October 2006

A new name has been confirmed...

In 1979, when the Ski for All Foundation was first incorporated as a nonprofit organization, thirty five individuals with disabilities learned to downhill ski in the program at Snoqualmie Summit.

In 1991, when a summer season of activities was first offered, 300 unique children and adults with disabilities were exercising their abilities in our year round recreation programs. Of those 300 unique individuals, most were involved in winter program at Snoqualmie Summit, some were involved in summer activities, and some were involved in both programs.

Today, our year round adaptive recreation programs continue to grow. Today, we expect not less than 2,000 unique children and adults with disabilities to exercise their abilities with us year round. Many of those individuals – about 300 - are involved with our on-snow programs at The Summit, Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass. However, most are involved in one or more of our other off-snow programs such as hiking, camping, day camps, paddling, rock climbing, cycling, skating and water skiing.

So, given this significant growth in programs that occur off-snow, did it still make sense for us to stay with the name “SKIFORALL”?  Did we want to stay with the name “SKIFORALL” which has meant so much to so many - or did we want to search for a new name for the foundation that better represented the year round outdoor recreational programs that we offer in order to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities. We didn’t enter into this name search task lightly.

The “name” issue has been percolating for many years - and was discussed formally by the board of directors in 2005. At that time, the board charged the Marketing Committee with tackling the matter in a public manner. Thankfully board member and Marketing Committee Chair Nelson Jay was gracious enough to accept the task.

The Marketing Committee, made up of board members, staff, volunteers, participants and members of the community, did just that. Earlier this year, a Name Search contest was conducted that resulted in 443 unique new name suggestions being submitted by 170 individuals. A task force from the Marketing Committee was established to review the names and worked to narrow the list down to a more manageable number.

Over many months, numerous meetings were held, gallons of coffee were brewed, dozens of slices of pizza were consumed and passionate discussions ensued. The “Name” issue really mattered and the Marketing Committee worked hard to listen to the feedback of our stakeholders and to come up with a final selection to recommend to the board. Committee deliberations were productive, challenging, wrenching, thought provoking and passionate – and more circuitous than many of us expected.

As one member of the Name Search Task Force stated “So, we like the name ‘SKIFORALL’… it’s meant a lot to so many people over the years…and we like the “for all” part, too…it’s just the “ski” part (of the name) that’s too limiting.”

That was the crux of the issue. While skiing will always remain a cornerstone of our mission – it isn’t the only way that we improve lives of children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.

Significant trademark and other research needed to be completed as the list was boiled down to a select list of finalists. Ultimately, late in the summer of 2006 the work of the committee was completed, a conclusion was reached and a final recommendation was made by the Marketing Committee to the board to select a new name. The board voted and approved the name.

And the name?

Outdoors for All Foundation

We believe that it’s the right selection and we believe that you will, too. As Barry Long who is a Marketing Committee Member, Volunteer & Participant said, “Outdoors for All Foundation recognizes who we were, who we are and who we’re going to be.”

Our goal is to further unveil the name at the gala auction on Friday, November 3 at the Seattle Sheraton – I hope that you can attend. So stay tuned – and thank you for your support of our mission!

Sincerely –

   Ed  

Ed Bronsdon
Executive Director

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February 2006

Dear SKIFORALL Friends,

Do you love skiing? I know that I do. I’ve been a skier since I was nine years old and an instructor for 20 years. I love skiing, cross country and downhill. I enjoy snowboarding and snowshoeing, too. There’s something exhilarating about getting outdoors in winter, being active on-snow, feeling the wind on your face in the mountains and sharing all of that fun with others.

But skiing and snowsports - while always a cornerstone of our mission - aren’t the only ways that we improve lives through outdoor recreation. Today many of our over 2,000 combined participants and volunteers are first active in the spring, summer and fall with cycling, hiking, water-skiing, and other year round activities. Because of that great diversity of activities, the most common question that we’re asked when making presentations in the community is “Have you ever considered a name change?”

As many of you know, alternative names for the foundation are now being considered. More than a year ago the Marketing Committee began working on the matter and, after making a formal report to the Board of Directors, was formally charged with exploring and conducting a public name search. As a result of committee meetings over the last many months, a Name Search Task Force was established. The Task Force included participants, volunteers and local marketing professionals who provided insight and suggestions on many aspects of the search process.

A Name Search contest was announced and conducted throughout the month of January. It was our initial thought that we might receive several dozen suggestions. I know that I was floored when at the end of the contest over 440 unique suggestions had been submitted (more than 500 total submittals)! We all were impressed by not only the volume of the unduplicated suggestions, but also the thoughtful, creative and powerful names that were suggested. Our mission really matters to so many – and it showed in the suggestions that we received.In February, the Name Search Task Force began the challenging task of narrowing down those hundreds of suggestions. The list of over 440 suggestions was researched, reviewed and narrowed down to a list of 50 names - then from 50 to 13.  As SKIFORALL Foundation Board Member and Marketing Committee Chair Nelson Jay said, “In order to make the shortened list, names had to reflect key themes that are core to (the foundation’s) mission – such as inclusion, outdoor, recreation and so on.”

Currently, the Marketing Committee is working to further research and narrow down the suggestions. A recommendation to the foundation’s Board of Directors is expected later this spring. We’ll certainly be reporting back on our progress. So stay tuned! And thank you for your support of our mission!  

   Ed   

Ed Bronsdon
Executive Director