us to hold classes at their establishments.
Hope you all have a great season, and see you next September.
Gerry Pollard & Karen Mills
Instructors of Record 2009-2010 WMR OEC Class
Division Director for Eastern Division
The Eastern Division is looking for a dynamic, committed, energetic patroller to fill the position of Eastern Division Director. More details about eligibility, qualifications, and the process are in this document. Persons interested in being candidates for this position are asked to submit their names to the Eastern Division Nomination and Election Chair. For more information, contact Don Weaver.
Don Weaver
253 Braxmar Road
Tonawanda New York 14150
Home 716-837-1039
Cell 716-479-1167
dweaverb2@juno.com
WMR Logo Merchandise
Interested in proudly wearing the WMR logo on a hat, vest or shirt? Well you can. Assistant RD, Chris Cruz, had made arrangements with a local embroidery firm to make this possible. Prices are reasonable and they will provide the clothing, or embroider most anything you provide. Contact Chris for more information.
Thunderbolt Ski Race
UPDATE: Race has been rescheduled! Check website for details.
The 75th Anniversary Thunderbolt Ski race is currently scheduled for February 20, 2010. It will be a time trial and will include ski, snowboard, telemark and vintage categories. This event is open to competitors of all abilities. Please check this page for further information regarding the race and registration.
UPDATE: Dave Childs is the WMR point-of-contact for the Thunderbolt ski race. Contact Dave if you would like to assist in supporting the race.
