NAUI Members – Save NAUI: A Call for Integrity

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Gene Muchanski
  1. NAUI-Member-200January 17, 2014

Dear NAUI Members:

We, the undersigned, are a group of concerned NAUI members who are outraged and alarmed by the unprecedented invalidation of the 2013 BOD election and the subsequent communications that have been incomplete, misleading and factually incorrect. We believe those in power must be held accountable and we, the NAUI membership, deserve a more complete explanation of the facts than has been thus far been provided.

Recent statements from NSG and the NAUI Board of Directors have accused Dave Ochs of electioneering, and presented this as the underlying reason for the invalidation of the 2013 BOD election. The “electioneering” actions involved showing a campaign video to a sum total of 31 NAUI members at two separate CD requalification workshops, well before the election even began.

Regardless, the board and Election Committee were immediately made aware of these incidents. To address any question of fairness, an opportunity was provided to the remaining candidates to also solicit these 31 members privately. It was only after the election results were known, almost two months later, that the 2013 board acted to invalidate this election, doing so under the cover of secrecy by going into “executive session” on December 10, 2013.

It is important to note that of the six directors on the board who voted to invalidate the election, Mark A. Flahan and William Tong were losing candidates in the election, and two more directors, Mark C. Flahan and Michael Tong, are their fathers. Additionally, Michael van Niekerk, had taken a public position of support for losing candidates during the campaign. All of these directors had a clear conflict of interest, yet all five voted to invalidate the election only after they knew the results. Simon Yu was the remaining director who also voted to invalidate. Only three of your elected directors including David Ochs, Lonnie Sharp and Tom Hemphill had the courage and decency to speak against the ill-advised plan to invalidate a democratic election.

You as members have the right to hear both sides. Until now, Dave Ochs has been denied the opportunity to respond to the charges leveled against him. To rectify this situation, we are providing a link to his response to these allegations:

http://www.nwmnetwork.com/blogs/item/from-dave-ochs-regarding-the-emails-from-naui-hq

Please also be aware, there is no NAUI bylaw, Federal or CA State statute, regulation or case law that supports the invalidation of an election by a board of directors in a membership association such as ours. Additionally, Robert’s Rules of Order further stipulates that election results, once announced cannot be rescinded. Despite being asked repeatedly by hundreds of members for the legal basis and authority for their actions, the 2013 BOD has provided none.

As members we should all be outraged at the expense and incalculable damage this has caused our association.

Therefore, as members, we demand that those still serving on the board and NSG:

  • Recognize the results of the 2013 BOD Election.
  • Stop all efforts to hold a new 2013 election.
  • Immediately remove the expired members of the board who are still serving: Michael van Niekerk, William Tong, and Mark A. Flahan.
  • Seat the duly elected directors.

As we move forward to resolve this crisis, we would like to stay in touch. We invite you to join other NAUI members at our new social networking site:

http://www.nwmnetwork.com

This website has been set-up as a member-owned and operated site for those who would like to connect with and exchange ideas with other members.

We also want to inform all NAUI members that legal proceedings are being taken to stop all action by the 2013 NAUI BOD and NSG until the current matter is resolved or the results of the completed 2103 BOD election are accepted.

If you would like to add your name to the growing list of members who are disgusted by the actions of this board and support judicial intervention to enforce our bylaws and legal governance, then please complete this brief survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NAUIElection2013

We will not tolerate a precedent that grants this or any board the ability to invalidate an election, regardless of the results. We are a democratic association and we demand the voice of the membership be recognized as the highest authority in governance.

Please join us in our efforts to save our association and return control where it rightfully belongs with all of us! If you would like to add your name as a signatory of this letter, please visit us at:

http://www.nwmnetwork.com

As a reminder, the NAUI Annual General Members Meeting (AGM) is on Saturday, January 25 at 10:00am at NAUI Headquarters in Tampa. There is no better way to make your voice heard than to be there in person. While we understand that it’s not feasible for everyone to attend, for those who are able to attend, we strongly encourage you. There will be further communications about this in the next few days.

