If you ve got a particular expertise in a specific area of the sports and pastimes represented by the RYA as well as a desire to help us move forward then why don t you consider becoming a serving member of one of our principal committees?

There s no better way to make your knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and opinions count than to commit them to the shaping of future RYA policy.

As an RYA committee member, you have the opportunity to take a direct personal stake in steering the Association s plans and activities. You ll work with fellow volunteers, drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, to help investigate issues, develop and decide policy recommendations, and ensure that the RYA s ethos of openness, transparency and accountability to its membership is robustly maintained.

In the past few years, the RYA has made a number of policy decisions aimed at opening up the possibility of committee membership to any individual member with the personal commitment, relevant skills and experience, and enthusiasm to apply. Selection, at the invitation of the committee concerned through its elected chairman, is dependent on the availability of a suitable vacancy and on the relevant competencies you are able to offer. Initially, you will be asked to include these within a simple application form from which the committee chairman will work.

Prior committee experience is not a pre-requisite, although you will be expected to support your committee s terms of reference and agreed working methods. In most cases, you will be expected to attend several formal meetings a year and to contribute to on-going discussion and policy development via email. Depending on the committee concerned, and your own specific background, you may also be invited to join a sub-committee, working party or ad hoc project group to work on particular topics or issues in greater detail.
 
RYA committee membership is unpaid, but you may claim back allowable expenses. Most of all, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a direct, personal contribution to the Association s future.