Simon Rogerson stories on BSAC’s 71st Annual Common Assembly, which was held on-line on Wednesday twenty fifth June 2025.
BSAC’s Annual Common Assembly for 2025 noticed the membership shifting into a brand new part, implementing a recent technique and embracing innovation. It was the ultimate AGM chaired by Edward Haynes, whereas his successor Andrew Shenstone served as outgoing Honorary Secretary. The AGM, held on the Microsoft Groups platform, touched on many elements of membership life. Whereas coaching and member engagement is on the up, the Honorary Treasurer’s Report struck a notice of warning, urging the membership to shore up its balances.
Chair’s Report
Having opened with a video montage of BSAC snorkelling and diving, outgoing Chair Edward Haynes highlighted a number of the membership’s latest actions.
We at the moment are within the first 12 months of the 2025-2029 Technique, by which the membership’s standpoint on environmental points is coming to the fore, alongside an more and more modular strategy to coaching and programs. These are set by BSAC’s Council, who met six instances final 12 months and included the brand new Impartial Non-Government Administrators, Alistair Dickson and Caroline Royale.
Edward talked about the profitable return of the Dive Convention, which passed off on the Birmingham NEC and noticed the primary public outing of the Two Sophies – Nationwide Diving Supply Sophie Rennie and Head of Diving and Coaching Sophie Heptonstall. This partnership has seen the coaching gurus collaborating in reside feeds and a daily web page in SCUBA journal.
BSAC exercise prolonged into the Go Diving present in March, the place the membership’s conventional Awards have been made on the UK stage.
Edward summarised the actions of BSAC Worldwide. A brand new licensing settlement has been agreed with BSAC Korea, however the membership has withdrawn from the liveaboard side of BSAC Egypt, because of latest security considerations in that sector.
With regard to its environmental exercise, the membership has joined the Clear Water Sports activities Alliance, additionally collaborating in a excessive profile march to Westminster in November final 12 months. BSAC can also be selling Movement for the Ocean, a mannequin declaration to assist native governments recognise the ocean’s position in local weather regulation.
MyBSAC – Sport 80
Edward’s presentation included element on the newly appointed provider for the MyBSAC portal, by which members handle their very own membership. Sport 80 is the main expertise provider on this space, supporting greater than 80 governing our bodies.
The hope is that this transfer will improve the MyBSAC expertise, with enhancements to digital membership and qualification playing cards, direct medical data and data of ‘different company’ {qualifications}. Members will have the ability to handle recurring funds by way of the app, in addition to getting access to a extra streamlined file of their very own membership.
For golf equipment, the administration of their members may also grow to be simpler, because of a raft of recent options. These embody registering new divers and managing membership levy schemes, in addition to choices for speedier direct debit assortment. One other new characteristic for golf equipment can be ‘good lists’, the place Department Officers can organize lists of members based mostly on diver grade and membership standing.
Technique Replace
Vice Chair Yasmine Thorn spearheads the membership’s Technique, aimed toward stabilising, rising and evolving BSAC and its actions. The main focus this 12 months is on rising the membership’s capability to coach, on the identical time growing member worth and engagement. Trying to future generations, BSAC desires to enhance entry to snorkelling and diving, attracting new folks and serving to to guard our waters. Key initiatives addressing these goals have been the expansion in Regional and Teacher Coaching Scheme occasions, with the benefits of pre-learning.
Yasmine stated the upgrades to MyBSAC would carry expertise updated, liberating up time for initiatives that may carry additional worth to members.
Echoing Edward’s ideas on BSAC’s environmental position, she highlighted the significance of joint ventures just like the Clear Water Sports activities Alliance, working with companions to foyer for cover.
BSAC is simply midway by the primary 12 months of the technique, however membership stays the precedence. “We’re nonetheless laying the foundations to allow the expansion we have to see within the coming years,” Yasmine concluded.
Honorary Treasurer’s Report
Richard Pettifer delivered an account of BSAC’s working efficiency, which was additionally summarised within the July/August problem of SCUBA journal. Whereas revenue and bills have been finely balanced, there was an ‘distinctive inventory write-off’, a essential measure accounting for £39,100 and contributing to a web deficit transferred to the reserves of £38,500.
Whereas noting that BSAC’s revenue has elevated, subscription revenue is basically flat and the Stability Sheet has decreased from £446,963 to £333,900.
Total, 2024 was a major enchancment on latest years, Richard stated, however money and reserves are near 10-year lows. BSAC should ship on the initiatives set out within the different stories to attain a greater monetary return from its property.
Nationwide Diving Officer’s Report
Sophie Rennie delivered her first Nationwide Diving Officer’s report, setting out the aim and construction of the Nationwide Diving Committee. Her first 12 months within the position has seen a raft of recent concepts, together with the Two Sophies idea and an increase in common communications with members.
It’s been a powerful 12 months for diving exercise, with expeditions, coaching occasions and exercise on marine heritage. A evaluate of Superior Diver is underway, course and examination papers, plus a possible change of the grade’s title.
Sophie stated that Teacher Coaching is vital to the supply and success of the Diver Coaching Programme; the previous 12 months noticed the qualification of 192 new Instructors, 18 Superior Instructors and three Nationwide Instructors.
Upholding BSAC’s security requirements stays a precedence, with a brand new Mission Information Group established to tell the Incidents Report and assist the membership promote protected diving recommendation in its position as Nationwide Governing physique. BSAC has additionally been busy lobbying for England’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Centres, following the controversial announcement that solely three of six current hyperbaric contracts are being renewed.
Snorkelling is an space near Sophie’s coronary heart. BSAC coaching has been used to facilitate seagrass rewilding and different environmental initiatives, whereas the Snorkel Information Ability Growth Course now has an teacher handbook. “Total, it’s a holistic strategy aimed toward leisure, expeditionary and research-based snorkelling,” she stated.
Sophie concluded with an intensive thanks record mentioning HQ workers, NDC and undertaking members.
Election outcomes and motions
- Andrew Shenstone was elected Chair with 850 votes
- Michelle Haywood was elected to the vacant Council Member seat, with 709 votes
- An abnormal decision was handed to nominate and set remuneration of the auditors, Johnstone Howell & Co.
Ultimate phrases
Edward Haynes concluded the assembly – and his tenure as Chair – by thanking delegates for his or her attendance. A BSAC volunteer par excellence, his remaining message was a hope that they are going to all be in contact because the membership continues to maneuver ahead.
