BSAC Annual General Meeting 2022

This year's AGM presented a picture of a club with a willingness to evolve. BSAC adapted quickly to the challenges of the Covid era and must continue to adapt in the face of a changing society. 

Again, the meeting, held on Saturday 14 May, was carried out on a virtual platform – Microsoft Teams – which allowed more widespread access and a greener footprint.

The presentation slides from the AGM can be downloaded.

All change with a new BSAC Chair

Virtual delegates were welcomed by BSAC's outgoing Chair, Maria Harwood, who vacates the hot seat after three years of challenges that she could never have anticipated. She is succeeded by Edward Haynes, who won a close electoral battle with Andrew Shenstone to become BSAC's 2022 Chair. Edward has a strong pedigree in volunteering for the club, most recently serving as Honorary Secretary.

In her final address as Chair, Maria set out some of the challenges still facing BSAC, and why the club needs to pursue change. She pointed to the club's declining demographic, a process accelerated by Covid. "The good news is that the club managed to recruit nearly 3,500 members last year," Maria said. "But this is tempered by the trend that as many divers leave as enter BSAC each year."

The club has been working on a new strategic plan under Maria's tenure, designed to offer a set of products more aligned with the priorities of younger people. She highlighted the new Advanced Ocean Diver course and the Branch + Centre partnership scheme as examples of BSAC addressing today's market. Such modernisation has been complemented by the launch of the MyBSAC app, and the Know and Grow webinars, which help local branches build their membership offerings.

Treasurer's report

Janos Suto personified the new digital BSAC by delivering his report as Honorary Treasurer from inside his car, parked in Oban, where he had been diving. He said that new member recruitment had increased and the number of fully paid-up members had increased by 453, standing at 22,047.

Janos reported an increase in operating income, up 6% to £1.5million, thanks in part to the recovery in Instructor Training. Meanwhile, expenditure decreased from £1.6 to £1.5million, due to a number of savings. With the release of £107,000 in grant income, the club was able to make a surplus of £100,000 to add to its balances.

All the same, Janos said, cash and budget for 2022 remain tight and are being closely monitored.

National Diving Officer's report

Speaking on behalf of NDO Dai Atkins, Dom Robinson presented a buoyant perspective on the club's diving and training activity. He highlighted the reinstatement of the programme of events (POE) and the proliferation of special interest webinars as symbols of progress, alongside "excellent" uptake of the Sport-England-funded scheme to develop more Dive Leaders and Open Water Instructors.

Dom also cited the rise of new training in equality, diversity and inclusivity as a sign that the club is rising to the standards of its strategy. BSAC continues to encourage and reward diving with a purpose, with a new group tasked to encourage its proliferation and many expeds and projects underway. The idea is to engage members at all levels, and also develop links with outside bodies such as Seasearch to widen the scope of club activity.

BSAC Election 2022 – the results 

Voting for BSAC Chair

• Edward Haynes: 687 votes ELECTED
• Andrew Shenstone: 665 votes
  
  

There were three nominations for four available Council seats, all elected unopposed:

• John Gibbons
• Helen Howard Jones
• Lisa Shafe
  
  

Special Resolution

BSAC Council had put forward a special resolution regarding changes to the club's Articles of Association (AoA). The changes were voted through, with 608 for, 26 against and 420 directing Council members to act as they see fit.