Ohio Swimming
Level 1
Excellence 300

Family Work Requirements 2025–26 Short Course Season

 

Why is there a Work Requirement?

Swim meets at the YMCA/USA level are run entirely on volunteers. For example, the Larry Lyons Meet requires around 125 jobs. Without family participation, these meets can't happen for the swimmers.

Competitive swimming is a FAMILY commitment! We can’t do it without you!

 

Work Credit Requirement

As previously stated, the final credit requirements were to be confirmed in early October. Credits are determined by roster & final meet schedule.  

Each family must complete a number of work credits during the 2025–26 Short Course Season:

  • Single athlete family: 10 credits
  • Multi-athlete family: 13 credits

Credits are earned per family by fulfilling the requirements as listed below! 

 

Required Meet Worker Participation by roster group:

For a break down of the red/blue groups, please click Family Work Requirements Snapshot Document

(1 session = 3 credits)

Cudas, Cuda2, Bronze and Campbell County 10 & Under  - RED GROUP

  • (1) Larry Lyons (Nov 7–9)
  • (1) Winter Cuda (Jan 17–18)
  • (1) YMCA Champs (Mar 6–8 or 13–15)

Silver, PreSR, Senior 1, Senior 2 and Campbell County 11 & Up - BLUE GROUP

  • (1) Larry Lyons (Nov 7–9)
  • (2) YMCA Champs (Mar 6–8 or 13–15)

Multi-Athlete Families

Add (1) additional session at a required “regular season” meet, equaling (4) sessions worked at required meets for the season.    

**EXCEPTION: Multi-athlete families with ONLY high school swimmers required meets will be (1) session of Larry Lyons and (2) sessions of Champs, but still be responsible for earning 13 credits.  

 

Examples for Multi-Athlete Families:

  • Family with 8 y/o & 10 y/o → Work: Larry Lyons + 2 Winter Cuda + Champs = 4 sessions (12 credits)
  • Family with 10 y/o & 13 y/o → Work: Larry Lyons + Winter Cuda + 2 Champs = 4 sessions (12 credits)

 

Away Meets (1 session = 1 point)

  • Occasionally ABLY is asked to provide volunteers for away meets, such as but not limited to:
    • OLY Winter Invite (Dec 4–7)
    • Regional Champs (Feb 19–22)

 

Team Support Opportunities (1 credit each)

Other volunteer roles throughout the year (outside of meets) may earn 1 point, such as:

  • Bulkhead installation
  • “Skilled” job training
  • Other team needs

 

How to Earn Credit

To receive credit for your shift:

  • Active Volunteer Matters account for all working family members
  • Arrive on time
  • Sign in at the Volunteer Check-In Table
  • Work the full session (no early departures)
  • Work the assigned job per the job description

Failure to complete all above steps may result in no credit.

 

Volunteer Matters

Please visit clink the link to access information on setting up Volunteer Matters. All members of the family that will work a meet must have an account.

Account Set Up Click Here!

 

How to check credits?

Similar to last year, will be tracking credits/family participation using a Google Doc that will be viewable on the ABLY website.  Please reach out with any concerns or discrepancies - Family Participation Doc

 

Work Credit Buyout / Missed Requirements

  • Families with unmet requirements are choosing to donate $50 per credit for their absence. This donation will be added to Team Unify accounts at the end of the short course season (April 1). 

 

Paid Workers Option

Can’t work a shift? You can hire a substitute from our Paid Worker List:

  • Rate: $50 per session
  • Must be age 13+ to be a paid worker
  • All communication and payment is handled by the hiring family
  • List will be posted on the website for all to access

Want to become a Paid Worker? Fill out this form

 

Available Jobs at ABLY Meets

Job Title

Description

Arrival Time

Announcer*

Announces races; works with starter

First warm-up

Awards Worker

Applies labels to awards; sorts them

15 mins before session

Cuda Café

Sells concessions & assists café committee

First warm-up

Heat Ribbon Distributor

Hands out ribbons/ducks to heat winners

15 mins before session

Hospitality

Maintains hospitality room & delivers snacks

First warm-up

Official*

Certified role: officiates races

45 mins before session

Safety Marshall

Supervises deck; ensures safety in and around building

First warm-up

Setup/Teardown

Prepares and breaks down meet equipment

Setup: Night before; Teardown: After final session

Timer

Operates stopwatch & records times

45 mins before; attend timer meeting

Timing System – Colorado*

Operates timing computer

30 mins before session

Timing System Assistant

Supports admin table tasks

30 mins before session

Jobs marked with an asterisk require training or certification.   

 

If you are interested in learning about or training for one of our “skilled” jobs, please fill out the interest form and we will contact you. Click Here for Interest Form


Questions? Please reach out to Jess Irwin, Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected]