Diversity and Inclusion Officer
14 November 2023
The Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club, at their recent Board of Management meeting, agreed to appoint Andrew Ridley to the volunteer position of Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
Sorrento SLSC is committed to ensuring our club provides safe and inclusive environments for our members and the wider community.
Andrew is a Life Member of the Sorrento SLSC, former Patrol Captain, current Senior Age Manager, the club’s swim coach and dad to Nipper Amelie. Professionally, Andrew has extensive experience in the Sport and Recreation and Community Not-for-profit sectors and is the Head of Participation at the WA Football Commission, where he oversees key football programs including Aboriginal, Multicultural and LGBTQIA+ participation and engagement.
Andrew will work to develop a committee over the next 3 months and will work with the Board of Management on the following:
– Fostering an inclusive culture within the Club;
– Facilitating & promoting the engagement of non-majority demographics of the Club (which may include culturally diverse members, members with disabilities, female identifying members, gender diverse members and LGBTQIA+ members and indigenous members);
– Engaging & representing members of non-majority demographics of the Club;
– Ensuring the Club takes into consideration needs and requirements of non-majority demographics of the Club in its events and activities, such that all of events are as inclusive as possible and appropriate for non-majority demographics (including but not exclusive to minimising the number of events in the year that coincide with cultural holidays);
– Ensuring that all Club communications can be understood clearly by all members;
– Work with the club to represent and portray all member groups within club communications, images etc fostering the I can be what I see approach;
– Being an accessible contact for members, committee and staff for matters regarding equitable events, activities, conduct and diversity within the Club;
– Providing guidance to representatives of the Club (Executives, committee members, volunteers etc) on appropriate ways to communicate and behave inclusively;
– Keeping apprised of any significant issues affecting members from non-majority demographics within the Club and report any relevant issues to the Club Executive; and
– Monitoring engagement and membership of students from non-majority demographics within the Club and provide regular updates to the Club Executive.
The Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club is interested to hear from members who would like to be part of a committee/working group. make up is not exclusive to diverse groups however the club is interested in speaking to members who may identify as Aboriginal’ and ‘Torres Strait Islander, were born overseas, identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community or identify as members of other diverse groups or populations.
We look forward to working with our members to continue to make Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club a place for everyone.
