About Volunteering

Please complete the form below to register to be a volunteer!

“Volunteering is the key to participation in the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club.”

Volunteering has always been an important part of SSCBC’s culture. SSCBC offers many opportunities for Club volunteers to participate in a wide range of on-water and off-water activities, supported by combinations of structured training, “buddies” and mentoring.

After getting a taste for it, many Members continue with their training and development, officiating at other Sailing Club events around the bay, interstate and even overseas. Volunteers can complete Australian Sailing’s accreditation at a Club, State, National and even International level through World Sailing.

Latest Volunteer Roster Live roster

 

‘My involvement at SSCBC over the last 15 years has enriched my life in so many ways… people who I have volunteered with are now some of my closest friends.  I have a greater understanding of how a Club of this size works, which only survives and grows with the considerable involvement of its members.  Over the past few years, my small involvement with the redevelopment of our Clubhouse has been a privilege’
Jane Morgan, SSCBC Volunteer.

 

Volunteer Training

Each season we implement a number of initiatives to support the growth and development of new and existing volunteers.

We offer a Volunteer Masterclass to develop and enhance our Volunteers’ skills, including:

Conduct of a race: covering what the requirements are for starting a race, introduce the key rules about running a race, plus race management philosophies and best practice;

Choosing and laying a course;

Running a race: theory and on-water practice in running a race, in conjunction with Club coaching sessions;

Communications and emergency response: how we respond to an emergency, communicate and activate our plans;

Support boat basics: how to support the Race Committee when boats need assistance or rescue; and

The Race Office and tower: registration, competitor enquiries, protest desk and results.

Continuous development

Throughout each season, we continue to introduce topics in our Race Management Team briefings. Besides the activities of the day, we select some short topics to cover off together and discuss further out on the water.

Self-Study support

There are many materials that you can use to expand your knowledge about volunteering. But which are the most suitable for you? We are planning two ways to support self-study:

A webpage with links to resources suitable for different stages of training and development; and

A volunteers’ Facebook group where we post useful snippets and developments, usually in bite sized chunks. This is a private group that any of our volunteers can join and engage at the level they are comfortable with.

Pathway Support

To support our volunteers and their progression from Club level to State, National or International accreditation, we provide ongoing pathway support. Tailored support and mentoring is arranged to help analyse and address skill, knowledge and competence gaps.

Australian Sailing Race Official Seminars

We are fully accredited to deliver Australian Sailing Seminars at Club, State & National level courses for Race Officers, Judges and Umpires, and we will be running these seminars for SSCBC and surrounding local Sailing Clubs, based on demand.

School Events

Each year SSCBC conducts a number of boating activities for local schools. Volunteers are needed to host these days, drive or crew boats or otherwise assist with introducing the visitors to the Club. Please let us know if you can be available for this important community volunteering.

Boat and Grounds Maintenance 

Each year the Patrol boats are removed from the water, painted and carefully prepared for the season ahead. SSCBC has a strong tradition of involving a team of boat maintenance volunteers who offer to join in the working bee group who care for the boats on a number of scheduled weekends. Let us know if you can volunteer for one of these working bees.

The jetty painting working bee is another volunteering opportunity for those who can get involved.

We also rely on volunteers to assist with the grounds development and landscaping at the Club. Lavender Hill and the care of the BBQ tables is the focus of this volunteering group. Let us know if you can join this group of enthusiastic gardeners, who help to develop this Club asset.

Major Events

On days when the Club conducts major events, there are many opportunities for Club volunteers to assist. Our volunteers who have assisted with major regattas, including the 49er and 29er Worlds, Australian Youth Championships and the Moth Worlds, have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  If you are interested in volunteering during one of the Club’s major events, please get in touch. Roles include welcoming visitors, assisting with registrations, officiating in the regatta office, car parking, roles on the water, first aid, marshalling and support boat to name a few. Register your interest at the office.

Working with Children Checks

SSCBC meets Child Safe Standards and all volunteers are required to undertake a Working with Children Check.

Getting Started

To discuss any aspect of volunteering, speak to one of our existing volunteers, or contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Deb: [email protected] or our Sailing Manager, Ben Fels on 5984 8200.

Thank you to all of our volunteers.