BSAC 18 - Huddersfield Sub Aqua Club

13th December 2004, 9:30pm Huddersfield Sports Centre

Minutes from Meeting

1. Apologies
Received from Andy and Helen Briggs, Andy Waugh and Steve Hill
All other committee members present except Trish Holmes
Also present, Richard Manning, Diane Hepworth and Gary Exton

2. Matters Arising
Compressor
No update

Octopush T-Shirts
Andy Briggs has received the logo but has not yet passed it onto Stewart for distribution.

50th Anniversary
Dry Dive - two successful dives were completed in York
Dinner - 90 tickets have now been sold and another 20/30 committed but only 23 current members have purchased tickets!!!! Pete and Kate agreed to approach Bear Divers and Divers Warehouse for raffle prizes and it was agreed that the raffle would be based on the ticket numbers rather than trying to sell tickets on the night. We have also received a substantial donation from an ex-member and Diane will make contact with the donator to explain that the evening isn't really a fund- raising event. Pete agreed to provide a display board for photo's to be shown. Pete and Stewart jointly agreed to take responsibility to ensure the club laptop and projector were taken to the event and set up. Kate will see if Martin Farr may be willing to provide an after dinner speech.
T-Shirts - It was pointed out that divers should 'stake their claim' if they believe they are eligible for a t-shirt. All other members will be able to purchase a t-shirt / sweatshirt at cost should they wish to do so. Stewart will get prices for T-shirts by the end of this week and will circulate to all committee members for comment.

3. Membership Secretary
Having received some renewals last week the numbers to report on for the committee meeting are;

Diving
67 members
1 renewal is overdue
9 renewals are 'due'

Snorkel
30 members
3 renewal is overdue
2 renewals are 'due'

4. Diving Officer's Report
I had a few ideas about what to put in this month’s report, one of which was ticking people off for being picky about who they are willing to dive with, but I kept returning to thoughts about our Anniversary ‘do’. Diane has been overwhelmed by the response. Requests for tickets have come flooding in from all corners of Britain. It is really great to discover that BSAC 18 meant so much to so many people. Many of these people were diving 40 – 50 fifty years ago when it was truly a new sport. So much less was known about the physics and biology of it all, the equipment was so basic – often home-made, and there must have been a real pioneering spirit. Some aspects of this I envy - the undamaged reefs, the sheer numbers of fish, the frequent discovery of undived wrecks still with portholes. I enjoy the better facilities, the super boat skippers, like Billy, the improved equipment, but we’ll never have what they had. I am so looking forward to meeting these early members of the Club. I want to hear what it was like. What a shame they didn’t have access to the underwater cameras that we now have. It would probably break their hearts to see what has happened to the dive sites. Make it your New Year’s resolution to do whatever you can to protect, preserve and even improve your favourite places.

Happy Christmas.

Kate Falkingham, Diving Officer

5. Training Officers Report
Good progress is being made in all areas of training at the moment.

6. Treasurer's Report
Richard explained that the club finances were very buoyant at the moment due to the temporary cash flow from the Anniversary Dinner ticket sales. Exact figures to be e-mailed to Stewart to add to the minutes as soon as possible
10/1/05 Figures provided as follows;
November - positive balance of £1681.00
Year to date - positive balance of £1634.35

7. Equipment Officer's Report
No report

8. Welfare Officer Report
Gary hadn't received any feedback from committee members regarding the initial draft document that had been sent by e-mail. Some of the implications were discussed in detail and it was agreed that Gary and Ray now spoke to the instructors to gain their comments and views.
Gary also pointed out that we hadn't yet addressed the issue of 'Vulnerable People' in relation to Octopush - where the majority of members / players are considered 'vulnerable'. Gary agreed to speak to Karen, BSAC Head office and the Octopush Association.

9. Insurance
The club 'Sport Diver's Insurance' policy that covers the two O2 kits has expired....a vote was taken as the annual premium is £47.00 and the result was 'unclear' (3 against renewal, 1 abstain, 2 for renewal). It was agreed to carry the decision over until more members were present and in particular, the Equipment Officer.