End of the Amigos

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John G Zelina

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Nov 7, 2025, 10:01:23 PM11/7/25
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It is with great sadness that I have to write this email. After some discussion with the current officers and a few other members, it has been decided not to continue the Aqua Amigos as an official entity. It is with hope we can continue as a group of friends with a common interest. So everyone knows the Christmas party is still happening. That being said, the issue at hand is what to do with the treasury. I do not have the actual figures on hand, but it is the $5000.00 area. We would like to have this issue resolve by the end of this year as there is still an officers group in place. The suggestions so far have been: donate the treasury to a SCUBA friendly group( MAST) has been mentioned, as this is in line with out mission statement, and is the easiest book keeping wise. Divide the funds amongst the members in good standing, that is problematic tax wise, and is only a few people. No you cant pay dues now they will not be accepted. Lastly have a party for the group. Again since so few people have been active in the group this would be a limited group.
We have not had an actual quorum at a meeting in several years. Going by "Roberts rules" this leaves the discretion up to the officers. Which is why this needs to be done this year. I would like to hear opinions on what is to be done. There is a meeting coming up at Pickles and Pints Tuesday at 7:00 pm. You may also reply to this email. I would really appreciate club input on the matter. As was mentioned before club participation has been such that keeping the club as an entity no longer makes sense. Again the Christmas party is still happening and by be the last official gathering.

Mary Cothran

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Nov 7, 2025, 10:52:35 PM11/7/25
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Hi, John,

This makes me so sad. I just loved diving with your group at Olympus. I'll be in Bonaire with my daughter from December 5-15th if the airlines are flying and the US doesn't go to war with Venezuela.  Trip insurance purchased & fingers crossed! 

If any of your group ever go to Morehead or trek on down to Florida or any other place (warm water diver here), I'd love to tag along if you'll have me.

 Please tell everyone at the Christmas party I said hello and feel free to disseminate my email and information below.

Cheers,

Mary K. Cothran, RN, MBA,  FACHE
President,  The MACO Group, LLC
(804) 513-0040

On Fri, Nov 7, 2025, 10:01 PM John G Zelina <eree...@gmail.com> wrote:
It is with great sadness that I have to write this email. After some discussion with the current officers and a few other members, it has been decided not to continue the Aqua Amigos as an official entity. It is with hope we can continue as a group of friends with a common interest. So everyone knows the Christmas party is still happening. That being said, the issue at hand is what to do with the treasury. I do not have the actual figures on hand, but it is the $5000.00 area. We would like to have this issue resolve by the end of this year as there is still an officers group in place. The suggestions so far have been: donate the treasury to a SCUBA friendly group( MAST) has been mentioned, as this is in line with out mission statement, and is the easiest book keeping wise. Divide the funds amongst the members in good standing, that is problematic tax wise, and is only a few people. No you cant pay dues now they will not be accepted. Lastly have a party for the group. Again since so few people have been active in the group this would be a limited group.
We have not had an actual quorum at a meeting in several years. Going by "Roberts rules" this leaves the discretion up to the officers. Which is why this needs to be done this year. I would like to hear opinions on what is to be done. There is a meeting coming up at Pickles and Pints Tuesday at 7:00 pm. You may also reply to this email. I would really appreciate club input on the matter. As was mentioned before club participation has been such that keeping the club as an entity no longer makes sense. Again the Christmas party is still happening and by be the last official gathering.

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Lisa Dular

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Nov 8, 2025, 6:57:40 AM11/8/25
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Thanks to the past and present officers for all they are doing and did over the years! 
I have very fond memories with Aqua Amigos.  I made some great friends through the club, did some wonderful dive trips, and participated in fun social events.
Wishing you all the best!
Lisa




On Fri, Nov 7, 2025, 10:01 PM John G Zelina <eree...@gmail.com> wrote:
It is with great sadness that I have to write this email. After some discussion with the current officers and a few other members, it has been decided not to continue the Aqua Amigos as an official entity. It is with hope we can continue as a group of friends with a common interest. So everyone knows the Christmas party is still happening. That being said, the issue at hand is what to do with the treasury. I do not have the actual figures on hand, but it is the $5000.00 area. We would like to have this issue resolve by the end of this year as there is still an officers group in place. The suggestions so far have been: donate the treasury to a SCUBA friendly group( MAST) has been mentioned, as this is in line with out mission statement, and is the easiest book keeping wise. Divide the funds amongst the members in good standing, that is problematic tax wise, and is only a few people. No you cant pay dues now they will not be accepted. Lastly have a party for the group. Again since so few people have been active in the group this would be a limited group.
We have not had an actual quorum at a meeting in several years. Going by "Roberts rules" this leaves the discretion up to the officers. Which is why this needs to be done this year. I would like to hear opinions on what is to be done. There is a meeting coming up at Pickles and Pints Tuesday at 7:00 pm. You may also reply to this email. I would really appreciate club input on the matter. As was mentioned before club participation has been such that keeping the club as an entity no longer makes sense. Again the Christmas party is still happening and by be the last official gathering.

--

Jason Frank

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Nov 8, 2025, 9:04:15 AM11/8/25
to aquaa...@googlegroups.com
This is a sad day for the Aqua Amigos. I have made many lifetime friends and memories that I will remember forever. Love you all!!

