Curt Myron

Candidate for Regional Director

Northwest Region

I began volkssporting in July 1986. I’ve logged over 430 events and 4,500 kilometers; walked in 39 of the 50 states, and in eight countries. I am an AVA member, and have attended many international volkssporting events including the IVV Olympiad and national conventions of both US and Canada. I’ve held most club offices and served on State and national committees.

I’m a retired federal manager with over 30 years experience in leadership and management. I have several thousand hours experience using communication skills as a trainer and facilitator, and have many years experience as member and Chair of Executive Boards. I have two college degrees; a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s with a major in Information Systems Technology.

My wife, Martha, and I live on Washington’s Whidbey Island and enjoy designing trails, organizing events and sharing the ‘fun’ of volkssporting. We combine volkswalks with every vacation. I am a member of the NW Tulip Trekkers Volkssport Club and the Bavarian Volkssport Association, both in Washington State.

I can help AVA and the Northwest Region meet the financial and organizational challenges we face. A Regional Director must represent clubs to AVA

I can help AVA and the Northwest Region meet the financial and organizational challenges we face. A Regional Director must represent clubs to AVA and represent AVA to member clubs. I will be active, visible and always willing to listen.  Communication between AVA and member clubs must improve. State organizations also have an obligation to promote our sport and relations between them and the RD must be smooth and efficient.

Although much has been done, we must all do more to promote our sport if we hope to reverse the trends of decreasing numbers and increasing costs. We’ve heard for years that the numbers of walkers are declining, without much in the way of supporting facts getting to members.  AVA does much for our sport, but too often the only information that reaches the individual walker is the latest change in rules. I’m sure there are success stories out there, but more needs to be done to share the news with clubs and members. For instance, my own club, the NW Tulip Trekkers has tripled its membership in the past three years (24 to 74) and nearly 50% of the members are in their first three years of our sport.

I believe in AVA’s goals - fun, fitness and fellowship. The most important of these is fun because if the fun disappears, then the fellowship follows and club participation becomes work. But just like work, fun requires effort from us and we must pay attention to details to make club activities enjoyable.

We must forge new alliances and create new opportunities to enhance our sport. We must take advantage of technology to spread the message of volkssports to those who are unaware. We must create new clubs and give meaningful assistance to troubled clubs. We have the ability and talent to make our sport grow.  I’ve learned what it takes to turn a club around and would like to apply my skills to our region to increase both the fun and membership in volkssports.