Newsletter

Newsletter

January to February 2008

Regional Diving Officer
The Clubs treasurer, and former Diving Officer, Ger Craven has recently been appointed by CFT to the position of Regional Diving Officer for the Midlands Region. Ger’s appointment to this prestigious position is testimony to his overall expertise and the many year’s dedicated service that he given to promoting diving in Athlone Sub Aqua Club and the wider Midlands region. The club wish to congratulate Ger on his appointment as Regional Diving Officer for the Midlands Region and wish him every success in the role.

Subscriptions
Member’s subscriptions are now overdue since 1st January 2008. If you have not yet fully paid your subscription fee then you are not covered to dive, use any club equipment or take any part in training in the pool. The following subscription fee rates apply for 2008:

Member Type and Subscription Fee

Adult Diver €230
Student Diver €150
Senior Snorkeler €100
Junior Snorkeler €70
Associate Member €25

Family membership will be adjusted accordingly.

Members choosing to pay their fees before 31st March 2008 will have to pay the above subscription rates only. If however you pay your subscription fee after the 31st of March 2008 you will be obliged to pay an additional late fee of €50. This late fee is reduced to €25 for student divers.

It is not the intention of the club to generate additional funding through imposing this late fee. Its purpose is to encourage members to pay subscriptions early in order to improve the clubs overall cash flow situation.

Medicals
CFT are coming down hard on medicals. No member will be registered until head office has been given their medical date and date of birth. So if you are due a medical you’ll need to get it done before you can be registered. The club’s DO will be contacting divers whose medical is out of date according to the clubs file.


Dive Fees
It was decided at the AGM in November 2007 to revise the system by which divers pay for their dives. The €10 ‘pay as you dive’ fee is no longer an option. Instead any adult member wishing to dive must pay a dive fee of €100. This fee will cover all your dives for the season. The fee must be paid before you commence diving for the season. This fee will not apply to student divers and divers under 18 years of age. Student divers and divers under 18 years of age will continue to dive for free.


Clubhouse Development
Installation of the clubs new gas heating system and additional shower units is now complete. The club, over the next few weeks, intends to refurbish its lecture and meeting rooms and office facilities. A clean up of the clubhouse was held recently. Thanks to Jim Campbell who organised this.


Fundraising
Just under 4,000 Euros was raised from fund raising activities carried out by the club

Golden Island Shopping Centre Collection (24th November 2007)
Bag Packing, Dunnes Stores, Montree (29th Nov to 1st Dec 2007)

The club has also recently received a €2,000 grant from Westmeath Sports Partnership and a €800 contribution from the Court Poor Box


Club Social Night
A New Year Party was held on Saturday 12th January 2008 in Gertie Brownes. This event, which was organised by Geraldine Fogarty, was well attended by members and their partners and friends and supporters of Athlone Sub Aqua Club. An enjoyable night was had by all.


Operational Plan
The Committee recently approved an operational plan which sets out its objectives for the coming year. The committee will monitor progress against these objectives on an on-going basis. A copy of this plan is available to any club member from the Chairman or the Secretary




Club Policies and Procedures

The Club intend to adopt the following policies and procedures at its February 2008 Committee meeting:

Child Protection Policy
Social Integration Policy
Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure
Policy on Issuing Statements to the Media

Monthly Meetings
Members are reminded that Club Members Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month from 8pm sharp to 9pm. All members are entitled and encouraged to attend these Club Members Meetings so that their views and opinions can be taken into consideration at meetings of the Club’s Committee. The Club’s Committee also meet on the first Wednesday of every month immediately following the Clubs Members Meeting

Dive Season
The dive program for the year is currently being drawn up. If there is somewhere you think the club should visit in the coming year then contact the Diving Officer Colm O Reilly.

Web Site Address
Members are informed that the club’s web page can now be accessed through www.diveathlone.com.

Regards

Cian