Swim

VOLUNTEER JOBS FOR SWIM

The following are descriptions of most of the volunteer jobs available on the swim team. We cannot run a meet without the help of many, many volunteers. There are many jobs which do not require any previous experience or knowledge -anyone can do them. Each swim family is required to work 6 shifts during the regular season, plus 2 shifts at Championships.

Each meet is divided into 2 shifts. Please note that volunteer signups online show starting and ending times - these are approximate times-some jobs start earlier than others, and the end times are variable. Shifts are divided by stroke. The first shift works through the medley relays, individual medley, short freestyle and backstroke. Second shift workers will work the long freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and the free relays. Please be sure to sign up for the required 6 shifts. Our new volunteer tracking system is set up to count hours rather than shifts, so we have arbitrarily set up a 'shift' as 4 hours, but again, this is only approximate.

To sign up:

• Go to the event you'd like to volunteer for (under Meets/Events)
• Find the event (Team Parents and Committee Chairmen are listed with dates March 4 - May 15 to give the correct number of total hours to match 6 shifts)
  
• Click on 'job signup' and follow the online directions to choose which shifts of which jobs you would like to sign up for
• You may then print by clicking 'print my job signup summary' as a reminder
• Repeat for each meet/event you would like to sign up for
• Your volunteer hours may be tracked by clicking on "$ My Invoice/Payment" (to the left) *this feature will become active in late March

Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sara Elliott for more information.

TIMER

The timer's job is to press the timing button at the end of each race. There are 3 timers in each lane. One person per lane will have a manual stopwatch as well.

LANE RUNNER

The lane runner collects each of the lane slip writers' compiled sheets and delivers them to the computer table.

DECK RUNNER

The deck runner collects disqualification sheets (DQ's) from the stroke & turn judges and delivers them to the meet referee. 

READY BENCH

Ready bench volunteers make sure that the swimmers are lined up in the correct order for their heat and lane assignments. One ready bench worker should escort the swimmers to the deck and point out which lane the swimmers are swimming in. This is especially important for the younger swimmers. 

RIBBON WRITER

Ribbon writers place the computer generated award labels on the appropriately colored ribbons, and files them in the swimmers' mailboxes accordingly.

HOSPITALITY

The hospitality workers pass out refreshments to all volunteers during their shifts, including timers, lane slip writers, ready bench workers, runners, judges, lifeguards, computer workers and coaches. 

STROKE & TURN JUDGES

The stroke & turn judge requires special training. The judge ensures that all swimmers are doing their stroke legally. There are certain criteria that must be met for every stroke, and each stroke has a specific turn and touch. There are 4 stroke and turn judges at every meet, 2 from each team. The meet referee reviews each of the judges' DQ's to ensure that the judge documented the infraction correctly.

SNACK BAR

We host a snack bar at each of our home meets. Snack bar workers are responsible for cooking and serving food. They also act as the cashier for the snack bar. They do most of the set up and clean up, but others are encouraged to help.

MEET ANNOUNCER

The meet announcer reads off the event, swimmer name, and lane assignment while the swimmers are in the water. He/she may also make other announcements during the meet, as necessary.

STARTER

The starter starts the race. He/she makes sure that the swimmers are aware of what stroke and distance they are swimming. When the starter determines that all timers and computer people are ready, he/she will then start the race. This job also requires training.

SET-UP

The set-up crew arrives early and is essentially finished by the time most 1st shift volunteers are starting. There are many shade structures to be set up, as well as tables and chairs for the snack bar, computer, hospitality and timing areas. 

CLEAN UP

This is the final shift of the day. Everything that was set up in the morning needs to be put away at the end of the meet.

TEAM PARENT

The team parents supervise each age/sex group of swimmers, making sure they get to the ready bench on time for their various events during the meet. There should be at least one, preferably two, team parents for each group of swimmers. Groups are: 6 & Unders, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18, with each divided by sex as well. The Team Parent is a permanent job for the entire season, counting as all of the volunteer hours required for that family. 

There are other jobs available, such as chairing a committee for a specific event or working on such a committee, etc. Remember, if you are unable to work your shift, you are responsible for finding a replacement to work for you. 

**IMPORTANT**

As soon as you arrive at each meet, check in with the volunteer coordinator. Make sure you get credit for working your shift and meeting your volunteer obligation. Remember... we'd rather NOT cash your volunteer check!