News from Gelandesprung Ski Club in Green Bay, WI

Happy April everyone!

As I type this on March 22, it is about to rain quite a bit across a wide part of the area, which sadly will likely impact our beloved ski hills. I just ask myself if this means if March will go out like a lamb?

By the time you’re reading this, we will be about to meet for the annual Spring Banquet where we will celebrate our year together, review financials, elect new officers and find out who will be bestowed the honor of the Dick Wortiska Service Award. Once again, we will be at The Woods Golf Course, with a family style banquet which we have grown fond of. 

Now that it’s the “off season” the real work begins for the Board and its Committee chairs. As you may know, this is when we make important decisions about the upcoming season, largely our Midwest trips. These have been a challenge these last few years, which Covid certainly impacted. We have been striving to address the trip requests of you, our customer, and offering a variety of day and weekend trips. The reality is, we have not been filling them which leaves us in a tough spot. We have been trying to maintain the bus yet have had to cancel that portion due to low interest. The trips have proceeded as drive ups trips, yet there is even less interest in that! I hope you can see the dilemma we face and understand there will be tough decisions to make which won’t come easily, even if it’s the right thing to do to preserve the viability of our club. Nothing is finalized yet and everything is on the table as to how we proceed. You can help by providing your constructive feedback to a Board member or even volunteering to help with the planning. 

Another topic for you to think about in this off season is your ID for future travels. If you plan to fly within the U.S., visit a military base or other federal buildings, the Department of Homeland Security will require identification that is REAL ID compliant (or show another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport) beginning May 3, 2023. The club is not requiring anyone to update their identification to this new format, yet we do want you to be aware of its impact by not preparing. Please read more information and make a decision for yourself at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id  If you choose not to upgrade, please plan to bring the alternative identification.   

 

Truly, your fellow ski bum,

Adam

March 2022 Newsletter

We have successfully returned from our overdue, and much enjoyed, West trip to Big Sky, Montana.  It was my 2nd trip to this resort and I was reminded why it is my favorite ski resort.  It is truly an epic place to ski with something for everyone to have fun and enjoy.  I like to say thank you to our trip leaders Tom Piette and Claudia Elsner for their contributions to making the trip a success.  Their efforts mean nothing though without your participation by signing up and joining in the fun!

Over the last few months we have been seeking volunteers to fill vacant positions as Treasurer and Vice President.  I’m pleased to say that we do have two individuals who plan to run for these important roles at our spring banquet in April.  If you have not yet raised your hand and are still interested in running, let us know, as there is nothing wrong with a little competition at the election.

Your Social Director, Jeanne, is putting together plans as we speak for our spring banquet, and has included information in this issue.  Please get your RSVP in quickly, so that we can plan properly.  At the banquet, Frank Wickham will provide an important tutorial on our website functions that you can use to better interact with the club.  He is also putting energy into rolling out online registrations with more details to follow!

Ski ya later!

Adam

February 2022 Newsletter

Hello members,

I hope this finds you all doing well, and managing to get out on some ski runs by the time you read this!  I've been able to get out on the Big Snow I trip with Sly Fox and intend to join our club on additional trips later in the season.  I do have a few items to share with you today. 

For starters, it's time to address the reality of the current Covid surge.  The Board and I realize everyone has their own viewpoints on the matter.  Despite that, we do ask that you be respectful of your ski club family and consider wearing a mask as much as possible when on a ski trip with us.  

We are working towards improving our administrative systems starting with the monthly newsletter.  This month marks the first of a new way to distribute the newsletter and share info with you.  We welcome your constructive feedback that we may evaluate for future improvements.  Stay tuned in future months as we share additional news on new things you can start using.  

We are still accepting registrations for upcoming trips where it is important to fill as many seats as possible.  This helps us meet the budget to remain sustainable, and your advanced registration helps us plan accordingly.  Please visit our trips page https://gelandesprung.org/trips and click on the trip you're interested in.  

 As I close, I will leave you with these words of skiing wisdom!  

Turn right.

Turn Left.

Repeat as necessary.

-Adam

January 2022 Newsletter

Hello and Happy New Year fellow Gelandesprungers!

 

It is Monday after Christmas, and I am looking out the window at some fresh snow which is the perfect motivation to write this column.  I hope you all had a great Holiday and were able to celebrate your family traditions.  

 

I know many of you are setting out on your New Year's Resolutions and so is the club. I'd like to share a few things with you today.  For starters, we are making strides towards utilizing our website and systems focusing on efficiencies, reducing errors, and removing redundancies.  This is so that we can provide you, our member, access to the things you need faster and easier.  Ultimately, we are working towards an online registration and payment system, however, we are not at that point yet.  We are doing this in stages, which will start with the newsletter distribution. 

 

Historically we have been sending you a link to a PDF file which we have done this month.  Beginning in February, you will continue to receive an email with a link to the newsletter which will instead direct you to our newsletter page (https://www.gelandesprung.org/news/) where you will see the same information as what would be provided in the PDF.  We realize this is a change and welcome constructive criticism in February on the new process.  Please also watch each month for additional tips on the things you can do with the new website. 

 

An additional New Year’s Resolution that was made is to eliminate providing alcohol on our bus trips.  Members are allowed to consume alcohol on the bus by bringing it on board themselves.  Please plan to keep these items under your seat or in the overhead bin to avoid tripping hazards.  Please refrain from glass or other fragile containers.  

 

We are seeing low registrations for our day trips where it is important to fill the seats and ask that you get your sign ups in today.  

 

In the meantime, get your skis shined up and grab a stick of Juicy Fruit as the taste is going to move ya!  

 

Ski you soon!

Adam

December 2021 Newsletter

Hello!

 

It is the day before Thanksgiving and wanted to say on behalf of the entire Board, Happy holidays!  We are grateful for the opportunity to selflessly serve the needs of the club and thank you for being a member!

 

In a few days our annual Holiday Celebration event will be held at The Woods and more information is included in this issue.  Not only will we celebrate the holidays together, we will be sharing more details on each of our ski trips.  Please submit your RSVP quickly so that we can properly plan.

 

All of our trips are open and filling up.  If you plan to join us on one, submit your money and registration soon so that you’re not left at home! 

 

We continue to seek out a volunteer for a new Vice President for the upcoming spring election.  Interested parties should speak with any Board Member. 

 

Thank you and have a safe and wonderful holiday season. 

 

Ski you soon!

 

Adam

November 2021 Newsletter