Dennis Michele

Candidate for Regional Director

Southeast Region

My name is Dennis Michele. I am a retired Navy Commander. My education includes a Masters Degree in Financial Management. My wife and I live in Fairview, NC and are active members of the Asheville Amblers, Rowan Roamers and Winston Wanderers. We have been avid volkssporters since 1996. My IVV Credit balance exceeds 6000KM and over 500 events.

I feel strongly that all clubs - large and small - need a greater voice and solid representation at EC meetings and to be fully supported by their RD. Support of the clubs and their endeavors to hold quality events should be the primary purpose of the EC and AVA HQ. Without strong clubs, we do not have a strong AVA. I also feel strongly that we need to return to the tenets of our sport - fun, fitness and fellowship - while meshing them with the new environment (higher gas prices, multiple demands on time, competing sports, aging general population, etc.) that we now face.

I have followed these ideals in my first term as Southeast Region Director and will continue to do so for a second term. I will continue to question all proposals, using the yardstick of effect on and benefit to clubs in deciding whether or not to support them. I will continue to be the eyes, ears and mouth for the clubs in the Southeast.

We all know that declining participation and the continual reduction in the number of clubs are the major problems facing our sport. I will continue to seek and support ideas which prompt club growth and strength so that strong clubs can meet these challenges.

To accomplish this, I will draw upon my over 20 years of experience working with volunteers in the Boy Scouts program. I held positions as Cub Master, member and Chairman of Pack and Troop Committees, PAVAB District Roundtable Commissioner and chairman of various committees at the District and Council levels. I was recognized for my achievements by being awarded the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award - highest awards that can be bestowed at District and Council levels respectively. I will also draw on my active experience in volkssporting for the last seven years, holding offices as President of the Asheville Amblers - four years; President of the Tarheel State Walkers Volkssport Association - three years and Southeast Region Director - two years.

As a result of my services in volkssporting, my club grew from 12 members to over 200; the average attendance at our regular events increased from around 40 to 120 - year round events enjoyed a similar increase; I initiated 2 new YREs and major modifications to six others; I played a major role in every Ambler regular event for the past 7 years; I recommended a change to the National Heritage program (10 More Program) which resulted in more walks being able to qualify for the program and more clubs to benefit from the program; my state has enjoyed greater cooperation among clubs and steady growth in club membership and attendance at events; as SERD, I have fostered a sense of regional pride by establishing a regional website and regional walk list; I have established rapport with several major organizations in Alabama to foster the growth of volkssporting in that state. Finally, as chair of the AVA Standards and Evaluations Committee, I have proposed several changes which resulted in making the Procedures and Policy Manual a more useful tool for the clubs.

Based on the above, I feel I am thoroughly qualified to continue as SE RD.