Write your board members and join us in Tampa at the AGM. Be heard! There will a “Friends of NAUI” meeting and social event following the AGM. For more information and to sign-up to attend this important gathering of concerned NAUI members, visit us online at:

http://www.nwmnetwork.com

Concerned NAUI Members,

  1. Dan Abbott, NAUI 47148
  2. Kevin Abbott, NAUI ?
  3. Rich Alvarez, NAUI 3077
  4. James Armstrong, NAUI 54740
  5. Christian Bailey, NAUI 22798
  6. Chad Barbay, NAUI 7583
  7. Kevin Barrett, NAUI 32605
  8. Bill Batten NAUI 53911
  9. Robert Bauer NAUI 54260
  10. Art Becker-Weidman, NAUI 54876
  11. Bob Belcher, NAUI 3836
  12. Kyle Benger, NAUI 37527
  13. Douglas Bennett, NAUI 17952
  14. Randy Berger, NAUI 43682
  15. Terry Boswell, NAUI 50624
  16. Jean Pierre Botha, NAUI 8009
  17. Randy Botteri, NAUI 14267
  18. Michael Brady, NAUI 20729
  19. Bob Brayman, NAUI 6058 L
  20. Tom Brooks NAUI 42340
  21. Michael Burke, NAUI 53664
  22. Christy Campbell, NAUI 54210
  23. R. A. Camus Jr., NAUI 14497
  24. Alexi Candelario, NAUI 46961
  25. Bill Cannaday NAUI 53039
  26. Bob Casell, NAUI 52582
  27. Ken Charlesworth, NAUI 19780
  28. Bill Childers NAUI 5709
  29. Steve Clabuesch, NAUI 12021
  30. Capt. Steve Coe, NAUI 41871
  31. Ed Deagle NAUI 45425
  32. Patrick Michael DeCharles II, NAUI 4194
  33. Matt Dickey, NAUI 54435
  34. Gary Donahue NAUI 44981
  35. Rick Ducey, NAUI 40690
  36. Dallas Edmiston, NAUI 4099
  37. Darryl Edmiston, NAUI 19630
  38. Linda Edmiston, NAUI 44163
  39. David Elder, NAUI 54914
  40. Robert Eskew, NAUI 12755
  41. Cheryl Esposito, NAUI 55424
  42. Michael Feld, NAUI 50134
  43. Anthony Ford, NAUI 48401
  44. Suzanne Foret, NAUI 46659
  45. Peter Friedman, NAUI 43801
  46. Jim Gauthier, NAUI 33924
  47. John Galembush, NAUI 32879
  48. Courtney Gibson, NAUI 51941
  49. Sarah Gibson, NAUI 52046
  50. Gary Hagland, NAUI 7778
  51. Michael Hanchak, NAUI 52576
  52. Jeff Heim, NAUI 10880
  53. Edward Hewett, NAUI 15359
  54. Kimberly Hewett, NAUI 52829
  55. Floyd E. Holcom, NAUI 48075
  56. Jim Holland, NAUI ?
  57. Billy Hunter, NAUI 44591
  58. Albert P. Jackowiak, NAUI # 52830
  59. Craig Jenni, NAUI 13065
  60. Erik Jensen, NAUI 47608
  61. Karen Kayser, NAUI 47142
  62. Ellen Keller, NAUI 36480
  63. Dana Kersjes, NAUI 17265
  64. Ian Kinder, NAUI 11045
  65. Greg Knauer, NAUI 48419
  66. Mark Kummerer, NAUI 32862
  67. David Lawrence, NAUI 52541
  68. Joseph Lee, NAUI 7418 L
  69. John Lewis, NAUI 51411
