What is the Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program?

Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) in partnership with the SLS National Centre of Excellence for Cultural Leadership (CoE) is excited to announce the launch of a new Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program, designed to support and develop future leaders in Surf Life Saving.

The Program will have facilitators from Tasmania and Interstate supporting participants of all ages over 18 to understand their own strengths and growth areas as leaders and begin developing the skills to lead in a way that supports volunteer motivation, satisfaction and retention. This will bring benefits both to them as individuals but also to their Club.

When and Where?

Friday 20 February - Sunday 22 February 2026

Venue and Accommodation: TBC - Northern Tasmania

Who is it for?

Facilitators are:

• SLS Volunteers with facilitation skills
• Willing to assist with the coordination and delivery the Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program
• Genuinely passionate and interested in developing leadership skills in others
• Excellent communicators and facilitators, with the ability to engage and inspire participants
• Able to work effectively in a team environment, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, and a positive attitude

Participants are:

• Motivated volunteers aged 18+
• Early-on in their personal leadership journey, or
• Newly appointed leaders or keen to be a leader in the coming years
• Enthusiastic about helping their club to grow and thrive into the future
• Keen to develop their leadership skills and confidence as a volunteer and/or club leader

Application Process

Facilitator Expressions of Interest (EOI) are open now and close at 9am on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Apply here. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual mock facilitation before a final selection is made.

Participant Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open and close at 9am on Monday 8 December 2025. Apply here.

All applicants will be contacted with the outcome of their EOI.

Participants and Facilitators need to be endorsed by their club; however, the final selection will be at the discretion of SLST. Consideration will be given to participant diversity when making selection decisions and applications will be prioritised to ensure a spread of clubs/units are represented from across Tasmania.

Program Highlights and Topics include

A range of session across the weekend support feature the following topics:

• Self Leadership (for example, discovering your personal leadership strengths, emotional intelligence and motivation)
• Leading Others (for example, communication, interpersonal skills, giving feedback and managing conflict)
• Leadership goal setting
• Guest speakers from SLS Leaders / Executives
• Networking with other club Emerging and Existing Leaders

Cost

As this is a pilot program for Tasmania, this first year is largely funded by the Centre of Excellence and SLST with a nominal participant fee of $180. The cost of this program is approx. $1,000 per participant and is heavily subsidised by SLST and the CoE. A travel subsidy for those travelling a longer distance will also be provided by SLST.  This covers all expenses across the weekend, including meals and accommodation on Friday and Saturday night. Full attendance is a requirement for all participants at all sessions.

More Information

To find out more information please read the relevant Circular.

• Participants - Expressions of Interest Circular
• Leadership Development Facilitator - Expression of Interest Circular

Contact

Penelope Large | Development Coordinator | development.coordinator@slst.asn.au