Greetings NENSA Community ~

As we enter the final 3 days of our April Fund Drive ~ we need your help! We have a Board Match on the table of $8500 in pledges if we get 100 (or more) folks to donate during the final 10 days of the drive - that was just 10 donors a day - but we are way behind in that goal. We have received 26 donations since last week, but are still 74 donations SHORT of reaching out goal by this Saturday 4/30. With over over 8000+ members and ski enthusiasts on this email list - we hope at least 74 of you will please think about what NENSA means to you and your family and consider making a tax-deductible donation to NENSA today. Thank you!

We also need your help with nominations for people in our NENSA community who might be deserving one of our annual NENSA Awards. We are looking to our ski community to nominate people they think might fit the award categories found in the box below.

Here is what we have for you in this week's KickZone:
  • Please donate to our April Fund Drive - make these final 3 days count and help us unlock the Board Match!
  • Accepting Nominations for our NENSA Community Awards 2022 - click HERE to submit your nominations!
  • 2022 Elite and Development Teams Named and Rollerski Update
  • Coming this Sunday ~ #25kinMay
  • NENSA's Executive Director Job Posting
  • First L100 Coach Developer course set for July 7th in Craftsbury VT
  • For Sale ~ NENSA's custom fabric SKIDA hats & neck warmers
  • From our Partners ~
  • Summer College & Grad School student internships with a Share Winter Organization affiliate in Denver CO

Be sure to check out all the great summer camp listings at the bottom of this newsletter ~
Best,
Amie

Amie Witten Smith
Executive Director
New England Nordic Ski Association
Amie@nensa.net

GIVING: DONATE to NENSA today, and thank you!

MEMBERSHIP: RENEW or JOIN today, and thank you!
Please take a few minutes to do that and support the organization that supports XC skiing here in New England, and beyond! NENSA is here for you, running programing for you, our ski community ~ we need your support this year, more than ever!

Thank you to all our NENSA Sponsors ~ they are such a HUGE part of our NENSA programming continued success, and we so appreciate all their support. I want to be sure we all acknowledge the businesses who support us and cross country skiing!

Be sure to follow us on fb, Twitter and on Instagram @nensa_nordic
NENSA News from the Field
Highlights and Notes from NENSA and the Nordic World
Please Support NENSA
in our 2022
April Fund Drive!
Last week we announced a Board Match for the final 10 days of our April Fund Drive 2022. We needed 100 donations in the final next 10 days (by 4/30) to unlock $8500 in pledges ~ as of today we have only received 26. We need need 74 more by Saturday to unlock the match. Please give as generously as you can to help us end our 2022 Drive on a high note!

As an additional incentive ~ we have some fun raffle gifts to give away to anyone who has donated or will donate $100 or more to this years drive! A sneak peak if a few of the great prizes in the photos below! And, as always, we have our custom NENSA SKIDA hat or buff for any donations of $250 or more and an LL Bean NENSA logo'd Boat & Tote for donations of $1000 or more.

We hope you will take a moment to contribute to our 2022 April Fund Drive and support all that we do here at NENSA. Please help us continue to create and sustain the top-notch programs and events for you, your family, as well as old & new friends to participate in. Click here to DONATE and to make your donation today - we made it easier than ever to make a contribution! Let's celebrate the NENSA staff's superb work and close out the fiscal year with a bang ~ get your donations in by April 30th. Thank you.
NENSA is looking for Nominations for our 2022 NENSA Awards
These awards are given annually to honor the achievements and contributions of our members who work to support NENSA’s mission of sustaining a vibrant and active Nordic skiing community in New England.

The NENSA staff is accepting nominations for folks in our New England ski community who fulfill the ideals for our Annual Awards. Click HERE to submit a nomination in any of these Award categories. THANK YOU!

John Caldwell Award: One of NENSA’s finest traditions is presenting the John Caldwell Award. This award annually recognizes a single individual, or entity, which embodies the spirit, dedication, innovation, and pride of John Caldwell, and NENSA!

Coach of the Year: This award is given annually to honor a NENSA coach for their achievements and contributions in working with athletes, in support of NENSA’s mission to sustain a vibrant and active Nordic skiing community in New England.

Club of the Year: This award is given annually to honor a NENSA club that is making great strides in supporting the NENSA mission to sustain a vital and active Nordic skiing community in New England.

Chummy Broomhall Award: This award is named after Chummy who embodied the spirit of being a volunteer as he was a man who gave his time to generations. It is in this spirit that this award be in his honor for the unsung heroes of ski racing.

Bill Koch League Youth Leadership Award: The Bill Koch League Leadership Award is for those community members who embody fun, community, and a lifelong love of the sport.

See all past award receipts here: https://nensa.net/past-award-recipients
THANK YOU TO OUR ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
L.L.Bean and SWIX & Salomon!
2022 Elite and Development Teams Named and Rollerski Update
Every spring NENSA nominates an Elite and Development Team to honor the achievements of New England athletes. The winter of 2021-2022 featured the return of open sanctioned U.S. Ski & Snowboard racing in the East. Races were highly competitive and well attended, with 2885 racer starts in eight Eastern Cup and Super Tour events. NENSA is proud to celebrate the athletic accomplishments of this winter by introducing the 2022 Elite and Development Team nominations and give you some updates looking towards summer. The basis for Elite and Development Team naming is the U.S. Ski & Snowboard National Ranking List – which includes all sanctioned races held throughout the last twelve months.


