Results for November 2011
BASI Office Telephone Line Fault - Monday 21st Nov 2011
After a spell of interrupted phone service a normal service has now resumed. We can confirm that the telephone sytem is now receiving incoming calls and the office may also make external calls. Thank you for your patience.
Last updated: Monday 21 Nov 2011, @ 14.10pm
PUBLISHED 21/11/2011
BASI is pleased to advise the BASI Board of Director Mintues & General Meeting Minutes from 5th Nov 2011, Tamworth are now available to read via the members area.
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PUBLISHED 08/11/2011
BASI Eurotest Fee Statement Nov 2011
The Board and Executive made an announcement regarding the cost of the Eurotest to the Association following the Board meeting in May 2011.
During that meeting the Board were made aware that the subsidy being contributed by our Association, in other words by you the membership, to the Eurotest had increased to over £15,000. One of the responsibilities of your Board is to ensure that the financial position of the Association is sound and it was decided that this amount exceeded what was acceptable. A range of issues give rise to this subsidy including the amount of participants taking multiple tests, a large number of ‘No shows’, the cost for BASI officials and increased administration.
BASI has subsidised the running of the Eurotest for over 10 years. The discussions with other European colleagues since 2000 and associated costs have all supported the possibility of a career in professional Snowsports for our members. It is very important for our Association to be part of these discussions and developments not only for the future development of snowsports in the UK but also for the international credibility of our qualifications, right through from Level 1 to Level 4. The development of our technical products, Trainers and courses have all evolved in some way through the connection with the Eurotest.
A call from our members was answered back in earlier years of the Eurotest, to supply official technical delegates and openers to ensure ‘fair play’ to its members, as a number of allegations had been made concerning the validity of decisions being made at the tests, and to support and manage the credibility of each test. This has proved to be a very successful process and has enhanced the credibility and profile of BASI by the services of, amongst others, openers like Alain Baxter and Susie Berry OBE, our Technical Delegate and a FIS TD.
No given number of openers is required or requested at each test and is organised by mutual agreement amongst the officials. Our openers have performed exceptionally well over the past years, again raising the profile and credibility of our Association.
We strive to be as economical and as financially astute as we can in whatever we do. Thoughts of economy are at the forefront of any logistical decision concerning travel accommodation etc. to ensure that we have value for money.
The attendance of members at the Eurotest has been debated too. ‘Why can’t the Brits all go on the same day? It would save on the cost of the TD and openers.’ has been asked. A valid question and one that has been raised a number of times over the past 10 years. However, given uncertain weather, fairness to others and the involvement of nations other than Great Britain, the current system will not change in the near future. We are looking at the communication system being used as it is believed there are improvements that can be made.
Comments have been made to us by other nations involved in the Eurotest regarding the familiar faces attending the test. There are a huge number of well-prepared or more experienced members, taking possibly just one or two tests and being successful. There are, of course, others who take a little longer and attend more tests before succeeding. Comments have been made regarding the preparation of attendees and suggestions of gaining further experience in other races, such as FIS, Crystal Cup, Local Instructor Champions and Fleches before attending the Eurotest have been made. Of course some courses are set differently, the weather conditions could change effecting the snow and light, but these are all external influences that have less effect on the well prepared and more experienced. All tests are fair and run under very strict rules, scrutinised by our official Technical Delegate.
We are developing an information pack describing the ‘best route to being successful’ at the Eurotest. Examples from our athletes and successful candidates are to be included and we hope that this will support attendees in their preparation for the Eurotest.
It is believed that our Association should support some of the cost mentioned above. It is very important for the Association to be seen and to take part in the Eurotest arena and we understand the positive benefits that this brings to the whole Association. Therefore the Board and the Executive have reviewed and adjusted the policy on the Eurotest costs for attendees. The Association will cover the fixed costs, the costs that will not change regardless of how many members attend, these being the calibration of openers and administration costs for the coming winter. All other costs are proportional to the number of members attending a test. As a result of this, the cost for the Eurotest will reduce from the previously announced amount of £150 to £95 per entry from the 7th January 2011 and the first test booked remains at £55.This will enable the Association to reduce the subsidy and contain the costs to ensure the sound financial basis of the Association is maintained for all.
The case will be monitored and reviewed at the end of the coming winter.
The Board of Directors and Executive.
November 2011
PUBLISHED 03/11/2011