YSAR Charter

Objectives
To recruit and prepare young people to become full active members of the Tauranga SAR Group.

Goals
To graduate at least 6 members per year to SAR qualified status.

Mission Statement
To impart a love, respect and understanding for the New Zealand wilderness to young people through a SAR specific training program while preparing them to save the lives of lost and injured persons.

Graduation Standards and Benefits
Upon graduation each member will be able to operate effectively for up to 48 hours in the field, whether in a group or alone, while applying current search theory and practice in a safe manner.
Each graduated member will receive the following benefits upon acceptance as a member of the Tauranga SAR Group:
· The issue of a pager and vest
· Eligibility to attend callouts on 24/7 basis
· The right to attend all TSG training events
· The assignment of a mentor from the TSG membership
· Life skills knowledge relating to the New Zealand wilderness and coastal areas, navigation methodology and search and rescue techniques

The Requirements
Tauranga YSAR members will be:
· In the 14 – 18 year age range as of 1st February
· Able to participate in an intensive 4-6 month induction program of indoor and outdoor skills commencing in February each year
· Able to commit to the on-going training program for the remainder of the year
· Willing to present for assessments to achieve the milestones required for graduation
· Willing to uphold the Tauranga YSAR Group code of conduct
· Able to maintain the standard of fitness required to meet the graduation requirements

The Tauranga YSAR graduates will all achieve a standard above the normal entry requirements of the Tauranga SAR Group.

Time Commitment
The 4-6 month training program will consist of:
· Weekly training sessions of 2 – 3 hours
· Weekend activities including training camps and tramps – up to 2 per month

Costs
There is no joining or membership fee however each member will be expected to provide for each outdoor training event:
· Clothing and equipment as specified
· Food and a contribution to travel costs
The clothing and equipment must meet the minimum standards stipulated by the leaders to ensure the safety of each participant during the event.

Members or parents may need to provide assistance with transport to/from some weekend events.

Management Structure and Adult Members
Although the Tauranga YSAR Group (TYG) is a sub-group of the Tauranga SAR Group (TSG) it is important that the YSAR program will have minimal impact on the existing program of the TSG.
The TSG will provide to TYG:
· Trainers and subject matter expertise as required
· Management guidance and support via the TSG committee
· Equipment as required although it is preferred that TYG becomes self-sufficient
TYG is expected to manage its own affairs in terms of:
· Keeping financial and training records
· Applying for grants
· Acquiring and maintaining equipment
· Developing and implementing the program and assessment regimes
· Coordinating logistics associated with all training events

Adults are required for these roles and expressions of interest are welcomed.

Code of Conduct
Each member will agree to abide by the code of conduct of the YSAR Group.
The management committee reserves the right to suspend or terminate the membership of any person who violates one or more elements of the code. The Code of Conduct has clauses related to the following:
· Use of radios and SAR equipment
· Behaviour of a violent or sexual nature
· Behaviour which could discredit TYG or TSG or attract adverse publicity for either
· Use of drugs and alcohol
· Leave No Trace policy

Key Assessment Milestones
Each member is required to present at regular intervals or appointed date and times for assessments. The key milestones on the path to graduation are:
1 The written test at the completion of the 6 month training program
2 The Basic Bush Survival, Safety, Navigation and Bushcraft assessments
3 Outdoor First Aid – for second year members
4 Bush Solo 1 and 2
5 Bush Solo Navigation 1 and 2
6 Outdoor Activity Management 1


The Induction Training Program
The 6 month Induction Training Program will include the following elements:
General Skills
· Code of Conduct, structure, Leave no Trace etc (1 week)
· Bushcraft – includes Survival and Risk Management (4 weeks)
· SAR radios (2 weeks)
· Bush navigation (map, compass and GPS) (5 weeks)
· River crossing and river safety (1 week)
· First Aid (1 week)
· Weather (1 week or a w/e course)
SAR Specific Skills
· Helicopter safety (1 week)
· The SAR System, roles and structure (1 week)
· Tracking (1 month or a w/e course)
· Search methods (1 week or a w/e course)
· Clue management (1 week)
· Rescue methods (1 week)

The Recruiting Program
Unless there are special circumstances members can only join the TYG in February each year. As of 1st February that year new members must be in the age range 14 – 18 years.
The program for recruiting may follow this pattern:
· December each year
· Try to get publicity in the Tauranga Press
· Send a letter to the Principal of each Secondary School in Tauranga advising them of the intended program
· The first week of the school term
· Place posters on school notice-boards
· Conduct a lunchtime presentation to sell the concept to students
· The second week of the school term
· Conduct a public meeting for parents and students
· Distribute application forms
· Interview student and parents
· Third week of term
· Commence the weekly training sessions and training camps/tramps

This document is a work in progress. In its final form the contents should be split over several documents however at this stage it provides a conduit for thoughts and ideas as they develop.

In order to progress the development of YSAR we need to keep working on these documents.