OUC 2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2008
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...... Page 2
Initial AGM Notice ...... Page 3
Agenda...... Page 4
OUC Board Reports ...... Page 5-10
Nomination To The OUC Board Of Directors ...... Page 11-12
OUC Board of Director Election Information &
Position Responsibilities ...... Page 13-16
Nomination to the Ontario Underwater Council ...... Page 17-18
Club Participation ...... Page 19-20
Delegate & Member Registration Form ...... Page 21
Notice of Motion Form ...... Page 22
Voting Proxy Form ...... Page 23
Ontario Underwater Council – Awards ...... Page 24-25
2007 AGM Minute ...... Page 26-30
OUC Bylaws ...... Page 31
INITIAL AGM NOTICE
Dear O.U.C. Member Club, Commercial Members, & Gold Members;
Please find enclosed important information pertaining to our upcoming 2008 Annual General Meeting. This year the Annual General Meeting will be held SUNDAY, November 16th, 2008 from 11:00am at the Sport Alliance of Ontario building 1185 Eglinton Ave East, Toronto (café).
This will be an excellent time to bring together OUC membership, represented by "voting delegates", to discuss Council policy, review the year's performance and to provide Board of Directors with a mandate for the upcoming year.
Contained in this Annual General Meeting Kit, you will find all of the necessary documents that you will require for your participation in this meeting. Please complete and return the enclosed information requests and be sure to assign a worthy candidate to attend the meeting and represent your club. Please make sure that your forms are sent in prior to that date.
THE FOLLOWING STEPS WILL HELP TO PREPARE YOU FOR THE MEETING:
1.Clubs - Choose (1) Delegate and (1-2) Observers to represent your club and register them on the enclosed registration form.
2.Enclose proxies from your gold members if they are not attending in person.
3.Decide if there are any motions to be made regarding the Council's Bylaws or policies and submit them prior to the A.G.M.
4.Submit your nominations for Board positions which are vacant and up for election.
5.If your club cannot attend, arrange for another club or Gold Member to vote on your behalf by completing and returning the enclosed VOTING BY PROXY form.
6.Submit your nominations for each of the categories of awards outlined on the enclosed forms.
After reviewing the contents of this A.G.M. Kit, please feel free to contact our office if you require further clarification of your responsibilities. Please note that the Annual Report and Financial Report will be enclosed in a follow-up mailing.
As a Member of the Ontario Underwater Council, we certainly hope that you will use this opportunity to direct the future goals of the Council on behalf of Ontario divers. We look forward to meeting with you and receiving your club's input!
NOTE: After the 2008 OUC AGM, all attendees are invited to attend a wine & cheese reception to celebrate OUC’s 50th Anniversary year. The reception will be in support of OUC’s “Aviva Barth Memorial Progam” (ABMP) to educate Boaters and Divers of the importance of the “Scuba Diver Below” flag.
All attendees to the reception are requested to make a $20 donation to the ABMP AND bring a select few of their oldest and most interesting pieces of scuba memorabilia (photos, equipment, magazines, newsletters, etc.) for display during the reception
Board of Directors,
Ontario Underwater Council
ONTARIO UNDERWATER COUNCIL
2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AGENDA
Dear OUC-Member Scuba Club:
This year there will be 2 seminars of high interest to you immediately prior to the AGM.
They will be as follows:
9:00 - 9:45 "Scuba Diver Attitude and Culture in Ontario”
Years of experience and observation distilled into gripping and thought-provoking conclusions.
Presentor: Dave Noble, OUC Director of Sport Safety.
9:55 – 10:40 "To fill or not to fill, that is the question”
An in-depth look into the controversy surrounding aluminum alloy 6351 scuba cylinders and “sustained load cracking”
Presentor: Raimund Krob, OUC President.
10:40 – 11:00 Registration of AGM Delegates
11:00 – 12:00 OUC Annual General Meeting
12:30 – 2:30 OUC 50th Anniversary Wine & Cheese reception in support of the Aviva Barth Memorial Program (ABMP) OUC’s initiative to educate Boaters and Divers of the importance of the Scuba Diver Below flag.
All 50th Anniversary Reception attendees are requested to:
- make a $20 p/p donation to the Aviva Barth Memorial Program,
AND - bring a few select pieces of their oldest and most interesting scuba memorabilia for display during the reception.
ONTARIO UNDERWATER COUNCIL
2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
BOARD MEMBER
REPORTS
1
President’s Report:
In 2008, OUC’s 50th anniversary year, most of my time and energies were focused on leading and coaching the members of the OUC team, helping them grow into their roles, and supporting them whenever and wherever needed. Along with my team I reached out to the Ontario Scuba Community (both OUC Member, and not-yet-OUC Member) in a very significant way, with nearly two dozen presentations given to Scuba Retailers, Clubs, and thousands of Divers all across the province, helping spread the word about our #1 priority, sport safety, and the many other programs OUC operates. Along the way, I also served as chair of the 2008 OUC Ice Floe Race, coordinated OUC’s presence at Scuba World 2008, and chaired OUC’s monthly Board Meetings
Going forward into 2009, my priorities will be to sustain all the advances and progress made thus far, and to continue to attract and retain talented and enthusiastic players to the OUC team. Additionally, I plan on working with my fellow OUC team members to develop an irresistible value proposition for individual divers and to further strengthen OUC’s Canadian Air Purity Inspection Program.
