These policies and procedures cover general guidelines for all volunteers at ASA. Certain disciplines have additional documents that detail policies and procedures specific to the disciplines. These include tethering stand-up and sit-down skiers, mono/bi, 4-track (including slider and walker), visually impaired, and ski bike. It is the responsibility of the instructor to understand and follow all applicable policies and procedures for the disciplines in which they are instructing or assisting. Copies of these additional documents are available in both hard copy and electronic form and can be obtained from the program office. Questions should be directed to the ASA Program Director. ASA carries Commercial General Liability insurance coverage for all covered activities. As a trained ASA volunteer instructor, you are covered under that policy should an incident occur. However, ASA has no health insurance or workers’ compensation insurance for volunteers.

D. DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ASA SKI/SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTORS OBJECTIVE: Provide safe, fun, and meaningful adaptive lessons to ASA students.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Lessons are scheduled in advance using the sign-up sheets in the Dave Spencer Center or via email, phone calls or Facebook. Sign up for days on which you would like to teach. If you aren’t needed on that day, we will notify you ahead of time. If you don’t hear from us, come in that day to teach - we are depending on you.

PLEASE call at least 48 hours in advance if you cannot teach on a day for which you signed up: 970-385-2163 (if you need to reach someone immediately, you can call the ASA cell phone at 970-403-6522). Please DO NOT call administrative staff at home or on personal cell phones. We’ll get the message just as quickly if you leave a voicemail at the mountain.

Check in and get your lift ticket at the Dave Spencer Center at 9:00 AM on your scheduled teaching day. Plan for a morning meeting to take place at 9:15 and do your best to arrive by then. Lessons start at 10:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM. Arriving one hour prior to lessons ensures that you have enough time to prepare.

Read your student's file and ask administrative staff any questions you may have. Be sure to greet your student immediately upon their arrival.

Ask appropriate questions to determine student's physical capacity, stamina, and endurance. Example: What kind of physical exercise do you do every week? Have you experienced any symptoms of altitude sickness? Did you eat breakfast this morning?

Make sure your student has a lift ticket.

Equip your student, including appropriate clothing for the day, proper boot-fitting, sunscreen, etc. (We have plenty of extra clothing, hats, gloves, sunscreen & more - if you need something which you can’t find, just ask us.)

Have a safe, fun lesson with your student.

Stay with your student during the lesson. Be sure lunch arrangements are made prior to the start of the lesson, when the student arrives. Volunteers are not required to spend their lunch break with students.

At the end of the day, complete your student's evaluation form in the student's file, and return the equipment to the appropriate place, including any adaptive equipment. Please do not leave sit ski equipment on the carpet (the edges will rust on the skis).

If an accident/incident occurs, after safety has been ensured for everyone involved, immediately notify ski patrol (if needed) and then call the program staff. Please submit an incident report form as soon as possible upon returning to the Dave Spencer Center. (See also the section on accidents & reporting)

Report any damaged/unsafe equipment to the program staff.

E. VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to comfortably ski/snowboard blue runs (intermediate level or better).
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Patience, persistence, sound judgment & enthusiasm.
- Willingness to listen, follow directions and adhere to ASA teaching techniques and policies.
- Willingness to increase knowledge and skills related to various disabilities.
- Appearance, dress, personal hygiene, ski courtesy, and behavior which meet Purgatory Resort and ASA standards.
- Ability to act in a professional manner at all times.
- Willingness to have fun.

F. VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE AGE OF 16
We welcome volunteers under the age of 16 on a case-by-case basis. All ASA volunteers under the age of 16 are deemed “shadow” volunteers. Anyone who is wanting to participate as an ASA volunteer who is 15 years and younger must be hands off on lessons. Please contact the Program Director with any questions.

G. PROGRAM PRIORITIES
Safety: Your first priority is to help create an environment that is as safe as possible.
Fun: Make the day fun! Your student should leave wanting to ski/ride again.
Learning: A safe, fun environment for your student is ideal for learning. It will be extremely difficult to make any progress with skills if your student doesn’t feel safe and/or isn’t having a good time.

H. PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete all required trainings (or equivalent):
    -Orientation: 1 hour off-snow (orientation or equivalent is required). Orientations will be held at the ASA Headquarters.
    -Introduction to Teaching Skiing/Snowboarding Progressions (SKI/SB A): on-snow (required for all new volunteers– covers teaching progression)
   -Introduction to Teaching with Adaptive Equipment and Lesson Planning (SKI/SB B): on-snow (required for new volunteers– focuses on adaptive equipment and techniques and how they relate to teaching progression)
   -Returning Volunteers have their choice of two days of clinics, one being either Ski/SB A or Ski/SB B.
   -Two shadow days with mentor (new volunteers): on-snow– working with an experienced instructor (mentor) with an actual student (required) additional shadow days may be added if desired or deemed necessary.
   -Specialty Clinics: the following clinics are elective but highly recommended: Mono-ski/bi-ski instruction, Visually Impaired instruction, 3-track instruction, 4-track instruction, Ski/snowboard improvement, PSIA certification prep, Advanced instructional clinics, Various other advanced training clinics. All ASA Clinics are based upon the skills and standards developed and distributed by PSIA/AASI-RM. Continuing education opportunities will be offered throughout the season for interested volunteers.

Paperwork:
- Intake form
- Purgatory liability waivers and media release
- ASA/Move United liability waiver and media release (media release is optional)
- National criminal background check (Annually) This can be filled out online by visiting our website and looking on the Volunteer Forms page. 
- Volunteer Handbook (Annually)
- Mandatory reporter training (only needs to be completed once in a volunteer's history)

I. VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
Daily Lift Passes: Volunteers will be issued a complimentary daily lift ticket on days they teach lessons or attend training clinics. If you are scheduled to teach and your lesson is cancelled after you arrive that morning, every effort will be made to find you a job. If you are not needed, you are still eligible for a free lift pass for that day. Tickets will be issued through the ASA winter program office at Purgatory.
 
Discounted Skiing: Volunteers with ASA have the opportunity to earn discounted skiing at Purgatory either through a daily voucher/discount code program or a season pass program. The daily voucher/discount code program will work as follows for the 2023-2024 season. For each day that a volunteer works at ASA on snow (after initial training clinics), they will receive a voucher for a $45 lift ticket  (Maximum of 5 vouchers per season).  These $45 tickets are transferrable and can be GIVEN to friends and family members. Please do not abuse this privilege by selling, as this is a huge benefit for ASA volunteers and we do not want to lose it.

Season Passes: Volunteers who volunteer with students for 8 days are eligible to purchase a significantly discounted season pass from Purgatory. ASA volunteer tenant passes will cost $349 for the 2023/24 season. A signed letter of understanding outlining all the requirements for the program will be required to purchase the season pass. Passes may be revoked if the commitment is not fulfilled. Season pass holders (tenant passes through ASA) are eligible to earn $45 transferable lift tickets after they have completed their required 8 days of volunteering (also, max of 5 vouchers). If you purchased a Purgatory Season/Power Pass, you are eligible for vouchers after your training clinics have been completed. Please see the program staff if you are interested in a season pass. Volunteers who volunteer with students for 15 days are eligible to receive a pass purchased by Adaptive Sports Association. Same above rules/stipulations apply.

Ski and Snowboard Clinics: Free ski and snowboard improvement clinics, adaptive ski and snowboard clinics and adaptive certification training are offered to ASA volunteers. Clinics are taught by ASA adaptive trainers and Purgatory Ski and Snowboard School instructors. Check the training calendar or inquire at the Program Office for dates and times.

PSIA/AASI Certifications: Volunteers are encouraged to further their education in teaching snow sports. PSIA/AASI is the national governing body for professional ski and snowboard instructors. Joining the organization is a great first step in furthering your education as an instructor. It also provides great “pro deals” on all sorts of winter equipment. Membership is $125 per year. ASA will provide preparatory training for instructors pursuing PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) or AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors) certification. ASA will also pay half of registration fees for relevant PSIA/AASI certifications (at the discretion of program staff). ASA will typically not pay toward “credit clinics” needed to keep certifications current, although we receive a limited number of vouchers for PSIA/AASI CEUS/clinics each season. Transportation and lodging will typically not be covered by ASA.

