VAST Volunteer Policy 2023-24
For the 2023-24 Swim Year, we will divide the commitment into three trimesters versus a running year total. This will allow us to make sure that we get the help when we need it at the meets but that families are also not in a situation with a lot of hours left with not a lot of opportunities. Families can choose to work some meets, pay for some volunteers hours, and find a way to support the team that works best for them. We will be working on developing a FAQ section for the website.
Families are responsible for the hours assigned for their highest group swimmer. For example, A family has a swimmer in Silver Elite and Bronze. In Trimester 2, the family is responsible for working 16 hours since that is the requirement for Silver Elite Families.
Intrasquad meets: All swimmers participating, regardless of swim group are required to have volunteer participation at intrasquad meet. Hours worked at intrasquad meets count as ½ towards the volunteer requirement. While intrasquad meets are a great way to provide opportunity for our swimmers, they do not serve as fundraisers in the same way as other meets do.
What is a “buy out”?
Buy outs happen at the beginning of the trimester and you pay the money upfront before the trimester starts (or right at the beginning). It is a lesser hourly charge ($30) as it helps us to know that you will not be available to help that trimester so we can find other volunteers and higher other local organizations ahead of time if we need to. For example, if you are opting out of your volunteer hours for Trimester 1, you will pay the buyout fee with registration. You then will not be responsible for working any hours during trimester 1. You can buy out 1 trimester if are busy with one another activity, but then work your hours in another. What you pick for one trimester, does not have to be the same for all.
September-December
Gold Elite: 10 hours Trimester 1 buy out: $300
Silver Elite: 8 hours, Trimester 1 buy out: $240
Silver/Gold: 8 hours, trimester 1 buy out: $240
Bronze: 4 hours, trimester 1 buy out: $120
Blue: no required hours
Volunteer opportunities: VAST October Invite @ KCAC October 21st/22nd , assigned timing spots @ PNS Champs, October challenges, and other meets. Planning holiday events, donations, etc.
Families with less than 2 hours left will be waived for the trimester.
Family is responsible for the whole trimester worth of hours should regardless of whether they participate for the entire trimester. Trimesters are not prorated. Should a swimmer stop swimming in the middle of the trimester, they will be billed the full amount owed on the next months invoice.
Remaining Hours will be billed $40 an hour on your January billing statement.
Credit will be given up to 4 additional hours per family on your February billing statement for hours worked beyond the above requirements paid at $20 per hour.
January-March
Gold Elite: 12 hours Trimester 1 buy out: $300
Silver Elite: 10 hours, Trimester 1 buy out: $240
Silver/Gold: 8 hours, trimester 1 buy out: $240
Bronze: 4 hours, trimester 1 buy out: $120
Blue: no required hours
Volunteer opportunities: Our largest meets happen during this time. Washington Open. There will also be other opportunities at various other meets during this time. There will be opportunities for families to work together during this trimester! Your swimmers will be able to time, help at meets, etc.
Families with less than 2 hours left will be waived for the trimester.
Remaining Hours will be billed $40 an hour on April billing statement.
Credit will be given up to 4 additional hours per family on your May billing statement for hours worked beyond the above requirements paid at $20 per hour.
Trimester 3:
Gold Elite: 6 hours Trimester 3 buy out: $180
Silver Elite: 6 hours, Trimester 3 buy out: $180
Silver/Gold: 6 hours, trimester 3 buy out: $180
Bronze: 4 hours, trimester 3 buy out: $120
Blue: 1 session if swimmer is participating the the VAST Summer Sprints meet.
Volunteer opportunities: VAST Summer Sprints, intrasquad, other meets where we are assigned timers.
Families with less than 2 hours left will be waived for the trimester.
Remaining Hours will be billed $40 an hour on your August invoice.
Credit will be given up to 4 additional hours per family for your September 2024-25 swim year paid at $20 per hour.
