Sierra Samaritans - National Ski Patrol

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fits-all” approach to membership
may not be in NSP’s long-term best
interest. In comparing the responses
of volunteer and paid patrollers,
these groups appear to have different
reasons for affiliating with the NSP,
especially as it relates to connecting
with other members and whether
membership is expected. Judging by
input on these previous three questions,
although respondents may feel
that membership is very important,
the association has some room for
improvement when it comes to helping
members feel successful and
meeting their needs.
[I receive] information about industry,
profession, trade, or interest area
mostly from: [could select more than
one response]. These responses (see
table 2) point to traditional means
of communication being important
to members, with non-traditional
means of communication gaining
ground; one out of three members
receive information via the website
and one in five from staff members.
While it is easy to look at events as
central to delivering messages (and
this is likely much more true at the
divisional level than at the national
level) only about one in eight members
indicate they receive patrolling
information at events,
even though event attendance is
high. The primary delivery systems
are newsletters and magazines.
Do you belong to any other associations
that represent this industry, profession,
trade or interest area? 19% yes (52%);
81% no (48%). This indicates NSP’s
strong position as an information
resource for the member.
table 1
table 2
Most important reasons for joining this association
[could select more than one response] Volunteer Paid Other Associations
Professional development 34% 48% (76%)
It is expected in my profession or field 15% 44% (15%)
Association sets standards 26% 27% (36%)
Cause, concern, or profession is important to me 65% 48% (59%)
Information availability 9% 11% (37%)
Opportunity for connecting with other members 38% 19% (26%)
Networking for professional contacts 5% 6% (30%)
Desire to support advocacy on issues of concern to me 7% 7% (13%)
[I receive] information about industry, profession, trade, or interest
area mostly from:
[could select more than one response] Volunteer Paid Other Associations
Association newsletter 66% 52% (60%)
Association journal/magazine 67% 67% (77%)
Association sponsored events 16% 14% (23%)
Association website 34% 30% (38%)
Non-association publications 10% 16% (22%)
Other association members 32% 31% (13%)
Non-association colleagues/friends 4% 10% (7%)
Association staff 19% 22% (7%)
Association electronic conference/email list 15% 10% (21%)
REPRESENTATION AND
GOVERNANCE
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This association is dominated by a
small number of subgroups. (Note:
Negatively worded item. Disagreement
is the positive response.):
CONTINUED
W inte r 2005 | Ski Patrol Magazine 41