What's News:

Our season got underway on September 15th with no pool delays this year! Your swimmers might comment that they find the water to be a bit less chlorinated these days. The pool installed a new UV system during the early part of September and as a result we will have the cleanest and least chlorinated pool in the area. Hopefully that translates to less wear and tear on suits!

Our search for a new head coach continues. We have expanded our search efforts are are actively recruiting through every media and swim related organizations we are able to locate. In the interim, our coaching staff and senior swimmers have stepped up to the challenge and taken on extra responsibilites to ensure the programs continue. I thank them for their continued support.

Our AGM will be held on Thursdya, October 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the ICBC Office located at 3359 Victoria Drive (back entrance). The club will be discussing the plans for the upcoming year which will include discussing the umbrella club starting in Houston that may require an amendment to our bylaws. It is important that parents attend this meeting as sufficient numbers of attendess are required to vote and pass motions. It is also a great time to meet the other swimming parents and members fo the executive.

October 16, 2008

AGM at 7:30 pm. Location ICBC 3359 Victoria Drive.

October 24 -26, 2008

First meet of the season in Prince Rupert. The meet information will be circulated shortly. Forms must be returned to Otters Office by Oct 15th. Meet cost of $25 must be included with the meet permission forms.

October 29, 2008

Mini-meet 5p to 7p. All groups invited & encouraged to attend this team event. Individual and team photo's will be taken. Mini meets are an opportunity for team mates to get together, build team spirit and see how swimmers are progressing. For the younger swimmers who do not yet compete in outside events, it introduces them to how meets are run in a fun, supporting environment. It also gives parents an opportunity to learn how meets operate.

FUNDRAISING:

Pampered Chef

Our first fundraiser is underway. Magazines are available to families who have not yet received one. Families receive 15% fundraising credit for total sales (before taxes). Orders must be submitted to the Otters Office by Oct 17th. If you have not received a magazine & order forms, please contact Darla at bdzee@citywest.ca or 846-9594.

Ticket Raffle

We will be running a raffle starting next week. The tickets, which sell for $5 each and net you $3 per ticket sold fundraising credit, are for raffle offering: 1st prize - 2 round trip tickets via Hawkair to Vancouver, accomodation, luggage set & 2 Canucks tickets; 2nd prize - 2 round trip tickets on VIA Rail to Prince George and 3 nights accomodation; Early Bird/Consolation prizes - Java's gift certificate, Wild Bill's Coffee package; CANFOR Level 2 First Aid Kit; giftbasket from Heartstrings and Toothwhitenting Kit. Patti Zacharias is coordinating this event and will be handing out one book of tickets to each family. We ask that you sell at least one booklet but of course, the more you sell the quicker the fundraising obligation is met! The proceeds of this fundraiser will be used to purchase additional equipment for the club including flippers, pull bouys and kickboards.

Grocery Coupons

We have replenished our stock of grocery coupons and now have Safeway, BV Wholesale and ExtraFoods. Safeway provides a 8% return while BV Wholesale and ExtraFoods provide 5%. Coranne Dohler coordinates this fundraiser (which runs all year). She can be reached at dohlerco@telus.net or 847-2856