Drum Roll: We’re Expanding Across the Country!
You heard it here first folks - we’re opening new Chapters and Clubs across Canada!
Let’s take it back to the beginning. Some of you who have been part of the Surfrider Canada journey will be familiar with this story: in March 2022, we joined the global Surfrider community of international affiliates located in Argentina, Australia, Europe, Japan, Morocco and Senegal as the newest affiliate, responsible for supporting and growing the chapter and club network in Canada. Until this point, our Canadian network always received support from the global US headquarters in Southern California.
After a year and a half of building our operations and advocacy, we’re scaling across Canada, including opening an Atlantic Chapter in January 2024! This big move is based on all of the support from our members, donors, sponsors, and partners, all of whom contribute to the fortification of the Surfrider Canada network. If you’re interested in joining the Atlantic chapter or supporting in any way, contact chair@atlantic.canada.org. You can also now sign up as an Atlantic Chapter Member!
For communities with the need and desire to start a Surfrider Chapter or Club, we’d love to hear from you! Chapters and Clubs are responsible for carrying out the Surfrider mission on the ground, winning campaigns that lead to stronger coastal and marine policy laws, regulations and policies, as well as running programs that educate the public, restore ecosystems, and collect data.
It’s an exciting moment for us to say that no matter where you live in Canada, you can become more actively involved in Surfrider’s efforts. We are motivated to make chapters and clubs accessible to all people and locales, and we look forward to unpacking this in different contexts with you!
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-Chapter structure is based on a proven idea. You can check how successful other chapters and the organization are before committing yourself. -Defined Operational Practices and long-term growth strategy -Financing the Chapter is easier. People, businesses and the community are ore likely to donate funds to an organization with an excellent reputation and brand recognition.
-Collect and communicate the mission impact to the larger public thus influencing decision-makers
-Accounting Oversight- Audit, CRA filings, non-profit compliance, bookkeeping
-General Liability Insurance
-Volunteer support: onboarding, -Training, check-ins, troubleshooting issues
-Technical Support - Website and emails
-Event support, including event approval with insurance, permits & waivers
-Media Support - Contacts, PR and Communications Training & Support
-Chapter Leadership Training -Conferences- Face-to-Face -Leadership training
-Corporate partners for fundraising opportunities
-Chapter Grant Opportunities and support
-JEDI strategy, training and support
-Chapter Collateral materials - -Posters, Membership Cards, Social -Media Assets
-Fundraising – Donor cultivation and retention
-Amplification of Local chapter Campaigns
-Brand recognition: Credibility through affiliation with a national organization
-Ability to operate on economies of scale: bulk merchandise, printed materials, and web servers
-Leadership development training including transferable skills (face-to-face and remote learning)
-Facilitating monthly network calls
-Support end of year evaluations and annual planning in the new year, where requested
-Identification and development of strategic initiative campaigns
-Educational and Programmatic program identification, development or redesign updates
-Organizing social events to bring the network together in different chapter and club locations
-Running the membership system, including all operational and administrative tasks. In the US, -Chapters receive 25% rebate only in the first year. In Canada, Chapters and Clubs receive a 40% rebate every year.
