Setting up a branch

[CHAINSWORTH]

I've had a good search of the web site but couldn't seem to find the information i'm after...

How do I and a few friends go about setting up our own branch?

There are about 6 of us, We are all currently members of our old university club but having graduated a few years back, we are finding that we dive with the club less and less each year, usually booking places on hardboats privately.

A benefit of staying with the uni club has been renewing our BSAC membership but it would be far more convenient if we could organise this amongst ourselves (without paying the 10quid supplement to BSAC Direct).

Can anybody set up a branch? I remember hearing somewhere that a minimum number of people were required. What is the minimum number? Do all the founders have to be qualified divers or can those of us that are qualified instructors train them? What are the requirements / restrictions? Do we need to obtain approval from anybody? Is this information provided on the BSAC website? If not why not?

[edward haynes]

I've had a good search of the web site but couldn't seem to find the information i'm after...

No. When the next edition of the Branch Officers Handbook is released it will be on the Web.


How do I and a few friends go about setting up our own branch?

There are about 6 of us, We are all currently members of our old university club but having graduated a few years back, we are finding that we dive with the club less and less each year, usually booking places on hardboats privately.

You need 2 more friends as the min is 8. One must be an instructor (if not BSAC, then the Area Coach can advise on convertion).


A benefit of staying with the uni club has been renewing our BSAC membership but it would be far more convenient if we could organise this amongst ourselves (without paying the 10quid supplement to BSAC Direct).

Can anybody set up a branch?

Yes.

I remember hearing somewhere that a minimum number of people were required. What is the minimum number? Do all the founders have to be qualified divers or can those of us that are qualified instructors train them? What are the requirements / restrictions? Do we need to obtain approval from anybody? Is this information provided on the BSAC website? If not why not?

See my answers above.

Also you have mail.

Edward

[CHAINSWORTH]

Edward,

Thank you very much for your speedy reply. Very much appreciated.

The information in your mail mentions we need to get a reccomendation from our BSAC regional coach. Given that we will have three BSAC NQIs amongst the founding members Is this likely to be a formality? What will the regional coach be looking for? Or, to put it another way under what circumstances might he/she not reccomend us?

I ask as we are not intending to form a conventional branch in so as far as we won't have regular pool sessions or a particularly active recruitment campaign. Would this count against us?

Charlie

[martin davies]

I wouldn't have thought so.

There's a similar branch in the West Midlands called Bahar which (if you take a look at their web site - link below) sounds a little similar to what you are doing eg

".....Membership is small at around 20 and spread throughout the UK so the branch does not have a regular pool session, this has the benefit of keeping membership fees to a minimum......."

and

"....The club does not do regular basic training due to the spread of members, on occasions when we have carried out basic training we have hired a pool for a weekend and run a concentrated course....."

Hope this helps


Martin

[edward haynes]

Charlie

No it shouldn't, there are a number of Branches that do not supply training or even own a boat, but still go diving.

After all that's what its all about.

Edward