Volunteer Information

You have the option of paying an $80.00 "opt out" fee in lieu of volunteering.  Families who do not satisfy their volunteer hours will be required to pay this fee at the end of the season.

Position

Description

Clerk of Course

The Clerk of Course is responsible for all of the paperwork at the meet prior to the swimmer's event. 2-3 positions are needed for entire home meet; 3-4 as runners and organizers. The clerk seeds each swimmer in each event to a heat and lane according to their submitted entry time.  Swimmers report to the clerk prior to their scheduled event to receive an event card with their heat and lane assignment for that event. The card will also be used by the lane timers to record the swimmer's time at the completion of the race. The clerk is always in need of volunteers to help hand out event cards, get swimmers in their proper order, and walk young swimmers to their assigned lane at the start of their event. For the 8 and under events, additional helpers are needed to move the train of tiny athletes to the starting positions without losing any. The Clerk of Course requires training at the league certification clinic for officials; assistants do not require training.

Age Group Parent

An age group parent for 8&Under, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 will work with the Coaches and WST Board members to coordinate spirit activities for their age group as well as soliciting parent support for an “age group basket” for the Silent Auction.

Scoring/Ribbons

Scorers (6) take the time cards from the recorders and determine the official time. Also, you will be responsible for verifying the computer results for each event.  (Another job that gets to sit in the shade!)   Ribbon Writers (7)or, more accurately, ribbon label stickers, place the labels with names of the swimmers on their ribbon after each event.  (Still looking for a shady job!)

Officials

Stroke and Turn Judges are responsible for ensuring swimmers comply with the rules relating to each stroke/turn. Referees and Starters are volunteers with at least 2-3 years experience as Stroke and Turn Judges.

 Special training is required for these positions.  League Clinics are held at the beginning of each season for anyone interested.  Contact a Board member for further information.

Timers/ Recorders

Timers are where most parents start as volunteers. The only skill or knowledge required is the working of a stopwatch. The most important single statistic at a swim meet is the time a swimmer achieved during their race. This is also the "best seat in the house"- right at the finish! 30 lane timers and 1 head timer/ team are needed at each home meet; 27 lane timers and 1 head timer/team at away meets. There are three shifts a meet with timers generally working one to one-and a half-hour shifts during each meet.  Recorders work with timers at the lanes to record the swimmers times. In addition they have a very important job of ensuring the right swimmer is swimming in the right heat and lane before the start. This is a sit-down job (in the shade!) for those of you who are unable to stand for long periods of time.

Runners

Runners take results from the recorders and get them to the scorers after each heat

Concessions

A meeting is held the week before a meet to decide the shopping list and concession offerings.  On the day of the meet, the volunteers handle set-up, sales and clean-up of the concession area.   A job in the shade!Those who volunteer for concessions for an entire meet satisfy their volunteer commitment for the season.

Life Guard *NEW*

For the safety of all our swimmers and visitors, and to comply with the requirements of the Wellington Homeowner's Association rules, we are required to have life guard coverage at all of our meets and practices.  At times when the pool is not open and covered by the guards contracted by the Wellington HOA, WST provides our own guards.  We accomplish this by using parent volunteers who become Life Guard and CPR certified.  This is a VITAL position.  If you are interested in becoming a life guard, please let us know.  We have a parent who is a certified trainer, and will hold classes every season.

Announcer

The Announcer works with the Clerk of Course to call swimmers to the Clerk of Course staging area.  The Announcer also gets periodical score updates from the Computer Operator and announces the excitement to all!

Computer

The Computer Operator is responsible for electronic meet entries prior to the swim meet and data entry of meet results at the meet. The biggest part of this job is done the week prior to a swim meet; getting all meet entries entered into the computer and printing event cards for the Clerk of Course. The computer operator always needs a volunteer or two on the day of the meet to help enter event results.  This is another job in the shade, as well as the inside scoop on event results and meet scoring.

Heat Ribbons

Stands pool-side near the timers and awards a heat ribbon to the winner of each heat.  An exciting and very satisfying position.

Marshals

Marshals are required primarily for Divisionals and to help control traffic flow in and around the pool deck to prevent injury or interference with meet operations.

Set Up

 Beginning when the pool closes to the public on Friday nights, we prepare the deck for the meet.  In order to ensure that all swimmers are adequately rested, it is preferred that ADULTS ONLY volunteer for setup.

Clean Up

By 12 noon to get the pool ready to re-open to the public. All families are encouraged to clean up after themselves and to help clean up after our guests at every meet. Most pools must open to the public by 12 noon.  For the Divisionals Meet, clean up will run until 2:30 p.m.

If you are interested in working with the computer team to help set up and run meets, please contact our official WST Computer Dweeb.   A great volunteer job that guarantees shade and a chair.

  Who could ask for more?