Pro Deals: Volunteers who are volunteering regularly throughout the season are eligible to join our “Expert Voice” team. Expert Voice offers qualified pros discounts on over 125 (not just ski related) brands. Join by going to ExpertVoice.com, creating a profile, and searching for the Adaptive Sports Association. Once you apply to join our team, we will "approve" your application and you will have access to the deals. In addition, we offer pro deals through Outdoor Prolink. Mid-season, if you have given a sufficient amount of time, you will be added to our Outdoor Prolink roster via your provided email. Please be respectful and follow each manufacturer’s guidelines for purchasing.

Discounts: Volunteers are eligible for a volunteer discount card that gives discounts to a variety of local merchants. These discounts are for volunteers only. Relatives and friends are not eligible. To qualify for discounts, volunteers must complete all required trainings and be an active member. A volunteer discount card will be issued by office staff once training is completed.

K. VOLUNTEER POLICIES
Uniform: Your uniform consists of an ASA jacket (or vest or penny), name tag, and dark pants (no jeans please). ASA uniforms are not to be worn when free-skiing/snowboarding or on days you are not teaching. Please do not attach daily lift tickets to ASA jackets, instead please use your pants. Any time you are in uniform, please behave appropriately and professionally, since you are a reflection of ASA and Purgatory. Jackets can be checked out only to instructors who are regularly volunteering, and they must be returned at the end of the season.

Helmets: All participants and volunteers are required to wear a helmet while participating in ASA programming or while skiing in uniform. Failure to comply with this policy will result in dismissal from the program. ASA maintains an inventory of loaner helmets if you or your student do not have one. Proper selection and fit of helmets will be covered during training. If you have questions about selecting a helmet, please see the program office.

Binding Checks: ASA strongly encourages and advises on-snow volunteers to have their bindings tested by a qualified ski shop. This usually costs about $10.00 and ensures that your bindings will release when needed. Be aware that older bindings may no longer be “indemnified,” meaning the manufacturer will no longer take responsibility if they malfunction.

Bathrooms: We ask that you do not go into the restroom alone with your student. Volunteers are not required to assist students who need help using the restroom. If a particular student is in need of assistance, we will typically require a family member, counselor, teacher, or full time staff member to be available to assist the student.

“Moonlighting” Lessons: It is common for ASA students and instructors to form friendships, and we think it’s great when our students go on to ski independently away from the program! However, if a student is contacting you, the instructor, to schedule lessons, please refer them to the ASA program office as space and equipment is limited. If a student is in need of the organization’s adaptive equipment (including tethers and ski bikes), the student must book a lesson. If you would like to ski with a particular student on a day they have signed up for a lesson, please sign up to volunteer and put your request in with program staff. We will make every effort to accommodate this request, but sometimes your skills may be needed for a different lesson that day. If you are skiing with a former student away from the program, please do not wear an ASA jacket, vest, etc.

Giving and Receiving Feedback: At ASA, we strive for a culture where we are all learning; from ourselves, our co-instructors, and our participants. An important part of this culture is the ability to give and receive feedback. If at any point, you are on a lesson and are uncomfortable, we encourage you to speak up to your co-instructor and/or ASA staff. Occasionally, ASA program staff may need to provide feedback to you as an instructor, sometimes with the participant/instructor requesting to remain anonymous. This will be done in a respectful manner, and please know it is never meant to be personal - we are simply trying to teach, learn, and improve the program.

Disrespect: Disrespectful behavior chills communication and collaboration, undercuts individual contributions to the ASA experience, undermines morale, increases resignations and absenteeism, creates an unhealthy or hostile work environment, and ultimately harms ASA participants. Disrespect can cause the recipient to experience fear, anger, shame, confusion, uncertainty, isolation, self-doubt, depression, and a whole host of physical ailments such as insomnia, fatigue, nausea, and hypertension. These feelings can diminish a person’s ability to think clearly, make sound judgments, and speak up with questions or concerns. Disrespect can take many forms including, but not limited to:
-Interrupting someone before they are done speaking
-Making rude, snide or belittling comments
-Sighing or making facial gestures while someone is speaking
-Circulating rumors or innuendos
-Ignoring a person or directive
-Making jokes at someone else’s expense

ASA expects all of our volunteers to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful manner. When disrespectful behavior is habitual, it crosses the line into bullying or harassment. Disrespectful behaviors will not be tolerated, and those who behave in a disrespectful manner while volunteering with ASA will be subject to disciplinary action and/or dismissal from the program.

