Polo Fields Piranhas Swim Team :: Volunteer Descriptions

SWIM TEAM VOLUNTEER DUTIES

You may notice that we repeatedly mention "10 minute break" in the descriptions below. The meet is divided into two halves that are relatively equal number of events. In the middle of the meet, the starter will call a 10 minute break so that timers, judges and starters can switch out for the second half of the meet. It is important that those working the "second half" IMMEDIATELY go to their post so that the first shift can be relieved, all volunteers can be accounted for and the second half can be started on time. If a volunteer is not at their post as provided in the descriptions below, they may be replaced and that volunteer will need to make up the volunteer slot at a different meet. Please be respectful of other volunteers, meet officials and the swimmers and arrive on time.

Set Up:

responsible for setting up equipment/supplies required for the meet (tables, chairs, tents, banners, ect)
may help sell concessions until first shift arrives
shift: 4:00 - 5:50
home meets only

Clean Up:

responsible for taking down equipment/supplies after the meet
clean up grounds and picking up trash as needed
shift: 9:00 - until at least 1 hour after the meet ends
home meets only

Concessions:

responsible for preparing and selling food and drinks throughout the meet
responsible for receiving money, making change, and maintaining accountability for money box
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet
home meets only

Griller:

responsible for cooking meat for concessions at grill provided by clubhouse
two shifts: 5:15 - 7:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 (note: first shift starts before the meet starts)
home meets only

Concessions Runner/Hospitality:

responsible for taking meat from grill to concessions
communicating with concessions and griller and what is needed
hand out water to meet workers every 30 minutes
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet
home meets only

Announcer:

responsible for calling swimmers to clerk of course area by event and heat number and making general announcements via microphone or bullhorn
call swimmers to clerk of course identified as "1st call", "2nd call" and "last call"
acknowledge sponsors at the beginning of the meet
announce concession offerings
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of meet
home meets only

Starter/Meet Referee:

sits in lifeguard chair and announces/start of each race
responsible for providing a fair start for all swimmers
responsible for keeping the meet moving forward
notifies swimmers of distance and event
ensures timers are ready for the start of the race
directs swimmers to "take your mark"
gives starting signal
full authority over all officials
Board prefers that volunteer for this position sign up for several shifts/meets of same position as some training involved
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break to end of the meet
home meets only

Clerk of Course:

shall make sure swimmers have reported to clerk of course area and are lined up in the correct order for each heat per Heat Sheet
1-2 workers will escort swimmers to starting area and their applicable lanes, remaining workers will shift swimmers up one row and begin to fill last row with the next heat
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break to end of the meet

Starter Helper:

responsible for assisting swimmers in assigned lanes and making sure swimmer swim in proper events and heats
ensures swimmers goggles are on
reminds swimmers of stroke and distance
provides encouragement to swimmers
two shifts: 5:50- beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break - end of the meet

Timer:

responsible for accurately timing swimmer in the assigned lane
verify that swimmer matches the name on the time sheet
signal starter that you are ready by raising hand
start the watch instantly at sound of starting device
if you miss start, raise hand and alert head timer who will time that race for you
stop watch the instant that any body part touches pool wall
document time on heat sheet and give to runner
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet
all timers are required to attend timers meet at 5:30

Head Timer:

responsible for instructing timers on how to use stop watch at 5:30 timers meeting
start watch at the beginning of each race
assist timers who did not start watch on time by timing their lane
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet

Runner:

pick up heat sheets from timers as sheet is completed
some sheets may have only a few races or heats (especially at the beginning of the meet)
pick up DQ forms from stroke and turn judges
match DQ forms with appropriate heat sheets
deliver all forms to computer operator timely
hand out heat ribbon to winner of each heat
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet

Stroke and Turn Judge:

Certification required by attending SFL training session
one judge provided by each team
ensures all rules related to that style of swimming are observed
judge relay starts in accorance with race rules
report violations by completing a DQ form and handing it to the runner
drops back stroke flags on false starts
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet

Computer Operator:

responsible for entering swimmers data into Meet Manager software during the meets
print ribbon labels for both teams
Board prefers that volunteer sign up for multiple shifts/meets as some training is required
two shifts: 5:50 - beginning of 10 minute break and beginning of 10 minute break until end of the meet

Ribbon Writer:

responsible for teams ribbons
place results labels generated by computer workers onto corresponding place ribbons and put ribbons into family folder
shift: 10 minute break - until approximately 30 minutes after meet is over

Age Group Parent:

responsible for helping younger swimmers get to clerk of course
remind swimmers of events and answer questions
help keep swimmers in designated areas so that they can be found for their races
Ages: 6 and under for boys, 6 and under for girls, 7-8 for boys and 7-8 for girls, 9-10 for boys and 9-10 for girls.
Shift: 5:50 - last race for that age group INCLUDING relays