NAUI Worldwide Michael van Niekerk

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	Michael van Niekerk
	NAUI #16899 P.O. Box 761 Strand Cape Town 7139 South Africa (27) 21 856 5184 Work (27) 21 856 5186 Fax Click To Email

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Biosketch

As a practicing Attorney of the Supreme Courts of both South Africa and Namibia for some 35 years, Mike served as regional chairman of his law society for 5 consecutive years. He is an experienced board member, having served on the NAUI Board for a four year term as well as on several Southern Africa corporations and as advisor to others. Rising to Club President of Rotary International and Commodore of two South African yacht clubs, Mike holds the qualification of Yachtmaster Offshore and is widely traveled internationally, both on business and for pleasure.

Though involved in diving since his teens, Mike formally qualified as a NAUI Instructor in 1995 and was subsequently appointed to overview the Association’s legal, financial and quality control in Southern Africa.

As a dive store owner, Mike has overseen diver training at all levels. Qualifying as Course Director at NAUI HQ in 1996, he has directed Instructor courses, and in the last decade conducted many Course Director Workshops.

Most recently Mike relocated the Service Center into new permanent premises to build equity for the long term success of NAUI in Southern Africa while maintaining the standard that brought about a dramatic recovery for NAUI in the region. After 12 years, with the enthusiastic support of members, the Service Centre has maintained a product turnaround time of two days.

Mike was awarded the NAUI Outstanding Service Award for the development and support of NAUI in South Africa.

Position Statement

If re-elected, I would continue to contribute to the decision making process some 35 years of practical legal skills and expertise as an Attorney. In addition, I would bring the experience of having served four years as a NAUI board member and two years as chairman of the Membership Committee. I believe that the continuity of an additional term will also prove beneficial to two newly elected members of the Board. NAUI’s continued worldwide growth reinforces the need for international board representation, and during my most recent term, has provided the decision making process with practical input on meeting the reasonable needs and expectations of our global membership. I am also encouraged by the candidacy of the next generation of NAUI members William Tong and Mark Flahan. Should they be elected I foresee my experience enabling me to act as a mentor to them as we transition to a new generation of NAUI Board members.

I will continue to promote a more aggressive marketing strategy, emphasizing our exclusive qualities in order to further grow our market share and improve our worldwide image and presence.

I would seek additional means of promoting NAUI and NSG’s endeavours to keep support materials reasonably priced, maintaining excellence of service and continuing to expand our presence and delivery of services via the internet – without compromising quality. This will enable members to focus more readily on what they do best – teaching safe, competent and capable divers.

Answers To The BOD Election Questions

Question #1.

That NAUI Worldwide is viewed as the organization that balances tradition and innovation in such a way that every generation from founders to future divers see no alternative choice. I believe that we can use our 50th anniversary celebration as a vehicle to reinforce and invigorate this perspective.

Question #2.

In my years serving as a legal counsel my integrity and ability to see issues as they are rather than as others desire them to be perceived have prepared me well to confront the issues that NAUI will face in the immediate and distant future.

Question #3.

There is a principle in economics called creative destruction where, in simple terms, new opportunities are realized when a traditional industry is overcome by progress. I believe there is an opportunity to remake the diving industry into a respected reasonably compensated professional career choice, but to accomplish this, the status quo must be upset. I believe that NAUI is better positioned than any other organization to benefit from a fundamental realignment.

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