Hi All

You may be aware that I've been playing with the emailer in an attempt to reduce the number of messages that are eaten by spam filters.  I've had some success but in order to improve things further, I've got a couple of tips:

• If you want to be sure of receiving messages, please add noreply@octagondivers.org to your own email contact list (or spam allow-list or whatever you may have).  All emails now come from this address.
• If you are writing an email to send, avoid writing the subject line in capitals as this increases the likelihood of it ending up being filtered.
• All sent emails can be found on the octagon site under "email history"

Another thing to note is that if you send out a message, you will no longer receive any bounce-back messages - but I don't suppose anyone will miss them!

I'll put a copy of this message on the news section of the site for reference and for people who have very hungry spam filters and may not see this!

Cheers

Mark

Hello all,

Re: EGM

I am calling an EGM on Wednesday 6th May to discuss and vote on a proposed increase in club fees. The emailed attachment briefly explains the reasons why the committee feels an increase is needed.

The meeting will be at 10pm at the Pheasant, after the pool.

While we are together I would also like us to talk about the 'do' we have planned for August 15th. Is this what you want and, if not, what would you prefer?

We need to get an idea of how many people are hoping to attend so that we can go ahead with planning.

Please do try to come to the meeting or contact me or any other committee member to let us know your views.

With thanks,

Rosy.

This has been booked for Saturday 15th August 2009. Full details including ticket prices will be announced later on.

In the meantime please put the date in your diary. We really would like to see every single member of the branch there on the night.

We intend to invite as many ex-members as we can, so if you have the address or contact details of any ex-members please pass them on to Karen.

The branch holiday is to Malta, sometime next September. It’s a great destination for families as well as offering fantastic diving. For this too, we would like to get as many members there as possible.

Don’t forget you can save in the club account.

For more information, contact Andy.

We don’t have an expeditions’ officer this year but the advanced diver students are all going to plan trips of one sort of another, so there will be some organised branch trips.

You can help!!

Why not organise a trip yourselves? If you fancy going to St. Abbs or Plymouth (or anywhere else), consider planning a trip with other members in mind too.

Don’t forget we have a club boat and several willing (?) boat handlers and coxes. Why not book a hard boat and take a group of 10 or 12?

If you are planning a trip please let Andy know so that he can coordinate dates.

From BSAC (might be worth considering...)

"DIVE magazine is pleased to announce the launch of a series of events beginning in 2009 with the DIVE Fest - Party on the Beach, which takes place 15th to the 17th May 2009 at Pentewan Sands in Cornwall, with the support of BSAC. At this
festival of diving, visitors will be able to go diving either with their own clubs and branches or through an on-site provider, they will also be able to view and try out new kit, attend seminars and hear speakers, but most of all get together with other divers for a weekend of partying and diving. The weekend's highlight will be a beachside party with a band, bonfire and hog roast. DIVE and BSAC will be releasing ticketing information within the next few weeks, but please support what is going to be a fantastic diving event and put these dates in your diaries now."