Howdy,

I hope you are all ready for the new dive season. It'll start before you know it. So get your gear serviced and inspected while it is still cold and wet outside. I don't want to hear anything like, "I'd love to go with y'all this weekend but my gear needs to be serviced," or "My hose has a leak, I can't come dive with you this weekend." So be sure to get your gear checked once a year, and preferably before the dive season starts.

Last year I like to say we were diving somewhere 3 out of 4 weekends a month from May to September. The only negative to diving that much is that your chores list never quite gets done!

This year our first dive is planned for March. Blue Lagoon Camp out and optional dive Come join me and dive that weekend. It'll be cold, but clear...

Our next dive after that is scheduled for April at Clear Springs. Clear Springs camping. Mark loved this place last year when it was 10 ft viz; This year we are going much earlier, before the plants bloom. So the viz should be much better. (I do have to say there is something about swimming through a shark end to end.

Some of the dives that are being talked about right now, but not scheduled are:
Flower Gardens in March (Hammerheads)
Flower Gardens in July (Like last year)
Flower Gardens during coral spawning.
Florida Keys trip.
Carribean trip in late summer.
Carribean trip in November or December.
Aquarena Springs for scientific diver.
Trash fest again.
Huge number of local dives. (For those who just want to get wet. :D )

If there is a place you'd like to dive locally, let us know, we all love trying new places. If there is a bigger trip you want to take and would like to schedule through our site, fill free. We have a bunch of good assistant organizers from last year, but there is always room for more to stand up and help.

Also remember we have a social the 2nd Wednesday of every month where you can come hang out and drink with us. It is a good chance for you to meet us before you come out to dive with us. I am also considering an occasional Saturday or Sunday social on those weekends we aren't diving once the season starts up.

Money 2009: (We started taking dues late in the season.)
* Any member who paid dues last year, will not be asked to pay this year due to the late season start of dues.
* To come to social meetings or use our site doesn't require, but we appreciate, dues.
* If you come to a dive event during the year it is expected that you will pay dues before you come to another.
* Why should you pay dues? A) The Meetup site costs us $144 a year. B) We really could use a banner made up before the dive season gets serious. (April)

Cash In:
10 people paid their dues for a total of $144.08
7 people paid their share for Trash Fest for a total of $39.71

Cash out:
Meetup site fee (6 months) $72.00
Website registration (domain name) $35.32
Trash Fest registration $40.00
Petty Cash book for receipts $6.49

Total money in: $183.79
Total money out: $153.81
Net: $29.98

Analysis:
* We need 3 more people to pay dues to make the April meetup fees date.
* We need another 5 people to pay dues to make the October meetup fees date.
* We need another 6 people to pay dues to buy a banner and no one having to pocket the expense.
* We need another 3 people to pay dues so we can pay the trash fest fees when necessary (and event fees will put that money back in meetup wallet.)
* etc. If we come out of the year with a good amt of money in the group, we will lower dues next year.


Now with all that out of the way, I hope to see all of you this year, and have a better dive season then last year.

Regards,
Kevin

PS. If there is someone who wants to dive this weekend or next, let me know, and I will find somewhere for us to dive locally. (I have new equipment to play with.) :)

Hey...we learned at Trash Fest that there is a Trash Fest in Austin! We should put this one on too!!

Shawn