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
Saturday February 25, Ski Patrollers from around the country met at Ski Cooper. We skied with 98 year-old Charles Elliott (right) from Wolfcreek Pass, Colorado. Elliott was recently inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame as a pioneer in the state's ski industry.
Elliott started skiing in the Wolfcreek Pass area in 1934 and is still active with the volunteer patrol in that area. His first skis were homemade and he fashioned ski poles from a pair of fishing poles. He wrapped his skis with potato sacks to gain traction climbing the slopes.
Obviously, no ski area existed at the pass then, but Elliott did return each year to ski, and in 1938 built a rope tow from spare car parts donated by an Alamosa car dealer. A seiries of improvements to that rope tow over the next 20 years finally led to a 1,200 foot tow that ran from the road taking skiers above timberline.
Elliott was also responsible for creating a ski patrol at the area associating the members with the National Ski Patrol. In 1947, Elliott received the honorary National Ski Patroll appointment number 874. Elliott's Elliott's 75 years of serving on the Ski Patrol is a landmark for all.
