High Park Ski Club Blog

2020-05-19

A Unique Election Night

It really does take a village to run the club. Everything we do starts with volunteers to plan, negotiate, and run.

Thanks to all the members who logged into a unique electronic election night on April 30. And thank you to Adrian, Colin, and Stella for ensuring the night ran smoothly.

Congratulations to our new volunteer Board of Directors for the next two years:

President – Justin Graham

Director of Finance – Clark Seaton

Director of Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding – David Manning

Director of Nordic Skiing and Fitness – Heather Steel

Director of Long Trips – Bill Bates

Director of Downhill Daytrips – Erika Clark

Director of Social Activities – Amy Lam

Director of Communications – Nemanja Davidovic

Director of Marketing Jennifer Beatty

Director of Administration and Corporate Secretary – Vic Schroter

Director of Membership and Volunteers – Ruth Schefter

Director of Information Technology – Alex Radulescu

At our first meeting of the new Board, as per our club By-Laws, Heather Steel was selected and approved as club Vice President.

The board would like to thank the fantastic members who have who have chosen to step away as club directors . . .

Laura Headon – who was able to add a stabilizing influence as Financial Director after a bit of fluctuation in the role.

Colin Marsh – who did a fantastic job as Marketing Director and Vice President.

Iuliana Ilie – for stepping in last season in the role of Social Director – unfortunately your work on the 70^th Gala was not realized because of COVID-19.

Christine Bellerose – for handling both the snow school, as well as being liaison for the last season between the board and the alpine daytrips team. Enjoy your new role with ski school.

We would also like to congratulate and thank Stella Rossovskaia for her long-time dedication to the club as a trip leader, social director, and as President over the last two years.

Without our volunteers, the club would not be able to operate. Please consider volunteering some of your time. If you are interested please contact our Director of Membership and Volunteers at membership@hpsc.ca

2020-05-192020-06-10

Looking forward and planning ahead

First, I hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy in this unprecedented time. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in person at some point in the future. When that time will be is still up in the air, but your new board of directors is forging ahead putting together preliminary plans for next season.

I am personally honoured to have been elected as your next President of High Park Ski Club and look forward to working with all of the newly elected and returning Directors in order serve you, our fantastic members, over the next two years.

None of us has a crystal ball to see what the conditions we will be operating under in six months or even in two months, but we must move forward with planning for next season. However, with the understanding that we may need to adjust to the rules and regulations we are faced with. As we have, we will continue to follow the advice of public health officials and government to ensure that our members remain safe.

As a club, we will face numerous challenges over the next year to get back to what we have come to expect is normal or what we will come to see as the new normal. But it is through the community of fantastic members, volunteers, and board members that I believe we can achieve this.

Over the next couple of months, we will be soliciting members to better understand your feelings, plans, concerns, and suggestions for next season. Your responses will help to guide plans for the coming year.

I hope we will all be able to come together again, sooner rather than later, in person to celebrate our club and catch up with all of our HPSC friends and raise a pint or a glass or two!

Cheers!

Justin Graham

HPSC President

2020-05-14

Cross-country volunteer opportunity!

The HPSC cross-country team met recently to debrief last season and start planning for next season.

Clearly, next season will depend on how the COVID-19 pandemic progresses through the summer. However, as of now, we are planning for a full 2020-2021 season. The club as a whole will discuss contingency plans as the summer progresses.

In the meantime, we are recruiting volunteers! We have a new opportunity perfect for those looking for a way to give back, but who are able to commit only a bit of time.

Next year, we’d like to offer 3-4 group ski opportunities for beginner new members. These would be held on select trips in January and early February in the afternoon. We are looking for members who would be willing to lead these group skis. The time commitment is approximately 2 hours in the afternoon on one ski day (or however many you want to lead). You would be leading a group of beginners on some of the easier trails at the resort. The goal is socializing and fun! No need to be a long time member, or a high level skier. The only requirement is a friendly attitude!

We hope these group skis will allow new members the opportunity to meet more skiers at their level outside of the lessons and feel more comfortable from the get go in the club.

If you’re interested, please email Heather at crosscountry@hpsc.ca.

Have a great summer!

2020-04-272021-08-26

And The HPSC Oscar Hatashita Award Goes To…

The Academy officially adopted the name “**Oscar**” for the trophies in 1939. … A frequently mentioned originator is Margaret Herrick, the Academy executive secretary, who, when she first saw the award in 1931, said the statuette reminded her of “Uncle **Oscar**“, a nickname for her cousin **Oscar** Pierce.

