Meriden Ski Club Newsletter

President's Letter

I hope all of you are enjoying the summer season. We still have a number of events scheduled before Labor Day. Go Kart racing, mini golf and the club picnic at a location to be announced.

The most significant event to take place this fiscal year is the MSC survey, authored by Vice President Don Comstock. The response was outstanding for a survey of this type, with a responsent rate of over 25%. The tone of the responses was very positive and information gleaned was extremely insightful , constructive criticism was presented in a manner consistent with improving the activities of the MSC for the benefit of all members. From the survey there were a number of actionable subjects that the Board of Directors will be debating over the rest of the summer. The resumption of week end bus trips is one expensive issue that is beginning to look doable, considering airline issues and the price of fuel for our vehicles.

New England resorts are beginning to offer and promote excellent packages to capture that part of the market that has decided to stay close to home for their skiing activity, including week end and longer bus trips north to Maine, Vermont, New York and New Hampshire. Should this become popular, it will make us less reliant on bulk tickets and awareness days to satisfy our favorite winter sports desires.

The current economic conditions present an opportunity for your officers and directors to take a long range view of where the MSC is now and where it will be in the next four or five years. The direction of the MSC has always been steady for achieving its short term goals, usually one year at a time. Now, with financial distractions and increasing costs across the board relating to energy prices, I believe it is prudent to make some mid course corrections if we, as a club, are going to be able to offer low cost skiing opportunities to our members and their families. Today's financial environment isn't likely to change for the better anytime soon. We as a club should be prepared to make necessary adjustments to better preserve the health and mission of the MSC.

The new membership year starts Sept. 1st, closely followed by the Open House. Only the dates for the bulk ticket sales and awareness days, and the Sat/Sun bus trips are left to post and complete the club calendar. Check out the MSC web site for 3 week long western US trips, as well as trips to Vermont and Maine already scheduled.

Looking forward to a successful 2008/2009 ski season!!

Regards, Russ