Chairman’s Report
Greetings to you all.
Four months have now passed since our AGM at Buxton and this report has been compiled to keep you all up to date with what is happening in your dive association.
At the time of writing this report, we are well into the dive season around our shores and I trust you are taking advantage of the summer (is it me or is there an increase in our stock of fish on the south coast this year?).
I have broken this report down into four parts, all relevant to our present situation.
Topics to be covered.
1. A period of stability
2. Diver Magazine
3. SAA AGM
4. AGM Dinner/Dance
1. A Period of Stability.
Over the last few years the SAA have implemented many changes, for the good of our members and also for the Association and we must always embrace progress. Steve Love, the co-opted National Diving Officer, has introduced the new ‘Junior Diver Policy’ because he considered that changes were necessary. However, Steve and myself are both of the opinion that there have been many new policies introduced and for that reason your Executive will try and introduce a period of stability and improve all current policies and paperwork rather than introduce fresh ones. Hopefully this will allow every member to be aware of our current policies
We realise of course that some changes will be necessary to accommodate new legislation. But, I am sure, there is enough going on in this troubled world at the present time that all you want to do is go out there and dive safely and not read yet more paperwork.
That does not mean we just want an easy ride, far from it, we are here to help and assist in any way we can. Your regional representatives, yes that is correct, your regional representatives and all the executive council are there to help you. Not much point in us offering our services if no one wants to contact us.
2. Diver Magazine.
As you all know, we had an ongoing arrangement with Diver magazine for quite a long period where the Clubs’ Diving Officers was sent a copy of the magazine to pass on to all members to read.
Unfortunately that contract has now expired and under the current climate it is no longer possible for Diver magazine to continue that offer. Consultations with Diver have not finished at the present time.We will keep you informed of any further developments.
We are looking at other avenues open to us to keep our members informed of what is going on within the SAA and also the diving industry.One option is a quartly newsletter. This could be downloadable from the website and available to all members. However, if we were to go down that road there are things to consider:
Any publication, from one page to several, requires reports, information, stories. Therefore, we would hope for input from our members. If people are not prepared to write sections for the publication, then it is dead in the water.
3. SAA AGM
One aspect that has bothered me for many years is that many of us travel a long way to our Annual General Meetings and in the past they have been over by mid-day and there has been a long break before the Dinner Dance in the evening. Since the introduction of the ‘Open Forum’ after lunch, this has considerably improved. However, do you want more? By that I mean, would you perhaps like a guest speaker, or have you any suggestions for another activity after the Open Forum?
4. AGM Dinner/Dance
In 2001 we held our first Dinner Dance to celebrate the SAA 25th Anniversary. By popular demand we have continued with these Dinner Dances every year since then, held on the evening of the AGM at various venues.
These have gone down very well in the past as it is a chance for members and their partners to relax, talk to fellow divers and generally enjoy themselves. With good food, good company and plenty of liquid refreshment it is an excellent sociable evening. However numbers attending have dwindled over the last few years. Is this because of the current economic climate or are people just losing interest?
A Dinner Dance will be booked for the AGM of 2010, details to be released shortly, we ask you to support this event in order to make it financially viable, otherwise consideration will have to be given to discontinuing the annual Dinner Dance or at least holding it less frequently.
This is my report completed for the present. It is my intention to write reports for you all on a regular basis. Now, members, it is your turn please. As I have mentioned a number of times, we need feedback with you opinions. Constructive opinions please, let us know what you want from the SAA.
You are all members of independent clubs and should be proud of that. The SAA is there to help and assist you with your clubs’ training and qualifications.
Nothing stays the same forever, let us know what you want from us.
I would be interested to have your feedback from this report and questions that have been asked. I can be contacted at chair@saa.org.uk
Safe, enjoyable diving to you all.
Mike Burley
SAA Chair.