  70. Jonathan Leslie, NAUI 40363
  71. Rick Lorimor, NAUI 44715
  72. Timothy J. Lloyd, NAUI 9044
  73. Karl Lynch, NAUI 54706
  74. Gary Mace, NAUI 54273
  75. Charles Machacek, NAUI 49491
  76. Mack Machacek, NAUI T0000060
  77. Vincent J. Malkoski, NAUI 8876
  78. Bill Masler, NAUI 3020
  79. Alison Matherly, NAUI 38309
  80. Michael J McCrorey, NAUI 52514
  81. Sheila McIntyre, NAUI 11220
  82. Daryl McLaughlin, NAUI 55014
  83. Gary McLouth, NAUI 41199
  84. Brian E. McMillan, NAUI 40685
  85. Malcolm McMillan, NAUI 54424
  86. Mark Meador NAUI 49258
  87. Matthew Mead, NAUI 54436
  88. Rebecca Metcalfe, NAUI 32766
  89. Peter Meyer, NAUI 4264
  90. Steve Monk, NAUI 44338
  91. Barry Moore, NAUI 6790
  92. Harvey Morash, NAUI 39292
  93. Tim Moxon, NAUI
47754
  94. Gene Muchanski, NAUI 3821 L
  95. Garrett C. Myren, NAUI 52361
  96. Burhaneddin Zahri Adham Muntasser, NAUI 9650
  97. Bridgette Nadler, NAUI 34859
  98. Michael Nadler, NAUI 10546
  99. David Oldham, NAUI 47797
  100. Karen Parisien, NAUI 16721
  101. Stephen Gary Peacock, NAUI 47859
  102. Randy Pekarik, NAUI 44594
  103. Geoff Pentz, NAUI 9984
  104. Mark Pergrem, 32598
  105. Brian Perry, NAUI 10336
  106. Lindsay Peterson, NAUI 2775 L
  107. Joshua Poole, NAUI 55284
  108. Louis Powell, NAUI 19365
  109. Todd Rather, NAUI 54492
  110. David Reid, NAUI 50542
  111. Sharon Reid, NAUI 50543
  112. Paul Rentschler, NAUI 39695
  113. Chris Richardson, NAUI 17055
  114. David Ross, NAUI 49403
  115. Steve Rossberg, NAUI 9782
  116. Ken Sallot, NAUI 19230
  117. Dan Sansiveri, NAUI 49389
  118. Richard J. Sass, NAUI 4782
  119. Ron Schumacher, NAUI 55526
  120. Jacqueline Selbitschka, NAUI 53021
  121. Charles “Scooter” Sellers, NAUI 16598
  122. Allen Sherrod, NAUI 36480
  123. Matthew Smith, NAUI 51346
  124. Jeff Smyth, NAUI 51074
  125. David Snyder, NAUI 52814
  126. Troy Sorensen, 52954
  127. Randy Tay, NAUI 54733
  128. Michael Timmins, NAUI 49856
  129. Paul Tonovitz, NAUI 53693
  130. Demetris Touvannas, NAUI 50787
  131. Rich Travis, NAUI 52030
  132. Matthew Vinciguerra, NAUI 53958
  133. Devin Waddell, NAUI 35128
  134. Genette Waddell, 41328
  135. J. Stephen Walker, NAUI 47707
  136. Bruce Weinke, NAUI 5343
  137. Robert Weller, NAUI 44439
  138. David Wierzba, NAUI 46736
  139. Scott Williams, NAUI 53906
  140. Mark Winscher, NAUI 48031
  141. Phillip Wood, NAUI 13312
  142. Beth Wrisley, NAUI 47741
  143. Keith Wrisley, NAUI 42234
  144. Jeffery Zilliox, NAUI 11632