Discrimination and Harassment: ASA expressly prohibits volunteers from engaging in any illegal discrimination. It is the policy of ASA to maintain a work environment free from discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation or transgendered status, disability, age, and military or veteran status, or any other category protected by law. Harassment, whether verbal, physical, or environmental, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by ASA.

Examples of harassment may include but not be limited to:
Epithets, slurs, quips, or negative stereotyping that relate to a person’s protected status;
Threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to a person’s protected status;
Written or graphic material (including graffiti) that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of a person’s protected status, and that is placed on walls, computers, bulletin boards, or elsewhere on ASA’s premises, or circulated or displayed in the workplace; and
“Jokes,” “pranks,” or other forms of “humor” that are demeaning or hostile with regard to a person’s protected status.

Tobacco Policy: ASA endeavors to provide a healthy environment and therefore prohibits the use of tobacco products in, or within fifteen (15) feet of the main entrance of, any building used by ASA, or within any ASA vehicle. Tobacco use is strictly prohibited when ASA volunteers are working with clients or in an ASA uniform.

Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy:  It is ASA’s objective to maintain a safe and drug-free environment for all employees, program participants, volunteers, and visitors. ASA strictly prohibits volunteers from using, possessing, selling, distributing, manufacturing, holding, or being under the influence of alcohol or unlawful drugs (including, but not limited to, marijuana) while on duty, while on ASA Property, at Purgatory, or while operating ASA-owned vehicles, equipment, or tools, or any other vehicle, equipment, or tools while performing services for ASA or in ASA uniform.

Employee/Volunteer Protection (Whistleblower): It is the intent of Adaptive Sports Association (ASA) to adhere to all laws and regulations that apply to the organization. If an employee and/or volunteer reasonably believe that some policy, practice or activity of ASA is in violation of law or public policy, said employee and/or volunteer shall file with the Executive Director or any member of the Board of Directors a written complaint describing the alleged wrongful activity, policy or practice. The complaining employee and/or volunteer shall also provide ASA with a reasonable opportunity to investigate and correct the alleged wrongful activity. The protection described below shall extend only to employees and/or volunteers who comply with these requirements.

ASA will not retaliate against an employee and/or volunteer who in good faith has made a protest or raised a complaint against some practice of ASA, or of another individual or entity with whom ASA has a business relationship, on the basis of a reasonable belief that the practice is in violation of law, or a clear mandate of public policy.

ASA will not retaliate against an employee and/or volunteer who discloses or threatens to disclose to a supervisor or a public body, any activity, policy or practice of ASA that the employee and/or volunteer reasonably believes is in violation of law, rule or regulation mandated pursuant to law or is in violation of a clear mandate of public policy concerning the health, safety, and welfare or protection of the environment.

L. CHAIRLIFT POLICIES
The lift operators, trained by the ski area, are responsible for the safe operations of the lift. Ultimately their judgment will determine the actions of ASA participants and volunteers. Remember, lift operators are your friends! Please treat them as such. Conflicts with mountain personnel should be avoided. If they do arise, they should be directed to the ASA Program Director to handle. (Cell #: 970-403-6522)
Communication with lift operators: Clear communication with lift operators is vital. The lift operators should be made aware of any special needs prior to entering the lift loading area. If you ask for a slow on the load, do not assume you will receive a slow on the offload. Communicate those needs with both the lift operator at the bottom and at the top of the chairlift.

The lift operator should be positioned to stop the chair in the event of a mis-load. DO NOT ask the lift operator to assist with a load with a moving chairlift as this could interfere with their ability to hit the emergency stop button. Problems caused by a stop are less significant than those occurring from a mis-load.
If it is determined that the lift operator’s assistance is necessary to load a specific student, ask the lift operator to stop the lift then assist with the load and then restart the lift.
If the lift is running, ask the lift operator to stay within arm’s reach of the emergency stop button.

