Notes from Barbara Florey, RMD Awards Coordinator:
First, I am strongly encouraging everyone to keep an eye out for those fellow patrollers who deserve to be recognized for efforts that go "above and beyond." As volunteers, recognition andappreciation from peers can be a powerful motivator and also is one of the only ways to reward each other. This last year, the RMD received far fewer awards than other divisions, and it is because we don't submit the nominations. I simply can't believe, with the number of patrollers we have, that we don't have people who are doing things every time they ski who deserve to be recognized. Please run through the listing of awards on the RMD website, or in Chapter 10 of the Policies and Procedures for NSP, to understand the broad array of awards that can be given, and look for fellow patrollers who are deserving. Nominations need to be submitted to your patrol rep, who will then forward them to a regional board. Please let me know if you have questions about the process. The forms for submitting a nomination are on both the NSP website and the RMD website. (the National Award Committee is very specific about the nomination being typed, not handwritten)
Second, a few years ago the Eastern Division developed a designation they named Patriot Star. It is to designate those patrollers who served our country in combat. At the June conference, the RMD adopted this designation but deleted the criteria that the person had to serve in combat. After discussing this with the Eastern Division several times (they also will probably drop the "combat" requirement eventually) I have their support in using the designation for RMD patrollers also. The designation is a star patch that is worn between the elbow and wrist, a star lapel pin, and a certificate. It is a way for all of us to honor those who have served our country, and continue to serve the public through patrolling. Attached is a form to be filled out, and sent to me, in order to obtain the designation. Please forward the form to me if you are military, have been military, or know a patroller who was or is military, in order to get the designation, patch and pin. I will forward a certificate, patch, and pin to the patrol reps so that they may honor the Patriot Star in a manner they feel appropriate.
Both the RMD and the Eastern Division are hoping the Board of Directors for NSP will eventually adopt this designation system wide.
Thanks. Call me or email me if there are questions...and go look for patrollers who deserve and award!!
Barbara Florey
On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, former RMD Alpine Toboggan Supervisor, Mark Gage, suddenly passed away while on a bike ride in Breckenridge. A long time member of the Loveland Volunteer ski patrol, he was everything you would want in a patroller and a person. You never saw anything other than a smile on Mark's face - when he smiled, you could not help but smile yourself. Mark touched many lives not only through ski patrol but with his job as senior planner with the Town of Frisco. He will be dearly missed.
Please come celebrate the life of Mark Gage with his family and friends on Saturday, September 15th, 2012 beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Loveland Basin Lodge at Loveland Ski Area (Exit 216, I-70, Colorado) with a reception to follow.
An educational fund has been set up for Mark's daughters, Riley and Haley, at the Credit Union of the Rockies, PO Box 4787, 111 Main St. Frisco, CO 80443, phone # (970) 668-1900