Concerned Retail Dive Centers

  1. Dive Pros Ltd, NAUI F0000947
Posted in Industry, NAUI Matters | Leave a comment

DIA Members To Exhibit at Our World Underwater – Feb 2014

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

DIALogo-tag-200by Gene Muchanski
Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.

The following Dive Industry Association Members are exhibiting at the Our World Underwater Show on February 14-16, 2014 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.  Make it a point to visit our DIA Members FIRST.

Retail Dive Centers

Manufacturers

Travel Businesses, Destinations, Resorts, & Dive Operators

Non-Profits & Associations

Media, Shows & Events, Retail Services

Posted in Trade & Consumer Shows | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

DIALogo-tag-200by Gene Muchanski
Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.

At this time of year, you usually get Christmas or Holiday cards (digital cards now) from companies you do business with, wishing you “The Best of the Holiday Season.”  As Innovative Thinkers and Persistent Social Marketers, Dive Industry Association and the Dive Industry Foundation would like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday from a few Members and Industry Friends who sent us Holiday wishes using emails from Constant Contact with created URLs that could easily be linked (*).  Much more effective than a Forward.  Enjoy the Promo.  Happy Holidays.

Dive Industry Association Members

Dive Industry Association Friends & Colleagues

(*) Digital Cards received from Constant Contact email marketing, using “Webpage Version” selected in “Header Options.”  You can do the same thing with your catalog, brochure, sale announcement or special, newsletter, press release, or any email.  Contact gene@diveindustry.net for more information and a FREE Consultation.

Posted in Business Improvement | Leave a comment

NAUI Members – Attend Annual General Membership Meeting – January 25, 2014

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

NAUI-Member-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2013

A message from NAUI Members Dallas Edmiston, NAUI 4099, Rick Lorimor, NAUI 44715, and Michael Feld, NAUI 50134

Dear Member:

Where will you be January 25th?

Join us at NAUI HQ in Tampa, FL for the Annual General Membership (AGM) meeting of NAUI members!

In accordance with Article IV, Section 4 of the NAUI Bylaws, the Board of Directors is required to schedule and conduct an annual meeting with the membership. The meeting is open to both voting and non-voting members and any member may submit agenda items to the secretary or chairman anytime up to 15 days prior to the meeting. This year the meeting is scheduled at NAUI HQ in Tampa, Florida on January 25th at 10:00AM.

Part of our pledge during the campaign was to improve communications between the NAUI board and members. Your participation in the AGM is a great way to show your support of renewed engagement of the board with members. We believe that effective leadership, as a director requires at least in part, knowing what is of concern to our members.

We welcome the opportunity to meet as many of you as possible at the upcoming AGM and would like to extend an invitation to attend. This is an important meeting, because it is the one time each year when members directly meet with and are able to question directors. While participating by viewing the meeting online may be informative, the best way to assure communication between you and the directors is to attend this meeting. You have the right to request agenda topics as noted above and to know how your directors are working on your behalf.

Thank you, and we hope to see you in Tampa!

Michael Feld, NAUI #50134
michael@oceanbluedivers.com
(917) 533-7100

Dallas Edmiston, NAUI #4099
dallasedmiston@gmail.com
(716) 725-5333

Rick Lorimor, NAUI #44715
Rick@RangerRickScuba.com
(321) 363-2084

Posted in Industry, Training & Education | Leave a comment

HEAD Signs Agreement To Acquire Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

Mares-Logo-200                                             SSI-Logo-150

For Immediate Release

Rapallo, Italy. MARES S.p.A., one of the worldwide market leaders in diving equipment announces that its mother company HEAD has signed an agreement to acquire Scuba Schools International (SSI). The effective date will be January 1st 2014.

In recent years, SSI has become one of the fastest growing training agencies in the world. Dive Centers and Resorts alike are turning to SSI for the depth and quality of their training materials, plus their “signature” business support.  With more than 40 years of experience, innovative products like Swim, Freediving and Extended Range keep SSI in the forefront of both the active diver and new consumer.  This is only possible through the SSI network of 2500 plus Dive Centers and Resorts around the world providing “The Ultimate Dive Experience!”

Looking at the depth of the HEAD product lines, one is struck by the obvious.  Not only is HEAD one of the leading manufacturers of many well known sporting goods brands, they also own MARES, one of the world’s 3 leading diving equipment brands. Their products are a perfect match with SSI – Swimming, Snorkeling, Freediving, Spearfishing and Scuba.  With direct subsidiaries in most developed countries, MARES also has distributors in 50 other countries.

