Greetings from Ontario Division!

As patrollers within a patrol at our home resorts, we don’t have much contact with Ontario Division,instead, we make most of our contacts with the CSPS through our Patrol Leader, Patrol and Zone.  

What is the purpose of Ontario Division?

We all know that the CSPS was formed to “promote safe snow sliding and to provide assistance to injured snow sliders”.  Over the years, the CSPS has grown into a nationally recognized network of over 5,000 volunteer members who are regularly trained in first aid and on-snow evacuation techniques.  More than 1300 of these volunteers live and patrol at resorts across Ontario. 

At the annual meeting in August 2000, the Ontario Division Executive and Zone Presidents of the Ontario Division approved the following Mission Statement: 

“We of the Canadian Ski Patrol System, Ontario Division, are committed to support the system through leadership and training. We strive to create opportunities for members to develop their skills, and to promote their personal growth in an enjoyable and professional environment.”

From an organizational perspective, the structure of the CSPS is shown in Chapter 3 of our Manual.  Division Presidents are members of the National Management Team reporting to the Vice President of Operations (Bill Kennedy, Past President of Ontario Division), who in turn reports to National President (Richard Schreier).  Division Presidents have decision making and approval authority on a variety of operational and policy matters.  Division Presidents provide advice, direction and support on National and Divisional Policies and Procedures to the Zone Presidents.  Most importantly, the Division Presidents carry recommendations from the Division (Zones) to the National Management Committee that meets 2-3 times per year in addition to meetings with the VP Operations. 

In the Ontario Division, the Division Executive and Zone Presidents meet 2 times per year (February and August).

What does Ontario Division do?

The Ontario Division executive support the president in fulfilling his or her mandate as described above.  The Ontario Division executive has the responsibility to keep member zones informed about national programs, policies and activities.  Ontario Division interprets national policies and programs and may adjust them to reflect the needs of the public, patrollers and the snow sliding industry in Ontario.  For example, Ontario Division regularly reviews National standards for first aid and on-hill certification and may adopt higher standards for Ontario Division.

Ontario Division is one way that issues facing patrollers in Ontario are heard at the National level.  Ontario Division has been and will continue to make significant contributions to the future direction of the CSPS at the national level in all program areas ranging from training to operations. Historically, patrollers from Ontario Division had held many leadership positions on the National Management Team and the Board of Directors.

Part of Ontario Divisions role is to facilitate communications and the exchange of information, resources and ideas among our member zones.  We all have much to share and learn from thedifferent challenges that zones from across Ontario face. 

Who are we?

The Division has an Executive Team that is dedicated to furthering the goals of the system here in Ontario.  Each Executive Member, while having unassigned status within the System is a proud member of one of our Zones and of their “home” resort where they attempt, within their Divisional Duties to maintain contacts and relations that will provide the transition back to being a rostered patroller when their duties are     complete at the Division level.

The Division Executive for 2003/04 are:  Check out our organizational chart (requires Microsoft Word to Open).

In addition to these individuals, there are a number of other patrollers who have volunteered to complete specific tasks or projects.  These include Awards, Division PL and On Hill Manuals, Safety Promotion, and many others too numerous to mention.

As you will note, the individuals most involved are from the 3 largest Zones within the Division.  The Division Executive is committed to engaging more eager patrollers from throughout the Division in Division Activities. 

How many zones are there in Ontario Division?

There are 8 Zones within Ontario Division:

Algonquin Zone

Central Zone

           Frontenanc Zone

           Kawartha Zone

           Muskoka Zone

           Sault Ste. Marie Zone

           Superior Zone

           Western Zone

 Revised August,2003