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Becoming a Member
Membership in the club is by selection and rooted in active participation. The club is sustained by the time, effort, and volunteer service of its members, and ongoing involvement is a requirement for both nomination and continued membership.
Becoming an Applicant
Submitting an application and paying the application fee places you in Applicant status. Applicants are active participants in the club. They may reserve and stay at the lodge, attend meetings, join ski weekends and social events, and participate in work weekends and other volunteer activities. Applicants are added to club email communications. The applicant period is intended to ensure that the club is a good fit for you and that you are a good fit for the club. It is a time to become involved, build relationships, and share in the work and culture that sustain the lodge. While each applicant’s experience is unique, most applicants participate for at least one ski season before being nominated for membership depending on their level of involvement.
Selection Process
Applicants are nominated for membership by the Membership Committee. Nomination is based on demonstrated participation, volunteer commitment, responsible conduct, and input from members regarding the applicant’s involvement and character.
Strong candidates are those who have become integrated into the life of the club. Members know them, have worked alongside them, and have shared time at the lodge, ski weekends, work weekends, meetings, and social events. When an applicant has reached that level of involvement, the Membership Committee brings forward a nomination.
Requirements for Membership
In addition to the Committee’s nomination process, applicants must satisfy the following minimum requirements in order to be considered:
- Be current with all applicable fees
- Demonstrate sustained interest and participation in club activities, including:
- Attending membership meetings (in person or via Zoom; in-person attendance is encouraged as a valuable way to meet and connect with other members)
- Participating in social events
- Staying at the lodge for a minimum of two nights during the ski season
- Participating in at least one organized work weekend
- Demonstrate responsible conduct that reflects positively on the club, its members, and its reputation
These requirements establish eligibility for consideration. Membership is ultimately based on demonstrated commitment to the club’s activities and volunteer culture.
Volunteer Commitment and Ongoing Membership Requirements
Membership carries continuing responsibilities. The club operates through member participation, and active volunteer involvement is required to sustain membership.
Upon acceptance, each active member must:
- Pay a non-refundable initiation fee
- Pay annual dues
- Complete one annual work obligation
- Participate in at least one work weekend or work function every three years
Annual Work Obligation
The annual work obligation may be fulfilled in several ways, including:
- Serving as the lodge manager or assistant lodge manager during an organized ski weekend
- Serving as an elected officer
- Participating on a standing or ad hoc committee
- Participating in an organized work weekend
Work Weekends
Two organized work weekends are held annually: one before ski season and one in the spring. Work weekends focus on maintaining and improving the lodge building, property, and grounds. During the work weekend:
- Lodging is provided at no cost
- Applicants and members pay for shared meals
- Members typically arrive Friday evening
- Work runs from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon
Typical tasks include cleaning, minor repairs, grounds maintenance, and larger improvement projects.
Visiting the Lodge
Applicants or prospective applicants are encouraged to tour our 10-room, 44-bed slopeside lodge at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont (map). The lodge, built in 1965 by club members, features bunk bed accomodations in gender-separated 4- and 6-person layouts. Four of the rooms are designated as family rooms. The lodge features a commercial kitchen, fireplace, gear storage, and high-speed Internet Wi-Fi. The Okemo Clocktower lifts and base lodge are approximately a six-minute walk away. You can visit the lodge the following ways:
- Meet our members at a monthly meeting and coordinate with a member staying at the lodge to give you a tour when you’re in the Ludlow area.
- Know someone in the club already? any club member can sponsor you as their guest for an affordable overnight stay. The club member must also be staying at the lodge during your stay.
- As an applicant member (i.e. you’ve submitted an application and paid the application fee), you can simply book a stay at the lodge. However, you will not yet have a key to the lodge, so a member must be present to open the door for you. As an applicant, you will be able to see the reservation list and have access to contact information for other members staying at the lodge and can contact them to coordinate your arrival time.
- Watch a 23-minute video walkthrough of the lodge.
The following video provides a helpful guide to arriving at the lodge for the first time for an applicant’s overnight stay. See this checklist of items to bring with you on your stay.
Social Events
The Newport Ski Club hosts a wide range of social events throughout the year, all planned by our dedicated Social Committee. While we love skiing, we’ve always considered ourselves a social club first. Many of our members forge friendships here that last a lifetime. Active participation is an important part of club culture, and attendance at social events is a membership requirement.
Below is a video created for the Club’s 70th Anniversary celebration, showcasing our community and memories through the years.
Meetings
Newport Ski Club meets on the second Thursday of each month in the basement of Fenner Hall in Newport, RI, except for July and August. At the meetings, we discuss club policies, planned improvements, and events. Snacks and coffee are served. Each meeting also serves as a meet-and-greet for applicants and prospective members.
For more information about Newport Ski Club administration, read our current by-laws and NSC Guidebook, or contact the membership chairperson.