09/27/2023
Greetings NAUI Family,
Again, I am Courtlandt Butts. I along with my esteemed colleagues have the privilege to ask for the honor of representing the membership on the NAUI Board of Directors. I have carried the NAUI name with pride as an instructor serving in leadership positions across multiple SCUBA organizations. Along with serving on the NAUI Planning Committee and Diversity Committee, I also serve as the Safety Officer in three community based organizations and sit on the Dive Control Board of two others, increasing NAUI’s visibility as a global leader in diving, across multiple sectors. It is my hope that I earn the opportunity use my experiences on the NAUI BoD to usher in a robust and thriving future for NAUI Worldwide.
Along with pursuing untapped human potential and marketshare, I would work towards increasing the visibility of our current global members, making sure that we truly represent and promote our “Worldwide” community of leaders. I would also focus on developing youth programs that not only take the next generation from Swimming to SCUBA but also encourage our members to train them to use their skills towards a purpose that cares for the environment, supports marine sciences and of course, embraces the wonders of exploration.
I am a business owner in the realm of justice for humanity and the environment. In my work, I have been called to co-create paths of access to quality education, just partnerships with law enforcement, to foster a sense of belonging within corporate and non-profit organizations. Further, I am called to expose the dive industry to humans that have been on some level marginalized away from the opportunity to enjoy the sport. As a NAUI Board member I would work towards introducing NAUI to communities that have not experienced the “love” of our membership, as well as increase the diversity on multiple levels of leadership.
Swimming is a precursor to our beloved sport and NAUI has led in diving for years. I wonder what the industry would look like if we reached upon the diverse talents of our membership aimed through our high commitment to professional training and pointed it toward an augmented swimming program. We lead the world in the way we dive, focusing on the precursor to diving could increase our marketshare in the dive industry. I’ve led in aquatics for 30 years and I envision we could be the guide from Swimming to SCUBA embracing the “Loved One” concept, keeping the people we trained with us throughout their dive career.
The dive industry itself has been on a comeback in participation since COVID. To accelerate the health of the industry I feel we could consider focusing on “diving for a purpose” that is connected to sectors that go beyond recreation. NAUI leads in partnerships with military and educational institutions. My hope is that we increase our presence there, as well as with NGOs, youth development establishments and other organizations that promote ocean conservation and environmental sustainability. I’d want to point our leadership acumen towards healing the planet.
Myself and my colleagues that are running for a seat on the NAUI BoD care greatly about the present and future of this organization. I encourage you to vote with your hearts. We will be in good hands with all of the choices available to us.
Be safe and take care.
Courtlandt
#58436
