Membership
Surfing Mums has recently become an incorporated association to protect its members. There is now an annual $30 AUD membership fee. This covers public liability insurance up to 10 million, capital benefits insurance up to $5000 and running costs of the association.
Group coordinators in your local area will have membership forms available soon. All members will receive a Surfing Mums Inc sticker with their membership.
Please contact vanessa for details on how to pay your membership fee via internet banking. You don't have to belong to a group to join Surfing Mums, you can just support us by joining.
Membership Requirements
- $30 annual fee
- all members are required to comply with all relevant state legislation regarding working with children (ie. working with children check).
The Association Information
Surfing Mums Incorporated (INC9888696) has certain rules and regulations that we must follow by law to remain an incorporated association with all the benefits that this allows us. Please click here for a full copy of the rules.
Surfing Mums Inc Policies
Committee Members
President- Vanessa Thompson
Secretary- Julia Carle
Treasurer- Jode Wittig
Surfing Mums Inc FAQ
- What is Surfing Mums Inc?
Surfing Mums Incorporated is a not for profit association that supports a network of mums that surf and who meet at the beach to alternate childcare duties enabling mums to enjoy some time in the surf. Surfing Mums Inc groups are situated where ever mothers surf and involve mothers of varying surfing abilities and different surf crafts (longboards, shortboards, bodyboards, kneeboards, stand up paddle boards bodysurfing etc), and mothers of children of different ages (from 1 day old-18 years). We also encourage fathers and other careers to belong to the groups. The association is valid in Australia only.
- Why is Surfing Mums Inc an incorporated association?
Surfing Mums became an incorporated association in January of 2008 to protect its members from personal liability and ensure the safety of its members by providing duty of care that is obligatory as an incorporated association. This includes all members complying with the work with children checks necessary in their state and first aid kits being available at the beach in all scheduled meetings. Group coordinators are also senior first aid certificate holders. Surfing Mums Inc has a risk management policy and an anti discrimination policy which we uphold.
All members must pay an annual fee to belong to Surfing Mums Inc.
- How much is the membership fee?
The annual membership fee is $30. This is subject to change.
All money goes back into Surfing Mums Inc and pays for public liability insurance, administration, first aid kits and training and social or educational activities as requested by its members.
By direct deposit over the internet preferably, at any Westpac bank or otherwise directly to your group coordinator. Please make sure when paying direct deposit you put your full name in the description line. Group Cordinators will provide you with bank details and a membership form.
- What benefits are there to becoming a member?
As a member you are covered by our public liability insurance while attending scheduled surfing mums Inc meetings, as well as the protection of an association from personal liabilities. You get to meet other mums and their children who share the same passion as you as well as get to surf with out needing to arrange alternate childcare. As a group member you are given a contact list that contains the names, contact details and dates available so you can arrange surf sessions outside the scheduled meeting times.
You get to participate in social and educational sessions organized by group coordinators such as surf coaching, surf trips and parenting/surf educational talks.
- Am I entitled to any discounts?
Surfing Mums Inc has a number of sponsors who provide us with discounts on their products. These are normally surf or parenting related products.
- Can I try it out before I join?
Yes, please come along to a meeting and see if Surfing Mums Inc suites you. If you decide to come along again please get a membership form from your group coordinator and pay your membership fee.
- What happens at a Surfing Mums meeting?
Mums and children meet on the beach at a designated time and location. Information on meetings is available on the webpage at all times as well as contact details for the group coordinator. Mums can opt to either chat with other mums or designate a mum to look after her child while she goes for a surf. We recommend that only one mum at a time is looking after another mother child or children as watching kids at the beach is a demanding activity!
- What about if I can’t surf?
Surfing Mums Inc does not provide tuition for surfing. You are responsible for your own surfing education. We can however recommend local surf schools if you would like to take some classes or you are welcome to come along to the meetings and use that time to practice your surf skills. We do not have surf boards or any other surf equipment for rent but you might be able to arrange to borrow some by private arrangement.
What is involved in being a group coordinator?
- Group coordinators advise the dates, times and locations of the meetings to the www.surfingmums.com administrator, as well as locally promote the meetings via flyers, contacting local newspapers or any other means that seem fit.
- The coordinator compiles a contact list of participants that is made available to the local paid members of SMI advising phone or email addresses, and dates and times that the participants are available to surf outside of surfing mums inc meetings.
- The coordinator gives new members the membership form to fill in and keeps a copy at their home while sending on copies to SMI head office
- The coordinator makes sure the members comply with the relevant state regulations concerning working with children checks
- The coordinator makes sure a first aid kit is available at meetings and either themselves or another SMI member present at the meeting has a first aid certificate
- The coordinator may chose to conduct fundraising activities to raise funds for the SMI account that can then fund local activities
- The coordinator can provide the www.surfingmums.com administrator with local group news and photos so members can access this through the webpage or via individual/group emails
- What insurance policy do we use?
Sports Cover (underwritten by Lloyd’s) General Liability insurance up to 10 million and capital benefits up to $5,000. Insurance is valid from March 1, 2008.
Thank you
Surfing Mums Inc.
