Good morning, Torpedo Family!
One of the biggest things that makes our team a success is volunteering! We can't run meets, at home or away, without your assistance, and every role is vital. Some positions certainly require more training and experience than others, but some postitions, like handing out heat winner ribbons, are incredibly fun and rewarding. We utilize SignUpGenius for our volunteer sign ups, so be on the lookout for those sign ups as the season progresses.
Here is a quick rundown of ways you can be involved:
Heat Winner Ribbon "Giver Outer"- Yes, it's exactly what the name suggests. At the end of each race, you give heat winner ribbons to the winner! A great way to get familiar with the running of meets. If we do a "Hot Heat," then you may give the special prize away, too.
Runner- Everyone knows to walk on a pool deck, so this is not an entirely accurate description of the role. The runner helps the scoring and timing table to collect DQ slips and back up times during the course of a meet. Another easy way to get in to volunteering.
Concessions- At home swim meets, we run a small concession stand on the pool deck. These folks help keep everyone sugared and hydrated, and when caps and shirts arrive, they assist with dispensing them, as well. Shade included in this role.
Timer/Head Timer- These roles are likely the ones that most people experience for their first time volunteering at a swim meet. Whether home or away, this is the one that requires the most bodies. But don't get scared off by keeping time! If you can write numbers to the hundredth of a second from the stop watch, you can do this job. What makes it even better, is that you get to work with a partner. Most teams use the Dolphin wireless timing system, and we use a wired system, but everyone uses back-up stop watches. The head timer provides a back up watch should a timer have a malfunction or missed start, and is one of the easiest roles we have. It does require attention to the races.
Stroke/Turn Judge- This role is for more experienced volunteers who have been around the sport some. These officials observe the meet to make sure the swimmers are following the rules when competing. If a swimmer doesn't follow the rules, they raise their hand to signal an infraction, and then fill out a DQ slip for the scoring computer operator. This position requires some online education provided for free by USA Swimming, a brief test for the league, and some time shadowing other officials. It's not a hard job, but sometimes people don't like it because they are responsible for DQing swimmers. If you think of a DQ as a way of teaching and learning, it is a crucial and helpful position for the growth and improvement of our swimmers. Officials should never be out to get anyone, and the benefit of a doubt always goes to the swimmer. For more information on this role, check out USA Swimming's free, 90 minute online course about Stroke and Turn officiating here: https://university.usaswimming.org/landing. Click on the "Officials" icon at the top of the page and find the "Stroke and Turn Certification Course." Create a login, take the course, and take a quick league specific test, and you're good to start your apprenticeship role in the league.
Starter- At home meets, this is among my favorite roles to fill. The starter sets the pace for the meets, keeping races rolling along with the help of the Clerk of Course and Timing Console Operator team. Starting is an easy job. It does require some training, but one can be taught quickly to do it well. Depending on the races, may also keep track of the order of finish. Feel free to speak with me if interested in this role! Not much stroke-specific knowledge required here!
Timing Console Operator- At home meets, this person works with the starter to keep the races moving and to make sure we get times for each race to import in to the computer. The basics of this role are fairly simple, using three or four buttons on the console throughout a meet, but occasionally technology or timer errors throw a curve ball in to things. Works closely with the Scoring Computer Operator to keep track of race results. We have some great timing operators, but it never hurts to cross-train and broaden your knowledge base!
Scoring Computer Operator- At home meets, this role works to import race results from the timing console in to the scoring software. This person may also have to change relay names and input DQ codes when a swimmer is disqualified by an official. This requires some training, and we are very fortunate to have several folks who have been doing this role for many years. From time to time, a time may not come across correctly, and the operator and runners work together to retrieve and calculate the back up times. Similar to the timing operators, though, it never hurts to learn more about different ways to be involved!
We are excited that you all are a part of our team family, and volunteering is one way you can help our family out. There is something for everyone, and we'd love to be able to count on each family filling a role for each meet. This isn't always possible, but every bit helps, and it is a fun way to be a part of the meets. If you have any questions about any of the roles, please don't hesitate to reach out!
