About Surfrider:
The Surfrider Foundation is the world’s largest grassroots coastal conservation organization; we thrive on a legacy of defending and protecting our ocean, coasts, and coastal communities through stewardship and environmental advocacy. The Surfrider Foundation is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive organization for all people who protect and enjoy the world’s ocean, waves and beaches. Our success and impact depend on learning from our community, standing in solidarity with our allies and working toward a more just future, both for our organization and the environmental movement as a whole.
General Functions of the Executive Committee (EC):
- Organize and implement Issue Campaigns & Programs
- Organize and staff outreach events
- Organize and plan fundraising and awareness events
- Coordinate and develop volunteers
- Participate in and co-lead subcommittees, i.e. campaign, program or event committees. Communicate regularly with and be responsive to Regional or National Staff
- Communicate regularly with and be responsive to chapter membership
- Conduct annual chapter planning early each year, including rough sketches of campaigns and budgets. Implement the annual plan over the course of the year
- Ensure that chapter funds are raised, spent, and accounted for properly
- Meet minimum requirements for chapter operation (see “How to Run an Effective Chapter”) and comply with Chapter Bylaws
Overview:
The Executive Committee (EC) is a group of volunteers responsible for running a Surfrider Foundation chapter. It’s a fun and rewarding position that requires consistent efforts through a two-year term.
As volunteers, perfection is not expected, but dedication is important. EC members typically meet separately from the general chapter meeting once a month to discuss chapter business and finances, along with engaging in regular communication via Surfrider officer email.
BIPOC and members of the LGBTQ+ communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Open Roles:
Surfrider South Bay is currently looking for a: Chapter Chair, Vice Chair, Beach Cleanup Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, a Communications Coordinator, and one at-large role to serve on our Executive Board.
CHAIR
The ideal candidate is a leader with a passion for ocean conservation and a commitment to social and environmental justice. The role of the Chair is to provide leadership, direction and vision to the chapter, ensuring that its mission, goals and objectives are being met. The Chair is responsible for overseeing the work of other volunteer officers and committees, and for building relationships with members, stakeholders, and the community. The Chair can also act as a local representative of the organization, communicating its purpose, values, and achievements to the public on local issues.
Requirements:
Surfrider Foundation Member; serves 2-10 hours per week; 2-year commitment; participates in one chapter meeting and one Executive Committee meeting per month, supports/attends important chapter events, and attends brief weekly check ins with the Vice Chair, Volunteer Coordinator and Chapter Coordinator:
- The Chair ensures that the mission of the organization is being fulfilled.
- The Chair acts as the link between the chapter and Surfrider Foundation Headquarters.
- Acts as the main administrator & leader of the chapter
- Acts as main contact to Surfrider Foundation Headquarters
- Transmits and distributes all communications from the national office to the chapter executive committee members.
- Chairs monthly chapter meetings
- Chairs monthly Executive Committee meetings
- Creates meeting agendas
- Make calls/contacts before the meetings to ensure those (committees) with updates either attend or provide their update – Secretary role in SD
- Check chapter email account and distribute emails appropriately.
- Check Chapter PO Box if applicable and distribute US Mail appropriately.
- Be a signer on the chapter bank account
- Be the lead spokesperson for the chapter.
- Field media calls or delegate them out. The Chair is the lead spokesperson
- Calls for votes among the chapter’s Executive Committee
- Contribute to the chapter’s website and social media pages as needed
- Leads annual, strategic, and operations planning for the chapter
- Makes sure the chapter is in compliance with all governance procedures
VICE CHAIR
The ideal candidate collaborates closely with the Chair, Chapter Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator and Executive Committee Members and provides thoughtful insight, guidance, and facilitation in conjunction with the Chapter Chair.
Requirements:
Must be a Surfrider Foundation Member, approximately 2 to 10 hours a week, 2-year commitment, one chapter meeting per month and or Executive Committee meeting per month.
- Runs meetings in the Chair’s absence
- Performs other duties of the Chair as needed
- Ideally chairs a committee of the chapter, either event, program, member development, or campaign committee.
