Proposals

Proposal Process:

• Proposals can be submitted by any U.S. Ski and Snowboard Freestyle Staff, Freestyle Sport Committee, MO/AE Sub Committee member or by petition of 50 U.S. Ski & Snowboard members.

Proposals Writing Guidelines:

• Please download the Proposal Form and complete it as a MS Word File in Text: Arial - 11
• Proposals Must Include:
  • Proposer’s name and position or with an accompanying list of 50 USSS active member signatures
  • A brief explanation of the proposal's purpose and effect.
  • Please prepare the final wording of the proposed Rule Change or New Rule and use the track changes tool in your menu bar under “Review” allowing additions to be automatically underlined and deletions to be struck out.

Proposal Submission Guidelines:

• Submit proposals in Word document format (NO PDFs) to the Freestyle Program Director at any time but at least 30 days before a meeting. 
• Proposals will be sent to members 14 days before the meeting.

Organization & Purpose

Freestyle Sport Committee (FSC) plays a crucial role in guiding the development of freestyle skiing within the framework of U.S. Ski & Snowboard's mission. The committee is responsible for:

1. Strategic Development: Collaborate with U.S. Ski & Snowboard staff to create plans and policies for freestyle sports, ensuring alignment with FIS regulations and U.S. bylaws.
2. Expertise Contribution: Utilize sports expertise to advance the vision and mission of U.S. Ski & Snowboard in freestyle disciplines.
3. Athlete Development: Identify and support the training of young freestyle athletes with the potential for elite international competition.
4. Board Representation: Nominate a representative to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors to ensure freestyle interests are represented.
5. Public Awareness: Enhance the public's awareness and perception of U.S. Ski & Snowboard and its freestyle programs across all levels.
6. Program Support: Assist U.S. Ski & Snowboard staff in developing and coordinating competitor development programs, focusing on participation and excellence in alignment with a national athlete development plan.

Government

• Mission: Represent the interests of the freestyle community within the United States

• Eligibility: Open to all current U.S. Ski & Snowboard freestyle members.

• Roles Available:

  • FSC

  • Subcommittees (ASC - MSC - ROSC)

  • Advisory Groups (Chairmans - Divisional Chairs)

  • Working Groups

• Voting Members: Each member has one vote.

• Non-Discriminatory Selection: Membership open regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

• Term Duration: Each position held for 2 years (unless otherwise specified)

Freestyle Sport Committee

• Chairman: Mike Page

• Athlete BOD Representative: Troy Murphy

• At Large: Jeff Lange

• Mogul, Subcommittee Chair: Mike Papke

• Aerial, Subcommittee Chair: Jack Boyczuk

• Officials, Subcommittee Chair: Thom Schaefer

• Eastern Division Representative: Deb Newson

• RM/C Division Representative: Aaron Walters

• IM/FW/N/PNW Divisions: John Kavas

• Athlete Representative: Dani Loeb

• Athlete Representative: Ali Kariotis

• Athlete Representative: Zac Amidan

• Athlete Representative: Trace Worthington

• Staff - Freestyle Sport Director: Matt Gnoza

Terms: All members of the FSC have two-year terms with a four-term limit, except the Chairperson and BOD Athlete Representative, who have a four-year term with a two-term limit.

Freestyle Executive Committee

• Chairman/BOD representative: Mike Page

• FSC At Large representative: Jeff Lange

• Athlete Board Representative: Troy Murphy

The sub-committee chair best suited for discussion or vote will participate.

• Mogul, Subcommittee Chair: Mike Papke
• Aerial, Subcommittee Chair: Jack Boyczuk

The athlete representative best suited for discussion or vote will participate.

• Mogul, Athlete Representative: Ali Kariotis
• Aerial, Athlete Representative: Dani Loeb
• Staff - Freestyle Sport Director (non-voting): Matt Gnoza

Aerials Subcommittee (ASC)

• Chair: Jack Boyczuk
• Officials Subcommittee Representative: Bill McNice
• Division Representatives
  • East: Tim Massucco
  • Rocky Mountain/ Intermountain/ Far West/ Northern
• Club Representatives:
  • Buffalo Ski Center: Mark Depeters / Dave Von Derau
  • Bristol Mountain: Pat Canzano
  • Bristol Mountain: Johnny Kroetz
• Athlete Rep, Aerials: Nik Seemann
• Athlete Rep, Aerials: Kelly Hacker
• Athlete Rep, Aerials: Zac Amidan
• Athlete Rep, FSC: Dani Loeb
• Athlete Rep, BOD Athlete Rep: Troy Murphy
• At-Large: Konrad Rotermund
• Staff - Freestyle Sport Director: Matt Gnoza

