The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc.

 

Squadron And National Boards
(Some reasons for their existence)

Regular members, and some Flotilla officers, have been known to occasionally ask questions which reflect their concerns for what they see as a lack of reason for the existence of Squadron and National Boards. This is usually indicative of a lack of vision beyond their local environment and a poor understanding of the full implications of our Charter.
The following points may enlighten officers and regular members alike.

What do these Boards provide and how do they benefit local formations?

National and Squadron Boards

• Provide a necessary "bureaucracy" for organizational structure and the benefits of scale accruing from such
  e.g.
  - group buying power (stores etc.)
  - Insurance policies & cover (personal and public liability)
  - Charitable Institutions status with Tax-free benefits
  
  
• The Constitution, By-Laws and National board Instructions are the result of countless hours of thought and discussion by the most experienced Members in the Association over a number of years. These items cover the needs of formations over a huge area of Australia serving under widely differing conditions
  
  
• The National Training Orders, compiled by a highly competent and professional National Training Commodore assisted by experienced Training Officers throughout the Association, are without doubt the best publication for its purpose in Australia, possibly much of the world. They are the foundation of our high status and legally recognized responsibility as a qualified search and rescue organisation
  
  
• The National Radio Communications Office Training publications provide the highest standardized procedures and ratings possible
  
  
• The National and Squadron Boards are often called upon by Flotillas to advise and assist in matters of discipline, protocol, interpretation and clarification of Constitutional issues, support and advice in legal actions etc
  
  
• The National Board organizes and conducts Seminars (on duties and responsibilities, training details, new formation establishments etc) for Officers of the Association at Squadron and Flotilla levels
  
  
• National and Squadron Boards act as liaison and a focal point for State and Federal Governments and their appropriate departments
  
  
• The Association is well known throughout the maritime rescue world. By virtue of the International Lifeboat Conference, attended by the National Commodore, we have contact and liaison with International marine rescue organisations eg. R.N.L.I. (UK), U.S. Coast Guard etc
  
  
• Membership of National and State bodies (for eg. In NSW, SRESB, AYF, VRA, MRAA etc) gives the Association kudos, official recognition and an enhanced public profile. We cant't do the job for which we are chartered if only a few people know about us or the contributions we have to make
  
  
• The Association should have the capacity to communicate with politicians, company executives and public servants (Police, Marine Boards, Civil Aviation Authorities, SLSAA. Etc) on broad, as well as, local levels. Most of these groups are administered by the State or Federal governments, and it is just as important to liaise at that level as it is at the local
  
  
• Different States have different legislation, regulations and funding arrangements with volunteer organisations. This has to be addressed and rationalized within a national organisation
  
  
• A national policy of direction and mission statements, including long term goals and policies which are beyond the scope of the Flotilla
  
  
• Sponsorship with international, national or state-based companies may be facilitated for a national or statewide exposure package rather than a local one. Negotiation capacity is available for those Flotillas without contacts or expertise or lacking in the required level of public profile to entice sponsors
  
  
• Access to human resources or expertise, specialist knowledge and skills for a variety of situations
  eg,
  conducting courses (Q/M, Cox., navigation, first aid etc.)
  professional services (accountancy, legal, engineering, electronics, computers etc.)
  
  
• Squadrons and National Boards ensure that all members of the AVCGA. Regardless of their Flotilla or geographical location, are full and equally represented at national and state level and not disadvantaged by stronger, larger, wealthier or higher profile Flotillas
  
  
• Regular members are able at Flotilla level, to raise issues and new ideas which can, through their Flotilla Commander, be discussed at Squadron and, if appropriate, be channeled ultimately to the National Board for consideration and possible adoption throughout the Association. Some other organisations are administered from the top with little or no chance for the member at large to impact upon decision making or policy. It is however essential that a wider perspective, other than local, be addressed and sometimes it is difficult to see the relevance or certain points because they do not have significance to a particular Flotilla
  
  
• The existence across the states and the nation, of a comprehensive fraternity of individuals with a common interest and a sense of pride and service to the community
  
  
• Provision of a large pool of experience and ideas for problem solving, e.g. fund raising, membership drives, sponsorship approaches, vessel selection and equipment, training exercises etc
  
  
• Provision of a support mechanism (legal, financial, morale, training etc.) for short term difficulties in which Flotillas, lacking the expertise or financial power essential for self-protection, may find themselves. There have been numerous specific examples of this in the Association's history. This is one of the reasons why Squadrons require regular financial statements and copies of minutes. If problems are developing it is better to deal with them early or provide advice which may well short-circuit them
  
  
• The alternative to such a nationally organized and orientated Association is a reversion to the former multitude of parochial units, lacking in worthwhile co-operation, co-ordination, adequate national standards of efficiency and public image, together with a total lack of lobbying power, except at the local level, and an often strictly limited capacity to provide significant financial support. Without this support structure and the reputation of the organisation, we are little more than a loose collection of the local boating safety clubs
  
  Flotilla Executive Officers should make themselves familiar with these statements and ensure that some understanding of the hierarchal structure of the Association and its duties and functions form the basis of their introduction and training of new and regular members when informing them of the Aims and Objectives of the Association.
  
  If Flotillas have members who currently serve, or have in the past served, on Squadron or National Boards, this should be perceived as a source of pride for the Flotilla and a resource which should be used.
  
  Regular members and Officers should also be encouraged to aspire to making their talents available to the Association at these levels.
  
  Signed
  Commodore Robert Hardie
  National Board Adviser
  
  V/Commodore Chris Gillett
  New South Wales Squadron
  
  July 1993
  
  

Registered Charity CFN 10488
©2005 Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc.