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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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Return To Candidates Main Page
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Biosketch
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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.
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Position Statement
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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.
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Answers To The
BOD Election Questions
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Question #1.
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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.
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Question #2.
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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.
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Question #3.
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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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Way to Just Dive in 2009! Results Coming Next Week... |
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