Moguls Subcommittee (MSC)

• Chair: Mike Papke

• Officials, Subcommittee Chair: Thom Schaefer

• Division Representatives

  • Eastern: Kris Pepe

  • Rocky Mountain: Freddy Mooney

  • Intermountain: Jon O'Brien

  • Far West: Jimeel Ferris

  • Northern: MSC Chair

• Athlete Rep, Moguls: Bryan Zemba

• Athlete Rep, Moguls: Mikaela Wilson

• Athlete Rep, Moguls: Morgan Schild

• Athlete Rep, Moguls: Alex Jensen

• Athlete Rep, FSC: Ali Kariotis

• Athlete Rep, BOD Athlete Rep: Troy Murphy

• At-Large: Glenn Eddy

• Staff - Freestyle Sport Director: Matt Gnoza

Rules and Officials Subcommittee (ROSC)

• Chair: Thom Schaefer

• TD Representative: TJ Soar

• Judge Representative: Chuck Search

• Division Representative (Central, East, Rocky): Tom Stevenson

• Division Representative (IM, PNSA, FW, Northern): John Kavas

• At Large: Jeff Lange

• Athlete Representative: Alex Jensen

• Athlete Representative: Dani Loeb

• Athlete Representative: Chris Lillis

• Athlete Representative: Morgan Schild

• Staff - Freestyle Sport Director: Matt Gnoza

Subcommittee Terms

• General Members: Two-year terms, no term limits.

• Chairperson & BOD Athlete Representative: Four-year term with a two-term limit.

  • Chairperson:

    • Elected by members.

    • Represents MSC and ASC on the FSC and Executive Committee.

  • Division Representatives:

    • Rotates every two years among grouped divisions.

    • Nominated by their respective divisions.

  • Athlete Representatives:

    • Appointed by the Athlete Advisory Council (AAC).

  • At-Large Representative:

    • Named by the Chairperson's Advisory Group.

Chairperson Advisory Group

• Chairman: Jeff Lange

• Member: Adam Leseur

• Member: Glenn Eddy

• Member: Konrad Rotermund

• Member: Chris Seemann

Division Advisory Group

• CHAIR - Eastern Division Chair: Deb Newson

• Rocky Mountain Division Chair: David Dreitlin

• Intermountain Division Chair: John Kavas

• Central Division co-Chair: Lewis Sundquist

• Central Division co-Chair: Martin Sundquist

• Far West Division Chair: Mark Pedersen / Erik Peterson

• Northern Division Chair: Mike Papke

• Consists of all Division Chairpersons, Freestyle Development Coordinator, and Freestyle Sport Director)

Meetings, Minutes and Reports

• Annual Meetings- FSC meets at least once a year, with 60 days' notice given by the Chairperson.

• Additional Meetings- Can be called by the Freestyle Program Director, Chairperson, or by three members’ written request. Requires 30 days' notice specifying the meeting purpose.

• Meeting Notices- Must include date, time, place, and agenda. Notices can be sent via mail or electronically.

• Quorum- A simple majority of voting members is needed to conduct business.

• Voting- Each member has one vote; majority decides questions.

• Voting Restrictions- USSS staff and current contractors cannot vote - Committee members with conflicts of interst must declare the conflicts and be approved by the ethics committee.

• Proxy Votes- Not permitted.

• Remote Participation- Members may participate via conference calls, counting as in-person attendance. Actions can be taken without a formal meeting if all consent.

• Order of Business- Chairperson resolves questions of order, following operating procedures over Robert’s Rules if there's a conflict.

• Compensation- No compensation for attending meetings; athlete representatives may request travel expenses.

• Conflict of Interest- Members must declare conflicts and abstain from voting on related matters.

• Meeting Accessibility- Open to U.S. Ski & Snowboard members in good standing.

• Executive Sessions- May occur with majority approval for sensitive discussions.

• Meeting Minutes- U.S. Ski & Snowboard staff ensure accuracy and timely distribution of minutes.