Yours in safe and enjoyable scuba diving,
Raimund J. Krob
President
Ontario Underwater Council
Sport Safety Director’s Report:
Accomplishments in the past year
- Maintained the Scuba Incident Report for 2008.
- Followed up with Coroners' offices as necessary
- Followed up with various police departments as appropriate
- Attended a memorial dive as an OUC representative
- Reviewed Club Dive submissions and provided feedback as appropriate
- Continued promotion of the Aviva Barth Memorial Program
- Implemented a Sponsorship program to promoted signage
- Currently have orders in process for 17 signs across Ontario
- Provided input to the OUC newsletter
- Attended OUC Directors meetings either in person or via conference call or provided a report if unable to attend
- Presented the Review and Recommendations of the Chippawa Creek (Welland River) Accident to various dive organizations and clubs across Ontario
- Met with various store owners and clubs representing the Safety portfolio
- Attended numerous dive functions and staffed OUC booths/tables
- Assisted in reviewing the CAPIP (Canadian Air Purity Inspection Program) Ministry of Labour report
- Assisted in reviewing status and pricing of CAPIP
- Attended a meeting with CAPIP customer to support collections
- Revised the Dive Ontario Directory (including Shipwreck Directory) to allow it to automatically refresh the end-users’ overlay whenever it is updated. This includes a redesign of the Dive Ontario webpage (awaiting implementation)
- Provided feedback and suggestions to other members of the OUC board and Regional co-ordinators
- Developed a rapport with other members of the dive community and provided support where appropriate
Plans for the coming year
- Not standing for re-election
- Provide a smooth transition to new Director of Safety
- Will continue to contribute to in the capacity of Coordinator for OUC’s Ontario Shipwreck & Shore Dive Directory.
Yours in safe and enjoyable scuba diving,
Dave Noble
Sport Safety Director
Ontario Underwater Council
Membership Director’s Report:
Being my first year with OUC and holding a position such as this one has been quite the experience. I have learned and appreciated how much hard work goes into keeping the scuba community together and educated. This year I have helped out at Scuba World as both an OUC representative and Ajax Scuba club rep, as well as co-chaired the Ice Floe Race and acted as team captain for ASC in March. During the course of the year, we have re-vamped and updated the Membership website on OUC. As well as updated the membership forms to show more fluidity and consistency between the three categories of membership.
For my next term, I will continue to recruit current and past members to re-join OUC, as well as recruit not-yet-OUC members so we can grow and unite as a community. Also, I would like to develop more added benefits for the individual divers, and a more consistent procedure/routine for renewing memberships.
Yours in safe and enjoyable scuba diving
Karen Theriault
Membership Director
Ontario Underwater Council
Communications Director’s Report:
This year has been a great year for the OUC from a communications point of view. We published 4 newsletters that received great reviews from our membership. We also began restructuring the newsletter and renaming it Ontario Diver. Over the coming months new issues will be published outlining all the great dive events and opportunities available to OUC members and divers around Ontario.
I am looking forward to a great 2009 and all OUC members and members of the greater Ontario Scuba Community to contact me with ideas about what you would like to see in future newsletter in the future.
Yours in safe and enjoyable scuba diving,
David Black
Director of Communications
Ontario Underwater Council
Finance Director’s Report:
Being my first year it took some time to become reasonably conversant with the accounting system of OUC. During the course of this process we realized that the banking arrangements could be improved and this was done. We also continued to work on the accounts receivable which has long been a problematic area.
For my next term I will continue to monitor the accounts looking for improvements and watching for trends that might hurt us. In particular I will work to have the office modify the reporting system so that the financial state of the air test programme and the Club insurance programme can be individually monitored during the year.
Yours in safe and enjoyable scuba diving,
David Taylor
Director of Finance
Ontario Underwater Council
Regional Coordinators’ Reports:
Ontario East II, Tom Miller (position open for election at 2008 AGM, standing)
Most people in our organization do not know me as I live at quite the eastern-most border of our province.
Close to the Quebec border yet only minutes away from the St-Lawrence River.
I spend a lot of time diving the Seaway and along with it the 1000 islands.
Rather than itemizing what I have done for the OUC and diving, I prefer to always look ahead and plan and speculate on what could be done in the future. Most of the effort I have put in this year has not impacted any one individual but rather I hope it has helped buoy up our whole organization.
