Positions Description
Download the Membership Form now to be an official VLA member.

President-Elect
The role of the President-Elect is to learn how to run the organisation. The position parallels a Vice-President’s position. He or she is to work with the President to help run and oversee all events that the VLA is involved in. Should the President be unable to fulfil his or her job it is the President-Elect who will take over the responsibilities. The President-Elect is a signing authority for the financial accounts. All nominees for this position are strongly encouraged to have served a minimum of one (1) year on the Executive of the VLA before being eligible.

President
The role of the President is to run the organisation. The President is to serve as a member of all committees and oversee all aspects of the organisation’s activities. It is the responsibility of the President to liase and interact with all other societies and organisations. It is the President’s role to make sure that all other members of the Executive are aided in the ability to do their tasks. The President is responsible for mentoring the President-Elect. The President is a signing authority for the financial accounts.

Past President
The Past President is responsible for mentoring the President. The Past President is also to serve as the President should the President not be able to fulfil his or her role. The Past President is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Executive in any way they are needed. The Past President is a signing authority for the financial accounts.

Director of Beach Alert
The Director of Beach Alert is responsible for organising and running the Beach Alert Junior Lifeguard Program. They will liase with our various associates to co-ordinate teaching times and facility use. They are responsible for hiring and training coaches and volunteers to ensure the longevity of the program. They are also responsible for running and organising a Jr. Lifeguard Competition to take place near the end of each season. The Director must also ensure that promotional material is ready for each coming season of Beach Alert. Finally, the Director must keep tabs on the equipment and make suggestions to the Board about future purchases that would benefit the Beach Alert Program.

Director of Competition
The Director of Competition is responsible for setting up and running the VLA’s technical competition in the summer. They are also there to foster, encourage and mentor our members (and Jr. Lifeguards) and to give them opportunities for training. They are to try and see that both training and competitions are available for the members/athletes on a year round basis. They will let the Board know what kind of equipment needs are necessary in order to run such events. They will also organise, register, and manage a team for Nationals, and train members who are willing to be selected for the National Team. They should also make efforts to bring new people into the sport and to encourage participation from junior to master guards. They will also work with the BC/Yukon LSS and the BC/Yukon Competition Committee to improve competitions in Vancouver and the Branch. They will also seek supplemental funding for our athletes to help offset some of the costs of these competitions.

Director of Volunteers
The position of Volunteer Co-ordinator involves a lot of organisation and communication.  Who ever acquires this position is expected to communicate with race committee officials to ensure that the VLA has everything we need to run a safe race.  This includes emails, phone calls, and meetings.  In addition, you are required to recruit volunteer lifeguards for each event.  Numbers and ability are important.  Finally, the volunteer co-ordinator is expected to ensure that any equipment needed (boats, first aid supplies, communication supplies) are at the race and sufficient.  These items are also the co-ordinators responsibility, and should be managed with care.  Remember that this position thrives on good public relations.  Communicate well with the people you are working with, and have fun!

Treasurer
The responsibility of the Treasurer is to ensure that the organisation has the funds necessary to carry out the duties and objectives stated in its constitution. The Treasurer must be well organised and keep accurate records of all expenditures and income as well as assets and liabilities in a manner that provides transparency through all financial transactions. Furthermore, the Treasurer must also dictate or authorize expenditures as required, while making sure that financial resources are not exceeded. Finally, the Treasurer is responsible for the preparation of an annual financial summary that covers each complete fiscal year in order to be reviewed by the executive, submitted to the government of Canada, and be made available for members and general public to view upon request. The Treasurer is a signing authority for the financial accounts.

Secretary
The Secretary’s responsibility is to keep the business of the VLA organised and streamlined. Duties include sending notices out to the Executives and members, preparing the Agenda for meetings, taking minutes at meetings, maintaining and updating the VLA membership contact list, and storing and organising any materials (such as documents) relating to the VLA, both physical and digital. An important aspect of the Secretary’s job is also assisting other Executives with their tasks. The Secretary is a signing authority for the financial accounts.

Director of Marketing
The position of Director of Marketing serves on the membership committee, organises lifeguard socials, and works to bring in sponsorship for the whole association. The Director of Marketing also assists other directors with various tasks.

Director of Equipment
The role of the Director of Equipment is to manage and look after all the equipment. They are responsible for lending out and tracking the use of all VLA equipment. Furthermore since they are monitoring equipment going in and out they will be able to assess wear and tear on the equipment. They can then advise the Executive about any repairs that might be needed, and ideally be able to complete those repairs themselves. Also they should be recommending when equipment can no longer be repaired and must be replaced. Finally they can evaluate what equipment the VLA might be lacking and make suggestions to the Executive for future purchases.

Director at Large
The Director at Large is not assigned a permanent portfolio of duties.  It is therefore expected that they will be available to carry out the work that results from the meetings of the Executive. The Director at Large also acts to support the other Directors and may join committees to carry out the necessary tasks.  Ultimately, all members of the Executive are to help the Association move forward and gain more of a presence in our community.

Member
A member is a volunteer who represents the VLA at it’s various functions. Volunteers usually do Lifesaving/First Aid/Lifeguarding duties at these functions. Members also represent the VLA in the community and are to act as role models when representing the VLA. Members must stay up to date with their membership dues in order to remain in good standing

Back to Memberships