DO YOU...

Thanks for your interest in Surfrider Foundation, Santa Cruz Chapter!

As we always say: YOU ARE SURFRIDER!!!

You, our volunteers and chapter members, power everything Surfrider does. We are truly a grass-roots organization, and none of us at the local level are paid a cent for our efforts. We are motivated by our love of the ocean, waves, and beaches and by our strong desire for a healthy marine environment for ourselves and future generations.

So, don't be timid about volunteering, because we will always welcome help. No matter what your age, education, sex, race, or religion, we will make a strong attempt to find a way to work you into our activities. And be assured, we try to work with sense of humor and look for opportunities to have fun. After all, FUN is the reason we surf and love ocean recreational activities!

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Updated March 4, 2008

Surfrider executive committee elections are fast approaching!

Surfrider is recruiting passionate and devoted individuals who would like a leadership role in local environmental protection. We are currently recruiting for our October 2008 elected officials. If you feel strongly about clean oceans and beaches, these might be the positions for you:

Chair: The chair is the chief executive officer of the chapter and is responsible for fulfilling the mission of the chapter. The chair presides at meetings of the chapter, the executive committee and has general supervision of the operation of the chapter. The chair shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the chapter. The chair shall transmit to the chapter all ideas and plans proposed by the chapter operations director and Surfrider Foundation National Headquarters which may affect the chapter or its members; and shall take no action binding upon the chapter without either specific prior authorization or subsequent ratification by the chapter or their executive committee. The chair is the primary contact with the Surfrider Foundation National Headquarters.

Vice Chair: The vice chair shall perform duties that usually pertain to this office or as may be assigned by the chair or the executive committee. The vice chair is responsible for planning, organizing and directing a program that ensures membership retention and membership growth.

Secretary: The secretary is responsible for the chapter’s records (minutes) and correspondence. The secretary keeps an accurate record of the meeting and topics of discussion of the chapter and of the executive committee; and transmits the same to the successor in office. The secretary is responsible for sending monthly reports to the Surfrider Foundation National Headquarters and is also a primary contact to National Headquarters.

Treasurer: The treasurer is responsible for the chapter financial records. The treasurer receives and disburses, with the approval of the chapter, all chapter funds; pays to the Surfrider Foundation National all financial obligations of the chapter as they come due; and keeps an accurate account of all transactions. The treasurer shall produce financial reports for the chapter or Surfrider Foundation National upon request, and shall transmit the accounts and all undistributed funds to the successor in office. The treasurer, along with the chair, will be co-signatories on the chapter bank account.

Volunteer Coordinator: The volunteer coordinator is responsible for coordinating all members within the chapter. This officer helps to recruit new members, coordinates all volunteers within the chapter, places volunteers within each committee, and delegates and supervises new and current volunteers within the chapter. The volunteer coordinator builds chapter membership and helps increase member satisfaction. This person is responsible for bringing in new chapter members on a regular basis, which is a vital component for chapter growth.
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Core Volunteers Needed: (updated 3/4/08)

1. Storm Drain Stenciling Co-coordinator: Plan and execute stenciling of storm drains with volunteers on the third Saturday of every month and additional days as requested.
2. Beach Clean up Assistant: Assist our beach clean up coordinator in organizing clean ups and volunteers. Help lead beach clean up campaigns.
3. Environmental Educators: Make environmental education presentations to local schools and businesses about Surfrider and clean beaches and water.
4. Public Relations Program Leader: Coordinate publicity for the chapter's campaigns and programs. Maintain relationships with local press, sponsors, and the surf community, help with the planning of several events per year, and create promotional materials for web and print.
5. Event Coordinator: Assist in planning and executing approx hree major Surfrider events every year.
6. Fundraising Coordinator: Lead the chapter’s fundraising campaigns and be the main point of contact on fundraising actions. Actively pursue raising funds for the chapter and maintain good relationships with existing donors.
7. Campaign Assistants: Research and inform Surfrider members and the community on local issues important to our mission such as desalinization, sea walls, and polystyrene and plastic bans. Help lead campaigns to support the goals of the hapter.
   

Entry Level Volunteers Needed: (updated 3/4/08)

1. Water Sample Collectors: Collect water samples weekly from local beaches and deliver to lab for processing
2. Beach Clean Up Helpers: Assist with beach clean ups on the first Saturday of every month from 11am-1pm. Help arrange school and other community groups to participate.
3. Storm Drain Stencilers: Help paint local storm drains during summer months with the words “No Dumping, Drains to Bay”.
4. Tabling Helpers: Assist at the Surfrider information table at various events such as surf competitions and clean water festivals. Talk to people about Surfrider, recruit volunteers, and sell merchandise.
5. Newsletter writers/photographers/editors: Assist in writing, photography, editing, or distributing quarterly newsletter.
6. Communications Helpers: Assist with addressing mass mailings and/or post flyers around town for various Surfrider events. Assist with distribution of quarterly newsletter.

Let us know what areas you are interested in getting involved with, and we can put you in touch with the correct program leaders. Email or phone us at:

phone: 831-476-7667
e-mail: volunteer@surfridersantacruz.org