|
|
With a team as large as ours we need a lot of volunteers to successfully run a swim meet. Approximately 40 volunteers are needed for each home meet, and 30 for away meets. In short, without family volunteers, we could not have a swim team. While there is a volunteer commitment for every family, we think you will find that working the meets is actually more fun than it is "work." Plus, it's a great way to feel part of the Alligator team spirit, and get to know your Ashbury neighbors even better! Every Alligator family is required to volunteer for six (6) jobs throughout the season. If a parent cannot fulfill their obligation, they are required to find an adult replacement (must be 18 years or older), and then let us know of the change by e-mailing us at workers@ashburyalligators.com. All volunteers are expected to sign-in at the Ashbury Alligator worker sign-up table one hour prior to the start of the meet (with the exception of the Set-up/Breakdown Crew who will arrive one and a half hours before the start of the meet). Below is a brief description of each job. Timer Timer's stand behind their assigned lane and record swimmers' times in that lane, check to ensure the swimmer is in the correct event and lane, and then give the time to the runners. This is a lively, action-filled job. You will use a stopwatch to record swimmers' times during each race, so be ready to be alert and have a quick reaction time. This position requires you to be on your feet throughout the meet at the poolside where you get an excellent view of the action. When you arrive at a meet for worker check-in you will be assigned a lane and given a stopwatch to use. Then, listen for the timers' meeting to be announced. You will attend the timer's meeting which will take place approximately 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the meet. At the timers meeting you will be given specific instruction and answers to any questions you may have. In addition to using the stopwatch, you must confirm that you have the correct swimmer in your lane for each heat. You will be trained on the stopwatch if you are a newcomer. This is not a job that you can supervise your own small children during the meet. This is a job where you will have the best view of the pool and swimmers. You will be relieved for a break at some point during the meet by a back-up timer. Runner This position collects the timer sheets and DQ cards from the timers after each even and then delivers them to the computer table. You will work on the pool deck in the heart of all the action. When you arrive at a meet for worker check-in you will be given a "Runners" vest to wear during the meet. You should plan on walking throughout the meet. This is a good job for watching all of the events up close, although it is not for you if you have smaller children who need supervision during the meet. Official Officials observe and record swimmer's start, stroke, turn, and touch violations. You will be trained as an official by attending one required "Officials Training Sessions" held pre-swim season. The training session counts as one of your six jobs. In the past the official training sessions have been held at Neuqua High School and are offered a few different times (you pick just one). You will learn how to monitor the stroke of the swimmers from the side of the pool. You will also watch the swimmers for false starts, proper turns and touches, and note any disqualifications by raising your hand and then completing a swimmer DQ card. This is a good job to watch the swimmers poolside. This is not a good job if you have young children you have to watch during the meet as this would not be possible. You will also attend an officials meeting held poolside at approximately 15-20 minutes prior to the start of each meet where you will be given additional instruction and answers to any questions you may have. Concessions This position works in the concessions stand area to take food orders, serve drinks and food, and collect money. The Concessions job is a lively job where you will take food orders, serve food and drinks, collect money and give change to customers. This is a great job if you enjoy talking with, and meeting new people. You will also be asked to help set-up the concessions area prior to the start of the meet, and help clean-up at the end. This is a position that requires you to be on your feet throughout the meet, although you can take turns with the other concessions workers to leave the area and go watch your swimmer's events. Set-up/Breakdown Crew This volunteer sets-up prior to the start of the meet, and cleans-up following the meet. You will be required to arrive at 4:00p.m. for weekday meets, and 7:00a.m. for Saturday meets to begin setting up the pool area. This includes installing starting blocks, moving tables and chairs, helping to set-up the concessions area, hanging backstroke flags, chairs, ropes etc. After the meet ends, you will be responsible for putting everything away and cleaning up the pool area. This is a physically demanding job, and is good job for someone who has young children they need to watch during the meet. Marshall This position monitors swimmer's/visitor's conduct and the pool grounds during the meet. You will wear a team "Marshall" vest during the meet and will walk around to monitor swimmers/guests and grounds for safety and cleanliness. For example, if you see children entering the sand area, you will need to tell them they cannot be there. No Marshall should remain in one place more than 10 minutes. Patrolling must be constant and active. Marshalls should not be on their cell phones or chatting with other volunteers or coaches on deck. Ribbons Ribbons volunteers affix labels onto home swimmer's ribbons, and then file them into the swimmers' folders. Every several events, you will place labels onto ribbons and then file them into the swimmers' folders for the kids to pick up the following practice. You are usually able to sit during the meet and can get up to watch your swimmer's events. If it is difficult for you to get to the meets early, this is a good position for you. You are not needed until the meet is underway, but you often will make up for this later start by being one of the last workers to finish at the meet. This is a good job for someone who has young children they need to watch during the meet. Bullpen Bullpen volunteers check line up reports, line swimmers up for events, and take swimmers to starting blocks. You will receive a line up report just prior to the start of a meet. You will use a bullhorn, or your own loud voice to call for swimmers who are unaccounted for. You will make sure the swimmers stay in the bullpen area until their heat is called. You will work with fellow bullpen workers to locate missing swimmers. Once you have lined up the swimmers for each event/heat you will lead them to the starting blocks, making sure each swimmer reaches the correct lane. Sign up for this job if you enjoy communicating with kids of all ages and don't mind walking during the meet. You will be able to leave the bullpen to watch your own swimmer's events. This is not a good job for anyone who has a young child to watch during the meet. Timing Console Timing Console volunteers run the timing system console during the meet, and ensure accurate results are captured in the system. Prior to the start of the season, you will be trained to work the timing console board (the training session counts as one work obligation). Prior to the start of a meet, you will help set-up the timing console system. During the meet you will run the timing system console, and ensure accurate results are captured in the system. The timing console operator is the person responsible for entering the "event/heat" information into the system and verifying the accuracy of results - ensuring the touch pads are reflecting accurate results, selecting manual system times, or calling for watch times as needed. Scorers Scorers record the results following each race, and track the team scores. You will circle the official time, attach DQ cards to the back of the timer sheets, and write the team and swimmer's name on the back of the DQ card. Floaters Floaters will be assigned to fill any vacant positions as needed per meet. You must be flexible and willing to work in whatever position has last minute openings. |