So many of you know I am volunteering at Marine Rescue.
We operate a Radio room and a powerful rescue boat all staffed by volunteers.
We are partly funded by the State Goverment. How much, I am not sure. But I am told we need to run raffles, sell sausages outside BCF and man the parking at commercial events for donations in order to get fuel for the boat. We do limited training because the fuel is so expensive. I have been on several rescues and am learning on the job at sea because of fuel costs for training. Fortunately I am an experienced boater and racing sailor.
We did a rescue last night. Three men broken down and drifting a couple of miles offshore. Was about 2 hours. The fuel we used will probably need two us of to sell raffle tickets outside Woolies for a weekend. I did suggest we ask the grateful boaties to buy a raffle ticket book or explain about tax deductible donations to them but that is explicitly not allowed. I know I'd have gladly paid for the fuel had I been rescued. I think people expect us to be fully funded and don't know we have to fundraise. Anyway that is a whole different argument.
I am looking for ideas about raising our profile in the community, fundraising etc. I worked with the local rescue helicopter on Friday and they had a press release out within the hour making them the local heros once again. No mention of our small boat battling the high seas etc. but that is our fault for not being proactive. I contacted the paper but no reply as yet.
Do we have any folks more experienced in this area than me who could perhaps give me some ideas?
At 49 I am about the youngest member, I'm trying to get control of our dead facebook page but am told articles have to be submitted to Sydney for approval which kind of wrecks the whole timeliness of it all. No one else understands how powerful this can be. The dive shop I work with has a thriving facebook presence, I could have photos and stories online before we are even off the boat. So that's a battle I'm trying to fight.
I know I sound like I am moaning but I do really want to influence the culture we have in what is a wonderful organisation. We saved lives.
Ideas?
We operate a Radio room and a powerful rescue boat all staffed by volunteers.
We are partly funded by the State Goverment. How much, I am not sure. But I am told we need to run raffles, sell sausages outside BCF and man the parking at commercial events for donations in order to get fuel for the boat. We do limited training because the fuel is so expensive. I have been on several rescues and am learning on the job at sea because of fuel costs for training. Fortunately I am an experienced boater and racing sailor.
We did a rescue last night. Three men broken down and drifting a couple of miles offshore. Was about 2 hours. The fuel we used will probably need two us of to sell raffle tickets outside Woolies for a weekend. I did suggest we ask the grateful boaties to buy a raffle ticket book or explain about tax deductible donations to them but that is explicitly not allowed. I know I'd have gladly paid for the fuel had I been rescued. I think people expect us to be fully funded and don't know we have to fundraise. Anyway that is a whole different argument.
I am looking for ideas about raising our profile in the community, fundraising etc. I worked with the local rescue helicopter on Friday and they had a press release out within the hour making them the local heros once again. No mention of our small boat battling the high seas etc. but that is our fault for not being proactive. I contacted the paper but no reply as yet.
Do we have any folks more experienced in this area than me who could perhaps give me some ideas?
At 49 I am about the youngest member, I'm trying to get control of our dead facebook page but am told articles have to be submitted to Sydney for approval which kind of wrecks the whole timeliness of it all. No one else understands how powerful this can be. The dive shop I work with has a thriving facebook presence, I could have photos and stories online before we are even off the boat. So that's a battle I'm trying to fight.
I know I sound like I am moaning but I do really want to influence the culture we have in what is a wonderful organisation. We saved lives.
Ideas?