Parent volunteers are essential to a successful swim team! The team parent committee consists of parents who take on a different responsibility for a 1-year term and report directly to the Head Swim Coach. The following are the members of the committee:

• Chair
• Welcome
• Banquet & Special Events
• Swim Meets & Meet Accommodations
• Fundraiser
• Newspaper/Media Relations
• Communications
• Equipment, & Webmaster

Swim meets are completely run by parent volunteers. There are numerous jobs to be filled at meets and volunteering is a great way to stay busy between your child’s events. It also gets parents involved in the achievements of all team members and builds relationships with other parents in the swimming community. If your child is swimming in a “home” swim meet you are required to help run the swim meet. Many jobs must be done, and everyone can find a job that they enjoy doing. Every attempt will be made for each parent to see their child swim in each event they swim.

All Meets Need:

Timers

Time each heat in a specific lane using stopwatches that are provided by the host team. This job is very easy and keeps you right next to the action. No prior experience is necessary. 

Officials

These include the starter, referee, and stroke and turn judges. They conduct the meet and address rule infractions; training is necessary (through USS and/or YMCA, depending on the meet). There is always a demand for these volunteers. Training is technical but not lengthy or difficult. 

Home Meets Also Require:

Ribbon writers

Write names and times or place computer-generated labels on ribbons and other awards for swimmers. No prior experience necessary. 

Runners

After each heat, this person takes cards from timers to the computer operator. No prior experience necessary. 

Hospitality

These volunteers provide drinks to other meet workers, act as host/hostess in the hospitality room where coaches and officials go to relax and have a snack. No prior experience needed. 

Concessions

These people sell snacks and/or supplies which help make up for the cost for hosting swim meets. 

Computer Operator

This person inputs data during meets (times, relay names, etc.) and generates results from the system. Training on specific meet manager software is needed. 

Clerk of Course

The clerk organizes swimmers into proper heats, gives them cards if necessary, and sends them to the start area behind blocks. 

Marshal

Monitors the pool deck, especially, but not only, during warm-up periods to make sure that safety rules are being followed.