markmud
Self Reliant Diver--On All Dives.
You really do seem confused by what a club is. And totally ignore post #14 because I suppose it is inconvenient to your position.
Hi tursiops,
I think you are taking his words way too seriously. But that is common for you (that wasn't meant to be snarky, just a fact).
BSAC, PADI, SDI, et allia are properly classified as an NGO (non-governmental organization). They are glorified clubs. I was the president of a Building Industry Association and the Chairman of its PAC (political action committee). We were, in very loose terms, a club of like minded people. We lobbied for better laws, and worked with bureaucrats to streamline processes. To use Bigbella's loose terminology, we were a glorified club. The BIA was a 501 (c) 3; the PAC was not.
I was the president and founding member of a water ski club that lobbied to keep our club assets on a public waterway. We were a 501 (c) 7 club for income tax purposes.
We worked with the Sheriff, the County Board of Supervisors, and Bureau of Reclamation to obtain permits that benefitted club members and the general public at large. We maintained our club assets on a public waterway. We had codified rules that were part of our various contracts with the governmental agencies that regulated our use of their property.
In conclusion, Bigbella used the word club loosely, but their are parallels that can be made to other clubs that exist.
The most important aspect that proves this point is that these NGOs have no police power whatsoever. In that sense, they are straw dogs.
Members voluntarily follow their rules.
cheers,
markm