Youth Involvement Program (YIPs)

Retention of members aged 14-18 years in lifesaving seems to be a difficult task for Life Saving Clubs across Victoria. The Youth Involvement Program (YIP's) aims to overcome this retention issue and help develop and engage our young members.

YIP's was originally designed by the Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club in 2002.After great success the program has been adopted by Life Saving Victoria and many other clubs across Australia.

Over the past season we have seen hundres of Victoria's youth start their involvement in YIPs. In simple terms the YIPs program will reward you for all the good work you do at your club. You can get points for patrols, water safety, organising club functions, mentoring, training and assessing just to name a few areas.

Once enrolled, participants can make their way through the bronze, silver and gold levels of the program. Each level requires the participants to achieve a basic number of points and then they will be rewarded with achieving the level. Participants will be rewarded for their involvement in the following activities:

• Patrolling
• Competition
• Club Activities or Fundraises
• Coaching & Officiating
• Mentoring & Assisting with Junior Programs

Other activities associated with your club can be used to gather points. The programs flexibility allows for YIPs Coordinators to create points oportunities to all involved specific to their strengths and skills.

YIPs Implementation Guide

The YIPs Implementation Guide in conjunction with the YIP's program handbook outlines all of the program requirements and will assist clubs in setting up YIP's for their members.

This guide outlines:

• A step by step process of setting up YIP's
• Requirements for running the program
• Job descriptions for program Mentors
• Examples of letters, articles and other promotional materials
• Registration and ordering forms