PUBLIC MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COUNCIL - September 2006
Public Minutes of BSAC Council Meeting Saturday 2nd September 2006 at NCVO Building, London
Present: Marcus Allen MA
Clare Peddie CP
Mike Todd MKT
Tony Marshall AM
David Dixon DD
Edward Haynes EH
Keith Lawrence KL
Adrian Hall AH
Anne Clarke AC
Bob Healey RH
Tony Reed AR
Deric Ellerby DE
Ian Irvine II
John Betts JB
Ernie Crook EC
Harry Gould HG
Wendy Davies ` WD
Apologies:
Apologies were received from Mark Allen and Andy Moll.
Minutes of the previous Meeting
The Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.
Matters arising
The timeline and target dates for all projects will be agreed at the next meeting.
KL is to convert his domain name to BSAC.
Targets & Timelines by 22nd October - all to feedback to MA.
Affinity savings scheme – WD meeting with Britannia on 21st Sep to progress – DD has information from Barclays and Norwich & Peterborough BS.
Chairman’s Report (circulated previously)
Chairman intends to attend the BDSG meeting in September as neither JW or BC are available.
MCS – meeting held at HQ to discuss progressing – MA asked Council to agree in principle to developing a proposal to work more closely with MCS and the detail will be circulated for Council’s approval. Council agreed in principle. MA proposed that BSAC join with MCS in a “Marine Reserves Now!� campaign – seconded AR, unanimous.
DVD – about the BSAC – MA wanted to draw the proposed project to Council’s attention - further details to follow.
Web advertising agreement – original agreement – non BSAC Centres not allowed on BSAC Travel Club website but allowed on other sites.
Treasurers Report (circulated previously)
AH presented the financial management information and explained the financial performance YTD and the changes since the previous month and the previous year.
II asked for the larger items within the budgets be targeted to ascertain accuracy for the remainder of the year as these would have the most affect on fluctuations and business performance.
AH explained the cash flow and the cash position. AH stated that the cash reserves had been replaced after paying for the CRM. AH explained the deficit engine and showed the performance, which has improved in 2006 due to rigid budget setting process.
NDO’s Report (circulated previously)
NI Exam went well – there are 5 new National Instructors.
DTP – the group will meet the deadline for DOC.
Manuals proposal - DD would like the Expedition Manual to be broader based and to include trip coverage rather than narrowing it to ‘expeditions’. CP confirmed that expedition diving means diving with a purpose and that is what the book is intending to cover.
We should be looking at sponsorship for new manuals – WD.
MA Proposed ‘Safety & Rescue’ Manual as per Clare’s proposal – seconded MKT, unanimous.
MA Proposed ‘Rebreather Manual’ per Clare’s proposal – seconded MKT, unanimous.
MA Proposed ‘Expeditions Manual’ as per Clare’s proposal – seconded AR, 1 abstention.
Operations Manager’s Report (circulated previously)
WRSTC – DE explained that we could only be part of the European group. We are excluded from belonging because of stage decompression diving. We belong to EUF and they belong to WRSTC. AR asked should we not be part of this group as NGB.
Go Dive and Try Dive Update
WD updated on the 2 campaigns so far –
GO DIVE:
Branches Registered for campaign: 175
Participants through HQ: 95
Participants through Branches, informed via email: 22
Total Participants: 117
New Members Converted: 12
Conversion Rate: 10.25%
TRY DIVE:
Results are as follows so far - 4 weeks to the campaign:
Branches Registered for campaign: 121 (last year at this time 131)
Participants through HQ: 111 (last year at this time 75)
Last year’s conversion rate was 35% with 219 new members as a result of the campaign.
MA asked for feedback from Council on Go Dive campaign.
CP – there was Easyjet coverage in their flight magazine for Go Dive. CP feels we have created an atmosphere of being a welcoming organisation; we need to keep the welcoming attitude.
Election 2007 – Report from MKT previously circulated
KL feels that it is imperative that we are clear and transparent with members.
II feels that the officer positions are sensitive and can leave Council vulnerable if they are taken by inexperienced individuals, in addition there is no planning for the succession of the officers.
CP stated that this could be covered at DOC by asking the delegates for feedback.
DD agreed to amend his original paper and circulate to Council for consideration and to be discussed at the meeting in November 2006.
MKT – we have facilitated electronic voting – KL confirmed that ERS would handle all of the process – WD to get quote on introducing the system from ERS.
MA – need coverage in Dive Magazine to confirm elections for Council Officer positions and Council positions. Council will need a minimum of 3 new council members at the next election.
Brand Proposal
AH feels we should stabilise our brand and find our corporate identity. KL feels that it shows a cohesive organised organisation if we identify this. DD feels that we should ask a wider audience – we should also be told what our brand is as well as what it should be. WD asked for amendments to the proposal to be submitted by Friday 8th September to be included in the final proposal.
MA proposed that we accept the Goodform branding proposal, seconded CP, 1 against, 1 abstention.
Membership Benefits – Insurance Options Report from AC previously circulated
Council agreed to progress the proposal from AC to tier the membership options and include different levels of insurance benefits.
MA asked for council to feedback to AC on the incentives proposal and AC will refine. AC explained in detail the proposal from Standard Life that AC had agreed. This will give BSAC members an advantage when they apply for life cover with Standard Life. AC confirmed that this project has taken some time to complete and AC has been impressed with Standard Life’s response to our request to gather knowledge about BSAC and divers to enable them to offer a competitive scheme. AC is extremely pleased that we have reached this stage. AH asked for a vote of thanks to AC and WD for the work that has been carried out, AC thanked Hywel Davies for his contribution in the development of this project.
Council Working Group - IT
MA confirmed that a new IT Team Leader is needed urgently. KL also confirmed that BT have notified us that they are withdrawing our ISDN line in July 2007. KL feels that this would be an ideal opportunity to look at VOIP and other features. KL to remain as Leader with EH to shadow and support. MA thanked KL for his unstinting support during the last 5 years.
Council Working Group - International
Next Japan report due October 2006.
Cuba – are looking to develop their own systems – may be an opportunity for us to assist. The Cubans do not have a national system and would like their own standards. We may be able to develop a franchise arrangement.
Council Working Group - BMD
Q Card – MA to visit HQ to progress this – WD to review income and expenditure.
Potentially 2 new PTP’s – Crystal Holidays (sister company is Thomson Holidays) and Cubanacan.
Cuba – we have 5 new training centres – Alistair Reynolds crossed over Instructors whilst he was there on holiday.
MA Proposed to give DD authority to sign PTP agreement with Cubanacan and Crystal Holidays. seconded by MKT, unanimous.
MA confirmed the date of the next meeting – 2 days 25/26 November 2006 at BSAC HQ.
Page last modified: 4th Jan 2007 - 14:39:24