BSAC election 2020

[Spindrift]

I know its not Friday, but it's that time of year again!

Just had notification of the BSAC election come through:
https://www.bsac.com/news-and-blog/b...2020-revealed/

Not seen any other posts so far this year about it and I know at least one of them is on here - any of the other candidates want to add anything to their CV's to assist in deciding who to vote for?! Not massively inspired by some of the candidates statements; if you can barely write two lines to put forwards your case, it doesn't really look like a good start.

Anyway, not sure if I've lit the blue touch paper, or if this will die an instant death, but lets see...

[Eddie Clamp]

Got my invite to vote too. Not going to vote due to apathy :-) Member since 1970 and although my direct debit for membership gone through for this year considering cancellation for next year.

No copy of Scuba diver for this month either so must have gone online only too. Not that I find it of much interest these days :-)

[Vanny]

Yes mag gone on line. Big mistake imho.

[SoggyBottoms]

subscription price should come down £10 for no hard copy jazzmag

[dwhitlow]

subscription price should come down £10 for no hard copy jazzmag

In view of the advice to not dive it seems fair to assume anyone who did dive would be outside 'safe diving'. Therefore, such diving would be outside BSAC third part insurance cover. Does anyone know if BSAC negotiated a reduction, or deferral, of premiums to reflect this reduction in potential liability and which can be reflected in some benefit to the members?

[bubbleless]

Not according to this...

https://www.bsac.com/membership/member-benefits/scuba/

[Edward3c]

Got my invite to vote too. Not going to vote due to apathy :-)No copy of Scuba diver for this month either so must have gone online only too. Not that I find it of much interest these days :-)

BSAC did announce the magazine was going digital for a few months. Two reasons, 1. reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission through postal services, 2. there had been a reduction in companies advertising.

I received an email asking to update my iScuba preferences in MyBSAC Account.

[F.P.]

I had the eMail about Scuba which I viewed with disappointment. Can't say I read every word but do (did) always find most of the mag interesting.

I know there has been some people wishing to see the mag go on-line but for my part I very much doubt I'll do more than a quick glance at the on-line mag - the final 8 years of last employer went 'paperless' and expected us to read documents, work related magazines and the like from a screen; most of the company employees either printed out the stuff they thought relevant or just didn't bother.
Maybe if the recipient has an 'iPad' or similar then more of the mag's may be read but for people like me without such toys on the whole it will just be ignored.

[JasminNeedsGills]

Online voting worked fine for me. Put in my two cents worth.

As far as SCUBA is concerned, my understanding is that the online-only move is temporary due to Covid, and they intend to return to print in future, though there does seem to be a push to go online only. I think that would be a waste of opportunity. The magazine is a tangible thing that members get, and taking stuff away from members without a reduction is subs isn't exactly smart. Also, I think Scuba (the mag) is an under-utilised resource for BSAC itself. It could be used far more than it is to spread awareness about BSAC, raise interest in the sport and bring in new members. It's online presence could be expanded and modernised to good effect, and getting it into some newsagents magazine sections could attract new readership and lead people to our clubs.

On that note I'm not convinced about digital only Q-cards either. I can see this being an issue rocking up to an out of the way dive centre where they don't deal with BSAC divers regularly.

"Trimix and the 60m wreck? Yeah, we're gonna to need to a see a cert card for that"

"Well, I don't really have a Q-card as such.... but, there's an app!"

"Yeah.... nah"

I think there's a bit of little englander thinking there, that everyone knows BSAC. In the UK absolutely I don't think it'd be a problem. In Cyprus, Malta and the Red Sea it'd probably be fine too. In Palau or French Polynesia? I wouldn't bet on it.

[Swifty]

I don't get the issue with using an app or website for Q-carda.

PADI, SSI, SDI all have apps or a online page for you Q-cards others probably do that's just off the top of my head. It's much more common now.

A webpage is not ideal incase you don't have internet access, but a app with them in would be fine with me. I prefer not to have and carry a load plastic cards with me.

As for the magazine going online, I'd prefer to lower my subscription to BSAC a little bit to offer the cost of not getting a paper copy, but I'm also aware bulk printing and shipping is a small cost when making a magazine.