Greetings All Members New and Old!

It’s that time of year when we at the Caloosa Dive Club start to shift some of our attentions to the topside activities that hold us together in the chillier months.
 
And this year, we have another great schedule of events! Before we get to that let’s talk a bit about how we have taken some of the best things from years past and remixed them with some new ideas: Our Dive Director is once again the more than capable Brian Chouiniere. Under his care and management the upcoming Dive season promises more dives, different types of diving, and some new destinations. These include one or two dives geared more towards the advanced diver. The less adventurous need not fear. We have also added some dives that favor those of us who may be gaining experience or just enjoy the relaxed pace of a slow shallow “in my comfort zone” dive. As always, there will be dives focused on Photography, dives aimed at Spearfishing, and dives with no particular purpose other than enjoying the wonders of the ocean.
 
Both the Spearfishing and Photography committees have new and exciting ideas and each will again host a dinner; a dinner not only for those participating in these activities, but for everyone who is interested in the end results of these specialties.
 
We are in the process of streamlining Chumlines into a newsletter format. This will allow some of the efforts formally devoted there to be used to help keep the website up to date, and packed full of news. Speaking of the website, our webmasters Gary and Cherri Wood, with Reggie Doyle’s help, are working double time to manage this new flow of information. The website will continue to be your best source of news about events past present and future. Now, better than ever, the website will allow you to download forms, view recent pictures, get reports on recent events and keep in touch with other members through the Members Forum section.
 
Guy Willin, (with Kitty’s help), has agreed to act as the “Dinner Director”, (a working title) Guy’s background in Food and Beverage along with his unlimited willingness to serve the club, will be an asset to us all. Guy’s role, similar to that of Dive Director will be to coordinate, manage, and in general oversee the smooth operation of most of the dinners we have throughout the year. Not to do ALL the work, but to help those who have volunteered to host a dinner. Or if you just want to help with a dinner or event, he is the man to see! While we are on the topic of dining, Brian C will be running the Crab Claw Outing in February, Lynnan Chouiniere as already starting to plan the October 2009 Banquet/Award Dinner, and Janet Miller is hard at work on this years Christmas/Holiday Gala which is, as you might guess, in December!
 
Our treasurer, Carmella Donegan, has again managed to keep us in our happy little meeting place at the Yacht Club for another year. She has secured this with no price increase. That however is nothing in comparison to the way she continues to keep all the clubs monetary matters running smoothly and to the penny!
 
The Vice President, Treasurer and I want very much for the upcoming year to be the best year ever for the Caloosa Dive Club. We want every member, new and old, to voice opinions and ideas. We will work hard to be available and accessible for this. We encourage everyone to get involved, participate, and become a bigger part of the club. We consider ourselves stewards of YOUR club.
 
Thanks
Todd Welle
President