Accokeek Stroke Technique Swim Team

Volunteer Opportunities

 

ASTS is part of Potomac Valley Swimming LSC and at every swim meet we attend volunteers are needed in order for the meet to occur. The host team will assign each participating team a specific number of volunteers that they need to provide at each session of the meet. Some of the volunteer positions require individuals to be certified while other have no requirements.

 

Volunteer Opportunities at swim meets include:

  1. Meet Officials - (Stroke & Turn Judge, Chief Judge, Starter, Referee, Administrative Officials) must be registered members of USA Swimming and have completed specific training courses and apprenticeships in order to volunteer *More information about becoming an official can be found on Officials Tab of the ASTS website or PVS website (www.pvswim.org)
  2. Meet Marshall - Meet Marshall are responsible for ensuring that only athletes, meet volunteers, and coaches are on the pool deck. In addition, they help ensure that the facility rules are followed. USA Swimming Recommended Training Self Paced
  3. Timer/Head Timer - Timers are provided a stopwatch and given basic instructions from the Starter (Meet Official) before the beginning of each session. The Head Timer is typically a volunteer who has been a timer at previous meets. 
  4. Runner - The runner’s responsibility is to collect the lane timer sheets from each lane after the end of each event and bring them to the administrative table which is typically near the Starter. In addition, there may be a runner assigned to posting results in the facility for spectators to see. 
  5. Hospitality - Typically the meet host team provides all of the volunteers for hospitality but sometimes they do open those spots to other teams. The hospitality volunteers monitor the hospitality area for coaches & volunteers. They will deliver water/drinks to the meet volunteers throughout the session. Depending upon the size of the meet, there may be 2 hospitality areas - 1. Coaches/Officials and 2.Timers/Marshalls/Other Meet Volunteers. 

Volunteer Expectations for ASTS Families

 

As you may know, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the state of Maryland and with the federal government. Our team was founded not only to promote athletic competition, but also to instill the value of volunteerism within our community. We believe it’s important to show our children that giving back is not just something we do—it’s something we live.

With that in mind, we’re moving away from a “stick” approach and instead embracing a more positive, reward-based “carrot” model for encouraging family involvement.

Volunteer Commitment

We ask each family to contribute up to 40 volunteer hours over the course of the season, which runs from September through May (a 9-month period).

INCENTIVE FOR EXCEEDING HOURS

On the flip side, we’re excited to offer an incentive:

Families who exceed the 40-hour volunteer mark will receive a 20% deduction on their meet fees.

✅ This is official team policy.

We know everyone is juggling a lot, and we deeply appreciate all that you do. To help, here’s a breakdown of how hours can be earned throughout the season:

Ways to Earn Volunteer Hours:

  • Donations to Meets or Events: = 1 hour per item donated
    • ​ Example: A case of water + a case of Gatorade = 2 hours
  • End-of-Year Trip Participation: 4 hours (Parents often help support multiple children—not just their own!)
  • Community Volunteer Events (e.g., Wreaths Across America, food delivery, soup kitchens):​
    • Hours will be awarded based on participation
  • Swim Meet Sessions: 4 hours per person, per session
    • Example: If two family members time one session, that’s 8 hours total

Tracking Volunteer Hours

Sherell Love and Coach Neicy will be tracking volunteer hours, and we’ll provide periodic updates throughout the season.

Official Team Positions

If you currently hold an official team position, beginning in October, your meet fees will be reduced by 20%, as your commitment already exceeds the 40-hour requirement. Thank you for your ongoing dedication!

If you’re interested in learning more about official roles within the team, please reach out to Sherell Love at [email protected].

Here are some of our key parent coordinators and officials:

  • Sherell Love – Parent Coordinator (SAARC) & Team Officials Chair
  • Rolanda Piper – Parent Coordinator (North Point)
  • Krysten Pizzuro – Team PVS Administrative Official
  • Karen Bushrod – Team PVS Stroke and Turn Official

If you have any questions about the volunteer structure or how you can get involved, feel free to contact Coach Banks directly.

 

TO CLARIFY TWO KEY POINTS:

👉 Fees eligible for the 20% deduction include Meet Fees not Monthly Team Fees or Registration Fees..

👉 There will NOT be a $100 charge for uncompleted hours.

This was discussed previously as a potential idea, but it is not team policy.

Thank you for being an essential part of our team community!