Loading and Unloading Procedures
Simulate/practice loading and unloading with new students prior to using the actual lift (using a stationary bench). Explain the lift process in detail and establish commands with the student and co-instructors prior to riding. Ensure your student can ski the slopes serviced before venturing onto lift-served terrain.
It is the instructor’s responsibility to ensure ski/snowboard equipment is in good working order, and all retention straps and loose clothing/equipment are secured prior to entering the lift-loading area

Riding the Lift
Students, staff and volunteers should ride with the lift bar down.
A tether line or safety retention strap is recommended for all inexperienced sit- skiers, as well as any for any other conditions/disabilities that have an increased risk of unpredictable movements and/or falling (i.e. epilepsy/seizures, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy)
Any participant or volunteer who has had a seizure in the last 12 months should wear a seizure harness with a tether line on every chair.
No more than one sit-down student should ride per chair.

Downloading the Chairlift
Downloading (riding down the mountain on a lift) is allowed on Lift 1 (the six- pack) and Lift 4 (Twilight). Be sure to get clear instructions from the lift attendant.

Chairlift Evacuation
In the event of a chairlift evacuation, clearly communicate your participant’s needs with the ski patrol responding. Each year, ski patrol conducts evacuation training with adaptive equipment. They are responsible for the evacuation. Follow their instructions.

M. ACCIDENTS & REPORTING
Stay with your student. Ski patrol needs you to advise them of special needs your student may have. Get someone else to report the accident. First, call ski patrol 970-385-2178 Second, call the ASA office 970-385-2163 or the ASA cell phone 970-403-6522.

Report exact location of accident. Know the names of the runs you are on. Trail right (skier’s right) or trail left (skier’s left) are as you look down the mountain. Give the nature of injury. Example: head, neck, leg, bleeding, possible broken bone, etc.

Cross skis/board on the uphill side of the injured person, sticking up out of the snow and visible uphill.

In general, do not move the injured person or take skis/snowboard off, as this could cause further injury. If it is apparent that the injured person is lying awkwardly and that gently removing the skis/snowboard would reduce pain, use your best judgment.

If you have a student that requires assistance from ski patrol or other outside help or who takes a fall resulting in their equipment releasing, YOU SHOULD NOTIFY THE ASA PROGRAM OFFICE AND FILL OUT AN INCIDENT REPORT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT DAY.

Employees, volunteers and directors should refer all media inquiries to Ann Marie Beresford, Executive Director, or in her absence to Rachel Huggins, Program Director.
ASA In-Town Office (970) 259-0374
ASA Mountain Office (970) 385-2163
ASA Cell Phone (970) 403-6522

N. MISSING STUDENTS
Notify ASA office immediately and provide Information to ASA Staff including:
Your location
Name of participant
Age of participant
Last place participant was skiing
Where you were skiing
Color of clothing
Next communication point
Any information that may lead to the location of the participant
The staff member will take responsibility to begin the search for the missing participant by notifying Mountain Patrol.
Initiate documentation to be turned in and reviewed by ASA staff
If any instructor finds a lost participant from the ASA program or from the Purgatory children’s ski school, contact the appropriate ski school office so that staff can be informed. Keep the lost participant with you until you receive further directions.

O. DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Individuals with degenerative diseases should be reassessed each day they ski/snowboard. They continually face changes in physical endurance, stamina and ability. ALWAYS ask specific questions of your student: Do you work out? Are you as strong physically as your last ski/snowboard experience with us? Where are you comfortable starting your lesson today? NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!

P. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE
Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country, or other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by our program. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing/riding experience.

Q. SKIER AND SNOWBOARDER RESPONSIBILITY CODE
1. Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead/downhill of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail look uphill and yield to others.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
7. Prior to using any lift, have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, and unload safely.
KNOW THE CODE, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY Note: You are encouraged to teach the responsibility code in all lessons. Increasing the awareness of safe skiing/riding is an important element of your job.

R. TERMINATION
ASA reserves the right to terminate any volunteer for any reason.

Purgatory Resort 2023-2024
Although ASA is not a part of Purgatory (we are more like a private contractor or commercial tenant), the resort is the major benefactor to this organization. Without Purgatory’s significant donation of more than $200,000 in the form of facilities, staff, lift tickets, etc. ASA would not be able to offer the opportunities to people with disabilities that are now provided. All interactions with the staff and volunteers at Purgatory and with the general public should be polite, professional and should reflect positively on the ASA community as a whole. All issues should be directed to the ASA Program Director- 970-403-6522.

UPDATE and add link to printable 23/24 handbookTo read and review Adaptive Sports Associations Safe Sport Policy, please follow this link: ASA Sport Protection Handbook