It seems as though Atlantic Edge Scuba has developed a monopoly within a Public Non Profit Organization which is detrimental to both the Aquarium and all other Dive Shops and consumers in the Mid-Atlantic region.
It is my understanding that if any dive shop - other than Atlantic Edge wishes to run an Aquarium Diver program, then it must be run through Atlantic Edge. While it is wrong on many levels, let me start with the most obvious.
1. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a Public Non Profit 501 c 3 organization. While it has the ability to affiliate with outside organizations, it must be done on an equitable basis. The simplest way to explain my point is to give an example.
When Powhatten Elementary School wants to take a class of students to visit the Australian Exhibit, it does not have to pay a fee to Dundalk Elementary to do so... therefore -
When Off the Wall Scuba wants to take a class of Students to the Wings in the Water Exhibit, it should not have to pay Atlantic Edge Scuba to do so. Funds should be paid directly to the National Aquarium in Baltimore - the same as any other visitors to the Aqaurium.
2. The question of allowing the monopoly of a "for profit" business to operate within the Aquarium is yet another issue that may bring into question the Aquarium's non profit status.
3. While Atlantic Edge may say they do not collect the student data of other dive shops which participate in the program as it is currently run, students of all other dive shops are forced to interact with their staff and given that they have an exclusive arrangement with the Aquarium - and the Aquarium collects participant information via signed Liability Waivers, there is at least the perception of impropriety.
Furthermore...
A number of dive shops refuse to participate in the program which means they do not actively promote or advertise the program, thereby limiting public access (via lack of knowledge.) This lack of participation means less income for the non-profit as well as tarnishes it's image among many other local businesses. The exclusive arrangement also allows for price fixing as there is no competition among other local shops to offer competitive pricing.
I have no problem telling you that when I approached the Aqaurium about running a similar program independent of Atlantic Edge, I was told to contact Atlantic Edge. I even received an email from Atlantic Edge informing me that from now on, I should contact them if I wanted to run a program there... and they offered me a whopping $65 (22%) of the $295 they charge people to participate in the program. We have inquired how much of the $295 goes to the Aquarium and we have yet to get an answer.
It should be noted that as a former Associate Corporate Partner of the Aqaurium (KB Diver Services,) I pulled my sponsorship of the Aquarium due to this situation. I am asking all dive shop owners in the Mid-Atlantic region as well as concerned divers to join a petition to allow open and equal access to all local dive shops who wish to run a diving program at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Of course if you disagree with my position, I'd like to hear from you as well as to why you feel the current arrangement is acceptible.
I look forward to your thoughts
It is my understanding that if any dive shop - other than Atlantic Edge wishes to run an Aquarium Diver program, then it must be run through Atlantic Edge. While it is wrong on many levels, let me start with the most obvious.
1. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a Public Non Profit 501 c 3 organization. While it has the ability to affiliate with outside organizations, it must be done on an equitable basis. The simplest way to explain my point is to give an example.
When Powhatten Elementary School wants to take a class of students to visit the Australian Exhibit, it does not have to pay a fee to Dundalk Elementary to do so... therefore -
When Off the Wall Scuba wants to take a class of Students to the Wings in the Water Exhibit, it should not have to pay Atlantic Edge Scuba to do so. Funds should be paid directly to the National Aquarium in Baltimore - the same as any other visitors to the Aqaurium.
2. The question of allowing the monopoly of a "for profit" business to operate within the Aquarium is yet another issue that may bring into question the Aquarium's non profit status.
3. While Atlantic Edge may say they do not collect the student data of other dive shops which participate in the program as it is currently run, students of all other dive shops are forced to interact with their staff and given that they have an exclusive arrangement with the Aquarium - and the Aquarium collects participant information via signed Liability Waivers, there is at least the perception of impropriety.
Furthermore...
A number of dive shops refuse to participate in the program which means they do not actively promote or advertise the program, thereby limiting public access (via lack of knowledge.) This lack of participation means less income for the non-profit as well as tarnishes it's image among many other local businesses. The exclusive arrangement also allows for price fixing as there is no competition among other local shops to offer competitive pricing.
I have no problem telling you that when I approached the Aqaurium about running a similar program independent of Atlantic Edge, I was told to contact Atlantic Edge. I even received an email from Atlantic Edge informing me that from now on, I should contact them if I wanted to run a program there... and they offered me a whopping $65 (22%) of the $295 they charge people to participate in the program. We have inquired how much of the $295 goes to the Aquarium and we have yet to get an answer.
It should be noted that as a former Associate Corporate Partner of the Aqaurium (KB Diver Services,) I pulled my sponsorship of the Aquarium due to this situation. I am asking all dive shop owners in the Mid-Atlantic region as well as concerned divers to join a petition to allow open and equal access to all local dive shops who wish to run a diving program at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Of course if you disagree with my position, I'd like to hear from you as well as to why you feel the current arrangement is acceptible.
I look forward to your thoughts
