Parents will not sign up for volunteer roles during registration. (Exception: If you want to have a lead role (Head Timer, Head Stroke & Turn, Head Age Group Parent, etc., you can select that role during the registration process.)
- There will be a chance to sign up for your roles for the entire season before the Fun Meet.
- You do not have to keep the same role all season, but be sure you sign up for a role for each meet.
- Swim meets require a lot of volunteers. While one parent is required to volunteer, we're asking that both parents volunteer if possible.
VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTIONS
CCSL Certified Positions - These positions require a short training session.
Stroke & Turn Judge: Swim officials are assigned by and working for the referee to judge the swimming conformance with the rules for the event being swum. Non-conformance, frequently referred to as “DQ” or disqualification, is reported to the referee. A one hour training session is required for those interested in becoming a Stroke & Turn Judge.
Starter: Individual is responsible for calling out start commands to the swimmers at the beginning of each event. Training is required for those interested in becoming a Starter.
Non-CCSL Certified Positions - The following positions are open to all. Many positions, with the exception of Meet
Director, Scorer, Referee and Stroke-and-Turn Judges can be learned “on-the-job” or
with brief instruction.
Announcer: The announcer announces the upcoming events over the microphone. Also verbally promotes our sponsors and makes any requested announcements.
Age Group Parent: Supervises and coordinates swimmers of the same age and group; escorts swimmers to the ready bench for all of their races at the appropriate times. This key position keeps the meets running on time. Age Group Parents are needed for the duration of every meet, home & away.
Awards and Ribbons: During the meet and after the meet, prepare ribbons for distribution - this involves adding the stickers to and filing the ribbons. This role will also help with the end of the season awards as needed by the Awards Head.
Coaches Meal Coordinator: Responsible for coordinating meals for coaches during practice. Before school gets out: Dinner Monday - Thursday. After School gets out: Breakfast Tuesday - Friday; Dinner Tuesday - Thursday.
Computer Assistant: Learns to use our swim computer systems and helps out the Head Computer Operator during the meets.
Concessions and Hospitality: Help sell items during the meets and provide/distribute water and other supplies needed for the meet. If necessary, may need to help set-up and/or clean-up. Concessions & hospitality volunteers are divided into shifts.
Gear Volunteer: Help with putting together gear bags week of 5/9 in the evenings. Hand out gear bags at Fun Meet. Helps sell extra gear during the meets.
Meet Crew: Includes Friday night setup, meet morning set up and meet tear down crews. Set up crews set up the pool partially Friday night and early Saturday morning, including: arranging lawn furniture, guard stand, backstroke flags, lane guides, setting out timers chairs, setting up the team and ready bench canopies, getting benches for ready bench, etc. Tear down crews are in charge of putting everything away after the meet on Saturday and general clean up of grounds.
Name Tags Coordinator: Responsible for designing, printing and distributing name tags to all swim team volunteers.
Photographer: Attend meets and swim team events to take pictures to document all the fun we have. Please plan to take pictures of all age groups (meaning that you may have to stay for the whole meet).
Ready Bench: Arranges swimmers for each event by heat and lane. For more information about ready bench, click here to see the Ready Bench Guide. Ready bench volunteers work either the early or late shift (or both!).
Special Events Volunteer: Assists Special Events Coordinator with special events and parties.
Stroke and Turn Judges/Scribes: Stroke and turn judges are swim officials assigned by and working for the referee to judge the swimming conformance with the rules for the event being swum. Non-conformance, frequently referred to as “DQ” or disqualification, is reported to the referee. Training is required. Scribes stand behind the Stroke and Turn Judges poolside and take dictation to complete disqualification (DQ) forms. This position works in shifts.
Stroke and Turn Judge Lead: This will coordinate the Stroke and Turn Judges and help them get their training. Will also coordinate Scribes.
Timers and Runners: Timers work in shifts to time event heats. Runners collect deck cards from timers after each event and deposits them at the scoring table.
NOT SURE WHERE TO VOLUNTEER?
Have small children? We encourage parents with younger children to sign up for Meet Crew, Age Group Parents, Ready Bench (younger swimmers love to see their parents right before they race!).
Enjoy being part of the action? Ready Bench, Timer, Runner, Stroke/Turn Judge, Starter, “Flipper” and Age Group Parent are great volunteer positions for you.
Want to meet other Shark parents? Consider positions: Age Group Parent, Hospitality Volunteer, Timer, Ready Bench, Meet Crew
Want to Be in the Shade and Still Watch Your Children Swim? Volunteer for Ready Bench, Computer, or Awards