If you are involved in managing an SLSC, you must understand how your SLSC affiliates with SLSNSW and your compliance responsibilities as an affiliated organisation.
By affiliating with your respective branch, and SLSNSW, SLSCs and branches in NSW agree to abide by the Constitution and regulations of both SLSA and SLSNSW.
Affiliation is important for SLSCs as it offers benefits such as:
- Access to SLSNSW and SLSA applications and resources, including logos and branding (as per the respective policies)
- Access to SLS Members Area
- Access to SLSA SurfGuard database
- Attendance at courses
- Entry to branch, national and state championships
- Formal recognition as a Surf Life Saving SLSC
- Meeting the requirements for internal and external funding and grant programs
- Members’ insurance through WorkCover
- Nominations for state/Australian teams
- Public liability insurance for both members and SLSCs
- Purchase of equipment with sales tax exemption
- Representation at Branch Council meetings
Every year around July, SLSNSW releases its annual circular notifying SLSCs of the requirements for their continued affiliation with both SLSNSW and their local SLSNSW branch.
Following the release of this circular and form, the SLSC must formally declare affiliation to SLSNSW and to the local SLSNSW branch within the minutes of a duly constituted meeting, such as their (AGM), and complete the form. An SLSC needs to lodge any changes to its Constitution or nominated representatives simultaneously.
As per the latest annual compliance circular, an SLSC should keep a copy of the completed form for SLSC records and send another copy to SLSNSW. This can be submitted electronically. The SLSC must send the original completed form to its local SLSNSW Branch Director of Administration to process the appropriate ‘Branch Affiliation Fee’.
Below is a simple checklist of what to do each year:
- Read the annual circular released around July.
- Declare and minute your SLSC’s affiliation to both your local SLSNW branch and SLSNSW at the annual general meeting.
- Complete the current Application for Annual Affiliation by Surf Life Saving SLSC (sent to each club in July via an e-sign platform)
- File a copy of the completed form at your SLSC.
- Pay affiliation fee to your local SLSNSW branch as required.
If you have any questions, please email the SLSNSW Membership Team, who can support you to meet these requirements.