SAA Direct Membership Scheme

Since its inception in 1976 the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) has been an association of independent diving clubs. This concept has worked well in the UK. However, in an ever changing society and world, people and divers have to develop in ways that were not envisaged in 1976.

Lifestyles have changed and the pressures on employees to be mobile and multi-skilled are ever increasing. No longer do we have a job for life and this may impose the need to go where the work is. SAA Clubs do not cover every part of the UK, with limited overseas clubs. This places difficulties on individual SAA divers who move to a location where no SAA Club exists. Many people in this situation still want to belong to the SAA and continue diving, but find it either impossible or extremely difficult to do so.

Some individuals may even prefer not to be part of a formal SAA Club.

SAA membership numbers have also dwindled over the years and it is essential that steps are taken to encourage existing members to stay and new members to join the SAA. The SAA Direct Membership Scheme is a key aspect in achieving this. It offers flexibility and independence, these being key characteristics of the SAA history.

This topic has been reviewed a number of times by the National Council over the years and on each occasion the idea of individual membership has been rejected due to the concern that this would conflict with the Club system approach. However, there are examples of individual membership increasing brand strength and maintaining membership numbers; BSAC and PADI being prime examples, as well as IANTD, TDI etc. The current economic climate is increasingly forcing mobility on workers and may have a bearing on our falling membership numbers. To this end, this paper will put forward a new Direct Membership scheme for qualified divers to remain with or join the SAA to enjoy the benefits the SAA offers.

It is time to change for the future benefit of the SAA and its members.

Entry Qualifications:

The SAA welcomes Direct Membership Divers from all training backgrounds provided that they are 18 years of age or above, medically fit and meet, as a minimum, the SAA Club Diver Standard or equivalent.

Limitations:

1. This is a Diver only facility.
a. All SAA Instruction is done either in SAA Clubs or SAA Regions.
b. Direct Members may access additional training via the local Regional Representative or Head Office.
2. The SAA Direct Membership fee currently proposed is £ 60.00 per annum (covering the year 1st January to 31st December). This fee will be reduced on a pro rata basis for individuals joining later in the year.
3. Each member must, initially, complete an SAA Application/Indemnity Declaration Form and a UK Sport Diver Questionnaire. These must be returned to SAA Head Office with all the required fees.
4. Medical fitness to dive: If any of the nineteen medical questions in the medical questionnaire are answered in the affirmative, the candidate will be referred to a Medical Referee for a UK Sport Diving Medical Examination. All costs arising from by this and any other consultation will be borne by the member.
5. All SAA Direct Members are free to dive, under their own recognisance within the limits of their qualifications and experience, when and where they please without reference to any SAA Diving Officer (although they will be expected to comply with all relevant aspects of the SAA Guidance Manual at all times).
6. Before extending their diving range, SAA Direct Members must gain either dive experience or additional qualifications by diving with suitable divers or Instructors as appropriate and as set out in the SAA Guidance Manual.
7. SAA Direct Members may only dive with those who match the SAA criteria (or the equivalent) set for their qualifications and experience.
8. Direct Members will be represented on the National Council and at AGMs by the Executive Member. All queries regarding SAA Policy, etc., regarding Direct Members will be handled by the Executive Member.

9. Democracy:
a. SAA Direct Members have equal rights to an individual member of Member Clubs and shall be entitled to attend and vote at SAA meetings in accordance with the following;
b. The SAA Direct Members collectively as a single entity, in common with member Clubs, will have one vote at all SAA meetings.
c. Each SAA Direct Member will be entitled to send their individual vote to the Executive Member on the National Executive who will collate all their votes. The majority view of the Direct Members collectively will be represented by the single vote cast by the Executive Member who will act at the AGM/EGM as the Group’s Chairman and vote as directed.
d. At Regional meetings, the SAA Direct Members will be identified and elect a single representative to act as their spokesperson. Should a vote be required on any matter raised at a Regional meeting then the spokesperson will ballot the Direct Members present. The majority view of the Direct Members present will be represented by the single vote cast by the spokesperson.
Benefits:
1. An SAA Direct Member:
a. may, by invitation, dive with any SAA Club, subject to any limitations set by their own experience and qualifications;
b. has access to the Member’s section of the SAA Website;
c. is insured by the SAA’s standard Third Party and Public Liability Insurance scheme;
d. may enhance their skills and diving qualification through the SAA’s Regional Training Programmes including, where practical, training with Clubs. All training with the SAA will be arranged through Regional Representatives. This, of course, does not preclude appropriate training with other diving agencies;
e. is represented on the National Executive and the National Council by the Executive Member;
f. may attend and vote, in accordance with Section 9 above, at any Annual General meetings or extraordinary general meetings and Regional meetings;
g. may purchase SAA products at the Membership Only Price;
h. can use the SAA Qualification Cross-over facility; and
i. can obtain an SAA/CMAS Qualification card (C-Card) for highest Diver Qualification, subject to an equivalent being available.
Details of the Executive member of the National Executive can be found on the SAA Website www.saa.org.uk or contacting the SAA Head Office on 0151 287 1001.