Did you know that HPSC has it’s own Oscar Award? Oscar Hatashita was one of the founders of the club from 1950. Oscar was the last surviving founder and has attended 60th Anniversary celebration. Oscar’s name was famous among the club members, as he had an “Oscar” ski shop. Everyone would go to “Oscar” at the beginning of the season for the new boots fitting, and the styles and the bindings were changing fast. We’ve established an Award in honour of Oscar Hatashita for 65th Anniversary. Denise Janssen was the first recipient of the Award for her outstanding contribution to the development of the club. This year the glamour of Magic Carpet is virtual due to coronavirus pandemic that has rained on our parade. The pictures of the winners were taken on the snow, Magic Carpet the original.

And The HPSC Oscar Hatashita Award Goes to…

COLIN MARSH – for outstanding accomplishment of the club’s membership growth

Colin is shining like a star in Banff during overnight trip

After a decade of slow although steady decline in club’s membership the trend has changed to the 20% membership growth in the last two years. This is an outstanding result, close to a miracle. Colin is the man behind club’s new website redesign, he took on the design and development side of the project with the IT, Communications and all Directors for the exciting design and content. The launch of the website for the 2018/19 season provided a superior experience for members and prospective members and the Club’s online advertising campaign drove membership growth and a lot of interest for our club from the diverse groups. As a Marketing Director and Vice President Colin has made a lot of positive changes and decisions for the best interest of our club members, New Members nights, referral program have blossomed and resulted in the continuous growth. Congratulations on your outstanding results and recognition of your accomplishments and success from your colleagues at the Board of Directors, Colin!

GEORGE LORENZ – for outstanding leadership and guidance to the Board of Directors

George is sparkling positive energy during his lesson as a passionate Cross Country ski instructor

George is High Park Ski club life timer. After being the President of the club for multiple terms, leading the trips, teaching cross country skiing, participating in all types of activities in the club George has accumulated a big mountain of wisdom, experience, knowledge and… patience. As a Chair of Advisory Board George has probably saved our club from the mini crisis a few times, helping the Boards forming–storming–norming and high performing. It’s a great support to the Board to have access to George’s expertise in governance, risk management, by-laws applicabilities and personal common sense… Thank you George! Congratulations on the Oscar Hatashita Award and Board’s recognition and appreciation of your leadership and guidance.

KAREN EVANS – for authoring club’s “Code of Conduct” and thoughtful leadership

Karen is known to many of us as “Energizer Bunny” for her sparkling positivity and endless energy that she shares with members at SkiFits in High Park in the fall, on the cross country trails or on the mountains teaching skiing. As a world traveler Karen inspires us all to live the life to the fullest. One of the most outstanding contributions of Karen into development of our club is Karen’s authoring of the club’s “Code of conduct” for members and Board of Directors. Safety, well being and positive experience of our members and volunteers are our top priority in the club. How many times we had to navigate the complex situations and find the answers and solutions in the simple positive statements of our “Code of conduct”, which we all acknowledge, when we join the club. Thank you Karen, for sharing with us your wisdom and for applying your outstanding communication skills in documenting the “Code of conduct” that serves our club for many years.

BILL BATES – for enabling our members to travel the the best ski resorts in the world

If you are in front of the line in ski class with Bill (3rd from left) – it means you are an expert! Bill skis fast!

Every year around end of summer and in the fall there is a buzz in the club… What are the overnight trips planned for us? The joy of dreaming and traveling… Behind many of our dreams, behind well planned trips is a great team (everyone stays on the team for many years) and a mindful leader, one and only Bill Bates. Bill dedicates so many hours to our club, his expertise and knowledge, kindness and care, he could be a one man successful tour operator business! Bill’s emails to the team come usually after midnight. Bill’s leadership philosophy is: “We care about our members as concerned relatives, and we treat our members as responsible adults.” Bill is one of Directors who has to apply “Code of Conduct” written by Karen creatively to find the most positive solution for the club and responsible adults members. Bill is always open for new ideas and innovations, and can calculate to the single dollar the cost and risk of the idea. The success of our overnight trips have grown, no wonder most of our trips sell out within one minute. Thank you dear Bill, you’ve enabled and empowered many of us to travel the world, to see the most beautiful mountains, trails and resorts. We want to express our gratitude to you for your outstanding contribution, for the moments of joy our members experienced thanks to you, with this special Award in memory of Oscar Hatashita, one of the founders of the club.

Bill *(3rd from left)* is always in Front Of The Line…

2020-04-252020-05-19

HPSC 2020 Volunteers Awards Winners

Every year we nominate volunteers for the Awards for the hard work of running our club. We express our gratitude to volunteers who go above and beyond to run our club smoothly.

ROOKIE AWARD: Lilia Kazberuk, for her positive energy of a new member & volunteer and for negotiation of the partnership contract between the club and “Skiis and Biikes” store, organizing the shopping, promotional and equipment tuning events.

BRONZE: Pamela Blake, for her dedication to new members by
coordinating the beginners programs for the past two
seasons

SILVER: Kevin Thyer, for his many years of dedication to the race program which have challenged many skiers and snowboarders of all
levels. Thanks for coordinating the race course with MSLM, the
Race Crew and their tireless work as well as the very popular
Gate Training program.