SSI will continue to focus on its current Business Model – Swim, Snorkel and Scuba. MARES will continue to build high quality diving equipment. You can expect the same emphasis on building strong relationships with both companies and “even more” with SSI’s development and quest for creating the finest education system in the diving industry. All based on supporting the retailer and resort, promoting equipment sales, continuing education and travel.

SSI will continue to work with ALL major manufacturers and MARES will maintain relationships with all training agencies. There is no obligation for an SSI dealer to do business with MARES or vice versus.

What can be expected is unequaled business support for dive centers and dive professionals.  This will remain the pillar of both businesses.

Bringing these 2 companies together represents a huge paradigm shift for the diving industry and a tremendous growth opportunity.

Please remember, SSI is not just a certification agency and MARES not just a manufacturer. WE ARE YOUR PARTNER IN BUSINESS!  What we offer around the world is way ahead of even much larger industries.  If you want to break the bonds that hold you back from reaching your potential, call MARES +39 0185 201320 or visit us at www.mares.com or www.divessi.com.

Welcome to a new direction, SSI/MARES, “Where Your Business Comes First”

Posted in Industry | Leave a comment

Visible Divers Releases Customer Management Feature

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

visible-divers-200gifby Stephen Ellis, President
Visible Divers

At DEMA Show 2013 last month, Visible Divers had extraordinary growth and adoption by dive centers and manufacturers alike.  Their logo was seen in dozens of booths throughout the show.  Their booth was busy all day, every day with attendees excited to experience the power and ease of their new program.

A unique approach to the way Visible Divers runs their company is that they actively involve their users to shape the system.  “We’re an interactive company,” says President Stephen Ellis. “If we’re missing something that stores really need, we’ll build it.  Stores just need to tell us what that might be, and we’ll get busy on it.  We don’t sit on things.”

The proof?  Visible Divers released their new Customer Management feature on Friday, and it’s their third release since the DEMA Show to answer requests specifically from the show.  “This was a feature that many stores really asked for at the show.  They wanted to use the power of our centralized system, but have the private control of their customer records at the same time.  This wasn’t a small challenge to solve, but stores are saying we really nailed it,” remarks Stephen Ellis.

The new Customer Management feature is included automatically in all dive center accounts and can be found in the Point of Sale section.  Elements of the feature can also be found usefully integrated throughout other features in the system.  One particularly useful new integration is the ability to add more customer information during a sale.  This addition also answers one of the requests from many store owners.

“We’re hard at work on other requests that have been brought up as well, and dive centers will continue to see new features or constantly refining features,” comments Stephen.  Visible Divers aims to ensure that their system is always the easiest, fastest, and smartest way to run a dive center.  With constantly emerging features and upgrades, they’ve already taken a massive piece of the market.  Visible Divers also continues to add more manufacturing brands to the list of supporters and endorsers that make the inventory system so powerful and fast.

Starting today, Visible Divers is also launching a special trial plan for stores.  For just $5, a dive center can try an all-access account for 30 days.  This includes unlimited staff, computers, sales, customers…the works.  “We had tremendous results with our DEMA Show pricing, and we realized that stores need a chance to try it out before making any real financial commitments,” said Stephen. “If our program is as good as we claim, they’ll keep using it…and they do.  Until now, stores have been using programs that they just ‘live with.’  It’s time for something they can’t live without.”

Visible Divers, Inc. is a fast-growing software company built just for the SCUBA industry that provides full-service dive shop management including Point of Sale, scheduling, accounting, social networking and more. With the ability to work anywhere in the world on any device, it’s the most versatile and powerful system for complete dive shop management.

For more information, sign up for a free account at https://www.visibledivers.com and use it for free.  If you have questions or would like a tour of the system, please contact us at jira@visibledivers.com, or call us at 888-832-3483

If you are a manufacturer and want to know what Visible Divers does for manufacturers, please contact us at: jira@visibledivers.com, or call us at 888-832-3483.

