Joining YSAR Hamilton

If you are keen to join YSAR then you may be about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life. You will be challenged. You will at times get cold, hungry and exhausted. But you will have a heap of fun while learning lots of valuable skills.

The Requirements
To join YSAR you will be:

• In the 14 – 18 year age range as of 1st February 2009
• Able to participate in the intensive 12 month program of outdoor skills commencing in February
• Able to commit to the on-going training program each year
• Willing to present for assessments to achieve the milestones required for graduation
• Willing to uphold the YSAR Group code of conduct
• Able to maintain the standard of fitness required to meet the graduation requirements

Costs
There is a joining fee and an equipment levy. See the FAQs page for more detail. For each outdoor training event each member will be expected to provide :

• Clothing and equipment as specified
• Money for camps - for food and/or travel

The clothing and equipment must meet the minimum standards set by the leaders to ensure the safety of each participant during the event.

Parents may need to provide assistance with transport to and from some weekend events.

How to Join
The first step is to download the application form and post it to us when completed. Remember it must have your parent or guardian's signature as well as your own.

You and your parent/guardian will be interviewed before the start of the YSAR training year. This is mid-February each year.

The Application Status page shows the progress of your application through our system.

If you have any questions that are not answered by this site then please contact us by phone or email. See the Contact Us page.

Tell your friends about YSAR too.

Code of Conduct
As a member you must agree to abide by the code of conduct of the YSAR Group. This has clauses related to the following:

      • Use of radios and SAR equipment
      • Behaviour which could discredit YSAR or attract adverse          publicity
      • Our Leave no Trace policy while in the bush
      • Behaviour of a violent or sexual nature
      • Use of drugs and alcohol

The management committee has the right to suspend or terminate your membership if you violate any element of the code.

What You Get Afterwards
When you graduate from the training program you can expect to be comfortable travelling through the bush on your own for prolonged periods of time using standard terrain features and a map for navigation.

You can also expect to have the skills and experience needed to assist Search and Rescue teams to save lives of lost or injured people in bush and urban environments.

Since there is so much to learn the training program is intense. Consequently you will be required to make a serious commitment to the organisation in order to ensure your success.

Leaders are able to attend and qualify through the same training program as YSAR members to gain membership of the local SAR Group.

To become a leader you must complete an application form (the same one as for YSAR members) and agree to a Police check of your records. You will also agree to abide by the rules and code of conduct for leaders. We do expect the leaders to have some outdoor skills and you will be expected to develop them further through the training program.

Adult Members
The success of the YSAR Group is dependent on the volunteer efforts of a team of adult supporters.

If you are the parent or guardian of a YSAR member and interested in an active role in the running of the Group then you are invited to join the team of adults who make it happen. The options are:

• Leader
• Management Committee Member

Management Committee Members will provide the support required to ensure the YSAR members and leaders can remain focused on the training program. Roles available include:

      • Fundraising and financial management
      • Keeping of training records
      • Acquiring and maintaining equipment
      • Developing/coordinating the program and assessment         regimes
      • Coordinating logistics associated with training events, etc.

This will be a fun group spared the commitment of going out in the mud and rain although they can join in on some of the YSAR activities. Outside of the committee there will also be roles for helpers such as drivers. Some of the other roles listed above may also be outside the committee.

Please contact us by phone or email if you are interested in helping out.