- Contributes to the chapter’s website and social media pages.
BEACH CLEANUP COORDINATOR(S)
Requirements:
Must be a Surfrider Foundation Member, approximately 2 to 15 hours per month, 2-year commitment, one chapter meeting per month and or Executive Committee meeting per month.
- NOTE: This position can be split!
- Take care of day-of cleanup execution. Responsible for getting all beach cleanup gear out of the local storage unit, setting up at the beach, giving the Surfrider spiel and safety briefing, making sure check-in and tabling goes smoothly, and returning the gear to storage.
- Great for someone who enjoys public speaking, organization, and being on the beach!
- Responsible for securing Surfrider event approval and local permits.
- Responsible for creating registration pages for beach cleanup opportunities.
- Occasionally communication and coordinating with local sponsors and environmental partners.
- Must be available some weekends
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The ideal candidate is an organized and detail-oriented individual with strong leadership skills who enjoys empowering others and building community. One of the most important jobs in the chapter because there are typically hundreds of members in every chapter.
Requirements:
Must be a Surfrider Foundation Member, approximately 2 to 10 hours a week, 2-year commitment, one chapter meeting per month and or Executive Committee meeting per month
- Coordinate with committees (campaign or events) and/or campaign and program leaders to identify volunteer needs
- Lead volunteer recruitment by communicating those needs to the membership and posting volunteer opportunities elsewhere as appropriate
- Get to know volunteers, their interests and match them to opportunities
- Respond to inquiries from people seeking to volunteer
- Contribute to the chapter’s website and social media pages
- Possibly – communicate to the chapter membership via mass emails
- *Note: unless the Volunteer Coordinator wants to, the Volunteer Coordinator is not expected to lead a program (i.e. beach cleanups) or lead specialized volunteer training (i.e. for water quality monitoring). These duties fall to the respective Program Leaders.
- Communicates effectively with members
- Inputs beach cleanup data into national database, if needed
- Takes a lead on organizing Volunteer Appreciation event(s) and Core Volunteer Training(s)
- Note: Volunteer Coordinator is not expected to lead a program (i.e.: beach cleanups)
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR(S)
Requirements:
Must be a Surfrider Foundation Member, approximately 2 to 10 hours a week, one chapter meeting per month and or Executive Committee meeting per month.
- NOTE: This position can be split!
- Contributes to the chapter’s website and social media pages.
- Contributes to chapter blogs.
- Contributes to chapter newsletters.
- Creates graphic design templates for chapter events.
Nominations:
Any chapter member in good standing may nominate yourself between October 15th and December 1st.
Please email your self nomination or any questions to: exec@southbay.surfrider.org. Please include a short statement with max of 500 words about why you are interested in joining the Executive Committee and what positions you are interested in.
If you are interested in the Executive Committee and you feel as if you have interests / skills beyond the positions listed, please feel free to let us know how you'd be excited to contribute.
Election:
Executive Committee members are elected for a two-year term by a vote of active members in early December. The top vote getters will become part of the EC for 2023 and 2024 starting in the new year.
The chapter general body elects EC members; it does not elect specific positions. After the election, the new EC members will meet with the current and outgoing EC members to discuss the duties of the various positions to determine, based on interest and time commitment, who will perform those duties in the coming year.
Additional Information:
Surfrider Foundation chapters are led and run by a small group of incredibly dedicated volunteers. Running a chapter should be fun, but it’s important to remember that every chapter is a direct extension of the nationwide network of Surfrider chapters and thus should seek in every way possible to conduct business in a professional manner. How the chapter conducts itself will determine how we are perceived in your community.
As an Executive Committee member you can expect to spend somewhere from 2 to 5 hours a week on Surfrider communications and tasks, depending on your specific role, the time of year and how active the chapter is. Our current and past EC members come from a variety of professional backgrounds and have a number of skill sets. Most importantly, we seek self-directing and self-motivated types who care deeply about the protection and enjoyment of our coasts, recognize the power of grassroots action to effect change, and enjoy learning as they go.