Posted in Products | Leave a comment

Beneath The Sea – Children’s Hospital Holiday Party

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

Christmas-Party-Draft

Posted in Industry, Non-Profits | Leave a comment

1,200 Dive Centers Join DiveReport.com

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

DiveReport-Logo-200by Dive Report Ltd
London, England
December 9, 2013

Dive Report, the fast growing Dive Travel guide, has seen rapid growth in Dive Centers advertising their services – with over 1200 Dive Center pages being added to the website over the past 6 months. The website, which also tells divers the best time to travel to see their favorite marine life, has also seen it’s diver-membership grow by over 2000% over the past three months.

KohSamui_Page-400“We are delighted with the current progress! Adding a free page to Dive Report is a no-brainer for a Dive Center and it does not take very long” says Catherine Jones, Dive Report’s MD.  “We have spent a lot of time developing our anti-spam systems that, so far, have proven to be 100% reliable against the usual spambot activity.”

The website so far promotes approximately 150 diving locations and has been growing steadily since they launched one and a half years ago. The recent surge in popularity has been a real boost for the young company and has helped drive product improvement.

“We have learned a lot about working in the diving industry over past couple of years and we feel we are getting close to having a product that is useful for divers and dive centers alike” says Catherine.  “We are now focusing on increasing the number of locations we serve to provide a better coverage of world-wide diving locations.”

To document the world’s diving locations is clearly a big task for a small team however Dive Report aims to triple the number of locations they serve during 2014. “We are currently reaching out to Dive Centers to help us with locations and we provide advertising and exposure for those who help in return.”

About Dive Report
DiveReport.com is a Dive Travel guide where Divers can quickly find out the best time of year to see their favorite marine life – and also to find dive centers to dive with. You can view the website by visiting; http://www.divereport.com

Contact
We can be contacted directly by emailing: enquiries@divereport.com

Posted in Industry, Travel Destinations | Leave a comment

Unfragmenting the Diving Industry – Staying On The Same Page

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

DIALogo-tag-200by Gene Muchanski
Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.

Dive Industry Association, is a member-centric Marketing & Trade Association dedicated to “Building a Better Industry, One Member at a Time.”  We are constantly improving our blogs, press releases, newsletters, directories and web sites to promote your business and keep you current with the state of the industry.  We’ve invested heavily in new technology tools and programs that improve our marketing reach and frequency.

There is no question that the diving industry is fragmented.  Different stakeholder groups have different agendas and different customer bases.  It’s not a problem indigenous to the diving community.  All markets have this trait in common.  We need to work together, regardless of our differences in order to make this industry better.

This year, Dive Industry Association, Inc. is promoting your business using the best technology available but we can only maintain a closer “connection” with you if we are on the same business wavelength.  Here are several ways to help make that happen.

In order for all of us to be on the same page at the same time, you should:

  1. Become an active Member of Dive Industry Association and consider serving on our Board of Advisors or on an Industry Sector Committee.  Join
  2. Subscribe to and read our Blogs at www.diveindustrynews.wordpress.com
  3. Subscribe to and read our Weekly News Press Releases.  opt-in
  4. Send us press releases to publish.  They are FREE to Members.
  5. Subscribe to and read our Monthly Newsletter “The Dive Industry Professional”  opt-in
  6. Visit our web site often at www.diveindustry.net
  7. Visit and use our NEW Directory, www.DiveIndustryDirectory.com
  8. Visit our Facebook Page and “Like” us at www.facebook.com/diveindustry
  9. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/diveindustry
  10. Donate to the Dive Industry Foundation and help us promote diving to the general public. www.diveindustry.org

We are looking forward to promoting your business this year and making Dive Industry Association the Premier Trade Association in the Diving Community.

Posted in Industry | Leave a comment

Last Call For Entries – BTS International Imaging Competition

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Gene Muchanski

Last Call Imaging Contest v1

Posted in Trade & Consumer Shows | Leave a comment