News from Caversham Park Aquanauts (CPA) the friendliest scuba diving club in Reading.

AGM UPDATE 2008

Much of the AGM was taken up this year with discussions around the financial crisis we found ourselves in at the beginning of 2008. Options were put to the club including combining our pool and lecture night with another local dive club, to save the major regular monthly expenses involved in keeping a pool venue.

David Jerram went along on a Thursday to meet with Roger Gotobed at Hydrodive to discuss the potential for pool sharing, which resulted in a positive dialogue and a route forward.

However, at the AGM discussions centred around the impact that a combined pool sharing night might have, including loosing our identity and the flexibility to train more people.

The following action points were decided upon:

Steve Howes: Obtain a financial projection based on an increased subsctription.

Dave Jerram: Speak to Roger from Hydrodive again about shared pool use to confirm exact details and rules.

Andy Hepburn: approach the school and see if they would consider a reduction in the current pool fees.

Our efforts came to a grinding halt shortly after the AGM when Hydrodive surprisingly went into receivership. Andy Hepburn has managed to speak to Crosfields school about reduced pool fee’s – but was knocked back by the Bursar who kindly but firmly pointed out that their heating and management costs are more likely to increase than reduce - and this means that CPA will not be in a position to gain any reduction in monthly costs.

The committee are actively investigating more methods of fund raising and reductions in regular costs – and this has included bringing the Tornado back to David Jerram’s home for winter storage, saving the club over £400.00.