Volunteers

Parent volunteers are an integral part of our Sharks' Swim Team. From working behind the scenes to all hands "on deck" for timing at meets to serving snacks at the snack bar, volunteers are who help the swim team succeed.

All parents are expected to volunteer at 2 regular season meets and 1 championship meet. Prior to each meet, a Sign-up Genius link will be sent in a Shark Bite for you to sign up & serve. If you would like to get a jump on the season, sign up for all your meets at one time & have your pick of jobs. The benefits of volunteering through the sign-upinclude (but are not limited to):

• You get to choose your job! (rather than being recruited on the spot)

• It's FUN!

• Free water for working in the sun!

• It's great way to meet other swimmers and families!

• Job training provided

• Job sharing provided for bathroom breaks and watching your swimmer in his/her heats

Job Descriptions (for the beginner)

Announcer Keep the meet running smoothly and make any announcements needed to get things done. Specifically he/she reads the events, lanes, and swimmer's name for each heat from the Runner's sheet. Announces the names for the next race just after the prior swimmers hit the water so they are ready to go.

National Anthem SIng a solo, perform as a group, or play the National Anthem on your instrument to start our home meets.

50/50 Sales Stroll the pool area selling 50/50 tickets to parents/spectators while enjoying the meet. Periodically inform the Announcer of the total collected Turn all money and ticket stubs in to the announcer for a winner to be drawn prior to the opens Free Relay. Give 50% of money to winner and 50% to the Swim Team Treasurer, Lisa Bonsall (or designee).

Age Group Helpers Provided with a line-up sheet, gather swimmers from your specific age group before each event and escort them to the Clerk of Course.

6 & Under Boys

6 & Under Girls

7-8 year old Boys

7-8 year old Girls

Clerk of Course Make a final check to ensure swimmers for each heat are lined up correctly at the blocks prior to swimming

Timers Time each heat with the stop watch provided. Report the time to the Runner (and swimmer, if able).

Back-up Timer Start stop watch at the beginning of each heat and listen for requests from deck timers for a back up for stop watch malfunctions. Be prepared to take over the timing of the lane that needs back up.

Runners Receive a Runner sheet from the Announcer after he calls the names of swimmers participating in the corresponding heat. Position yourself at lane 1 or 6 by the timers. When the heat ends, record the times of each swimmer in the corresponding lane. Return the runner sheet to the scorers table.

Ribbon Writers Fill out 1st thru 6th place ribbons for each swimmer with their name, event, and time.

Snack Bar Helper Take a 2 hour shift to help at the Snack Bar. Earlier times include set-up, later time includes clean-up.

Parking Attendants Arrive 15 minutes prior to swimmer warm-up time to direct cars as they arrive for the meet. Once the lot is full, your job is done.

Job Descriptions (for the advanced swim parent)

Meet Coordinator Coordinate with the coaches, timers, runners, & stroke and turn judges to review how the meet will run. Synchronize watches and monitor the pace of the meet. This person can be the starter or a stroke and turn judge.

Starter Use the starting system to signal the start of each heat, determine false starts, and set the pace of the meet. Only experienced swim team parents should volunteer.

Official Stroke & Turn Judges Determine if strokes and turns are "legal". If a stroke or turn is not legal, a swimmer is disqualified (DQed), and the swimmer and timer are notified as soon as the DQ occurs. Volunteer needs to be a seasoned swim parent/coach/swimmer with appropriate training.

Scorers Work with scorers from visiting team to keep score. Must be familiar with the Meet Manager Program.

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