As Deputy President, you are responsible for supporting the President, contributing to leadership across the association, and ensuring club operations run effectively in their absence. Your role complements the President’s, offering backup, oversight and practical assistance across a range of governance areas.
Leadership
This is not an exhaustive list but represents core responsibilities associated with the Deputy President role:
- Assist the President in setting the tone for a positive, inclusive and respectful club culture
- Support committee members, volunteers and leaders in their roles
- Help facilitate discussions, planning sessions or sub-committee work as required
- Act as President when they are unavailable, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making
Governance, Compliance and Strategic Oversight
As Deputy President, ensuring the club operates in compliance with its constitution, policies, and external regulations.
- Support the President in ensuring compliance with the constitution, regulations and governance policies
- Participate in oversight of strategic and operational planning
- Help ensure decisions align with SLSA, SLSQ, Branch and Club expectations
- Work with the President and committee to understand key risks, opportunities and priorities
Representation
The Deputy President is in the public face of the club, representing it to stakeholders, the community, and governing bodies alongside the committee.
- Represent the club at meetings, events or functions when the President is unavailable.
- Support relationship building with stakeholders, sponsors and community partners.
- Assist with member engagement and communication
Succession Planning and Development
Succession planning is a critical process for ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of your club. It is not just about identifying potential leaders; it’s about preparing them to take on key roles when needed.
- Support the president in identifying emerging leaders within the club.
- Encourage professional development opportunities within the committee
- Help ensure planned and effective handovers for committee roles.
Further information on succession planning can be found in the SLSQ Governance Manual – Succession Planning – SLSQ Governance Manual – 1
Conflict Resolution
Disputes between members are not uncommon, particularly in volunteer organisations where people with different backgrounds, communication styles, and expectations come together. While some level of disagreement is natural, how we respond to and resolve these disputes is critical to maintaining a healthy and united club environment.
Why Resolving Locally Matters
- Clubs know their members best: Local context, relationships, and history are important when resolving conflict – clubs are best placed to understand these dynamics.
- Faster and less formal: Early intervention at club level often allows for quicker and less stressful outcomes without needing formal complaint processes.
- Promotes accountability and communication: Encouraging members to work through issues respectfully helps build emotional intelligence, respect, and trust.
- Prevents unnecessary escalation: Not every disagreement is a breach of policy – many are personal conflicts that can be resolved through dialogue.
- More information and tips and tricks, please see Conflict Resolution – SLSQ Administration Operations Manual – 1
For more information on this, please check out: Complaints and Grievances – SLSQ Administration Operations Manual – 1
Member and Volunteer Engagement
Member and volunteer engagement is the lifeblood of any successful club. Engaged members and volunteers are more likely to contribute their time, skills, and resources, helping to sustain the club’s operations and foster a sense of community.
Ways to ensure you keep your members engaged include, but aren’t limited too:
- Keep Members Informed: Regular updates via newsletters, social media, or meetings.
- Be Transparent: Share the club’s goals, achievements, and challenges openly.
- Foster Inclusivity: Celebrate diversity and ensure all members feel valued.
- Skill Development: Provide workshops or opportunities to gain new skills.
- Host Events: Help organize regular social, networking, or family-friendly events attend them to strengthen club culture.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge long-term members or achievements in newsletters or at events.
Financial Oversight Support
While the Treasurer manages day to day finances, the Deputy President:
- Supports the President in reviewing financial documents and reports
- Assists in understanding the association’s financial position
- Help ensure financial decisions align with governance expectations & the association’s strategic plan.
The above is not done alone, the whole club Board involvement ensures that the club’s financial activities align with its mission, strategic goals, and governance practices.
Further information on financial Management can be found Financial Management – SLSQ Governance Manual – 1
Meetings
While the President approves all meeting minutes and sits as the Chair, it is your responsibility to sit in the meetings, support meeting preparation alongside the Secretary and assist with ensuring meeting actions are followed up and communicated.
As each association is different, please refer to your Club/Branch constitution & by-laws for voting rights of the Deputy President.
Further information can be found Meetings – SLSQ Governance Manual – 1
Child Safety
As Club Deputy President, you hold a key leadership role in driving a child-safe culture within your Club. The implementation of Child Safety Standards is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a vital responsibility in ensuring Surf Life Saving is a trusted and protective environment for all young members. Within your role, you promote child safe practices across all club activities and support a child safe culture.
There are a variety of documents outlined on the SLSQ child safety website.
Strategic Documents
The club’s strategic documents ensure alignment with SLSQ’s broader objectives while addressing local needs. A club strategic plan should:
- Long-term objectives that focus on member growth, community impact, and financial sustainability.
- Example priorities might include increasing patrol effectiveness, enhancing youth development programs, or maintaining and improving club facilities.
An association’s annual business plan should:
- Be a detailed roadmap for achieving short-term goals, with key activities, timelines, performance indicators and budgets
More information on how to create strategic and business plans can be found Business V Strategic Plan – SLSQ Governance Manual – 1
| Tip: Collaborate with other clubs to address shared goals, such as beach safety awareness, Surf Sports training or regional fundraising campaigns |
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