Parent Volunteers are Essential
This is a community volunteer organization (outside of the coaching staff). Volunteers are critical to the success of our swim team and essential to run any meets - it takes a community to make it happen. HHST requires that families contribute a specific number of "Volunteer Points" during the season (we have done the math - it is the minimum number needed to keep the lights on!).
HHST Volunteer Points Requirements
Each Volunteer role has a specified number of points associated with it (for example, timing or kid pushing during a meet = 1 point, offering to buy donuts for team breakfast = 0.5 points, etc - see below for the full list). The required number of points each family needs to contribute is based on the number of swimmers in each family (with fewer points per swimmer required for larger families):
- Families with 1 swimmer (4 points)
- Families with 2 swimmers (6 points)
- Families with 3+ swimmers (8 points)
Volunteer Roles
The lead roles are typically filled prior to the season start to ensure a smooth season.
Meet Setup– With the volunteer lead, sets up starting blocks, chairs/tables, tents, clerk area, and PA system. Setup begins at 2:30 with an approximate end time of 4:00 or when setup is complete (1 Point for each meet).
Concessions – Sets up, operates, and cleans up concession stand at home meets. May involve some pre-meet preparation (1 Point).
Kid Pushers – Supervises an age group of boys or girls during the meet and delivers swimmers to the Lead Kid Pusher according to the meet lineup sheets prepared in advance by the coach showing each swimmer’s events. If your team records the unofficial time for each swim, you will be responsible for making sure all swimmers in your group have their swimmer number printed on the arm or leg where it will be visible to the personal best times. You will be moving about the pool deck, primarily between the team sitting area and the starting end (1 Point).
Announcer – This position is typically filled by the Communications Chair - communicates to swimmers, officials, and observers over the public address system. Welcomes the visiting team to our pool, announces the officials for the evening, calls each event so the meet flows smoothly, and announces team scores throughout the evening (1 Point).
Scorer – Keeps a running total of points earned by each team within the swimteam software program (tied to the timers system). You will work with the other team’s scorer. You will receive results for each main event and give 5 points to first place, 3 points to second, and 1 point to third (relays received points for first place only). You will be seated at the scoring table. A sheet explaining scoring will be available at each meet (2 Points).
Ribbon Distributor – Passes out ribbons to heat swimmers and commends them as they come out of the water. The winner receives a Heat Winner ribbon and all other swimmers in that heat receive a Fast Swim ribbon. You will be located at the finish end of the pool (1 Point).
Order of Place Judge – Observes the finish order for the Main Events along with a judge from the other team and document finishes. If/when there is any issue with timers, you’ll communicate the finish results to the scorer (1 Point).
Timer – Times all of our team’s swimmers at dual meets. Writes down or provides a recorder for your lane swimmer’s time (1 Point).
Runner – Takes disqualification sheets from stroke and turn judges and carries them to the scorer’s table. The position may also obtain order of place information from the place judge if/when there is a timer issue. The runner must deliver the sheets directly to the scorer’s table and does not allow coaches or other interested parties to see them in transit (1 Point).
Breakdown/Meet Cleanup – Sets the facility back in order, collects trash, puts away lane ropes, starting blocks, backstroke flags, 6-under finish rope, lights, and PA system (1 Point).
Ribbon Printer - From the computer system, print lables and apply to appropriate ribbons to indicate 1st - 6th place winners and personal best times. Ribbons are organized into the bins for distribution at a subsequent practice (1 Point).
Lead Volunteer Roles
Clerk of Course (Lead Role) – Lines up our swimmers in the order that they swim. The announcer calls for each gender/age group for each event to report to the clerk of course. You will organize the swimmers according to the event sheets and lineup prepared in advance by the coach. You will get to meet all the swimmers and give them a word of encouragement as they line up to swim. You will be moving about the starting end of the pool (2 Points).
Stroke and Turn Judge (Lead Role) – Observes the main event swimmers looking for disqualifying motions. These judges must learn what to look for and disqualify swimmers in point-scoring events who commit violations. Heats are not judged. This judge stands on the side of the pool. Each S&T Judge is required to attend a TSA two-hour class. Each team provides one judge per meet (2 Points).
Starter (Lead Role) – Furnished by the home team. The starter has complete control of swimmers delivered to the starting blocks by the clerk of the course. Uses the commands “step up” (or “step in the water” for backstroke), “Timers and judges ready”, announce the distance and stroke or relay event, ‘Take your mark”, press the starting device button. This position remains stationary at the starting end of the pool (2 Points).
Thank you for making swim team a success!
