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My wish for everyone as we move into 2009 is that you had a wonderful Christmas and are planning great times in the upcoming year! It's hard to believe that Crescent members have already participated in one long-distance trip, and many are getting ready to join in other trips. As usual, the weather has been strange: lots of cold and snow, followed by record temperature highs and heavy rain, and back to winter conditions. It's cold in West Virginia today, and it's trying to snow (just flurries at the moment). I can't think of a better way to start 2009 (other than actually skiing somewhere). Now, as for business, this update is short, but Crescent's activities are in full swing.
TRIPS
Steamboat had good snow conditions, and the trip was a huge success. Approximately 360 Crescent members attended, many for the first time. Much thanks to John Casey, Ron Scott, and Steamboat's staff for working diligently to provide another fantastic and memorable experience.
The Big Sky, Montana trip gets underway on January 17th. If anyone in your club has a desire to join the fun, Sara Ford at Sports America Tours needs to be contacted immediately (TEL: 800-876-8551 ext. 109, sara@sportsamerica.com). She has a couple of open slots that can be filled.
Slots are still open for Keystone, and Crescent needs to fill them. Remember that the lift ticket is good at Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, and Vail (only 2 days at Vail). That's a great deal!
The Emergency Medical forms that were completed for Steamboat have been shredded. This is only the second year that the form has been used, and its return to its owner was simply overlooked in all of the Friday night festivities. Rather than trying to mail them to everyone, the forms were shredded in the office of the Lodge at Steamboat. Crescent asks all trip participants to complete the Emergency Medical form and place it in a sealed envelope that will be opened only if that individual is unable to communicate with emergency and hospital staff. Councils and clubs around the country have found a real need for this information, and its only purpose is to perhaps save a life. Please encourage your members to complete the form and give it to your club's trip leader on all trips. If your club doesn't have a designated trip leader, the form can be given to Lisa Beregi or the tour operator. A copy of the form is attached for distribution to your members.
CONVENTIONS
The Spring Convention will be held at Kingston Plantation, North Myrtle Beach, SC, April 23 - 26, 2009. Club registration and lodging forms should be out soon. Please let your club members know that this is for everyone!!! Market it like a Weekend getaway!!! It really is a lot of fun, and it's a great way to interface with vendors (resorts, tour operators, etc.), as well as socialize with everyone in Crescent. This year's convention will be special; Crescent will be celebrating its 40th anniversary and is planning a major celebration. I hope you have looked at the Planning Guide that was attached to the November President's Update and are assisting the process.
RACING
Please remember to include the newsletter credit sheets in your newsletter so your club's ski and race participants are eligible for prizes. I encourage your members to participate. You don't have to be a great skier to be a racer; heck, I raced in Division 2 for many years. Through racing, my skiing improved tremendously (It's amazing how you learn to turn when there are a series of gates, in a variety of snow conditions, staring you in the face!), and I made many wonderful friends. Your members should give it a try; they may be pleasantly surprised. Talk with your club's race director or contact Ron Scott, Race Chair, at rscott013@nc.rr.com.
MEMBER SERVICES
Ken Lumsden, Member Services Chair, continues to issue corrections to the Crescent Directory that was distributed at the Fall Conference. Please be sure to notify Bruce McMurray, Database Administrator, of all changes in your officers, committee chairs, club addresses, etc. I continue to get delivery failure messages when the Update is sent. Crescent does practically all of its communications via email, and in order for your club to be informed, it's critical that the database contains up-to-date information.
ADMINISTRATIVE
In the November Update, I asked for some information from the clubs regarding food and alcohol consumption at meetings and membership composition. To date, only one club has responded and that was to only one of the questions. December is a really busy time - ski trips, Christmas, etc. - so I'm not surprised that I didn't receive more responses. Now that the holidays are ending, I would really appreciate you looking at the November Update and responding accordingly.
Per Crescent's bylaws, yearly membership dues were payable no later than December 31, 2008. If you club hasn't paid yet, please mail your payment to Rod Davis, CSC Treasurer, ASAP. His address is in the fall directory. If you haven't received the electronic invoice, please advise Rod and copy me. Thanks. The Steamboat trip was the first opportunity to use the new Crescent logo in a variety of ways, and it looked great on everything! Thanks again to Robyn Bilfelt (Raleigh) and Kyle Carroll (Winston-Salem) for collaborating on the design.
That's it for now. Have fun skiing - whether it's a mega-trip, weekend adventure, or just a day away from the office/house. I'm headed to Big Sky and hope to see many of you there.
Alice Taylor, President
Crescent Ski Council
402 Woodbridge Drive
Charleston, WV 25311