Surf Life Saving NSW Strategic Plan 2013 14 to 2016 17
Mission To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities.
Who we are Surf Life Saving NSW is the State s peak coastal water safety drowning prevention and rescue authority, performing thousands of rescues, preventative actions and first aid treatments every year. Our primary role is to save lives at the beach and undertake preventative actions by providing water safety and lifesaving services. Surf Life Saving NSW is made up of 11 Branches, 129 Surf Life Saving Clubs and over 77,000 volunteer members. Nationally it is part of 160,000 members and 310 Surf Life Saving Clubs, making it one of the largest volunteer movements in Australia. Since the organisation was formed in 1907, surf lifesavers have patrolled our beaches on weekends and public holidays each season (between September and April) wearing the internationally recognised and highly visible bright red and yellow uniforms. Surf Life Saving NSW is a unique peak not for profit and volunteer organisation. It is a charitable community service based organisation which primarily exists through Government grants, fundraising and sponsorship.
Who we are Surf Life Saving NSW operates a wide range of lifesaving support operations, such as a 24/7 Emergency Response System and offshore rescue boats to address drowning challenges and black spots. We deliver an array of lifesaving, education, surf sports and member services activities, events and programs. We stand for life. We protect life. We promote life. We save life. Our movement prides itself on providing members with a sense of belonging, education, skills and the opportunity to give back to the community. We welcome Australians of all backgrounds, beliefs and ages. We operate the State s largest lifeguard (contract lifesaving) service through our subsidiary company the Australian Lifesaving Service (ALS).
Our purpose Surf Life Saving NSW exists to save lives and we are committed to reducing drowning in the NSW community. The NSW coastline extends 1,590km and sometimes it can be a dangerous place. The safety of people at the beaches of NSW is one that Surf Life Saving NSW is committed to. Every year, lifesavers watch over approximately 6.5 million people who visit NSW beaches. We undertake rescues and preventative actions, perform first aid and educate the community about water safety.
Principles Surf Life Saving NSW is committed to strategic policy alignment with Surf Life Saving Australia to achieve outcomes of shared significance. We are pursuing our mission to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. We are adopting the ethos of continuous improvement across our organisation with shared responsibility and accountability. We are building our capacity and resources to deliver greater support to our members and enhance our charitable services to the community. We are responding to the needs of our membership, the community and the Government and are actively engaged with our stakeholders. We are creating a more inclusive organisation to reflect the diversity of the community in NSW.
Principles We retain flexibility to respond to opportunities and threats that arise, as the needs of key stakeholders can change. We cherish our history and tradition over 100 years. We act with integrity. We put the needs of our state wide membership first. We respect and value the contributions of our members. We are actively engaged. Our clubs are the core of our movement and are vital to our success. We are focusing on partnership approaches with shared agendas. We are undertaking a long term strategic approach.
Reporting Framework Each year Surf Life Saving NSW prepares an Annual Report which details its activities and provides audited financial statements for the year. This Annual Report is tabled for adoption by the State Council at the Annual General Meeting in November each year. Surf Life Saving NSW also details its performance, as required by the Government and through other funding bodies. The Surf Life Saving NSW managers will detail its performance against this Strategic Plan yearly through the Operational Plan, which will be overseen by the Senior Management Team and approved by the Board of Directors.
Strategic Priorities The Surf Life Saving NSW Strategic Plan aligns with Surf Life Saving Australia s 2020 Strategic Directions and the nine strategic directions that support this framework: 1) Saving Lives 24/7 2) Healthy Clubs 3) Government Recognition 4) Financial Security 5) Effective State Movement 6) Involving all Australians 7) Learning for Life 8) Active for Life 9) Innovating Surf Life Saving
Strategic Priority 1 Saving lives 24/7 Key goals: To save lives by providing a safe beach and aquatic environment throughout New South Wales To reduce the rate of drowning in New South Wales To extend lifesaving coverage to match community needs and the expectation of all stakeholders To provide quality lifesaving services across NSW to advance drowning prevention and lifesaving activities To be recognised as a vital link in the State s Emergency Services response network Key Strategies: 1.1 Provide a state wide lifesaving emergency rescue and safety capability 24/7 365 days of the year. 1.2 Develop integrated lifesaving and emergency rescue services based on needs and capabilities, which are delivered by clubs, support operations, volunteers and paid staff, utilising best practice systems and technologies. 1.3 Be rescue ready for emergencies and integrated into state, regional and local emergency management systems. 1.4 Educate and train great lifesavers by ensuring they are kept updated on latest practices and procedures. 1.5 Educate the community about water safety and provide training in lifesaving skills. 1.6 Contribute to the delivery of the Australian and NSW Government s Water Safety Strategies. 1.7 Gather data on beaches and establish systems and programs to deliver a safer aquatic environment.
Strategic Priority 2 Healthy Clubs Key Strategic goals: For Surf Life Saving Clubs to provide a safe and positive environment To develop viable and sustainable clubs For Surf Life Saving Clubs to be vibrant community hubs To increase membership each season For Surf Life Saving Clubs to have secure tenure To value members by providing them with recognition, direction and support For all our Surf Life Saving Clubs to achieve bronze level status in the Club Quality Program Key Strategies: 2.1 Provide members with a full range of opportunities and pathways within the Surf Life Saving movement. 2.2 Provide Surf Life Saving Clubs with coordinated support and access to resources to work towards continuous improvement of their club operations. 2.3 Increase membership, improve retention and foster inclusive membership practices. 2.4 Enhance resources for Surf Life Saving Clubs and their services. 2.5 Encourage and promote recognition of volunteers efforts to the wider community and external stakeholders. 2.6 Enhance opportunities for Surf Life Saving Clubs to improve their facilities. 2.7 Continue to advocate for the security of tenure for Surf Life Saving Clubs.
