VOLUNTEERING
Welcome to the Alfreds
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Volunteering
At the heart of every Club are its volunteers. The Club’s sailing program continues to excel with the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers. The ability to continue to deliver a first-class and diverse sailing program depends very much on the assistance and support of volunteers. Whether it is volunteering on water or on land with a Club Committee, there is a task for you.
Join a Club Committee
If you have an interest in joining one of the committees or might have an interest in standing for the Board or a Rear Commodore at some time in the future, we would encourage you to participate.
Join the on water Race Officials Team
If spending a free afternoon or an early summer evening on Pittwater, in good company, performing a highly valued club service sounds good to you, our sailing office would love to hear from you. Maybe you are between boats, happy to support your partner racing, new to the sport and / or simply interested in learning how yacht racing or centreboard racing is conducted.
Any level of experience is welcomed, whether a beginner or an International Race Officer, a willingness to be part of a team and provide superb on-water management races is all this is required.
Various roles are required on a weekly basis including;
- Duty Race Officer
- Scribes
- Flag operators
- Committee Vessel Boat Driver – Alfred’s I and Alfred’s II (the operator must be a Club Member)
- Mark Layer / Support boat – Club ribs (the operator must be a Club Member)
- Marshallers
- Dolly/Launch Marshals/BBQ Duties
- First aiders’
- Umpires
- Jurors
- Measures
- Special Regulation Auditors
RPAYC is dedicated to providing continuous training opportunities for all its Race Officials. Programs include Australian Sailing Race Officials Courses, online theory training that applies to on-water practises, additional seminars on Racing Rules, Weather, Mark Laying, and other courses (First Aid, Radio Operator Certificate, Person Overboard, Safety Boat Operator).
All volunteers whilst acting for the club are covered by the club’s insurance policy in addition to the Australian Sailing Membership insurance for Club Members.
For further information please contact the Sailing Office on 02 9998 3770 or complete the Expression of Interest Form below or jump straight into volunteering by Registering in our Volunteer Management System “Vol.Net”.
RPAYC Volunteer Race Management Portal
RPAYC uses the volunteer.net.au system for managing the availability and allocation of volunteers for all sailing and racing activities at the club.
Through this online system volunteers can indicate their availability for events (including desired role) and receive assignments from the volunteer co-ordinators.
Once you have made an account, your credentials will remain the same to log in each time. For volunteers registering for the first time, there is a simple 4 step process. Once logged in, the user will have options to register availability for upcoming events, and also view your current volunteering registrations. The website is cloud-based, meaning there is no requirement to download an app. It is recommended you view this on a computer or tablet for best viewing.
Reminders for upcoming events will be set via the system where you can indicate your availability, pre-register for any event, or mark yourself as Unavailable.
If you have any questions, you can watch our recent club volunteer seminar, which features a demonstration on how to use the system for RPAYC events, or contact the Sailing Office for further guidance.
Those wishing to volunteer for centreboard (OTB) activities please note though that a Working With Children Checks (Apply Online)conditions may apply. Drivers of club vessels are required to be club members.
The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a requirement for anyone who works or volunteers in child-related work in NSW. It involves a National Police Check (criminal history record check) and a review of reportable workplace misconduct.
The outcome of a check is either a clearance to work with children or a bar against working with children. If cleared, the check will be valid for 5 years, however applicants are continuously monitored.
If you’re applying because you’re a paid employee or self-employed, there’s a fee for the WWCC. If you’re a volunteer, a student on a professional placement, a potential adoptive parent or an authorised carer, you do not need to pay the fee.
Official Training and Educational Courses
Mark Laying Course
This series of modules shows the structure towards becoming accredited as a Mark Layer and the responsibilities that are associated with the role. It covers best practice for equipment selection and course-setting techniques.
Race Officer – Committee & Finish Boat Course
This series of modules shows the structure towards becoming accredited as a Race Officer – Committee and Finish Boat and the responsibilities that are associated with the role. It covers best practice, equipment selection and finish line setting techniques.
START THE COMIITTEE AND FINISH BOAT COURSE
Judge / Protest Committee Member
This series of modules shows the structure towards becoming accredited as a Judge – Protest Committee Member. The course includes education and best practice for being a Protest Committee Member and Club-level Arbitrator.
START THE PROTEST COMMITTEE MEMBER COURSE
Club Equipment Auditor Course
The Club Equipment Auditor (CEA) online course is a free safety service provided to help ensure safety standards are consistently met through equipment compliance. The CEA online course reviews: the Cat 3-7 auditing forms, all category specific updates to the Special Regulations, procedures to be utilised whist auditing and where to obtain specific auditing information from the Racing Rules of Sailing and Special Regulations.
Play by the Rules is a unique collaboration between Sport Integrity Australia, Sport Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission, all state and territory departments of sport and recreation, all state and territory anti-discrimination and human rights agencies, the Office of the Children’s Guardian (NSW) and the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW. These partners promote Play by the Rules through their networks, along with their own child safety, anti-discrimination and inclusion programs.
Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to increase the capacity and capability of administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.
Australian Sailing also publishes updates and recommendations for Race Officials, view updates and other useful information here:
- Australian Sailing Officials Resources
- Race Signals Guide
- International Code Flags & Meanings Guide
- Basic Rules Terminology Guide
- Racing Rules of Sailing
- World Sailing Race Management Materials
- Australian Sailing Race Officer Educational Material
Vessel Operating Guides for:
- Alfred’s 1
- Alfred’s 2
- Safety Boat Operator Manual (RIB launching, docking, M.O.B. & craft recovery)
- Safety Boat Operation Video
User Incident Guides and Training Material:
- Incident Management Guide and Checklists
- Volunteering Certification Checklist
- Race Officer Accreditation Application Form
- Race Officer Appointment Policy
- Person Overboard when using the recovery ladder
- AED user guide (Alfred’s 1 and 2 have AED on board, in addition, there are several located at the club).
- Oxygen Therapy (note, the use of oxygen is covered under First Aid training courses).
Australian Sailing National Officiating Program
The National Officiating Program (NOP) has been developed to provide a clear and consistent pathway for volunteer officials in the sport of sailing.
The officiating streams within Australian Sailing are split into the following programs:
