The success of the Converse Crocodiles Swim Team depends on PARENT VOLUNTEERS!

Swim meets are run entirely by parent volunteers provided by each team. Volunteer positions vary in terms of time and effort commitment. Each Croc parent is expected to volunteer. Please contact the Team Rep if this commitment is not feasible for your family.

Volunteer positions and their descriptions are listed below

**If you have signed up to help at the meet and are not able to fulfill your duties, you will need to find someone to take your place. Please contact the appropriate volunteer lead with the name of your replacement.

Age Group Tent Parents:

• Responsible for the safety and well being of all kids in their age/gender tent for the entirety of each meet.
• Check in each swimmer in the tent at the beginning of the meet.
• MUST check in with the LEAD TENT PARENT at least 15 minutes before start of meet and update him or her on the tent's attendance.
• Ensure each swimmer knows in which events they are participating.
• Check and mark any swimmers not already marked with their race information.(Race/Heat/Lane/Leg relays only)
• Line up and escort swimmers in order to the Ready Bench.
• Must remain at the meet until their last swimmer has been checked out by a parent/guardian.
• Encourage all swimmers in their tent and look for opportunities to point out positive growth as a swimmer and/or team mate.
• Helps foster a sense of community and team spirit.

Announcers

• Runs the music after races begin
• Makes general announcements
• Calls for each event to line-up (first call, final call)
• Runs the event and heat board
• Gives recognition to sponsors at each meet/event
• Best for someone with a fun sense of humor

Concessions/Merchandise Committee:

• Works under the guidance of the Concessions Coordinator and/or Spirit Coordinator.
• Prepares and serves food and drink items.
• May require trips to vendors.
• Handles concessions money.
• Morning shift must remain at the Concession Stand until the afternoon shift arrives.
• Helps sell merchandise at team events like orientation, home meets, and practices.
• Helps Spirit Coordinator distribute spirit gear.
• Concession Stand Volunteers may be utilized as floaters at away meets.

Floater: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Assists Head Ref as needs arise.
• Fills in for any volunteers unable to fill their position.
• If possible, floaters will receive their assignments by Thursday evening. However, floaters may be assigned at anytime leading up to a meet or even during a meet.
• Floaters must also be trained on Stroke & Turn in case you need to stand in for one of our regular Stroke & Turn officials.

Heat Winner Ribbons Distributor: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Watches each race and determines which swimmer touches the wall first.
• Hands green Heat Ribbon to the first swimmer to touch the wall.
• Determines Heat Winner regardless of false starts, legality of strokes, and official timekeeping.
• May award 2 ribbons in case of apparent tie.
• Does not consult with any other parent, volunteer, or official in awarding the Heat Ribbons.

Hospitality: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Serves water to volunteers at all meets.
• At home meets, ensures that there are cups, ice, and carrying trays available.
• Picks up discarded hospitality cups throughout the meet.

Ready Bench: (AM/PM Shifts)

• The Ready Bench is where swimmers are grouped for their events and place into lanes prior to their races.
• Organize and line kids up into heat groups.
• Ensure each swimmer is lined up at the correct lane.
• Critical to keeping meets running smoothly!
• May have to clear parents/coaches out of Ready Bench.
• Can still watch their own children’s races.

Ribbons and Awards Team:

• Works under the guidance of the Ribbons Lead.
• Attach labels on the Crocodile ribbons at the meet.
• File ribbons in Ribbon Boxes after the meet for swimmers to pick up at practice.
• Team Lead is responsible for keeping the Ribbon Boxes and bringing them to/from practices and meets.
• Assist Team Lead and Spirit Coordinator with end-of-season awards and party planning and logistics as needed.

Runners: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Pick up timer sheets from Timers and DQ slips from Stroke Judges after each heat and delivers them to the Scorers/Computer team.
• 1 of the Runners will act as the DQ Runner, standing with the Stroke Judges and delivering DQ sheets to Scorer's table.

Scorekeeper:

• Build the meet Heat Sheets and e-mail them to the opposing teams by the determined deadline.
• Work closely with the team’s head coach, Head Ref and the opposing teams’ Head Ref and Computer Leads.
• Reviews timer sheets & DQ slips from Stroke Judges after each heat.
• Consults with Home Head Ref for resolution about any disputes regarding legibility of timer sheets.
• Input times/DQs into the database at meets.
• Send out meet results to opposing teams.
• Post results on Otter website.

Set-up:

• Works under the guidance of the Set-Up and Take-Down Lead.
• All Meets, set up all age group and support tents.
• All Meets, ensure each tent has proper signage and trash bags.
• At Home Meets, organize all tables and chairs in the swimming and Ready Bench area.
• At Home Meets, set up concessions area.
• At Home Meets, set up false start rope, back stroke flags, diving blocks, and lane lines.
• At Home Meets, puts out trash cans.
• At Home Meets, block off Timer/Stroke Judge and Ready Bench areas with stanchions/tape.

Starter: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Responsible for running the pool once the warm-ups have begun.
• Responsible for starting heats.
• Critical for moving the meet along quickly and smoothly.
• Coordinates with the Head Referee, Stroke & Turn Judge, and other officials.

Stroke & Turn Judges: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Must participate in a training class offered at the beginning of the season. Date and time of training will be relayed by the Team Rep when decided upon by the MSSL.
• Observes relays exchanges and notes teams with illegal exchanges on the DQ slip.
• Observes swimmers’ strokes and notes incorrect strokes on the DQ slip.
• DOES NOT directly approach any swimmer or parent about disqualifications.
• BONUS:You get a great view of every race.

Swimmer Chaperone:

• Works with tent parents to chaperone swimmers to bathrooms, warm-up, and Ready Bench for events.
• Gathers swimmers after warm-up and events and chaperones them back to the tents.

Take Down:

• Works under the guidance of the Set-Up and Take-Down Lead.
• All Meets, take down all tents and other equipment and put away in the storage trailer.
• All Meets, clean up team area and facility of all trash
• All Meets, gives any lost and found to the team Head Ref.
• Home Meets, return facility to pre-event set up (chairs, chaise lounges, tables, etc.).

Team Photographer:

• Responsible for taking photographs at the meets and all team functions.
• Responsible for helping to create a photo book for the season.

Timer: (AM/PM Shifts)

• Stands at the end of assigned lane and times each swimmer in that lane for the duration of the shift.
• Change sides of the pool depending on the event.
• Required to listen to the Starter.
• Three timers per lane.
• You will be in the sun, so wear a hat & sunscreen.
• BONUS: You get a great view of each race!

Volunteer Check-in and Support:

• Works directly with the Volunteer Lead.
• Checks people in at swim meets and other Croc events.
• Assists the Head Ref with miscellaneous volunteer coordinating duties.