Tampa, Fla. (September 5, 2017) – The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) Board of Directors, international advisors and headquarters staff recently met in Marathon, Florida, for three days of discussion and planning designed to set the course for the association over the next three to five years.
NAUI’s purpose is to enable people to enjoy underwater activities as safely as possible by providing the highest quality practical education and to actively promote the preservation and protection of the world’s underwater environments.
‘This meeting was one of the most exciting, motivating and productive that I have been a part of for NAUI,’ said Dave Ochs, Chairman of the NAUI Board of Directors. ‘For 57 years, NAUI’s purpose has remained constant. However, now we’ve taken the time to address our mission, develop and
agree upon a shared vision, review industry and association data trends, and design a strategic framework to guide our decisions and support our actions going forward.’
By analyzing goals from pervious Boards, it became evident that many worthwhile objectives had been identified but never accomplished. The NAUI leaders present at this session came away with a commitment to focus solely on the goals agreed upon and thereby ensuring NAUI’s leadership position in the industry.
‘NAUI has made progress over the past two years with its engagement and awareness efforts,’ said Dallas Edmiston, Executive Director of NAUI. ‘While we are seeing growth, there’s still much work to be done to obtain the kind of growth and quality we want to foster. With a fully supported and focused effort by NAUI leadership, we will reach the goals and objectives established for NAUI over the next three to five years.’
It was recognized that one of NAUI’s strengths and weaknesses is the fact that NAUI is a true democratic association, where members have a voice and are engaged. This frequently results in proposals being pursued that affect only selective groups and a lack of focus on projects that benefit the entire association.
‘We needed to develop a plan that focuses on key overarching priorities,’ added Ochs. ‘Our members are passionate and provide valuable input. We don’t want to stifle or limit member interaction and involvement. But, we can’t be all things to all people. We must set priorities and remain focused on achieving them before diverting assets and resources to the next ‘great idea’.’
The collective leadership in attendance agreed that NAUI’s desired image is one of respect, high quality, cutting-edge and global leader in aquatic training and service.
‘As leaders of the association, it is important that we work to anticipate problems and develop creative and imaginative ways to address them. This has always been a hallmark of NAUI,’ added Edmiston. ‘By developing a plan that addresses key issues and concerns, as well as identifying the means to support the ends, we can ensure effective and efficient use of our resources and remain focused on our longstanding goals and newly established objectives.’
The information developed during the NAUI leaders’ strategic planning session will be formalized, reviewed and discussed by/with NAUI’s strategic partners, international advisors, and voted on by the NAUI Board of Directors in the coming months, with full implementation planned to start in 2018. Additional information will be shared with members as it is developed and ready for dissemination to our worldwide membership.
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About NAUI Worldwide
Founded in 1960, NAUI Worldwide is the scuba industry’s largest not-for-profit agency whose purpose is to encourage people to enjoy underwater activities as safely as possible by providing the highest quality practical education, and to actively promote the preservation and protection of the world’s underwater environments. As a pioneer in diving education, NAUI has developed many of the programs and concepts accepted throughout the diving industry. NAUI: The Definition of Diving!