Volunteering On Water
The “Main Sheet” of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club is braided with characters who, although they may not be among the ringing, enjoy participation in every aspect of boating, whether sail or power, mono or multi hull on river or ocean.
The “On the Water” organisation of sail or power events often begins a year or more in advance when the Yachting Committee at RFBYC elects to conduct an event. From there, negotiations are commenced for a water venue and regatta dates which are pre-requisites for the Notice of Race and all that follows. The next element of the jigsaw is the appointment of a Race Officer who becomes responsible for the Sailing Instructions, a committee Boat, Mark Layers, Safety Boats, Umpires and where required Measurers, Radio Operators, Safety Inspectors and Emergency Response.
After an event, some delicate splicing often occurs leading to the computation and announcement of results, presentation of pennants, hearing of any protest, adjustment of handicaps and finally, publication of results and then, preparations for the next event.
Behind the scenes, most of these tasks are fulfilled by Club Volunteers and whilst the career path for volunteers rarely includes payment, it does include an extraordinary level of insight into regatta organisation and the swinging social program that often accompanies an event.
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club welcomes volunteers. The opportunities to enter the ranks of Race Management are countless. Volunteers are a generic team, ages range from teens to antiquity, outfits range from designer labels to the utility of wet weather gear and one of the most endearing characteristics is a dedicated focus on your assigned responsibility. Members are invited “to sign up” as volunteers and whether a beginner or skilled, RFBYC will happily anchor you to a volunteer task.
The invitation is always open – if the thought of volunteering at RFBYC lingers in your heart, then, hoist your pennant, make a sound signal, tack on the lift and join a colourful team, either afloat or ashore.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on our Club’s fabric, and it can also be very rewarding to you too. Volunteering at RFBYC enables you to:
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Make an enquiry
To find out more about an on-water role, get in contact with one of our friendly On Water Team.
Complete an Expression of Interest Form
Once you register your interest, you will be invited to come along to an event on a day that suits you
.
On water volunteers will be given the opportunity to go out on the water on either the Start/Finish boat for an entire race, which could be up to approximately six hours,. We will ensure you are paired with an experienced senior volunteer who can explain your role and will ‘show you the ropes’ while answering all the questions you are going to have. Once you are sure you would like to join us, we will retain your details and you will become part of our volunteer team.
Get a “Working with Children” Check
It is a requirement at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club that each volunteer who will have the potential to work on junior events has a Working with Children card in their possession. A copy of the card when received needs to be forwarded to the Club to be kept on file. Click Here for further information on WWC.
(Note: There are exceptions to this requirement if you are working on an event in which your own child is participating)
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
The ‘Murray Johnson Volunteer of the Year’ trophy is presented on an annual basis in honour of a member who has made an exemplary voluntary contribution and who through their volunteering has made a significant impact to RFBYC.
The “On the Water” organisation of sail or power events often begins a year or more in advance when the Yachting Committee at RFBYC elects to conduct an event. From there, negotiations are commenced for a water venue and regatta dates which are pre-requisites for the Notice of Race and all that follows. The next element of the jigsaw is the appointment of a Race Officer who becomes responsible for the Sailing Instructions, a committee Boat, Mark Layers, Safety Boats, Umpires and where required Measurers, Radio Operators, Safety Inspectors and Emergency Response.
After an event, some delicate splicing often occurs leading to the computation and announcement of results, presentation of pennants, hearing of any protest, adjustment of handicaps and finally, publication of results and then, preparations for the next event.
Behind the scenes, most of these tasks are fulfilled by Club Volunteers and whilst the career path for volunteers rarely includes payment, it does include an extraordinary level of insight into regatta organisation and the swinging social program that often accompanies an event.
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club welcomes volunteers. The opportunities to enter the ranks of Race Management are countless. Volunteers are a generic team, ages range from teens to antiquity, outfits range from designer labels to the utility of wet weather gear and one of the most endearing characteristics is a dedicated focus on your assigned responsibility. Members are invited “to sign up” as volunteers and whether a beginner or skilled, RFBYC will happily anchor you to a volunteer task.
The invitation is always open – if the thought of volunteering at RFBYC lingers in your heart, then, hoist your pennant, make a sound signal, tack on the lift and join a colourful team, either afloat or ashore.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on our Club’s fabric, and it can also be very rewarding to you too. Volunteering at RFBYC enables you to:
- Take an active role in shaping our Club
- Meet a diverse range of people and forge new friendships
- Learn or develop a new skill
- Feel a sense of achievement and motivation
- Gain new experiences
- Keep active
- Regatta Management – Race Officers, Umpires, Protest Committee, Start Boat helpers (recorders, time keepers, flag and sound signals), Mark Layers and Support Boat Drivers.
- Race Management for Dinghies and Keelboats
- Power Yacht Time Trialling
- Checkpoint and River Roster Duty
- Support Boat drivers for various club events
- Canteen Volunteer for onwater events
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Make an enquiry
To find out more about an on-water role, get in contact with one of our friendly On Water Team.
Complete an Expression of Interest Form
Once you register your interest, you will be invited to come along to an event on a day that suits you
.
On water volunteers will be given the opportunity to go out on the water on either the Start/Finish boat for an entire race, which could be up to approximately six hours,. We will ensure you are paired with an experienced senior volunteer who can explain your role and will ‘show you the ropes’ while answering all the questions you are going to have. Once you are sure you would like to join us, we will retain your details and you will become part of our volunteer team.
Get a “Working with Children” Check
It is a requirement at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club that each volunteer who will have the potential to work on junior events has a Working with Children card in their possession. A copy of the card when received needs to be forwarded to the Club to be kept on file. Click Here for further information on WWC.
(Note: There are exceptions to this requirement if you are working on an event in which your own child is participating)
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
The ‘Murray Johnson Volunteer of the Year’ trophy is presented on an annual basis in honour of a member who has made an exemplary voluntary contribution and who through their volunteering has made a significant impact to RFBYC.
