MISSION DEVELOPMENT
PRAY
Spend some time in prayer to gain some clarity on if there is a genuine need for a Christian Surfers Mission in your area and what this might look like?
PURPOSE
This sounds basic, but you really do need to know the reason for all the activities your group engages in. Spend some more time in prayer and write down the purpose for your group on paper. Consider the group demographics, such as the age, families or current surfing level of the potential members. What cross-section of the surfing community is God calling you to reach?
POLICIES
All leaders must agree to the CS Statement of Faith and have read and are familiar with all CSA policies.
Each mission must complete the Mission Affiliation Form in order to operate. All leaders must have completed the Leadership Form and paid the leadership fee. They must all have current Working With Children Checks and have completed the CSA Leaders Training and the Safety Management Online child safety training every two years.
Partnership
The mission leaders must be committed to a faith community that has accountability, teaching, worship, service and fellowship.
Place
It is a good idea to have a regular meeting place, wether this is the beach, church hall or house.
Program
Meet with the Mission Coordinator and other leaders to plan the term and other main events for the year. Create a program with activities for the upcoming term or season with titles, dates, times, and meeting places clearly specified. Communicate this with your participants. Be aware of other activities that will involve you or others that could get in the way of the group. Such things as board rider club contests or youth group meetings and plan around these.
When the time comes to carry out the activities, ensure all participants (or parents if under 18) complete the mission ‘Sign Up’ form for each mission on the CSA website. Ensure the Mission Coordinator completes Risk Assessments for each mission activity.
Mission Operation
Please contact your area Regional Coordinator should you be interested in starting a new Mission. All local Missions must have the following in place to operate.
Leader Ratio
2- 3 Leaders in place.
Mission Affiliation
Complete the Mission Affiliation Form before 30th Jan annually. This form is completed by your Mission Coordinator and can be downloaded from the ‘Leaders Info’ password protected section of our website. Please contact your Regional Coordinator to access these forms. When we have received this form in the National Office we will send you an invoice which is $650 for existing missions and $250 for a new mission to help cover the costs of insurance. Each mission will need to raise this money, there are a number of ways you can do this, eg. BBQ at their church, start a crowdfunding page etc.
WWCC/Blue Card
All Leaders have a current WWCC/Blue Card and have completed their Leadership Form prior to the 30th Jan annually.
CSA Leaders Policy Training
Please allow time to read and complete our CSA Leadership Training including the CSA Policies and answer the related questions. This takes approximately 1 hour and needs to be completed every 2 years.
CSA LEADERS TRAINING AND POLICIES
Safety Management Online Training
All Leaders have completed their Safety Management Online (SMO) Child Safety Training. (every 2 years). This is to be completed prior to the 30th Jan annually and/or prior to volunteering with any CSA event/program. to be completed as follows -
SP3 or M4.1 Keeping children and young people safe. (All Leaders, Mission Coordinators & Regional Coordinators)
L1 The ChildSafe SP3 Leader (All Mission Coordinators & Regional Coordinators)
L2 Safety Management and Permission to Proceed. (All Mission Coordinators & Regional Coordinators)
Church
You have a supportive church/faith community.
First Aid Training
1-2 Leaders have Senior First Aid Training. If no one in your core group has their Senior First Aid/Provide Advanced First Aid. We recommend you book in with your State Surf Lifesaving. They run a number of First Aid courses throughout the year – Find your Surf Lifesaving State – click here Please note, First Aid is current for 3 years while CPR is only current for 1 year.
Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Training
1-2 Leaders have Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Training. Surf Rescue courses are available for free in some states through Surfing Australia. For more information on these courses click on your state. NSW - VIC - WA
First Aid Kit
Each mission must have a fully stocked First Aid Kit at all events and meetings. We recommend the R2 Sports Action First Aid Kit from Surf Lifesaving – Buy Here
Risk Assessments
Complete Risk Assessments for your mission activities. Please note you can delegate this role to other leaders in your mission if preferred.
Mission Sign Up Form
Ensure all participants attending your mission complete the ‘Mission Sign Up Form’ each year. You do this by getting participants or their parents (if under the age of 18) to locate your mission under the ‘Connect’ section of the CSA website. When you have located your mission you select the QR code for that mission and you will be directed to the Mission ‘Sign Up Form’. This needs to be completed once annually for any participants of your mission. It ensures we have important information and a completed indemnity form.
Mission Insurance
CSA offers its missions Liability Insurance Cover, each mission needs to complete the Mission Affiliation form to be covered by this insurance in order to operate.
Beach Safe
Beachsafe is a useful resource for missions which includes information about location, facilities, weather conditions and lifesaving services for all Australian beaches – Click Here
GRANTS
Your local mission may be eligible to apply for a grant to assist with the everyday running of you mission or perhaps for a local event. If you are applying for a local mission you may be able to do this independently, however if this is for a regional event or special event you may need to obtain information such as ACNC charity status or ABN details from the National Office. If this is the case please contact the National Office providing a short summary including the purpose of the grant you will be applying for and providing information on the grant. Please note, this may need to be approved by the CSA Board in a meeting depending on the nature of the grant.
Please find some helpful tips below on writing winning grants.
CHOOSE A GRANT
Here is a list of some websites that have some grant opportunities available at different times. If possible it is helpful to join the mailing list to receive updates when new grants become available.
GrantConnect is the Australian Government’s centralised grants information system.
Parliament of Australia - A list with links to community based grants.
The Sports Community website.
The NSW Government Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.
WRITING THE GRANT
Carefully read all the guidelines and application forms before you start. Look at what types of projects have received funding in the past.
If completing the grant application online, save and complete the grant on your computer. This will enable you to spell check your document which you can not usually do within an online application. You can also conduct a word count as often grants have a word limit. When completed you can cut and paste your answers into the online application. You can also update the saved results for future grant applications as often grant applications require similar information.
Most grant applications will require a brief history of your organisation or local mission group. Provide examples of what experience you mission has had with running events/projects in the past.
Describe how your project will meet the grant objectives and why the project is needed. Be specific, achievable within a 12-month time frame, relate to a distinct geographical location and provide real outcomes that are easily measurable. Depending on the nature of the grant, projects that are funded are often projects that involved children and youth, are seen as promoting a healthy active lifestyle or are repeat projects that will provide long term benefits to the local community.
Support your application with facts and figures. Consider contacting your local council for statistics on your community. The Australian Bureau of Statistics may also have valuable statistical data that may support your submission.
Work out your budget. Obtain quotes if necessary and list all the expenses and income relating to the project. If successful in obtaining the grant you will need to provide records of expenditure to the funding body after the event so keep all records, receipts and invoices.
Outline how you will measure the success of the project describing your evaluation methods.
Be aware of the application deadline and leave plenty of time to complete.
Make sure you receive confirmation that your application has been received and keep a record of your application.
If successful, keep the funding body up to date with the progress and related expenditure for the project.