2008 SILVA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

by Clare Durand, USOF President

At the USOF Annual General Meeting in Laramie, Mark and Barb Dominie were announced as this year's Silva Award winners.

The Dominies are recognized for service at all levels — national, regional and local. While I don’t have the exact number of years they have been involved in orienteering, I’m sure it’s a significantly large number. At the local level they are involved in mapping, meet registration, e-punch and event directing and setting. Within Central New York Orienteering (CNYO) they are known for innovation and fun, having created a variety of orienteering games for local enjoyment.

At the regional level, the Dominies have been instrumental in encouraging use of electronic timing (e-punch) for local events. In addition to persuading their club to be one of the first to use e-punching regularly, they initiated cooperative loans with other regional clubs to bring the wealth of e-punching to the masses. They also helped to bring competitive opportunities to the region through encouragement of cooperative A-meet hosting and mentoring between clubs.

Of course, the most visible aspect of the Dominies' service is that given at the national level. Mark and Barb have been instrumental in the growth of Rogaine in North America, by hosting events regularly and by encouraging others to do so. They have also been innovators in the Rogaine area, creating forms like Snowgaine and Regaine.

Last, but most certainly not least, Mark Dominie is one of the most prolific mappers in the U.S. Providing mapping services nationally, staying on the cutting edge, and hosting mapping clinics are among the ways that he has made a lasting imprint on orienteering in the U.S. A number of maps for Championship events have been provided by Mark, including the maps for the upcoming North American Championships. Barb's support is an important factor in Mark's ability to give so much time and effort to domestic mapping projects.

Mark and Barb Dominie support USOF and each other in a way that is truly deserving of the Silva Award and I am proud to announce them as this year's winners.

The selection of the Silva Award winner is made by the USOF's Executive Committee, which is comprised of the Federation's President, five Vice-Presidents, and Secretary. Their selection is made from among the nominations received by the USOF's Awards Committee, which administers this awards program for USOF.

August 18, 2008

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