The Antioch Waves Swim Team depends on parent volunteers to run home meets. No parent is expected to be an expert, but all parents are expected to help during each home meet. When you help AWST, you are helping kids learn, grow, and have fun.
Volunteers can select their preferred job and time frame from the following roles on a first come, first serve basis. Simply print your swimmer's last name in one of the 46 job positions available on each Meet Sign Up Form (one for each home meet). Meet Sign Up Forms are posted poolside with the Swimmer Sign Up Forms. Please sign up early to ensure best selection of jobs and shifts. Any family that does not sign up for a meet in which they have a child swimming, will have a job assigned. Assignments will be made 48 hours prior to each home meet.
Each family will receive a reminder notice in their family folder detailing their job assignment, date of the meet, and time frame. This will be your only reminder, so it is extremely important to check your folder daily. A master job list will be posted on the swim team bulletin board at each home meet.
If a volunteer cannot help at their selected job, they are required to find a replacement. If a volunteer needs to switch a selected job, the volunteer is expected to check the master list and work it out with another parent, or find a replacement prior to the meet. The coaches and parent board will not be responsible for making adjustments for parents. Volunteers who fail to find a replacement or are a "no show" will have to pay a $50 fine before the volunteer's children will be allowed to swim again. We would much rather see parents help their child's team than collect a fine.
All families are required to fulfill the volunteer commitment. Parent board members and meet officials are exempt because of their yearly time commitment.
Meet Officials
We always need meet officials. Each meet requires 3 to 6 trained officials. If you are interested in becoming an official, please speak with a board member. We will sponsor the class for you. If you are a certified judge or starter, please let a board member know ASAP!
Announcer
Spectators and swimmers want to know when an event is called to the bullpen, when an event is called to the blocks, what event is in the pool, emergency announcements, etc. One announcer is needed for each meet.
Set-Up/Clean-Up Team
Four people are needed before a meet and another four people are needed at the end of a meet. These volunteers set up or take down the sound system, timer's chairs, bullpen area, scoring tables and chairs, coaches chairs, concession counter, and grill (one shift handles set-up and the other shift does take-down).
Timers
This is one of the easiest and most exciting jobs. It is also the job that requires the most volunteers -- 22 per meet! WE ALWAYS NEED MORE TIMERS. Eleven timers work the first half of a meet (two per lane) and eleven work the second shift. If you can press a button on a stopwatch, you can be a timer.
Bullpen Managers
The Bullpen is a staging area where swimmers gather a few minutes before their event. It keeps the meet moving along quickly and avoids waiting or forfeiting caused by missing swimmers. Two volunteers per shift are responsible for getting swimmers their cards and placing them in lane order prior to the event being called to the blocks.
8 and Younger Coordinators
Our youngest swimmers enjoy some extra hand holding since many of their parents are busy volunteering at the meet. Two volunteers (one per shift) help the 8-and-unders get to the bullpen, line up in the bullpen in correct heat and lane order, deliver their swimmer cards to the timers, and assist the swimmers to the correct lane block when it is their event and heat.
Concessions Team
In addition to providing snacks and dinner to home and visitor team, the concessions area is a great Team fundraising program. Eight volunteers are needed (two counter workers per shift, and two grillers per shift to grill hot dogs and hamburgers). These volunteers are allowed to leave temporarily when their children are swimming. Our concession stand is a good place to work and carry on conversations at the same time. It's also a great way to meet people!
Raffle Cashier
Raffles are conducted during all home meets as a fundraiser. This person will collect cash and distribute raffle tickets to paying customers. The Raffle Cashier is based at the concession stand but should also walk around during the meet to socialize and invite people to participate in the Raffle.
End-of-Season Picnic Committee
This group of volunteers distribute picnic information to families; collect money from families attending; make arrangements for caterers, grillers, or potluck donations; coordinate check-in table; coordinate grab bag gift table; coordinate with coaches any pool games/relays; and display schedule of activities to take place. One volunteer heads up a committee of several volunteers to accomplish this. Everybody enjoys the picnic, and really appreciates the Committee's help!
