Waiheke Sea Scouts is 100% run by local parent volunteers.

Like many organisations, we rely on the generous time and effort given by the community and without such support we simply wouldn’t run.

The fees that Waiheke Sea Scouts charge barely cover the costs of running the group and that means we need to fundraise and find other creative ways to keep the lights on and run our youth programme.

But volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes and we ALWAYS need parents and Leaders to help.  Find out more below – or check out the SCOUTS NZ volunteer page here

Volunteering is Rewarding

1. Do I really have the skills ?

You don’t have to be a professional mountaineer or expert sailor to get involved with Scouting!  We welcome all helpers. Can you help out in the kitchen? Or are you a DIY whizz? Or perhaps you have first aid knowledge? Or maybe you’re good with numbers?  Or are you just happy to be a supporter for ‘whatever’s needed’? We all have useful skills and you can volunteer and help in many ways.  SCOUTS even offer free training for a range of skills, right up to NZOIA certification, if you’re really passionate.

2. What if I don’t have that much spare time?

Volunteering with us is easy, fun and flexible – how much time you give is completely up to you. Whether you help out once a fortnight, month or term or just at special events or camps, help is always appreciated and no matter how you get involved, we’ll make sure you’re supported.

3. What will I get out of volunteering?

Scouting offers the chance to build on personal skills, like teamwork, confidence and leadership, and you can gain externally recognised skills – plus have a great time doing it!  A study found that over 90% of our volunteers believe that the skills and experiences they have gained through Scouting have been relevant to their working or personal lives.

4. My child is in Scouting – is there anything I could do to help?

Absolutely!  Many of our helpers and leaders are parents of our youth members because they’ve seen first-hand how Scouting benefits young people and want to give something back. It’s also a chance to spend more time with your children and learn new skills. Speak to your child’s leader to discuss how you might become involved.

5. Are there any age restrictions on helping out?

As long as you’re over 18, you can help out as an adult volunteer in Scouting. There is no upper age limit for adult volunteers.

6. Do you carry out Police and reference checks?

Yes we do.  Safety is a top priority in Scouting, so we have a Police vetting system and reference checks in place to ensure the safety of other volunteers and of course our young people.  Please refer to our Health and Safety page for more information about our Code of Ethics, Child Protection Policy and other related policies.

8. What are the different options of volunteering?

You can volunteer as a Leader, Parent Helper, Scout Associate or a Committee Member -whatever suits your skills and availability. Check out the SCOUTS NZ volunteer page here

9. How do I volunteer?

That’s easy.  You can volunteer by contacting the Group Leader here.

 

Volunteer with Waiheke Sea Scouts

  • Keas, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers – parent helpers and new leaders always welcome
  • QuarterMaster – equipment officer (excluding boats)
  • Committee members – ideally someone who has been a leader or parent helper for some time
  • Ordering – badges, scarves, woggles, award books
  • Events organisation – Camps, Tramps, Adventures, Regattas etc
  • Fundraising helpers including grant applications experience
  • Public Relations – newsy stories and photos for local newspapers
  • Pro-bono accountant or legal advisor

 

Choosing a Volunteer Role:

  • Leader: Leaders often speak of how rewarding it is to volunteer with SCOUTS New Zealand.  Many parents choose to become a Leader of a Kea Club, Cub Pack, Scout Troop, or Venturer Unit, and experience SCOUTS for themselves –  learning and challenging themselves as they progress through SCOUTS New Zealand’s Leader Training scheme.
  • Committee Member: Behind the scenes of all our Groups are committees of experienced and dedicated volunteers who act as a board.  They help with the operational side of our Scout Groups, helping to ensure the delivery of our high-quality programmes for young people.  This is an opportunity for business people to become involved with SCOUTS.
  • Scouting Associate: SCOUTS New Zealand provides a volunteering opportunity to those who cannot commit on a regular basis in the form of Scouting Associates.  You can assist at activities and events, like MudSlide Day or at one of our Adventure Schools.  As a Scouting Associate you will be kept up-to-date on events in your community, and you can choose to help out when and where you want.
  • Parent Helper: Not every adult feels as though they are cut out to be a leader, but we actively encourage parents to be involved in their child’s experience at SCOUTS.  Volunteering as a Parent Helper is as simple as providing transport to a camp, helping out at a fundraising event, or picking up a paint brush to renovate a hall.  For those who just want to help out where they can, this is another great opportunity to contribute as a volunteer.

 

If you are not able to help out with a specific role, then please participate in working bees, fundraising events, and odd jobs as they arise.

Weekend sailing, camps, tramps etc all need parental assistance.

For further details about roles available, please contact us