VOLUNTEER INFO FOR THE 2024 SEASON! If you are new to WaveRiders, please be sure to read this closely as there is a lot of information to know. For returning WaveRiders, still consider this email an important refresher.
- Did you know that summer swim is all VOLUNTEER (except for the coaching staff)?!
- Did you know that it takes approximately 75 volunteers to set up and run a home swim meet?!
- So, we NEED you!
We require every WaveRiders family to volunteer, at minimum, 2 FULL SHIFTS (which equals 4 points on the job signup) during the season for EACH swimmer you have on the team. When signing up for a volunteer role, you will notice the POINT VALUE for each slot. If a job is for either the FIRST HALF or the SECOND HALF, then this is considered a FULL SHIFT (approximately 2 hours). A full shift is equal to 2 points. Take note: there are a few jobs that will only give ONE POINT - and that is because they are typically only ONE HOUR.
- So, if you have 1 swimmer, your family needs to volunteer at least 2 full shifts during the season (or a total of 4 points).
- If you have 2 swimmers, your family needs to volunteer at least 4 full shifts during the season (or a total of 8 points).
- If you have 3 swimmers, your family needs to volunteer at least 6 full shifts during the season (or a total of 12 points).
Most of our volunteer options are at SWIM MEETS – both “home meets” at our Rountrey pool and “away meets” at the opposing team’s pool. There are other opportunities throughout the season that we will need volunteers for as well – however, these other options are more of a TBD factor, so we encourage families to do their required volunteer hours at the SWIM MEETS. If meeting your requirements at swim meets poses a problem for your family, please reach out to the team's Volunteer Coordinator ASAP so we can figure out a plan: [email protected] How do you volunteer?
- A Sign Up Genius (SUG) link will be emailed out every Sunday morning for thefollowing week's meet. You will click this link and it will take you to the Job Sign Up where you can choose which volunteer role you would like to do.
- Most volunteer positions are divided, so that you can select between volunteering in the first half of the meet, or the second half of the meet.
- Please note, the majority of the second half is events for 9 and older. If you have a swimmer who is 8 and under, and you want to leave when your swimmer is done with their events, then choose “first half” volunteer jobs only.
- If you only have older swimmers and do not have a swimmer 8 and younger, we encourage you to sign up for the second half of the meet – if you are able to stay until the end of the meet.
Things to know:
- Meets typically last 3.5 hours, depending on the size of the competing team.
- Most meets will begin between 6pm and 6:30pm (this is dependent on many factors – make sure to always refer to the Meet Description on the website/app for final timeline for each meet – they may not all be the same.
- Warmups for swimmers usually start an hour before the meet start time.
- All volunteers are required to CHECK IN upon arrival at the pool – and NO LATER than 30 minutes prior to the start of the meet.
- There will be volunteer meetings as needed prior to the start of the meets so please listen for these announcements and attend the appropriate meeting.
- If any volunteer positions are unfilled 24 hours before the meet is set to begin, the empty positions will be assigned with the names of families with swimmers signed up to attend the meet (this will be a fair assignment – those with no volunteer hours completed at this time will be assigned first). IF you are assigned a position, you will be notified via email.
- So … sign up early so YOU get the chance to pick your volunteer position, or you run the risk of being assigned to something you may not prefer.
- If you sign up for a volunteer position and then realize that you are unable to fulfill your spot, it is YOUR responsibility to find a replacement. The best way to do this is to make a post on our WaveRiders Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaveRidersSwimTeam) to see if anyone is willing and able to take your position, or possibly swap with you for a different meet. Any changes that are done, MUST be approved by sending the request to: [email protected]
- Another family member or friend may fill in for your absence – as long as they are 16 years or older or approved by the Volunteer Coordinator beforehand.
- In an emergent, last-minute cancellation (less than 24 hours prior to start of the meet), please notify us immediately.
Please do not forget to check out our FAQ guide, posted on our team website (https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/waveridersst/page/faq-guide1), for more important information. Also, on the website, there is a list of Job Descriptions to see detailed descriptions of the different volunteer roles for SWIM MEETS. Volunteer Roles that DO NOT need any prior experience or training are:
- Head Timer
- Timer
- Seater for Clerk of Course
- Meet Set Up & Clean Up
- Check-in Tables
- Mite Parent
- Heat Ribbons
- Runner
- Table Worker
- Hospitality
- Concessions
Volunteer Roles that DO require prior experience and/or training are:
- Referee
- Announcer
- Starter
- Computer Operations
- Strokes & Turns
- Clerk of Course
*If you are interested in learning more about these positions that require experience or training, please reach out to us as we are always looking to train more parents in these roles! The WaveRiders Swim Team is also always looking for parents to join one of our Volunteer Committees. A lot of planning and preparation goes into organizing and running a summer swim team and we would love all the help we can get. The Volunteer Committees that we currently have are:
- Spirit Wear/Swag Committee
- Swimsuit Committee
- Sponsorship & Fundraising Committee
- Concessions Committee
- Social/Events Committee
- Champs Committee (for the Championship swim meet at the end of the season, at Swim RVA, for those swimmers who qualify)
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns! We are always glad to help! THANK YOU in advance for all you do to support our team! Summer swim is such a fun time for not only the swimmers but also the families! So many memories will be made! ~ Go WaveRiders! Contact Information: Coaches: [email protected] WaveRiders Board: [email protected] WaveRiders Volunteer Coordinator: [email protected] |