Awards
Contact Diane Wilkey for more information about the Southern Division.
The recognition of contributions and acknowledgment of accomplishments are core principles of the NSP and have a rich and important history. They have been proven to have meaningful, positive long-term effects on the performance and retention of talent in this extraordinary volunteer organization. The NSP Awards and Recognition team will support all Patrollers, Patrol Reps, Region and Division Directors and their Awards Supervisors, the board, and the executive office in finding creative and effective opportunities to share the great work of the NSP.
Program Structure
Recognition of NSP members starts at the local patrol, region or division where the member is active. The great work of members can be recognized at any of these levels and members can be nominated for National recognition via certificates of appreciation, merit stars, appointments, etc.
National Outstanding Awards awarded annually in over 20 categories. Nominations begin at the local level and are processed through Region and Division judging before being submitted for National competition.
Southern Division Award Recipients by year
The Award Types
The Outstanding Awards
NSP’s National Outstanding Awards are presented annually in 21 categories. Following are the 2023 National Outstanding Award recipients. Awards recipients for 2024 will be announced in January of 2025.
- Recognize members within National Policy for their great work supporting the National Ski Patrol and the outdoor recreation enthusiast.
- Ensure consistency across the organization.
- Promote the recognition of members by:
- Encouraging all levels to use the Awards Program to recognize the significant service of members.
- Preparing educational materials to help the sponsors develop successful nominations.
- Educating all NSP Leadership on the value of recon ignition on member performance and retention.
- Simplifying the nomination process.
Recognition Awards
Recognition awards are the primary method of recognizing members for going above and beyond required levels of performance. Certificates of Appreciation and local awards may be presented by any NSP organizational unit, Divisions, Regions and local patrol and host units. Other recognitions as defined in the NSP Policy and Procedure require nomination and approval at region and division levels before being submitted to the National Awards Advisor.
- Certificates of Appreciation
- Merit Stars
- Appointments
- Distinguished Service Awards
- Meritorious Service Awards
- Hall of Fame
- Minnie Dole Award
- Unit Citations
- Patrollers Cross
- Patrollers Memorial
Awards
National Appointments and Leadership Commendations.
For patrollers who have demonstrated leadership, good character, diplomacy, positive attitudes, good judgment, exemplary patrolling abilities, and extraordinary service.
Distinguished Service
For those who have performed extraordinary service to NSP and the skiing public for at least 20 years.
Meritorious Service Awards
For active patrollers who have completed extraordinary and outstanding service and leadership as a region or division staff member.
Purple Merit Star
For saving a life through emergency care and use of ski patrol skills.
Blue Merit Star
For outstanding or crucial support roles using emergency care and ski patrol skills in an attempt to save a life.
Green Merit Star
For an outstanding act of heroism for arduous or hazardous rescue work in which the recipient uses ski patrol training.
Yellow Merit Star
For any outstanding service.
Patroller’s Cross
For a patroller seriously injured during training or active duty.
Unit Citations
For a patrol with outstanding performance.
National Ski Patrol Memorial
For the family of a patroller who died in the line of ski patrol duties.
Outstanding Awards
NSP Outstanding Awards may be presented annually in 15 individual and 6 unit categories. Competition begins at the Region or Division level per local polices. Divisions may submit one nominee in each category by June first of each year. These nominees are validated and submitted to member judges for scoring during June. Results are tabulated and Awards presented at Division Awards Ceremonies during the late summer and fall. Winners and first runners-up are announced in the Winter Ski Patrol Magazine.
- Outstanding Large Alpine Patrol
- Outstanding Small Alpine Patrol
- Outstanding Bike Patrol
- Outstanding Nordic Patrol
- Outstanding Administrative Patroller
- Outstanding Alpine Patroller
- Outstanding Patroller
- Outstanding Alumni Patroller
- Outstanding Bike Host
- Outstanding Bike Patroller
- Outstanding Instructor
- Outstanding OEC Instructor
- Outstanding Nordic Patroller
- Outstanding Paid Patrol Director
- Outstanding Patrol Representative
- Outstanding Patroller
- Outstanding Young Adult Patroller