Jason K Frank

Anthony Piotrowski

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Nov 8, 2025, 9:45:59 AM11/8/25
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This is a bunch of BS. Take the 5K and go run bar tabs. Make it a Amigo's party and you will get divers interested. Stop being bumps on a log






On Friday, November 7, 2025 at 09:01:24 PM CST, John G Zelina <eree...@gmail.com> wrote:





It is with great sadness that I have to write this email. After some discussion with the current officers and a few other members, it has been decided not to continue the Aqua Amigos as an official entity. It is with hope we can continue as a group of friends with a common interest. So everyone knows the Christmas party is still happening. That being said, the issue at hand is what to do with the treasury. I do not have the actual figures on hand, but it is the $5000.00 area. We would like to have this issue resolve by the end of this year as there is still an officers group in place. The suggestions so far have been: donate the treasury to a SCUBA friendly group( MAST) has been mentioned, as this is in line with out mission statement, and is the easiest book keeping wise. Divide the funds amongst the members in good standing, that is problematic tax wise, and is only a few people. No you cant pay dues now they will not be accepted. Lastly have a party for the group. Again since so few people have been active in the group this would be a limited group.
We have not had an actual quorum at a meeting in several years. Going by "Roberts rules" this leaves the discretion up to the officers. Which is why this needs to be done this year. I would like to hear opinions on what is to be done. There is a meeting coming up at Pickles and Pints Tuesday at 7:00 pm. You may also reply to this email. I would really appreciate club input on the matter. As was mentioned before club participation has been such that keeping the club as an entity no longer makes sense. Again the Christmas party is still happening and by be the last official gathering.


Don Andree

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Nov 8, 2025, 10:21:20 AM11/8/25
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It's a sad day, but one that I unfortunately saw coming. Sorry that I wasn't around the last couple years, but medical issues have kept me grounded. Thanks to all the friends that I've met through the club. I hope to still see you down the line.

Don

On Friday, November 7, 2025 at 10:01:24 PM EST, John G Zelina <eree...@gmail.com> wrote:


It is with great sadness that I have to write this email. After some discussion with the current officers and a few other members, it has been decided not to continue the Aqua Amigos as an official entity. It is with hope we can continue as a group of friends with a common interest. So everyone knows the Christmas party is still happening. That being said, the issue at hand is what to do with the treasury. I do not have the actual figures on hand, but it is the $5000.00 area. We would like to have this issue resolve by the end of this year as there is still an officers group in place. The suggestions so far have been: donate the treasury to a SCUBA friendly group( MAST) has been mentioned, as this is in line with out mission statement, and is the easiest book keeping wise. Divide the funds amongst the members in good standing, that is problematic tax wise, and is only a few people. No you cant pay dues now they will not be accepted. Lastly have a party for the group. Again since so few people have been active in the group this would be a limited group.
We have not had an actual quorum at a meeting in several years. Going by "Roberts rules" this leaves the discretion up to the officers. Which is why this needs to be done this year. I would like to hear opinions on what is to be done. There is a meeting coming up at Pickles and Pints Tuesday at 7:00 pm. You may also reply to this email. I would really appreciate club input on the matter. As was mentioned before club participation has been such that keeping the club as an entity no longer makes sense. Again the Christmas party is still happening and by be the last official gathering.

--

Tony Frazer

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Nov 8, 2025, 11:20:02 AM11/8/25
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Hey, nothing to be sad about. We are all still friends, we can still get together, have parties, go diving, keep wearing our Amigos swag and calling ourselves the Aqua Amigos. 

The only thing that's going away is the business side of things like the by-laws, officers, treasury, meetings, DUES, etc. We no longer need these things to exist. Think of it as the next evolution of the club, not an end. 

We have all become true friends thanks to the club and that will never change.

If you haven't already got your Christmas banquet tickets, act now. Dont wait. 

Tony Frazer

Jack Beck with

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Nov 8, 2025, 3:42:43 PM11/8/25
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I get it.  It’s tough to keep a club together nowadays.  Thanks to you all who have done all the work and tried to keep things going.  I wish I had a good idea on how to resurrect interest but I don’t.  Even harder up north.  
I hope you keep the group email going so we can stay in touch and hopefully share some dive time.  I wouldn’t mind hosting one or two on my boat up at the islands.  I really need to get under water more.  
Maybe use the remaining balance to do a dive trip south and defray the cost for whoever is available and signs on.  One last hurrah.  Personally I likely wouldn’t make it.  
See you Wednesday!
Jack
See 
Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 8, 2025, at 11:20, Tony Frazer <aafr...@gmail.com> wrote:



Jack Beck with

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Nov 8, 2025, 3:45:15 PM11/8/25
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Oh. The MAST idea was pretty good too.  Benefits all divers. 
Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 8, 2025, at 15:42, Jack Beck with <jmb...@gmail.com> wrote:

I get it.  It’s tough to keep a club together nowadays.  Thanks to you all who have done all the work and tried to keep things going.  I wish I had a good idea on how to resurrect interest but I don’t.  Even harder up north.  

Tony Frazer

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Nov 8, 2025, 5:44:47 PM11/8/25
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The group and Facebook page are not going anywhere. Its the easiest way to keep connected! 

Tony Frazer

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