The criteria set forth to name the NENSA Elite and Development Team represent a pathway to regional, national and international success. The number of athletes named to these teams each year demonstrates the depth of the Eastern region in cross country skiing. Athletes named to these teams are invited to regional training camps and rollerski races, and part of a broader team that continues to excel at all levels. Further Elite Team / Development Team information.

The Eastern Regional Camp (REG) will take place at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center July 2-7th, which will include an open rollerski race on July 3rd. The camp will accommodate 40, U16 through U20 skiers and be supported by coaches from throughout the East. The first nominations come from the above lists and the first round of invitations has been sent to athletes and coaches. On July 7th we will host our first Level 100 Cross Country Coach Certification Program with U.S. Ski Team representation...read full story HERE
Whether you are a coach, parent, volunteer, or athlete, we all play a role in providing a safe environment for the sports that we love. U.S. Ski & Snowboard  Athlete Safety policies, the SafeSport Code, and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard MAAPP help us support that culture of safety.  
  • If you witness or are aware of inappropriate behavior or misconduct - REPORT IT!
  • Reports may be made anonymously!
  • Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse – Report to law enforcement or child protective services in your jurisdiction immediately.
  • Reports to the Center - SafeSport hotline at 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233) or CLICK HERE to complete an online reporting form.
  • Reports to U.S. Ski & Snowboard - CLICK HERE

You may see QR codes posted at events this season. The QR codes open a page on www.usskiandsnowboard.org for quick links to reporting from your smartphone.
Learn more about reporting and try the QR Code:

Thank you for your diligence in maintaining sport safety and protecting our athletes. 
NENSA is looking for it’s next Leader ~ Executive Director Job Posting
The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) is looking for its next Executive Director to lead this vibrant and thriving XC Ski Non-Profit Organization.  Founded in 1995, NENSA is a member-supported service organization that promotes the culture of cross-country skiing by creating opportunities for youth, athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all levels. NENSA also provides the support structure necessary to bring cross-country skiers to their highest potential at regional, national and international events.
FOR SALE!
NENSA's custom fabric SKIDA Hats & Neck Warmers will be for sale on www.NENSA.net
This custom fabric was designed by Kait Miller, NENSA's Youth & Introductory Program Director. Each snowflake contains one of 5 Northeastern states that NENSA had our programing ~ Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and New York! We are excited to offer these great new custom NENSA hats and neck warmer to our ski community!
Link to purchase HERE. Thanks for supporting NENSA this way ~ $40 for the fleece lined alpine hat and $30 for the fleece lined neck warmer ~ this includes shipping & handing.
Field tested and NENSA Staff approved!
#25kinMay starts this Sunday!
Stay tuned to our homepage of www.NENSA.net over the next few days for exciting updates on the third edition of #25KinMay starting this Sunday May 1st. Originally designed to bring our community together during the isolation of the pandemic, this ongoing program has grown to connect folks across the East and the world. Rollerskiing is a fun way to challenge yourself and access beautiful places in a new way! #25KinMay is the perfect way to build towards the positive social energy of our summertime programs. And if roller skiing is not your thing, you can run, bike & hike your 25k's in May!
THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS:
First L100 Coach Developer Date Set ~
NENSA Regional Coaches Clinic – US Ski & Snowboard L100 ~ Craftsbury, Vermont. July 7th, 2022
Please note: Coaches can register at any time as long as they have a current coach membership and those basic membership requirements have been met. The U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership season runs from July 1 through June 30 annually. However, we open registration for the upcoming season the first week of May. Memberships become valid July 1. 
For more information on how to sign up for the first scheduled practicum follow this link: http://usskiandsnowboard.org/sport-development/coaches-development/welcome-cross-country-level-100-coach-certification
THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
From our NENSA Partners:
Internship Opportunity for College/Grad Students

Share Winter Partner Alterra Mountain Company has a couple of paid internship opportunities available this summer:  
Click HERE for more information

There are a few departments hiring an intern:
  • General Ledger Accounting
  • IT Change Management
  • Cyber Security and Compliance
  • Human Resources
  • Procurement
  • IT Project Management
 
The program runs from June 6th to August 12th. It is paid and open to juniors, seniors, new graduates, and Masters/MBA program students. The positions are at Alterra's HQ in Denver. Be sure to instruct applicants to put "Share Winter" in the employee referral box for priority review. 
THANK YOU TO OUR NENSA OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:
Upcoming Events
A Look Ahead at the NENSA Calendar
Upcoming NENSA Events:
If you already shop Amazon ~ please link to Amazon Smile
with NENSA as your beneficiary!
Did you know that NENSA could benefit from the Amazon purchases you are already making??! Please link your Amazon account to Amazon SMILE (with /smile) and choose NENSA as your non-profit beneficiary! All the purchases everyone is already making, all add up, and we would love to be able to benefit from that! Thank you!!