FAMILY VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
 
As all returning Tanterra parents know (and new parents will find out),
it takes a tremendous number of volunteers to put on a swim meet.
Swim meets normally require up to 50 adults to handle all of the roles of timekeepers, officials and concessions. To ensure that we have adequate coverage for every meet,a parent(s) from each team family is required to volunteer during the season. Time trials require even more volunteers since there is no opposing team to share the workload. Time Trials is a great time to try new volunteer roles and to meet other Tarpon parents. Scroll down to see what the committees are all about and the time required for each job, or use this menu to jump around.
 

 

TIMERS/OFFICIALS

Timer:

There are 3 timers in each lane. The primary responsibility is to
start the watch at the start of the race and stop it when the swimmer touches the wall.  The highest and lowest times are dropped and the middle time becomes the official time for the lane. You get the best seat in the house with this job.No experience is required. Most people that do it once sign up to do it again and again. (Training available if interested) Time required: For A meets the duration of the meet.  For B meets half of the meet

Stroke and Turn: 

Certification is required through MCSL. The legality/basicsof each stroke is demonstrated at the clinic. There are four stroke and turn officials at each meet; two from each pool.  The Stroke and Turn Officials watch 3 lanes each and make sure the strokes are done in a proper way.  For example, did a backstroker swim the entire race on his/her back, is the breaststroker kicking properly, etc. Time required: the duration of the meet.

 

Starter:

Certification is required through MCSL.  Starter is responsible for
giving the command to start the race, operating the starting equipment, and assuring (with the referee) that no one false starts. Time required: the duration of the meet.

Referee:

Certification is required through MCSL.  The referee is responsible for running the meet.  The referee must approve all swimmer disqualifications and keeps the meet running in a timely fashion.  All disputes, rule questions,etc. are handled by the referee; therefore, the referee must be familiar with all applicable USS and MCSL rules. Time required: the duration of the meet.

Head Timer: 

Prior experience as a timer is required.  Head Timer is responsible for assuring that all timers have started their watches at the appropriate time and recorded their times accurately, collecting all timesheets after the race, and providing timers with support as needed.  Head Timer also starts two extra watches in case they are needed by other timers. (Training is available). Time required: the duration of the meet.

Assistant Head Timer: 

Prior experience as a timer is required.  Assistant Head Timer works with the Head Timer and is responsible for assuring that
timers in three lanes have started their watches at the appropriate time and recorded their times accurately, for collecting all time sheets after the race, and for providing timers with support as needed. (Training is available). Time required: the duration of the meet.

Chief Judge:

Certification as a Referee or Stroke and Turn Official is required. Chief Judge works at B meets with the Referee to approve disqualifications at the far end of the pool. Time required: the duration of the meet.

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SWIM MEET JOBS

Announcer:

The Announcer works at home meets. The Announcer reads names and events from the program prior to each event.  No experience is necessary. Time required: the duration of the meet.

Clerk of Course:

Responsible for checking in swimmers prior to their events.
Assures swimmers are aware of what lanes to swim in based on the meet program and makes sure that they are in their correct lanes on time. (Same responsibility for A and B meets). Time required: the duration of meet.

Runner: 

Responsible for taking the time sheets from the Head Timer and
delivering to the Automation person after each event.
(Same responsibility for A and B meets). Time required: the duration of the meet.

A and B Representative:

Responsible for managing and coordinating all
activities for the swim season for the A or B teams.  Attends monthly MCSL meetings in Rockville from January though July.  Assures Chairpersons are in place for all positions.  Makes decisions as necessary to assure the team runs efficiently.  Attends meetings with other reps to coordinate major meets including Relay Carnivals
and Divisionals.  Assures officials are in place on meet date and all the necessary paperwork is ready at the start of the meet.  Works with and interfaces with coaches as necessary. Acts as point of contact for all parent concerns. Signs off on score sheets to make the meet official at the conclusion of the meet.

Automation Coordinator: 

Uses Hy-Tek Meet and Team Manager software to prepare meet entry sheets and to record swimmer times and heat scoring.  Prints
ribbon labels, event score sheets and final meet summary.  Prints out program.  Allowed to leave to watch your swimmers events.  Active coordination with Head Coach required during week.  Time required: duration of the meet.

Assistant Automation Coordinator: 

Works each meet with Automation Coordinator
to check timer sheets for accuracy and to check final summary sheets for accuracy.  Allowed to leave to watch your swimmers events. Time required: duration of the meet.

Ribbon Writers: 

One required for A and one for B meets.  Organizes and orders
ribbons prior to start of season.  Responsible for attaching labels to ribbons during the meet.  Coordinates the distribution of ribbons after the meet, either in the family folders or at the Friday pep rallies.  Also provides Best Time ribbons. Works with the Automation Coordinator to get these labels during the week.  Allowed to leave to watch your swimmers events.  Some additional time between meets. Time required:  duration of the meet.

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CONCESSIONS (home meets only)

Helper:

Helps set up the concessions, keeps the supplies stocked and sells during the meet.  The first shift will help with set up and the second shift will help with clean up.  You are allowed to leave to watch your child swim in his/her race.  First shift is expected
to show up before start of meet and second shift is expected to stay after the meet.  Both shifts may work during half time. Time required: approximately 2 hours.

Cooks: 

Starts the grills before the meet and grills food during the meet. Usually done before meet ends unless it is a Saturday meet and we are entertaining the other team at our pool. Will work during half time at B meets. Time required: approximately 2 hours.

