Dear Clubbies,
Key points covered included:
- Strategic plan - last month I gave you a quick update on
progress with the strategic planning cycle. Over the weekend we
signed off the strategic plan. This is a future focused document
that guides Surf Life Saving in New Zealand. Staff will now develop
management plans and budgets to deliver against the strategic plan.
A condensed version of the strategic plan will be circulated to
clubs in due course.
- Finances - the organisation's financials are presented 3-4
times per year at Regional Club Chairs meetings. It was suggested
at the last Northern Club Chairs meeting that more detail be
provided on finances in this report. The Board has a Finance, Audit
and Risk sub-committee made up of Brent Warner, Nicki Nicol and
recently myself that provides oversight to those functions. So this
section of the report will now be presented by that sub-committee
as follows:
Both in structured monthly meetings and on an as required basis
the subcommittee provides monthly oversight and due diligence for
the financials of the organisation reviewing, bank balances and
reconciliations, current and 12 month cash flow reports, balance
sheets, debtor and creditor positions along with monthly and yearly
profit and loss reports along with the financials for projects like
Regional Lifeguard and Beach Education and we are pleased to report
that the organisation is on target to end the year with a small
profit.
At various times during the year the subcommittee engages with the
organisations auditors and approaching year end the level of
engagement increases to ensure we meet the required reporting
standards. With new staff, systems and financial management
programs installed at various times throughout the year we have
engaged with the auditors to provide independent oversight while
confirming we have addressed items raised in the previous year's
audit letter and we are pleased to confirm to date no concerns have
been tabled.
At various times during the year the subcommittee engages with the
organisations auditors and approaching year end the level of
engagement increases to ensure we meet the required reporting
standards. With new staff, systems and financial management
programs installed at various times throughout the year we have
engaged with the auditors to provide independent oversight while
confirming we have addressed items raised in the previous year's
audit letter and we are pleased to confirm to date no concerns have
been tabled.
- AGM - this is a reminder that the AGM will be held in
Wellington on 22 September in conjunction with the 'In it For Life'
awards luncheon. Club Chairs are urged to confirm their delegates
as soon as possible and remember national member award nominations
close 29 June. This is an important event for Surf Life Saving in
New Zealand.
- Governance - the Board recently undertook a self-assessment
review and developed a skills matrix using a framework provided by
Sport New Zealand. This is to highlight skills gaps and development
opportunities. The skills matrix will be given to the Board
Appointments Panel to assist them when they are interviewing board
applicants. A call for Board position nominations will be made by
23rd June.
- SLSNZ President - Bob Harvey, who has lead the organisation in
this role through our centenary celebrations and was the driving
force behind our wonderful publication "Between the Flags" has
advised me that after three years in the role he wishes to stand
down . Bob offered to remain in this role for a 3rd year at the
last AGM to give stability to our organisation's leadership during
a challenging period. As an organisation we are indebted to Bob's
energy, vision and wisdom through vast period of change. Bob was
instrumental in us receiving a Prime Minister's Grant to recognise
our 100 years of service to New Zealand. This is being used to fund
our leadership development programme - the initial courses have
recently started. Bob will finish in his role at the AGM this
September and work is now underway to finalise the process for
finding his replacement, with clubs to be notified in due
course.
- Sponsors - a lot of work is currently going on with our
existing sponsors namely State, DHL and BP as we look to extend
these relationships into the future. They provide significant
funding for Surf Life Saving and assist us to deliver many
programmes and services. It is important that we continue to work
at building relationships - to ensure they get appropriate exposure
on our agreed branding assets, to clarify their respective
positioning, and to understand how we can provide even more value
to their organisations.
- Fundraising - the recent lottery has closed with revenue just
short of targeted $200,000. The team is actively seeking
alternative sources to replace Pin and Win. Planning for National
Jandal Day and Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has already started.
A direct mail campaign to test our database will be sent during
June.
- Lifesaving First Aid - a comprehensive report was presented.
After several years of losses this year the initiative is forecast
to get close to break even. Keri James and the team have made
significant progress. First Aid training includes SLS Level 1, 2
and 3, Workplace First Aid, Pre Hospital Emergency Care and
specialised Advanced Resuscitation, oxygen and Automated External
Defibrillation training modules. Courses are now starting to roll
out through large corporate organisations and local government.
This initiative has strong growth potential with possible expansion
into associated areas of training and education. If you know of
organisations that need First Aid related training please contact
Keri at Surf House in Wellington.
- SLSNZ Policies - the following updated policies were approved -
financial principles, occupational safety and health, vehicle use,
assets, grants management, budget, financial reporting and
responsibilities, reserves, professional development and hazard
management.
- Insurance - the insurance premium for our organisation
including club buildings and equipment rose to $470,000 this
financial year and is set to rise again next year to approximately
$580,000, mainly due to earthquake premiums. Historically, the
organisation was able to cover this cost through grants but funders
are now reluctant to do this. As I have reported, at the last round
of Club Chairs meetings we canvassed clubs to assist with options
to defray this cost, especially given the disparity of buildings
and other assets owned by clubs. We signalled at those meetings
that SLSNZ was able to fund up to $200,000 of the insurance premium
- this has been increased to $400,000 in the latest budget, meaning
collectively clubs will be required to fund the balance, a figure
of approximately $180,000. Matt Warren attended the meeting to
present the Board with several options that encapsulated feedback
from clubs. Fundamental to the Board's thinking is that club assets
must be insured to full replacement value. The Board has settled
where SLSNZ and each club share the premium cost. This means each
club is covered for replacement cost, with SLSNZ funding the
proportion that provides a minimum set of equipment and building to
enable it to deliver a life guarding service. A formula will be
developed and will be used to categorise clubs into tiers based on
lifesaving need. Information from the coastal public safety audits
and patrol statistics from the past will be used in the development
of the formula with clubs charged a cost to top up their insurance
to their full replacement cover. Details will be sent to clubs soon
to assist them with their budgeting process.
- Sports Manual - has undergone extensive development over the
last few years and is ready for final review. The Board commended
the planned consultation process involving national and regional
sports committees, official leadership group, national surfboat
committee, IRB technical group, a sample of coaches, staff and
board members.
- Staff - Eastern, Central and Southern Regional Managers
positions started in early June. The role of Education Development
Officer will be advertised in the near future. This role
strengthens the execution and delivery of education through NZ
including resource development, programme booking, programme
delivery, and training and development for staff instructors and
volunteers. An appointment is also pending in the vacant Media and
PR Management role, which will be based in Wellington. Recruitment
is also underway for a small number of vacant Club Development
Officer roles.
- Sector Update - the Swimming NZ and the Swim and Survive
reports have been released over the last month. The Board and
management team have been in frequent dialogue as we dissect and
understand what the impact and implications may be on SLSNZ. We are
absorbing the recommendations and have had good constructive
dialogue with our partners in Water Safety and the Drowning
Prevention Council.
Next meeting:
The next Board meeting is set for 8 July in Wellington.
As usual, I greatly appreciate your feedback or queries.
Yours in surf,
Michael Bassett-Foss
Chairman