Volunteer Application

Helping participants with land lessons and in-water lessons. In this role you will be paired with a participant, giving them surf lessons on land and in the water where you will be pushing them into waves. This role requires you to be an intermediate surfer and comfortable navigating yourself in the ocean in various conditions. Ocean Safety and Surf Program Facilitation trainings are required. New Volunteers in this role are also required to attend the Consent-Based Facilitation training. 

Facilitating boogie board sessions in the ocean. In this role, you will be supporting and monitoring the boogie boarders so that they stay in the "safety zone" and stay at hip depth. You may or may not have a boogie board yourself. You do not have to be a strong surfer for this role, but a strong awareness and ability to read ocean conditions and comfort in the water is critical. Ocean Safety and Surf Program Facilitation trainings are required. New Volunteers in this role are also required to attend the Consent-Based Facilitation training.

This role is for advanced, seasoned surfers only. You will be part of the emergency response team alongside staff members, potentially supporting in identifying an emergency, passing along important emergency response directions and messages, towing a victim with a surfboard, and performing CPR (if certified). In order to be a rescuer, you must have a regular practice of surfing (on average) twice a week and have the ability to stay calm under pressure, and comfortably navigate yourself in choppy, rough waters. Although not necessary, CPR and/or lifeguard certification is HIGHLY desired for this role. In addition to the mandatory Ocean Safety, Consent-based and de-escalation training and Surf Program Facilitation training, rescuers will also be invited to attend seasonal in-service days where we practice and rehearse various ocean de-escalation and rescue techniques. 

This role is mostly based on land and does not require getting into the water. As a land guardian, you play a key role in making folks feel welcomed, cared for, and supported while they are sharing space with us on the beach. Your responsibilities include: Greeting participants as they arrive at programs, setting up the snack table and leading lunch preparations, keeping an eye on people’s personal belongings while they are in the surf lesson, handing out warm layers if people are cold, engaging with participants who decide to hang on the beach, and serving as the de-escalator for folks who might need social/emotional support after an incident in or out of the water (guiding them to the first aid bag, giving them space to process a wipeout, etc.) Consent-based Facilitation, De-Escalation Training, Surf Program Facilitation trainings are required for this role. 

Our Water Guardian is an essential role that keeps us safe during programs! As a water guardian, your main role is to ALWAYS KEEP your eyes on the water, especially during surf lessons. You will be part of the team “condition check” at the beginning and middle of a program day, and support staff in making safety calls and decisions in response to ocean conditions. During the surf and boogie lessons, you will stand between the two safety cones on the beach and monitor what is happening in the water, so that you can give important safety signals and alert staff on anything that requires their attention. Our Water Guardians are also our timekeepers for the surf lesson component of our programs, so you will be calling out “last wave” at the end of each surf session. You are not required to be a strong surfer for this role - however, this role does require focus, attentiveness, a strong understanding of ocean safety, and familiarity with the Salted Roots Emergency Response Protocols. Consent-based Facilitation & De-escalation, Surf Program Facilitation, and Ocean Safety Trainings are all required for this role. 

In this role, you get to bless us with some delicious snacks for everyone to share on the beach! Our highest season of need for this role is during our youth summer camp season in July, but you can also offer to be a food fairy for other seasons and programs throughout the year. Food fairies can drop off their food donations to us in the morning at Oakland before we head out to the beach, or drop them off during program time while we are at the beach. We ask you to be conscientious of folks’ allergies and dietary needs and label every ingredient if you choose to cook something yourself! Simple purchased items like watermelon, edamame, popcorn, seaweed snacks, etc., are also great and very popular!  This role makes a HUGE difference in our participant and staff energy during program time. Food fairies are welcome to hang with us on the beach on days that you make a food drop-off. 

Our Arts & Media volunteers include photographers, videographers, visual artists, musicians and performers who bring creative spirit and storytelling to programs and beyond. Photographers and videographers join us on program days or community events to capture our beautiful memories at the beach. Photographers and videographers are responsible for bringing their own gear to programs. If you are interested in volunteering your time to create a special video, zine, or other forms of visual storytelling to share our mission with the world, you can discuss your ideas with the team! We'd love support to organize a summer kick off music fundraiser show, an end of year art show, and other creative Wisdom Weavers workshops throughout the year. Arts & Media Orientation is required for this role.

By joining our advocacy cohort, you'll support Salted Roots in campaigns focused on Equitable Coastal Access and Water Quality issues in the Bay Area. This role involves attending seasonal meetings and assisting the Executive Director in organizing and energizing participation in advocacy efforts throughout the year. Experience in community organizing, campaign strategy, online advocacy, and coastal and water quality issues is highly desirable, and space in the cohort is limited. Advocacy Cohort Orientation is required for this role. 

Salted Roots is hoping to offer communication and materials in different languages in order to connect with families in Oakland whose first language may not be English. This volunteer opportunity involves reviewing and editing drafts of translated materials, coming to our surf programs as a Spanish interpreter, and supporting the Salted Roots program team with learning basic spanish words and phrases we can use that relate to surfing, ocean recreation, and program facilitation. Language Justice Orientation is required for this role. Consent-Based Facilitation and Surf Program Facilitation trainings are optional for this role.

Join us in representing Salted Roots at community events! This role is perfect for individuals who enjoy engaging with the broader community and acting as an ambassador for Salted Roots. You may be asked to assist with event setup, cleanup, or tabling at various events throughout the year. Community Outreach Orientation is required for this role.

Interested in leading a workshop about checking surf conditions, how to read surf reports, how to fix a ding on a surfboard, or leading an art or photography workshop for our community? Our Wisdom Weaver Workshops are led by our volunteers and staff members. These workshops are intended to strengthen and celebrate our interdependence with each other as we continue to share insights that will support our surf journey, both with ourselves and each other. If you have a workshop idea we’d love to hear from you!

Please know that while Salted Roots is making every effort to implement protocols that minimize the risk of transmission, our team cannot guarantee that COVID-19 will not be present during the program. Below is an updated list of COVID-19 Safety protocols and processes that Salted Roots has made to reduce the risk of COVID-19 Transmission. COVID safety is a disability justice issue and matter of community care. 

The health and safety of our community and staff remain our highest priority. Salted Roots will implement the following program safety procedures and practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• 24 hours before the program day, including the day of, participants and volunteers are to be COVID-19 symptom-free. If you or someone in your household has symptoms, please stay home.
• N95 masks must be worn at all times in Salted Roots carpool - eating /drinking is not permitted in the van to reduce the need to remove masks.
• Enhanced personal hygiene (i.e. handwashing, hand sanitizing, no touching face reminders, etc.) will be practiced throughout the program.
• Salted Roots staff and volunteer surf instructors will be required to have symptom checks, and these will be conducted regularly.
• At Salted Roots events that are indoors we encourage that all participants wear their masks while not eating/drinking to reduce the risk of transmission.
• We ask that you help us protect the health of our Salted Roots community. Anyone who is sick or was sick with COVID-19 in the last  10 days, who exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days, or who was recently in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days— including staff, volunteers, and families— CANNOT attend the program without a negative COVID-19 test. 

In order to participate in this program, you must read and sign our Release of Liability for Salted Roots, and the Social Good Fund (fiscal sponsor of Salted Roots).

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in Salted Roots programs, related events, and activities the undersigned (or, if the participant is a minor, the person with the authority to consent on their behalf) acknowledges, appreciates, and agrees that: 

1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in these programs is significant, including potential for permanent disability and death, and while particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risk, the risk of serious injury to myself and others does exist, and,
2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of the release or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation, and
3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If I observe any unusual significant concern in my readiness for participation and/or in the program itself, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately, and 
4. For myself and on behalf of my/our heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin HERBY RELEASE Salted Roots / Social Good Fund its officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sanctioned events, sanctioned organizations, volunteers, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners, lessors, city and county districts of premises used to conduct the event (Releasees), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property incident to my involvement or participation in these programs, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law. 
5. I, for myself and on behalf of my/our heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, HERBY INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS all of the above Releasees from any and all liabilities incident to my involvement or participation in these programs, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE, to the fullest extent of the law. 

Medical Consent & Acknowledgement 

I hereby authorize and give permission that myself / the participant may be given emergency treatment including first aid and CPR by qualified Salted Roots / Social Good Fund staff and volunteers. I also give permission for myself/the participant to be treated by any physician, hospital, health care provider, or other medical personnel selected by the staff of Salted Roots to provide prompt medical services when needed. I agree that once the participant is in the care of medical personnel or a medical facility, Salted Roots / Social Good Fund shall have no further responsibility for the participant and I agree to pay all costs associated with such medical care and transportation. 

If I cannot be contacted, I further authorize consent to the medical, surgical, and hospital care treatment procedures to be performed for myself/the participant by a physical, hospital, health care provider, or other medical personnel selected by Salted Roots / Social Good Fund staff when deemed necessary or advisable by the medical personnel to safeguard the participant’s health. I wave my right of informed consent to such treatment. 

The health history and relevant medical needs info provided to Salted Roots / Social Good Fund is correct and not falsified to the best of my knowledge.

I have read this release of liability, assumption of risk, and medical consent agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and sign it freely and voluntarily without inducement. I attest that I am physically able to participate in this activity, and understand that it is my responsibility to communicate any relevant physical limitations to the Salted Roots / Social Good Fund staff members BEFORE participating in the activity. 

I understand that I will be donating my time and services to Salted Roots and that this role is without wages, salary or other benefits such as workers compensation, healthcare etc.

I understand that I will be asked to undergo trainings with Salted Roots and that such trainings will be an essential component of being able to volunteer within the role. I agree to complete such trainings before beginning as a volunteer and recognize my attendance will impact what specific roles I am given.

Media Release
I give my consent to Salted Roots to photograph, film, audio record, and/or use other means of capturing my image and/or voice, and to use it in various formats for the purposes within the Salted Roots mission to create a surf culture rooted in equity, love, collective power, and reverence for the earth.

Distribution methods may include, but are not limited to: social media, printed materials, media, websites, grant reporting, or any other media now known or later developed for unrestricted purposes. I understand that I will not have an opportunity to inspect and approve the video or photographs prior to their use and that Salted Roots will be the owner(s) of the video and/or photographs. This authorization and consent will continue indefinitely or for the maximum duration permitted by applicable law.

I waive any right to compensation or royalties. I further release and forever discharge the Salted Roots, and its staff, from any claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of said photographs, sound recordings, motion pictures, or videos, including but not limited to any claims for injury, or invasion of privacy.