To join our swim team a swimmer, ages 4 and older, must be able to complete one length of our competition pool (25 yards) swimming the freestyle (crawl) stroke. During the summer we have a special program for swimmers that cannot complete one length of the pool; swimmers entering this special program must be water safe and must be able to swim at least 10 yards of the freestyle stroke.

Swimmers can tryout for the team any day between the hours of 5:00-7:00 P.M. when a coach is available to do the tryout.  Tryouts and practices are held at the Gilroy High School pool.  During the summer months (mid-June through mid-August) swim practices are held at Gavilan College, South Valley Middle School and Gilroy High School.  Please contact GGST or see the home page for more details.

Swimmers can choose to be either year-round or summer-only swimmers. Year round swimmers swim the entire year and take a four-week break after our summer championships meet in early-August until we start swimming again in September. Summer swimmers start in April or anytime thereafter and finish their season with our summer championships in August.

We host an annual Swim Clinic each April, which is a great way to get aquainted with our swim team. It is a week-long event where swimmers get in the water with our coaches and learn what it is like to be a member of our team. There is a very minimal fee of $25.00 and swimmers will get a swim cap and a participation award and then they will have the opportunity to join our team at the end of the week if they wish. 

All Swimmers must be registered with USA Swimming for insurance purposes. This provides both liability and secondary insurance coverage.  Summer swimmers register at a discounted fee, for coverage April through September only.  Year Round swimmers register annually in December, for coverage Jan 1st through Dec. 31st.  USA swimming applications are handled through our membership office.

We are a non profit organization. Our club is run by a volunteer board of directors. Our coaches are our only paid staff and we must pay for pool time and maintenance. Our monthly dues are the only way in which we are supported. Dues are payable on the 1st of the month and are considered delinquent if not received by the 10th. Checks can be made out to GGST and may be paid at the pool or mailed to:

GGST
777 First St.
Suite 183
Gilroy,CA 95021

Alternatively, payments can be made securely through our online system. 

Fees are structured as follows:
Plan A:  (Best option for families with seasonal-only swimmers)
$75.00/month for the first swimmer in the family.
$50.00/month for 2nd and 3rd swimmers in the family.
$40.00/month for 4th swimmer in the family (and any swimmer after 4th).
Paid on a month by month basis (if swimmer does not swim for an entire month no dues
are owed for that month).

Plan B: (Best option for families with one or more year-round swimmers)
Annual membership fee of $75.00 per family due each year on September 1st.

$55.00/month for the first swimmer in the family.
$40.00/ month for 2nd swimmer in the family.
$35.00/month for 3rd swimmer in the family.
Paid every month minimally for the first swimmer, even if swimmer does not swim for the entire month.

Additional information can be obtained from our membership office located at the Gilory High School pool.  Alternatively, contact us at  408-842-3100.   

Board of Directors 

A volunteer Board of Directors, elected by the general membership, runs our club. Current members, their offices, duties and contact information is as follows: 

The President
Steve Blankely - s_blankley@yahoo.com
Elected annually, conducts all board and general membership meetings, and assumes such other duties normal to this office. The president is a voting member of the board. 

The Vice-President
Dan Gonzalez - dang_97@yahoo.com
Elected anually, aids the president. The vice-President chairs the selection committee for hiring team staff and negotiation of contracts, as well as other duties. The vice-president is a voting member of the board. 

The Treasurer and Co-Treasurer
Darcy Rodriquez  -  jessdarc@pacbell.net
Elected for a two-year term, collects all moneys for the team and deposits them, in the name of the team, in a bank approved by the board. The treasurer makes out all checks for the club’s bills. All checks require at least two (2) signatures of voting Board members. The treasurer maintains accurate records and presents a current statement of account at every board meeting; and makes a full report of the club’s financial standing to the General Membership at the October general meeting. The treasurer is a voting member of the board.

The Secretary
Shellie Mayorga - shelliemayorga@yahoo.com
Elected annually, keeps minutes of meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors, and performs all duties normal to this office, and those assigned by the president or by the Board. The secretary is a voting member of the board.

Membership  and  Co-Membership
Marie Forsell - marieforsell@gmail.com  and
Kristen Reeder - kristen@chadreeder.com
Elected annually, shall be responsible for maintaining a current team roster; ensure that all swimmers are registered with Pacific Swimming; assist treasurer in the collection of dues; maintain a Gilroy Gators Swim Team Handbook; ensure medical forms and swimmers information are kept current; staff the pool office; meet prospective members and inform them of the requirements and all functions of the organization; organize annual swim clinics; and work with the coaches to promote membership.  The Membership Chairperson is a voting member of the board.

The Volunteer Coordinator
Elizabeth Moore - chrisnliz77@yahoo.com and
Denise Brolin   -  d.brolin@verizon.net
Elected annually, ensures that volunteer positions are filled with team members for swim meets and other important team activities.  Assists membership with managing and monitoring membership volunteer hours.  The Volunteer coordinator is a voting member of the board.

Ways and Means
Leman Uyuklu - leman@garlic.com
Elected annually, shall be responsible for all team fund raising activities. This position is responsible to secure co-chairs for the Ad Campaign, Swim-for-Funds, Garlic Festival Booth, Garlic Festival Garbage Detail, and Corporate Sponsorships.  The Ways and Means Chairperson is a voting member of the board.

Head Coach
Tom Clark  -  ggstcoachtom@yahoo.com
Is accountable for actions of subordinates, maintains open communication between board and coaching staff; ensures safe, disciplined and appropriate participation in our swimming program; and attends monthly board meetings to present team progress, updates and information relevant to coaching age-group swimmers. The head coach is not a voting member of the board.

There are also several working committees that are instituted by the board of directors, each with a chair and other members. The committees serve for a one-year term, except the meet director who will serve a two-year term.

If you are interested in being a member of the board, or would like to be part of a committee, please attend a board meeting.  Meetings are held the second (2nd) Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (location determined monthly), or come down to the pool and inquire at the membership office about helping out!We also need help with volunteers at a variety of events throughout the year. It is expected that each family will volunteer to help with activities such as the Garlic Festival Garbage Pick Up and Soda Booth (our main fundraiser), and participate in any meets. If everyone helps out a little then no one person will be overwhelmed! 

GGST VOLUNTEER JOBS LIST

Updated:11/08/09, LU