Officials Hostess:

Sets up a refreshment table for all officials - approximately 25
people.  Officials come to the table at half time of the meet.  Refreshments consist of drinks (water, ice tea, etc.)fruit, cake, and cookies.  The Concessions chairperson provides refreshments.  On hot days, serves water to the officials on the pool deck.  Also is responsible for cleaning up refreshment table.  Time required: duration of meet.

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COMMITTEES


COMMITTEES

Social:
This chairperson will be in charge of overseeing the teams social events for the season and organizing a group of parent volunteers to run these events.  Some past events have included:  Bingo, Spirit Day, Team Trip, and Hot Chocolate for first week of practice, team and family meals or events, Putt Putt Golf, Movies, Book Sale, and Raft Night. The chair can continue with the events from previous
years or create new social events.  Volunteers sign up to help during these events. Helping can include serving food, bringing food, helping with the activity, attending team trips away from the pool, etc. Time required: approximately 2-3 hours per event.

Banquet:
At the end of the swim season, the parents plan a banquet for all the swimmers and their families to attend.  This event is the BIG event of the season.  During the banquet, swimmers receive their awards.  There are food, games, contests, dancing and plenty of fun.  The banquet usually has a theme that the committee decides on. 
Volunteers assist the committee chair with the decorations, preparation, and setup, as well as clean up during the banquet.  This also requires planning and/or work meetings.

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Dive Meet Jobs

Dive Team Job Descriptions

 

Table Workers: This is a job for someone who likes to work with numbers. A side benefit is you get a great seat; refreshments, (at least at home meets) and you meet people from other teams. There are several jobs at the table. Most jobs include adding and double-checking someone elses adding.  Calculators and erasers will be available.  We will train you.  Time required: half a meet.

 

Ribbon Writer:  Records scores on labels provided and attaches the labels to provided ribbons. Time required: half a meet.

 

Judge: this gives you the best seat in the house!  Judges watch each dive and give a corresponding score.  There are 5 judges at each meet.  The high and low score are tossed out and the middle 3 are used for the final score. This is not as scary as it sounds. We attempt to provide shade and refreshments.  This requires a 2-hour training and certification is valid for three years.  As a new Judge we will start you out on the younger divers and move you up, as you feel comfortable.  Time required: half a meet.

 

Judge and Referee Training: This requires attending a two hour training session at a neighboring pool. You will learn how to score the divers and the rules.  Once completed, the training is good for three years. We generally start new judges with the younger divers.  Referee training is a bit of additional time at the training.  New Referees are welcome to sit with experienced referees for training during the season. Time required: 2 hours to 2 ½ hours.

 

Referee: This job requires additional training and should be attempted by someone whom has been a judge for at least a year.  Referees insure rules are upheld.  We will provide an experienced referee to co-referee with you. The amenities include shade, refreshments and our gratitude.  Time required: duration of meet.

 

Concessions- (6/15 meet only)

Helper: Helps set up the concessions, keeps the supplies stocked and sells during the meet.  You will help set up and take down the concessions during home meets. Divisionals will be scheduled in two-hour blocks.  You are allowed to leave to watch your child dive.  Dual meets will be first half only. Time required: approximately 2 hours.

 

Officials Hostess: The Concessions chairperson provides refreshments for the hostess to serve.  Hostess serves water and refreshments to the officials on the pool deck and table workers. This is to be carried out several times during the meet.  Hotter days will require additional water to be served.  Time required: half of the meet.

 

Announcer: Home Meets only. This requires some training.  Additionally the announcer should have a good understanding of dive numbers, a quick paced delivery, and unbiased patience. Time required: Duration of meet.

 

Dive Representatives: Responsible for managing and coordinating all activities for the dive season.  Attends MCDL meetings over the off-season.  Makes decisions as necessary to assure the team runs efficiently.  Enters all divers into the MCDL website for insurance purposes and collects $10 fee from all divers.  Attends meetings with other reps to coordinate Divisionals and All Stars.  Assures officials are in place on meet date and all the necessary paperwork is ready at the start of the meet.  Works with and interfaces with coaches as necessary.   Acts as point of contact for all parent concerns. Signs off on official meet result sheets.  Records meet results and posts them within 24 hours to the MCDL website. 

 

Baker: Brings home-made baked goods or sliced fruit for officials during the meet. Time required: 1 hour.

 

Label Maker: Prepares labels for meet ribbons at home.  Labels and file will be given to you.  Time required: Takes 1 to 2 hours at home, must have computer, internet access and windows.

 

T-shirts: Takes orders for league shirts, collects money, gives money to treasurer to turn into a team check, places the order, and arranges for pick-up and distribution of shirts.  Time required: 4 to 5 hours, not all at once.

 

Set up: Arrive 1 to 1 1/2 hours early.  Set up chairs, tables, canopies, fill coolers with ice and place water bottles in to get cold and assist as needed with other setup per Dive Reps instructions.  Time required: 30 minutes.

 

Clean-up: Clean-up at the end of the meet. Return chairs, tables and canopies to their pre-meet spots. Check area and pick-up remaining trash. Time required: 30 minutes.

 

Pick-up: bagels, donuts, and ice from Shoppers before 6/15 meet. Pay for items and submit receipt for reimbursement. Time required: 45 minutes.

 

Pick-up: Coffee from Olney Starbucks and return thermos after the 6/15 meet.  Time required: 30 minutes.

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