Download Nominee Citation HERE. Vote HERE.

Eileen Sanford is currently serving on the FWSA Board of Directors as the President of San Diego Ski Club Council. She was elected SDSCC President in June 2008. She has been involved with the San Diego Council in various volunteer jobs beginning with the 1998 FWSA Convention in San Diego. She began her volunteer career with the Don Diego Ski Club as the Social Chairman in 1987. For 10 years she served on the Don Diego Ski Club “Black Diamond Nights” Committee in support of the United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC), helping to raise an estimated $150,000 dollars in support of adaptive sports in Southern California.

In addition to her many duties as Council President, Eileen has served in various positions with her North Island Snowdrifters (NISD) club as Race Director, Travel Director and Council Representative. Eileen served on the 30th Anniversary committee for NISD in 2008. Her “first ever” Skitini Party raised $500 for the Anniversary party. She has also coordinated both North Island and the Council’s participation in the annual Snow Jam ski show conducted at the San Diego Fairgrounds, raising thousands of dollars for both club and council activities.

Eileen has served as the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs Woman of the Year twice, in 1996 and in 1997. In a remarkable achievement, she nearly single handedly invigorated a nearly non-existent North Island Snowdrifters racing program to such heights that it has won the San Diego Alpine Race League Championship Cup for 10 years in a row. Although not Race Director in recent years, that initial leadership effort and involvement translated in to SDCSC’s success in winning the SoCal Racing cup in half of racing contests over the last 8 years.

In 2008, as SDSCC Council President, Eileen oversaw the largest Snow Gala in five years, attracting 134 attendees. She was also able to attract supportive sponsorships totaling $500. In March 2009 she has also attracted sponsorships for club events, including an inclusive “all clubs” night to hear a premier mountain presentation for ski club travel.

As a community volunteer Eileen also organized a local writing contest lasting eight years for elementary school children called “Reflections”, designed to inspire youngsters to take up the pen and write their best perceptions of stimulating ideas such as “Wouldn’t it be strange if…” and “Signs of Courage”. In support of this program she raised $18,000 in sponsorships from local commercial businesses.

Eileen has been a strong advocate for inclusion of San Diego clubs in Council and Far West trips and activities. She has made nearly every FWSA Ski Week since 1997 and has helped to build a strong relationship with San Diego club leaders. She has also built strong relationships with representatives of many of the premier ski resorts for which SDSCC and FWSA are reliant. She attends all NISD, SDSCC and FWSA major events as an outstanding representative of volunteerism and dedication to the sport of skiing.

We are honored to nominate Eileen for the Elizabeth “Schatzi” Wood Award.