Surf Life Saving is committed to providing leadership pathways for members in the movement. Member development programs begin on a club level and are also conducted at branch, state and national levels. Each has a particular focus, and each prepares members for movement through those levels. SLSQ offers a number of opportunities for members to build on their personal and professional capabilities as outlined in the membership development pathway and the programs listed below.
State
SLSQ currently conduct the following programs annually:
Youth Involvement Program (YIPS) – 13 – 25 years
YIPs is an effective method of retaining youth members within a surf life saving club and ultimately the surf lifesaving movement. The program is designed to motivate, recognise and reward youth, while providing them with the opportunity to explore and become involved in a range of areas within the movement which they may not have previously considered.
The structure of the program not only rewards and recognises youth participants for their commitment but also sets achievable goals to encourage on-going participation across a range of lifesaving activities while promoting leadership skills, personal development and social interaction with peers. YIPs also encourages a sense of organisational commitment and pride and assists clubs with the process of succession planning through the identification of future leaders.
Youth Excellence Program – 15 – 17 years
The Youth Excellence Program (YEP) allows participants to experience the practical elements of leadership, team building, self-confidence, mentoring, communication, negotiation and problem solving, whilst having fun in non-surf club environment. Conducted since 1997, we seek nominations for a minimum of two members from each club to attend the 2.5 day program. Pre-requisites include:
- Aged 15-17 years;
- Hold a proficient Bronze Medallion; and
- Be financial club members that are in, or aspire to, a leadership role.
Leadership Excellence Program – 18 – 30 years
The State Leadership Excellence Program (LEP) provides participants with the knowledge and skills to advance as a leader within their club, branch and/or state. We seek nominations from every club to attend the program in November.
Pre-requisites include:
- Be financial club member aged 18-25 years;
- Hold a valid working with children check, CYRMS and CSA.
- Hold a proficient Bronze Medallion;
- Have been identified as future leaders within surf lifesaving (either holding a role currently or aspire to a leadership role; and
- Have an eagerness to develop themselves personally and professionally.
Today’s volunteer lifesaving leaders must negotiate a maze of relationships, networks and expectations in order to effectively lead in the surf lifesaving environment, therefore the program will cover networking; SLSQ’s directions and strategic priorities, structures, positions and pathways; Communication; Management; Leadership; Media and public speaking skills; Club development; human resource management; and a question and answer session with senior lifesaving leaders and managers in an open forum.
Lifesaving Development Program
The Lifesaving Development Program (LDP) is an education-based program that allows members to gain a number of lifesaving awards in a short space of time. Participants have the opportunity to gain First Aid, Advanced Resuscitation Techniques and IRB Crewperson OR Silver Medallion IRB driver. Participants are also be exposed to additional skills and development opportunities including pathways, teamwork, leadership, and lifesaving operations.
The Lifesaving Development Program trains using the Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) education model. ELT uses scenario-based training to give candidates the opportunity to experience realistic emergency scenes to practice their lifesaving skills.
Pre-requisites include:
- Be a financial club member aged 16-20 years
- Hold a proficient Bronze Medallion
- Hold a valid working with children check, CYRMS and CSA.
Why Should I Apply?
- Meet like-minded people from other clubs around Queensland
- Participate in practical lifesaving activities
- Gain leadership skills
- Learn important communication skills
- Challenge yourself
- Develop your team building skills
- Get motivated to help your club, your community and yourself
There are two programs conducted annually:
- April – South East Queensland
- June/July – Northern Queensland
Women in Surf Development Program
The full details of the new program are expected to be released to members in July 2023.
National
Surf Life Saving is committed to developing our members at all levels of the organisation. Surf Life Saving Australia offers members a number of programs for member development at the peak end of the membership development pathway. SLSA currently conducts the following programs annually:
- National Leadership College – 20 – 30 years
- National Leaders Conference – 30 years+
- Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship – 21 years+
National Leadership College
This program offers surf lifesavers the opportunity to develop leadership, management and personal skills to enhance their involvement in surf lifesaving.
The college is conducted across an in depth week long program and is open to surf lifesavers aged between 20 and 30 years. Participants must hold and be proficient in one or more of the following SLSA Awards: Bronze Medallion, Advanced Resuscitation, Radio Operators, First Aid or Surf Rescue Certificate. A minimum of 6 participants are selected from QLD, based on their commitment to their club and increasing their responsibility with surf lifesaving.
SLSA Leader’s Masterclass
The Masterclass provides an opportunity for existing leaders at all levels to participate in a high level leadership development program, with a particular target of club presidents. It is aimed at leaders in the 30+ age category and will be very useful for leaders with a limited surf lifesaving background or those who have re-entered the organisation after an extended period of absence. The program will provide an environment that will enable the delegates to refresh and extend their leadership capabilities, network and connect with leaders from across Australia. No Leaders’ Masterclass is ever the same, with participants’ guiding the program content based on their identified development needs.
Women’s Mentoring Program
Surf Life Saving Australia’s Women’s Mentoring Program was launched in 2020 and was designed to strengthen and support females in positions of leadership in Surf Life Saving.
The program pairs 20 mentors with 20 mentees who will support each other across the next 12 months. Facilitating empowerment, support and leadership skills will all be part of the program, which participants can then use and apply to their paid roles inside and outside of surf life saving, volunteer activities and everyday life.
For further information on all programs please contact the SLSQ Membership Services team.
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