My first year as a regional coordinator has flown by at the speed of an over pressurized burst disk. I started off wondering what to do and ended up with having to make choices of where best to use my time. From the endless conversations I have had engaging people over the hot topics of the day to listening to the complaints and accolades passed on, the diving world like the river itself never stops flowing.
Impromptu forums about insurance, dive events, high price of gas "not breathing gas" and the cost of diving are just some of the topics constantly bantered about. As any diver knows we all love to talk. I feel this is one of the most important bits of business. Getting the facts out whenever possible about whatever the topic. Looking forward to next year is just like looking forward to my next dive, with passion and desire and for the love of the sport I will continue onward.
Yours in safe & enjoyable scuba diving,
Tom Miller
OUC Regional Coordinator
Ontario East 2
Ontario East I & Central-East, Joe Sildiryan (position open for election at 2008 AGM, standing)
I am currently representing two regions, Ontario Central-East, and Ontario East 1. My first year as OUC Regional Coordinator, learning and at the same time working with the Dive Clubs and Dive Shops in my area, was rewarding and fun. With a little bit of initial assistance and coaching I was able to present OUC’s investigation into the Niagara River incident, and the resulting recommendations dive clubs in my region. I helped out at the Outdoor show with the OUC booth. And I visited area shops and talked to charter operators and listened to their concerns, and brought them back to the Board to address. The more I did, the more comfortable I got at it. I enjoy serving the scuba community and being a part of the OUC team. I will be standing for my position and would welcome a partner to share the load in 2009.
Yours in safe & enjoyable scuba diving,
Joe Sildiryan
OUC Regional Coordinator,
Ontario Central-East & East 1
Ontario South, Elaine Elliott (position open for election at 2008 AGM, not standing)
The past year as OUC rep has allowed me to meet many divers from my area and outside of it by participating in a few of OUC events and other club events. At the Scuba World Show I helped as OUC rep and with my home club, Barrascuba in the tank. The Ice Floe Race as a team captain, proved a lot of fun for our group and I believe everyone involved. I have also enjoyed a new-found partnership with the EUC, and have taken part in a few of their diving events. The past two years with the OUC has given me a real good appreciation for all of the hard work that is needed to keep the scuba community well educated and safe. Even though I am not going to be a part of the OUC as a rep in the future, I will continue to be an advocate for the OUC and diver safety and training in general.
Yours in safe & enjoyable scuba diving,
Elaine Elliott
OUC Regional Coordinator
Ontario South
Ontario South-West, Mike Napran (position open for election at 2008 AGM, standing)
As a regional coordinator I was able to keep the divers in our area informed on any news in the dive community. Items such as the incident in the Niagara River, the proposed sinking of the Terra Nova, and learning about dive conditions across the province from other coordinators are all information that the divers in our area have learned about because of my position as a regional coordinator. It is great to be able to set the record straight and dispel rumours about issues such as these.
One of my goals for 2009 is to welcome more divers to see the Sturgeon in the St. Clair River in the spring. I hope my past article on the Sturgeon will create interest in our area and draw more divers from other areas of the province. The St. Clair River is a great place to dive and I love being able to share the experience with other divers.
Yours in safe & enjoyable scuba diving,
Michael Napran
OUC Regional Coordinator
Ontario South-West
Ontario Central-West, Michael Krznaric (position open for election at 2008 AGM, not standing)
Report not received
Ontario North, Jackson Young (position open for election at 2008 AGM, not standing)
Report not received
Ontario North-West, Troy Hebert (position open for election at 2008 AGM, standing)
Report not received
ONTARIO UNDERWATER COUNCIL
2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOMINATION TO THE
ONTARIO UNDERWATER COUNCIL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dear OUC Member Scuba Club:
In addition to the normal Board of Director openings and the normal Regional Coordinator openings, for 2009, THIS YEAR WE ARE ALSO ASKING EVERY OUC MEMBER SCUBA CLUB TO APPOINT A CLUB REPRESENTATIVE (see following nomination / appointment form).
Note that if your Club already has someone serving the OUC for the 2008 AGM -2009 AGM time period, then you do not have to nominate a 2nd person (but please feel free to do so if you have a strong, passionate, and dedicated candidate!).
The regular positions available are:
On the Board of Directors (Staggered 2-year Terms of Office):
- Director of Sport Safety, Club and /or Board nominated, Membership approved, Incumbent Dave Noble not standing for re-election.
- Director of Finance. Club and /or Board nominated, Membership approved.
Incumbent David W. Taylor standing for re-election.
On the Regional Coordinator Team (all 1-year Terms of Office):
- Regional Coordinator Ontario East 2 (Brockville, Cornwall, Ottawa),
Position nominated and elected by East II Voting Members.
Incumbent Tom Miller standing for re-election.
- Regional Coordinator Ontario East 1 (Kingston, Peterborough, Belleville)