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 have pilotted the new Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program, designed to support and develop future leaders in Surf Life Saving.

The Program brought together participants and facilitators from Tasmania and Interstate aged 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?

The pilot program was held in Devonport from Friday 20 - Sunday 22 Feb 2026.

For more information, read the News article about the 2026 Pilot Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program.

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

When applications open for the next Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program, the details will be published here and communicated via Newsletter.

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

Contact

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