History of the NBSWR

The Western Region is made up of clubs from California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Arizona. The four founding ski clubs for our region were: All Seasons (Oakland), Four Seasons West (Los Angeles), Four Seasons Northwest (Seattle), and Ujama (Los Angeles). NBS elections were held in 1975 and in the following year, 1976, George Phillips of All Seasons Ski Club was elected the first Western Region Vice President. The two Directors were Ben Finley of Four Seasons West and Joe Jones of Four Seasons Northwest.

The region hosts two annual fundraisers - Winter Carnival and Summer Carnival. These fundraisers are the region's largest fundraisers and proceeds generated from these events and contributions from sponsors support the regions annual operating expenses, event expenses, and youth program. In addition to Winter and Summer Carnival, the region host a bi-annual fundraiser known as Funfest. This fundraiser typically provides its participants a chance to visit locations outside of the United States.

The first Winter Carnival was in 1977, at Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe. Lodging, dinner and dancing was in the old Olympic Village at that time.

The original Summer Carnivals were held in dormitory style settings of a college campus. This event has evolved to include club med type games, golf, tennis, and theme parties. In recent years, Summer Carnival has rotated to various attractive resorts.

The Western Region also implemented two unique programs. Building Essential Skills and Talents (BEST) is for youth development; and Operations Improvement Seminar (OIS) facilitates management of club operations.

The Western Region has produced great leaders who have led the NBS. Ben Finley, an NBS co-founder and member of Four Seasons West, served two terms, 1982-1984 and 1984-1986. Ben introduced Bonnie St. John-Dean, a famous Olympian, to the NBS. Bonnie subsequently became a Harvard University graduate, a Rhodes Scholar and the winner of two Bronze and a combined Silver medals at the 1984 Handicapped Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

Paul Ray, President of Black Gold, served one term, from 1988-1990. Under Paul's administration, the NBS saw its largest to-date profit - Summit 1989 in Steamboat Springs. He also introduced successful regional programs, OIS and BEST, to the national level.

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