Volunteer Jobs at Swim Meets
Anyone who has been to even one swim meet knows
that it takes much effort on the part of parent volunteers to make it happen.
Approximately 12 parent volunteers are needed for each away meet and at least 18
volunteers for each home meet as timers, judges, scorers, snack bar helpers,
etc. We will be looking for help from every family during the course of the
season, and we are sure that every parent can find a meet job that he/she enjoys
doing. A description of the meet jobs is provided below:
Timer
This is the most popular meet job among both new
and experienced swim parents. You use a stopwatch to time the swimmer in your
assigned lane. There are typically three timers per lane, and the median of the
times is used as the official time (or as backup for electronic timing systems).
It's cooler on the pool deck than in most observation balconies, and you get a
much better view of the action.
Runner
After each race, the runner collects the times
from the timers in each lane, and takes them to the scoring table. You stay on
the move throughout the meet, so it's great exercise.
Scoring Table
Scorers from each team record the results
following each race, and track the team scores. There can be some pressure at
the table, and the job requires knowledge of the computer program (Meet Manager)
used for the computerized scoring system. The scorekeepers are critical to the
success of the meet, and they are often the only ones who know which team is
winning the meet. The league runs clinics each fall to train new scoring table
workers, and we are also very happy to show you the ropes and have you
apprentice for this essential job.
Finish Judge (Place)
These judges stand at the end of pool and observe
the end of the race. They help decide the order in which the swimmers finished
the event (i.e., who won). No technical knowledge of swimming is required, but
it does require a keen ability to focus your attention for close races.
Stroke & Turn Judge
These judges determine whether a swimmer touched
the end of the pool during a turn and whether the technical aspects of the
swimming stroke were legal. It requires knowledge of the US Swimming stroke
regulations, and a willingness to fairly call stroke and turn infractions on
swimmers when appropriate. Those who are interested in this job must become
certified by attending an officials clinic and "apprentice" with someone for
several swim meets who has done it before. We provide a copy of the
rules. (Click
here for additional requirements to be a Stroke and / or Turn Judge)
Starter
The Starter ... starts the events in the meet and
ensures that the swimmers start simultaneously. This is a leadership position
that requires experience. It is up to the Starter to keep the meet moving.
(Click here for
additional requirements to be a Starter)
Referee
This is the most technically demanding job. The
Starter/Ref runs the events in the meet by ensuring that the swimmers start
simultaneously and oversees all the other meet officials. This is a leadership
position that requires experience and a take-charge personality. It is up to the
Starter to keep the meet moving.
(Click here for
additional requirements to be a Referee)
Announcer
This is a great job for someone with a strong
voice and an ability to correctly pronounce names. You announce the names of the
swimmers in each event, and work with the Starter/Referee to keep the meet
moving quickly and smoothly.
Concession Stand
The snack bar is a great place to work if you're
not interested in watching the whole meet. This is an important fund raiser for
the team, as we raise money for end-of-the-season awards and other extras this
way. You get to interact a lot with both kids and parents.
50/50
This is a great way to meet everyone at the meet.
This is another club fund raiser at home meets. You sell the tickets during the
meet and a drawing is held toward the end. The winner gets half of the money
collected, and HATY Swimming gets the other half.
Deck Parent (Mouth Mom / Dad)
The deck parent helps the coaches find the
swimmers scheduled for upcoming events and get them psyched up for their swim.
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