Volunteer Requirements
Please double check this link: https://shrsl.org/forms/background-screening/
Background checks are only for those individuals who are in direct contract with swimmers (ie. tent parents and coaches).
EACH GOLD FAMILY is required to commit to at least one volunteer shift in each swim meet where their swimmer will be participating, and additionally, must complete at least 5 volunteer shifts. This includes the Meet of Champions and All-Stars. If there is a greater need for parent participation, a family with multiple swimmers may be asked to work 2 shifts. MANY of you always go above and beyond, so we thank you for your help!
Swimming with First Colony Gold is affordable because our team is run by volunteers. Some of our families choose to volunteer all season (and beyond) on our Gold Board, which we encourage and appreciate. The Board plans and coordinates our meets and events, hires coaches, and works with the SHRSL to make our team run. But when it comes to swim meet days, it takes about 100 volunteers per meet to run an efficient and successful meet, so we need everyone!
How To Volunteer
Our meets are generally held on Monday evenings in May and June. Specific meet timing information is emailed and posted on our website before each meet, but for planning purposes, expect that first-half volunteers usually arrive around 3:30-4:00 PM, and second-half volunteers arrive around 6:00 PM. Times vary for home and away meets.
Any adult member of your family may volunteer at our meets (minimum age is 16). A few jobs, like Stroke Judge, require in-person training, but most of our jobs are easily learned from our experienced volunteers or from our website. Some example jobs: Timers, Tent Parents, Scorekeepers, Awards, Ready Bench Coordinators, and Set-Up/Clean-Up Teams.
We understand that fitting volunteer shifts into your busy family and work schedule requires planning, so we truly appreciate your efforts.
Arriving on time for your chosen shifts is required for your volunteer commitment. If you are unsure about which jobs might be best for your family’s volunteers, our volunteer coordinators are happy to suggest jobs that best match your needs.
Volunteer Descriptions
Tent Parent: You will be marking the kiddos with numbers and races, getting kiddos to the ready benches on time and in order, and ensuring your kiddos aren't going absolutely crazy while waiting for events. ** You have to be able to arrive at least an hour before the meets start. Because this is a full meet job, you will receive two points per sign up. **This is a good volunteer position for those with younger kids, if you need to be able to keep an eye on them during the meet.
Tent Parent Coordinator: You will be helping get age groups from the tents and double-check that they are lined up and ready to go for each event.
Heat Bench Coordinator: You will be responsible for making sure all swimmers are in the proper order (by land and heat) before their event starts.
Stroke Judge: You will stand at the four corners of the pool and evaluate each swimmer to ensure that the designated strokes and turns for the event are performed. ** You must complete a training clinic through our swim league. Please reach out to [email protected] if interested.
Timer: You will be provided with a stopwatch. You will time each event and give your times to the scribe.
Backup Timers: You will stand at the side of the p00l (one backup on each side - handling three lanes each.) You will start your stopwatch at every race. If a timer yells out, "Need a backup" - you will then stop your stopwatch for that lane's racer. You will then give this time to the scribe for that lane.
Scribe: You will write down each swimmer's number and each timer's time and give to the Runner. ** This job requires that you listen for "disqualification" callings from the announcer.
Runner: You will grab the scribe's notecards and take them to the score table. It's a GREAT way to get in those daily steps requirements! ***It’s also a great position for first-time swim team parents, as you’re able to observe everything but are required to know nothing.
Score Table: You will sort the notecards from the timers/scribes, circling scores and getting them ready for awards. ** This is a sit-down job, in the shade. There will be enough volunteers at the table that you can arrange a way to get up each time your kiddos swim.
Data Entry: You will get the stack of notecards from the awards table and enter them into the computer. **** This is a sit-down job, in the shade. You will definitely have enough time to see your kiddos swim.
Set-up Crew: Get there early and help set up the team tents, stack chairs, etc.
Clean-up Crew: Stay late and take down all the tents/clean up
Floater: The name doesn't quite sell the appeal of this job :) You will sign up here if you don't really care where you volunteer. I use these volunteers to help when other volunteers no-show or an unforeseen problem arises.
Concession: You will be responsible for keeping an inventory of all the items that will be sold in the stand, as well as selling items during home meets. Parking place will be provided close to the pool.
