Parent Participation
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.
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
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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]
