New Member Process;

Progression:

Prospective Member à Probationary Member à Regular Member in good standing

A Prospective Member is someone who has expressed an interest in joining WCSAR or whom we are recruiting as a member.

Progression from Prospective Member to Probationary Member:

Initiating Step: After several visits at training and/or team meetings, prospect completes and submits an application for membership in WCSAR.

Goals:

Prospective Member: To determine that they wish to join WCSAR and participate in SAR work as a volunteer.

WCSAR: Make sure the individual is “appropriate material” for WCSAR. Check references on application. Do any background checks that may be necessary.

Completion Step: Board recommends the individual to the general membership as a canidate for Probationary Member status.

Progression from Probationary Member to Active Member:

Goals and Obligations:

Probationary Member:

• Acquire skills necessary to be an active operational member of WCSAR.
• Demonstrate they are qualified to participate in SAR activities.

WCSAR:

• Provide training for necessary skills.
• Provide ongoing feedback regarding progress and identify areas for improvement.

Completion Step: Search Commander recommends person for membership. Team votes the individual to Active Member status. (Per by laws, Article 3, Section 3, Item 3.)

Probationary Member à Active Member Procedures:

WCSAR should provide a series of training sessions designed to acquire and practice the skills necessary for Active Member status.

WCSAR members may provide feedback to the Search Commander for Probationay Member evaluations. Any critical evaluations may include good skills, habits or “areas where improvement is needed”. Any evaluations must include specific examples and well as recommendations for how to improve and correct. A form for this feedback must be developed.

Feedback between Probationary members and WCSAR should be on a monthly basis. The Search Commander and Deputy Search Commander will conduct this session. Other board members may be present as necessary.

Feedback from Probationary Member to WCSAR should include, but not limited to, adequacy of training, opportunities for training and their progress in acquiring the necessary skills.

Feedback from WCSAR to Probationary Member must include, but not be limited to, progress towards acquiring the necessary skills, team building participation, safety concerns, and proper deportment on a search.

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