Strategic Priority 3 Government Recognition Key Strategic goals: To ensure we remain the recognised peak body for beach and coastal public safety To obtain Government recognition and funding to further our charitable purpose To enhance our relationship with all levels of Government to promote the value of the organisation To ensure the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) remains as the first choice provider of outsourced professional lifeguard services Key Strategies: 3.1 Advocate to the Government on the priorities of the organisation and its members. 3.2 Promote and reinforce our value to the community to all levels of Government. 3.3 Develop engagement plans to foster Government support for key projects and operations. 3.4 Actively collaborate with Government agencies and allied organisations to further our goals and objectives. 3.5 Secure ongoing Government funding for core services, projects and programs. 3.6 Proactively develop systems, standards and policy positions to deliver our peak body responsibilities. 3.7 The ALS to provide contracted lifeguard services as and when required.
Strategic Priority 4 Financial Security Key Strategic goals: To be financially secure and sustainable into the future To source additional and recurrent revenue from a variety of revenue streams For the Australian Lifesaving Academy to return dividends to support the objectives of Surf Life Saving NSW To generate a greater return on the Surf Life Saving brand Key Strategies: 4.1 Implementation of a Future Investment Policy with short and long term goals that will support the organisation s current and future needs. 4.2 Maintain an Investment Policy. 4.3 Implementation of a Risk Management Policy. 4.4 Increase reliable revenue streams from a diverse range of sources. 4.5 Provide funding and other assistance for core services and programs. 4.6 Provide support to the Clubs and Branches to meet regulatory and compliancy requirements. 4.7 Grow the revenue from the Australian Lifesaving Academy commercial training business. 4.8 Increase distributions to Clubs and Branches to ensure they are financially secure into the future.
Strategic Priority 5 Effective State Movement Key Strategic goals: To deliver a strategic unified effort to leverage the collective intelligence and skills of our people To optimise our resources and maximise the movement s capacity to deliver our future goals To maximise our capacity to receive support from our key stakeholders To achieve greater transparency across the entire organisation To ensure the organisation operates as one with clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities To foster continuous improvement across the organisation Key Strategies: 5.1 Provide united and consistent messaging to our key stakeholders and build strong strategic relationships. 5.2 Continuously improve efficiencies and optimise service delivery by maximising our available resources and reducing duplication. 5.3 Align our Strategic Plan with operational plans, decisions and business management processes. 5.4 Develop our Human Resources policies and procedures to enable SLSNSW to deliver this Strategic Plan. 5.5 Ensure up to date information is communicated to our members and provide mechanisms for feedback. 5.6 Put effective Governance practices and systems in place across the movement. 5.7 Deliver continuous improvement across the organisation. 5.8 Explore opportunities to streamline regulatory, reporting and compliancy requirements.
Strategic Priority 6 Involving all Australians Key Strategic goals: To develop a more inclusive organisation for all Australians to participate in To make it easier for members of the community to give, get involved and be safe To encourage volunteerism and broaden the volunteer base across the state To ensure our leadership reflects the diversity of our membership Create great Australians and build better communities Key Strategies: 6.1 Promote inclusiveness and engagement of all members of the community to be involved in Surf Life Saving. 6.2 Improve access for people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) and the Indigenous community. 6.3 Increase education programs to members of the NSW community, including regional and remote communities. 6.4 Deliver targeted water safety education programs specifically to high risk communities. 6.5 Support volunteering and participation in our organisation by encouraging increased flexibility in volunteering opportunities. 6.6 Recognise and harness the participation of young people.
Strategic Priority 7 Learning for Life Key Strategic goals: To provide high quality education and accredited training to our members and the community To ensure the importance of surf education programs are recognised by NSW Education authorities Promoting volunteerism as a pathway to employment Promoting evidence based practice Key Strategies: 7.1 Deliver endorsed surf education programs that are recognised within the school curricula. 7.2 Provide clear educational and developmental pathways for members. 7.3 Increase our capacity of trained people to operate, deliver and manage our services so they maintain relevant proficiencies. 7.4 Provide lifelong opportunities for our members to be employable and develop valuable skills. 7.5 Provide accessible and flexible training opportunities to our members. 7.6 Develop continuous monitoring mechanisms to improve the quality of education practices. 7.7 Commit to the ongoing adoption of evidence based practice in our education and training programs, and resources.
Strategic Priority 8 Active for Life Key Strategic goals: To offer diverse sport and recreational pathways to people of all abilities To increase grassroots participation in sport and recreational activities at all levels of the movement To enhance the health and fitness of our members To promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing in the community To foster the development of our state surf sport teams and athletes To invest in sporting pathways to ensure sustained participation Key Strategies: 8.1 Increase participation in our sport and recreational activities at a grassroots level through structured and appropriately tiered programs. 8.2 Bolster developmental pathways and opportunities for our athletes, coaches, officials and administrators through the stages of their sporting life. 8.3 Establish best practice event management for the delivery of surf sports events. 8.4 Actively invest in sustained participation by supporting members in a welcoming and safe environment. 8.5 Deliver surf sports events to our members which appeal to a broad participation base. 8.6 Strengthen development and high performance opportunities in surf sport events and activities. 8.7 Work collaboratively with other agencies to contribute to a healthy community.
Strategic Priority 9 Innovating SLS Key Strategic goals: To continually improve what we do To be adaptive, flexible and move with change To remain relevant to our members, the community and the Government To develop a culture where innovation thrives and is shared Key strategies: 9.1 Recognise our members for innovative achievements. 9.2 Provide our members with opportunities to connect with each other and share innovative ideas. 9.3 Invest and develop innovative information technology to educate and communicate with our members and stakeholders. 9.4 Conduct and/or support research and development for advancements across the organisation.