by Armand Gutierrez, President
Once again July is coming in warm-to-hot temperatures, but nothing quite as bad as what’s transpiring on the East coast. Last year’s celebration of our country’s founding was quite a spectacle and I suspect this year’s celebrations will be even greater. So do your part over the 4th of July weekend by raising Old Glory high above and into the field of blue.
NSC Objectives for this Season
This past season there have been two initiatives that I presented to the board for discussion: family memberships and the FWSA Website Award. The first is controversial, while the second is not.
Family Memberships. The concept of family memberships was born as a result of another way to increase our membership, something that has remained steady over the past few years but took a nosedive during the COVID pandemic. However, preliminary research indicates that, while technically feasible, there are a number of considerations: Constitution/By-Laws changes, insurance, family membership fees, annual ski week, age limits, parental responsibilities, and most important – membership approval. Frank Chang, our treasurer, suggested a series of forums to bring this discussion to the membership and, based on feedback, have a required membership vote. Since we don’t have regularly scheduled meetings I would like to hold these forums at the following events: NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic, the planned 65th Reunion Dinner, and at the Farewell Dinner on our Jackson Hole ski week.
FWSA Website Award. As part of the FWSA International Travel team I’ve been exposed to the many programs that FWSA sponsors or supports. When I learned about the Historical Club Award I realized that the Nisei Ski Club met all the requirements and, with a little bit of work from the board, we submitted the requisite historical material and subsequently NSC was designated as an FWSA Historical Club. Well, with some changes to our website I think we can win the Website award (novice category) as well. Karen Soo has already been making changes and additional changes will be forthcoming.
Mt. View Obon Festival
The festival will be held July 15-16 so mark your calendars for this annual event. In the past, organizers of the festival have asked NSC for volunteers to work the various booths. Well, this year they have reached out to Karen Soo to see if NSC would be able to provide volunteer support for this year. Check out details this month to sign up.
NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic
The NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic is scheduled for July 22nd/ Saturday so mark your calendars. As usual the club will be providing beverages and a lunch entree and you can bring a favorite side dish. Details will be on the Picnic Flyer.
FWSA 90th Annual Convention
The FWSA 90th Annual Convention was held from 15-18 June, in Boise, ID. This was my first time attending (16-18 June) in two capacities: 1) to assist Debbie Stewart (VP International Travel) with the Silent Auction and her Snow Sports Leadership Academy presentation, and 2) to provide NSC representation.
At the luncheon, Keynote Speaker Genia Fuller-Crews, a World Freestyle Champion and Honored Member of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame (https://skihall.com/hall-of-famers/genia-fuller-crews/), shared her story of competing in and winning World Freestyle Championships (70s) and her work with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame for equality of recognition. And at her table during the Banquet were four of her buddies that also competed, and won, in freestyle (ballet, moguls, aerials) competitions and are also in the Hall of Fame
As a delegate representing NSC I attended various seminars, entitled to make nominations for the various open positions (I didn’t) and to vote during the elections (I did). Debbie Stewart also invited me to sit in as her guest at their board meeting. The board meeting was quite similar to our board meetings, but with a little more parliamentarian rules. Next year’s FWSA Convention is being held in Reno and hosted by our very own Bay Area Sports Council (BAC) and Sierra League & Council.
Here is the sign up form for Jackson Hole weeklong trip.
QotM: Your greatness is not what you have, but what you give.
