What are the Volunteer Requirements?
*Each family is required to complete a minimum of FOUR volunteer shifts during the regular season.
*Additionally, if you have a swimmer participating in the swim meet, you or a family member needs to sign up for a volunteer shift for that meet! All shifts must be covered to have a successful meet and to keep it fun and safe for the swimmers!
*If all shifts are not filled by the Thursday prior to a swim meet, families who have swimmers participating will be assigned a shift.
*Failure to comply with the volunteer requirements will result in a $300 charge at the end of the season. We really do need everyone's help to have a successful summer swim season!
How do I sign up for Volunteer Shifts?
Volunteer shifts are released by the Volunteer Coordinator in the "Events" page of the website usually early during the week of the swim meet. You can sign up for shifts by going to the Events page, selecting the appropriate event, and clicking the GRAY "Job SignUp" button to the right of the meet declaration button.
Home meets are broken into two shifts, so you'll work about half of the meet. NOTE - everyone gets to watch their kid(s) swim! Some jobs you'll even get a 'front row seat' (like timing) and if you choose a job that's not right on the pool deck (like concessions or heating) you'll be able to step away to watch a race. Have little kids or non-swimmers with you? Depending on your shift type they can hang with you while you work. Check with the volunteer coordinator if you have questions.
Officials volunteer shifts are managed by the Head Official. These shifts require a small amount of training pre-season and shifts are organized generally several weeks before swim meets. We are required to provide team officials for home and away meets.
Sign up for Officials Shifts HERE
How do I know what the Volunteer jobs are?
Other than Officials, volunteer jobs require no special training, skills, or swimming experience. Here are descriptions of all the volunteer positions we need filled for swim meets!
Heating - Home and Away meets
Line up the swimmers in the heating area. Help kids find right lanes on deck. We have an easy-to-follow system. You must come to the quick morning meeting before the meet to get organized.
Ribbon Helper - Home and Away meets
Help to label ribbons and put them in the family folders typically Tuesday AM after the Saturday meet. Meet at the covered patio during morning swim practice.
Runner Shift - Home and Away meets
Collect and deliver cards to and from timers to the computer/scoring table. Requires walking and comfortable shoes. You will report to the officials for more information. This is split with the other team.
Scoring Table - Home and Away meets
The scoring table reviews the swimmers' cards and the DQ slips from each event. Mark the cards in the finish order. *This is good for someone who has taken one of the official trainings but not necessary.
Timer - Home and Away meets
We use Dolphin timers to time the races. They will start automatically when the race begins, so timers simply need to press the button as soon as swimmers reach the wall. This role offers a great place to be right on the pool deck to watch all the swimmers come in. You will need to attend the timer meeting usually right before the meet starts.
Concession Helpers - Home meets
Help sell and serve a variety of items, including pastries, bagels, fruit, candy, water and soda, and snacks. Concessions are fun for the swimmers and the sales help round out the Holly Park Sharks budget! *Note the first shift starts at 7:30 AM to allow for setup time and to ensure there is food available to swimmers before the meet begins.
Finish Recorder -Home meets
Watches at the end of the finish line and writes down to see who comes in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th. This is used in case there is a discrepancy with the swimmers' times. (This position is not always used.)
Heat Card Turner - Home meets
Turns the heat card numbers to correspond with the races in heating.
Heat Winner Tickets - Home meets
Hands out ticket to first place winner for each heat. This ticket allows the summer to collect a rubber duck as a prize!
Meet and Food Setup - Home meets
Set up at 7:00pm on the Friday prior to the swim meet. Responsible for setting up all equipment required to run the meet Friday evening including Concessions. Involves setting up tents and tables, running extension cords, and stocking the concessions area. *Great job for families who have a hard time attending Saturday meets or have little ones to manage during the meet itself.
Meet and Food Teardown - Home meets
Responsible for taking down all equipment required to run the meet including concessions, repacking into totes, and returning to our storage shed. This shift begins as soon as the home meet ends.
Water Runner - Home meets
Offers water to officials and others during the meet. 2 helpers per shift on very hot days.
