Service Hours (Volunteering) Factsheet

Objective

One of the key elements of the mission statement is that the Club is volunteer-driven. In order for members' fees to remain low, to continue providing a wide variety of programs and activities, to maintain the Club's facilities and natural beauty of the islands, and to encourage members to work together and foster a culture of camaraderie, all members are expected to pitch in.

The GRYC Board aims to implement the Club's service hour (volunteering) policy in a manner that is:

✅ Fair   ✅ Clear   ✅ Consistent

Summary: The points below, and the accompanying document Contributing Service Hours (volunteering) at the GRYC - What You Need to Know outline the underlying principles, expectations and mechanisms for applying the policy.

⚓ General Principles

1. Service Hour Requirement

Contributing service hours (volunteering) is essential to club operations and thus a requirement for all members (except Honorary and Retaining members). As per the club's By-laws, the requirements are:

• Adult membership: minimum of 8 service hours per year
• Family membership: minimum of 16 service hours per year
  Note: This total may be completed by any member (or combination of members) of the family.

2. Needs-Based

Service hour (volunteering) contributions will be directed toward Club priorities and operational needs.

3. Annual Requirement

Members are expected to complete their service hours (volunteering) each year.

4. Member Responsibility

Each membership is responsible for meeting their own service hour (volunteering) commitment.

⚙️ Operating Principles

Exemptions

May be granted only for reasons beyond a member's control, such as:

• prolonged poor health
• prolonged caregiving responsibilities
• major life event (e.g. death in the family or relocation)
• prolonged absence for work or travel

Note: Regular life circumstances (busy job, parenting, etc.) are not grounds for exemption. Retaining membership is an option for members who are unable to participate fully for a season.

Not Permitted

(To ensure fairness and manageable administration)

• ❌ Deferring service hour (volunteering) commitments to future years
• ❌ Banking surplus service hours (volunteering) for future use
• ❌ Transferring service hours (volunteering) between members

Permitted (with Pre-Approval)

• ✅ Identifying a Club need and taking initiative to address it with pre-approval by the Club Manager or Board member
• ✅ Completing service hours (volunteering) on behalf of another member (exceptional circumstances only) with pre-approval by either the Club Manager or the Secretary

⚠️ Non-Compliance

Members who do not fulfil their annual minimum service hour (volunteering) requirement without cause will be required to financially compensate the Club for the shortfall.

• A pro-rated formula will apply
• This option is limited to three times per membership
• Firm time limit set for contesting cases

Management

A small member-based committee will:

• Review individual cases of non-compliance
• Provide recommendations to the Board

Helpful Links

• Service Hours (volunteering)
• Service Hours (volunteering) FAQ
• iVolunteer Sign-Up
• Events Calendar
• The Blue Book
• GRYC By-laws