SILVER: Chantal Lebel has been a valuable contributor on the Long Trips Committee since 2017. Chantal has assumed complete supervisory responsibility for all the overnight trips to Mt Tremblant over the last 4 years. She has been an organized and well liked Trip Leader to many bus and charter trips. Chantal is also a dedicated ski instructor as well as the Internal Communication Director on the Snow School executive. Merci Chantal for all your work for HPSC!

GOLD : Linda Lavallee for being the ambassador coordinator for many years. Her many hours of work recruiting, training, organizing this team is monumental. As well she coordinates communication email letters that go out to new members. Thank you for your continuing years of dedication.

GOLD: Justin Graham was nominated previously for his many years of dedicated service as Bus Captain coordinator. For the 2019-2020 season, as Assistant-Director of Day Trips. Justin has worked tirelessly with his team to support the bus captains who make sure that buses go out four days a week or as scheduled. This past year, Justin dedicated a lot of personal time on his weekly demanding duties, which included: adjusting Day Trips modules, monitoring registrations, and making decisions as to how may buses were going where. Not always easy, especially when weather threats arise between Thursday night and Saturday. Present on FB and a strong communicator, Justin also replied to countless emails from members who needed a registration altered, or who simply had a question. This is a critical job, the heart of our day trip operations. All downhill skiers and snowboarders thank you, Justin!!

SNOW GLOBE Lifetime achievement: Mary McDonald for managing our club’s administration affairs for a long term, organizing multiple moves of the office, keeping the lights on, the bills paid, insurance and office rental lease extended, files stored. Any question asked about the club’s administration – Mary knows the answer. Mary was also a downhill instructor and an overnight trip leader. Its thanks to Mary’s and other life time members dedication and volunteering that our club runs as a well oiled machine without stopping for 70 years. Thank you Mary!

SNOW GLOBE Lifetime achievement: Sandi Hymers was a Membership & Volunteer Director for many years. Every member felt Sandi’s and her team’s care. Sandi has passed the torch to the new membership team although Sandi was always standing by to offer help or guidance when needed, in a very kind and peaceful way. Sandi’s wisdom is appreciated by number of the Boards . Thank you Sandi!

2020-04-22

Thanks for another great snow season

Our Snow season has sadly ended abruptly. Here in isolation, I’m going over my ski pictures. What a great time we have had in the snow, in the forests and on the beautiful mountains.

2020-04-212020-05-19

We Climb Every Mountain…

Dear friends,

I am writing to you at the very challenging time , the time of disruption for our life and our club’s activities. On Saturday April 25 we would have 70th Anniversary Snow Ball and Awards Ceremony to honour our stellar volunteers who run our club. As we are celebrating Canadian National Volunteers week I want to thank all volunteers for making our club a successful non profit organization that inspires and enables our members to enjoy winter snow sports. I also want to thank all our members for being part of our club, our very special friendly and all inclusive community, for supporting each other and at this time and for staying home to help us all to make our life stellar again. Although at this time our government warns us that “Normal is a long way off” and we have to be careful and patient we can dream now and ski, ride and travel later, eh? We the True North strong and free!

Our friends at Switzerland. share hope with Canada! The Matterhorn was illuminated with the Maple Leaf and flags of other countries impacted by coronavirus. The Zermatt Matterhorn wants to give hope and solidarity to all of you. #DreamNowTravelLater #WeWillTravelAgain

On Thursday April 30 we would of get together in person for the Election night. Instead we’ll tune in to be together virtually, to vote for the new Board of Directors to lead us as the club through the new challenges, to climb every mountain even higher. Please join & vote!

During the two year term of our current Board we’ve addressed many steep challenges. We’ve accomplished the 20% increase of membership (after 10 years of slow & steady decline), we brought new generation of members to the club. We’ve guaranteed and filled the downhill day trips buses. Our cross country day trips were sold out ahead of time with many two bus trips. We’ve implemented a new payment system and mobile App. We’ve improved our finance system and streamlined our processes. Our popular overnight trips were sold out under 1 min and we have doubled the size of the groups based on demand and the wait lists. We’ve moved the progress forward with the office virtualization project, which will allow us to save money for the club in the near future. We’ve embraced technology and have fostered the culture of innovations and continuous improvement. We had to address the coronavirus challenge with travel cancellations and worked very close with our business partners to get the best possible solutions for our impacted members. I am very proud of our Board’s work and results.

Dream Mountain… Trees in High Park are the gift of Japan to Canada. Today more than ever we are all united.

The Japanese cherry trees will blossom in High Park again soon. We’ll be dreaming about white snow while looking at High Park via web cameras. We may not always ski in High Park, although we love High Park, our club, our city, our province, our country, our people and our world! Cheers, for many winters to come!

Stella, HPSC Volunteer President

2020-04-082020-04-27