A Community that Loves Swimming

Des Moines Swimming Federation coaches guide athletes in swimming fast and building a love of the sport. You don’t have to get in the pool to be on the team, though. The larger DSMF community creates the environment for kids to be their best.

A parent-run, 501(c)(3) organization, DMSF families support the coaches in running the team. Parent volunteers serve on the DMSF Board, officiate and host meets, and organize team fun. Most of all, they cheer on every athlete wearing DMSF blue and gold.

DMSF Board

DMSF is managed by a volunteer parent board of directors, who help manage team operations, staffing and programming. Directors are elected to a two year term by the general membership at the DMSF annual member meeting in October.  The Board is supported by the numerous committee members and others who volunteer for the team. The board generally meets monthly. All board meetings are announced ahead of time and are open to the general membership.

Board President:      Tyler Smith

Natalie Lyons (Vice President)
Lora Brons (Treasurer)
Jennifer McNichols (Secretary)
Andrew Green
Alissa Smith
 

DMSF Committees

Committee membership is necessary for our team to run smoothly, and is also a great way to get involved! DMSF and our swimmers need your time and talent! Click here for more information about the committee role descriptions. 

Please sign up for a committee here. 

 
Grants/Fundraising/Sponsorship Committee

Coordinates fundraising programs for the club, which has included dining out with a cause, lane sponsorships at meets, AmazonSmile, etc. The vision for this committee is to secure grant funding (especially for outreach programs we offer like free lessons for Wilke House), secure meet sponsors, lane sponsors, team sponsors, and to coordinate at least two large fundraising campaigns per year- a year end fundraising campaign and Swim-A-Thon.

Grants: Gary & Lora Brons

Major Events:

 

Swim-A-Thon Committee

This is the team's major fundraiser, typically held in the spring at the start of long-course season. Help to plan the theme and decorate, obtain prizes for our athletes, design apparel, etc.

Swim A Thon Committee Members: 

 

Marketing Committee

Coordinates advertising and promotion for the club year around.  This will include advertisements for try outs, backpack program ads for the club in general, promoting team events, highlighting swimmer achievements and posting ads for new coaches.  This committee will also include the arrangements with vendors for DMSF apparel and other logo items. This committee will work with Elsmore Swim Shop and other vendors to plan multiple apparel opportunities.

Board Sponsor: 

Meet Management Committee
 
Coordinates DMSF-hosted meets to ensure the best experience possible for athletes and their families by recruiting volunteers, organizing meet activities, planning apparel vendor participation and more. Bids Meets (typically due in February for an April vote by the House of Delegates). 
 
 
Hospitality & Concessions Committee
 
Oversees hospitality and concessions by soliciting donations and coordinating food for coaches & officials during DMSF-hosted meets.
 
 
Membership and Volunteerism Committee
 
Coordinates tryout events at least two times per year. This committee will work throughout the year to plan for events that increase membership.  This includes coordinating two or more try out events prior to each season (short and long course seasons), as well as developing “bring a friend to practice” and “two week free trial” events.
  • Fall & Summer Swim Try Outs
    • Set dates, secure location, plan the staffing, develop and circulate advertising- Fall tryouts are usually held in August and Summer tryouts are usually held in March. 
 
 
Lessons and Alternative Programs Committee
 
Plans and coordinates private and community lessons throughout the year, but primarily for the summer season.
The following are a number of lessons/alternative programs that can be offered.  The tasks include working closely with the Head Coach and Head Age Group Coach to develop the timeline and programming for lessons, work with facilities to reserve the pools, outreach to Wilke House and Summer Camps/Daycares as well as others to coordinate larger opportunities for lessons programs, planning for training senior athletes and others who want to work as lessons instructors, working with the coaches to ensure the times for the community lessons coordinates with gold/platinum practice, and working with the marketing committee to advertise the lessons, and working with the team manager to ensure all insurances and certifications are obtained in advance. 
 

 

Team Travel Committee
 
This committee establishes background check and form requirements for each team travel event; advertises for and selects chaperones for team travel; schedules a team travel zoom with all travelers, their parents, the coaches and chaperones to review the agenda and rules prior to each team travel; books hotels, rental cars and food venues; Sends out and collect waivers/consents/background checks prior to all team travel; arranges meals and snacks for team travel group; handles all questions and issues related to team travel.
 
 
 
Social Committee
 
Makes DMSF a fun experience for athletes through social events like team dinners and holiday celebrations. 
 
 

Sign up for specific events here. 
 
 
Technology Committee
 
Help with set up and troubleshooting of technology during our hosted meets.  Evaluate new equipment needs and purchases for the team.
 
Board Sponsor: Tyler Smith
 
Committee Chair: Russ Mintle
 
Committee Members: Steve Bormann, Russ Mintle