ALBERTA
BOARD ELECTIONS
2024
ALBERTA BOARD CANDIDATES
Alberta members – please review the list of candidates below. When you are ready to cast your vote, please use the button below.
ROB STEVENS (INCUMBENT)
VIEW ROB’S INTRODUCTORY VIDEO HERE
My interest in serving CASI is rooted in a number of motivations. This idea could be best “distilled” down to the idea that being involved with CASI has given me a great deal over the years and I’d like to return the favour! Over time, CASI has been my employer, the environment where I’ve met many of my best friends and where I’ve learned many of the skills I use in my current work, every day. I am where I am today because of CASI, so to give back to a group that’s given so much to me is what I’d call a “natural progression”.
Initially, I joined the board (eventually becoming a two-term President some years ago) because I thought I could bring my experiences as a Regional Coordinator and employee back to the organization with a view to helping bridge the thoughts and intentions of the board of directors, into practice with its “front line” staff. How we do that today is still as important as ever. I also still have a great interest in snowboarding and how it’s taught, so being involved with the technical aspects of CASI makes me feel like a young guy again!
Our biggest strength is our people. This sounds like a pretty “canned” response, but a group of people numbering in the thousands who all came together over a thing that could best be described as a true “passion” is something special.
I believe CASI’s biggest challenge is one that hasn’t really changed since I was actively teaching Level 1 courses some 20 to 25 years ago and that’s the competition for an individual’s “bandwidth”, what their interests are and what they’ll become. I didn’t say it like that then, but the thought was the same; what else could someone be doing other than snowboarding? Over the years, the choices have only widened, but in my thinking, many of those choices are unhealthy “dead ends”. That we as an organization undertake to “get in front” of a wide audience of people, presenting a constructive and healthy option of what could be “next” for them is to me the embodiment of our Mission Statement.
As a previous President of CASI, that long term view, both backwards and forwards looking, is what I hope to continue to provide. Our current concerns are, in some cases, the same as ones we’ve encountered and solved before. They are not always identical in terms of the explicit issue, but the “spirit” in which we handle them has been and should continue to be “rooted” in our core values, with the best intent for our members, the resorts we serve and the public at large.
Lastly, I’ll reinforce that CASI trained me (and I’ve placed at the root of any training I give) that the clients needs can only be addressed by asking questions of them, knowing their hopes and plans, then describing to them the path you’ll both take to get there successfully. If you start and end with that as the “umbrella” under which everything happens, you’ll go far.
MANUELA OLIBERA-DORN
VIEW MANUELA’S INTRODUCTORY VIDEO HERE
My name is Manuela Olibera-Dorn and I’m applying for the Alberta seat on the CASI Board of Directors. I’ve learned a lot about life through my experiences with CASI and feel deeply committed to this organization and its mission to “inspire the best snowboard instruction in the world”. Applying for the board comes from an intent to learn and combine my love for snowboard instruction and board governance in order to benefit everyone in our community. I would love the opportunity to act in the best interests of the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors and its membership for the next three years.
I have taught snowboarding in both Ontario and in Alberta for the past 20 years, as such, my experience and connections to the community would be a valuable source of information and inspiration if I were to serve on the Board of Directors. As part of the Banff Public Library Board of Directors I have access to vast resources and many people who are specialists in resource development and information management. I have a good understanding of Board governance on a municipal level and would like to expand my knowledge and learn from this current team of seasoned board members with their impressive backgrounds and skills. In my time serving as a Director at Large and committee member I have seen the value of Directors who are well versed in the realities of the industry, who are involved in the community and who are known by the members we serve. Having lived and worked in Banff for over 15 years I have also built strong relationships in hospitality and the public service sector. I have a longstanding relationship with CADS Alberta and am always looking for chances to advocate and act for the greater good. From what I’ve gathered, currently there are no active snowboard instructors serving on our board or directors. I would like to change that, and would be honoured to give my time and skills to represent other current snowboard instructors whose voices should be taken into account as we continue to grow.
Currently, I see CASI’s biggest strength as the quality of work that has already been done; our strategic plan is clear and the mission is simple. The foundation we are building on seems solid and that is a huge plus for the BOD and organization as we move this ship in the right direction. CASI has a very passionate membership that is growing at a breakneck pace and I think that will present some challenges as we look to the years to come. This unending stream of new members will require Board members who are able to grow and use their creativity to keep up with the requirement of investing in our membership with the demand for clear communication and valuable progress. I believe we can mitigate some of the impacts that will arise in our organization if we ensure our processes and policies are clear and currently in place.
The foresight that will be required of this board is something I’m constantly working on… I have lots of crystals to help with that- just kidding! I know that being prepared is far better than having to react to something without the right tools at your disposal. While sitting on 3 other boards I’ve learned so much about time management, Robert’s rules, reading financial documents and participating in meaningful change. I have proven skills in researching, proofreading, and editing, which have made me a valuable member of the boards within which I have taken part so far. I look forward to the chance to run for a seat ensuring the future of CASI with you.