It Takes a Village
Again in 2026 - in order to earn priority registration for 2027, families will need to volunteer at least once during the season. The job sign up button can be found next to meet sign up in Swimtopia once that meet is open for entries. Instructions can be found HERE.
Donation spots will count toward the volunteer requirement. Sign ups will be first come, first served.
All donations and volunteer roles need to be entered in Swimtopia and signed off in person to count towards the requirement. Donations need to be taken to our welcome table, please do not just leave them at the entrance to the pool.
No shows will be discussed on a case by case basis, but WILL need to be made up. If you have an emergency and need to cancel, please contact us as soon as possible.
Additionally - all swimmers who attend Champs will need to have a parent able to volunteer at Champs. If you have not volunteered during the regular season, your swimmer is only eligible to participate in Champs with a parent volunteer. Our volunteer requirements for Champs are open for sign up - and will count for the volunteer requirement.
For Champs spots not taken, we will assign volunteers based on the amount of volunteering done during the regular season. For example, families who volunteer once during the regular season will be assigned a role at Champs before a family who has volunteered twice. We have a limited number of volunteer roles at Champs, so not all families will be needed.
We truly think we have the best volunteers! At league meetings, our team and pool is one that other teams compliment and want to come back to. Spreading the work out among everyone ensures we can continue this trend. Thank you in advance!
Types of jobs we need volunteers for:
Timers - This is a great way to get close to the action - and one of the most important volunteer roles. We cannot start the meet without all our timers! You will get wet. You will need to hold a stop watch in one hand and the Dolphin timer in other. Additionally, one person per lane will need to record the stop watch time. It can be a lot, but each swimmer has worked so hard, and we want to do our best to get them an accurate time. Shifts will again be split into first half and second half. New this year - lanes are assigned at sign up (so please take note if you would like to time with a friend). First shift and new timers should attend the timer's meeting held prior to the meet. Second half timers will need to check in with our shift change coordinator at 7:15 pm. If you are an experienced timer, it is okay to just come for the 2nd half. If you sign up for both first and second shifts it will count as 2 volunteer spots! :)
Runner - Help gather the timing sheets from the timers and DQ slips from the officials and take them to the scoring table. Also help deliver snacks and water to our volunteers during the meet. You do not need to be on your feet the whole time - we will have an extra chair for you at the scorer's table.
Ribbons - Label and organize the ribbons for our top placers. The home team is responsible for printing labels (our computer team can help you). At away meets you can just show up to help label. This job is done in "waves" as labels are available. The final labels are printed at the end of the meet - this job lasts until about a half hour AFTER the meet has ended (so can be a late night).
Bullpen - Help organize our younger swimmers to make sure everyone is behind the blocks on time. Must be able to handle a little chaos. :) It is very hard to see the actual meet. (I have missed my swimmer's events many times working bullpen.) This role is also split into first and second half.
Welcome Tent - Must be able to be there early to help as families arrive by answering questions and collecting donations. Please do not sign up for this role if you cannot arrive before 4:30. This job is done at the start of the meet!
Heat winners - When we host a meet, we are happy to provide the heat winner with a small treat. Volunteers are needed to congratulate the winner and pass out the treats. You will be popular with the swimmers! This is a good way to be close to the action without the stress of timing.
Officials, Scorer's Table - These jobs require additional training, please reach out if you are interested - we would love to have you!
Announcer - Work with the starter to announce the event/heat and help call swimmers to the bullpen. This is a fun job if you like to talk, but does require some extra training, please reach out if you are interested.
Set up and Clean up - Don't want to miss any of the meet? We need help early to set up and/or later to clean up.
