The
coachesare
responsible for everything in the pool; the practice schedules,
swimmer squad placement, the training program, swimmer discipline
and which swimmers attend which meets. They are all certified and
paid employees of the club.
The THSC Board of
directorsis
responsible for all the administrative, business and operational
activities of the club. They are all
volunteers who put in many, many hours to ensure our
swimmers have every opportunity to compete. All of your dues, fees
and time go toward what is needed to support the swimmers and the
club needs all parents to get involved. Coaches are the only paid
employees.
Thunderbolt Team
Structure
Olympic Way
Swimmers ages 6 – 10
Bronze Level (OWB): Swimmers have achieved at least TPHRD Level
F, have been in Swim America, Splash or other swim programs where
they have learned the basic stokes and can handle a 30 minute
practice. Next step, Silver!
Silver Level (OWS): Swimmers promoted from Bronze or are at
least at TPHRD Level H, have been in Swim America, Splash or some
swim program introducing them to competition.
Gold Level (OWG): Promoted from Silver or are at TPHRD level
I, Swim America, Splash or CYO who can handle a one hour practice
and beginner swim meets. Next step, Thunder, JRD or
TAG
Age Group Squads
ages 7 - 12
All swimmers register
with USA Swimming
Team Thunder (THU): Swimmers ages 7-10.Experienced competition swimmers with OSI A times
and striving for Age Group Sectional times. They are preparing
for the OSI State Meet and Pacific North West Age Group
Sectionals. We use a variety of teaching methods to develop
advanced stroke techniques for children with all learning styles.
Next step TAG or JRD!
Junior Development Group (JRD) {Old
JAG}: Swimmers
ages 11-12.Experienced
swimmers from OW Gold, Thunder or other competitive programs who
are working to improve stroke technique and build endurance. They
are striving for OSI A times, may be competing on school teams or
doing multiple sports. 4-5 practices a week 1-2 hours each
with dry land exercises. Next step for swimmers ages 10-12
TAG, ages 13-15 SRD or SR1.
Top Age Group (TAG}: Swimmers ages 10-12. Swimmers with OSI A times who are
striving for Age Group Sectional and National Top 16 reportable
times. Athletes must demonstrate and maintain a high level of
commitment toward their goals to participate in this squad. The
high level of commitment produces close friendships and team
building opportunities. Next step SRD, SR1.
Senior
Squads - Swimmers ages 13 –
18
Senior Development Group (SRD): Experienced swimmers from JRD,
JRE or other competitive programs who are working to improve stroke
technique and build endurance. They are striving for OSI A times,
may be competing on school teams or doing multiple sports. 4-5
practices a week 1-2 hours each with dry land exercises. Next
step for fully committed swimmers SR1.
Senior Group (SR1):These swimmers have had consistent success at
state and age group sectional levels. They are looking to
break into the senior sectionals and beyond. Training is
intense. Muscles are sore. But smiles are broad even at
those 5:15 am sessions and long travel meets. Next goal for
those driven to be the best of the best, Senior Elite.
Senior Elite Group
(SRE): Swimmers committed to being the best they can be
against the best in the nation and the world. It takes great
team mates, great coaches, great parents and a great organization
to support and develop a great swimmer. The Thunderbolts have them
all. Many go on to success in college swim programs: Over 15
Thunderbolts have reached the U.S. Olympic Trials and one brought
home an Olympic Gold Medal. Next step, NCAA college swim
team!
Dues, Fees, Fundraising
THSC
Monthly
Monthly
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
Annual
2009-2010
Membership
Meet
Fund
Swimmer
USA
Share
Bingo
Season
Commitments
Dues
Fees
Raising
Registration
Registration
Hours
1
Session
Non-USA Registered
(per member)
Olympic Way Bronze/Silver
50
0
0
25
0
0
no
Olympic Way Gold
70
0
0
25
0
0
no
USA Registered Squads
(per family)
Team
Thunder
95
30
150
100
56
45
Yes
Junior Development (JAG)
115
30
350
100
56
45
Yes
Top Age Group (TAG)
125
40
350
100
56
45
Yes
Senior Development
125
30
450
100
56
45
Yes
Senior
150
40
500
100
56
45
Yes
Senior Elite
180
40
500
100
56
45
Yes
THPRD Fees
Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD)
Frequent Use Passes are required for THSC members to enter the pool
and are paid directly to THPRD. They are not collected by THSC or
included in THSC dues and fees. NOTE: These passes allow use of the
facilities anytime, not just during swim practice. The
prices change and are different for in district and out of
district. Please contact THPRD for current prices.
Each
family will be asked to sign a fund-raising contract at
registration and commit to raise this money through any of the
following options:
1. Direct
donation. Members can procure money from someone who would
like to support the team and will receive 100% credit on their
Fund-Raising commitment. Tualatin Hills Swim Club has been
designated as a 501(c)3 organization by the Internal Revenue
Service. For tax purposes all donors should consult their tax
advisor to determine the proper amount of the deduction and whether
the deduction is subject to limitations.
2. Swim-a-Thon:
Many children and families participate in this special event and
collect donations for swimming lengths of the pool. This is a great
fund-raiser since it is fun for the kids and productive for the
club. It gives us a great return for the amount of volunteer time
it entails plus we feel it can grow and develop this year to
include asking businesses to sponsor our
swimmers
3. SCRIP: This is a weekly
opportunity that allows families to slowly fund-raise while buying
groceries and other products with gift certificates, plus allowing
members to pay their commitment at no extra cost. Most of you have
seen the great gift certificates you can purchase from our SCRIP
program. We encourage you to buy SCRIP to purchase all of your
groceries, clothes, and gifts at stores like The Gap, Old Navy,
Godfather’s, Fred Meyer, and Safeway. A weekly habit of
buying SCRIP can pay your entire fundraising bill AND if you
continue to use it you can donate painlessly to help with program
development. All Scrip purchases must be
prepaid.
SCRIP is available at
the 50M pool lobby during practice hours. Times are announced in
the Courier newsletter
4. Heat Sheet Ads: By selling Ad
space in the HEAT SHEETS for our 3-4 big meets a year, you can help
pay the costs of running these meets. This takes a little
initiative but gets easier after doing it once or twice, and the
benefit to you and the club is usually high for the time spent. You
get 100% credit for advertisers you procure. For example, a
full-page ad for one meet credits $250 to your fundraising
account.
Note: The programs listed above are not
’free.’ Many club members give above and beyond their
50 share point hours to keep these options available for all of us.
Help keep our costs down by continuing to give as freely as you
can. Buy SCRIP even if you don’t need to, sell an ad for
a HEAT SHEET. Give generously and keep contributing to the
stability of THSC.
5. Direct Payment: For those who
don’t want to seek Donations, you can retire your
Fund-Raising commitment by making a direct payment to THSC.
Share
Hours
NOTE: Olympic Way families do not have a share hour
commitment but are encouraged to participate in volunteer
activities as it is a great way to get to know other swimming
families while supporting our swimmers.
The
Tualatin Hills Swim Club is a non-profit organization which counts
on its members to volunteer their time to promote unity and to
enable the club to thrive. Earning share hours during the
swimming calendar year of September through August is
required. Each returning family, as well as families
transferring from another team, will be required to earn forty-five
(45) share hours. Families with first year swimmers will be
required to earn forty (40) share hours. For families joining
the team after January 1st, the share hour obligation will be
pro-rated.
USA
competitive swimming is the most volunteer intensive sport on the
planet. It takes every single parent to prepare, run and
recover from a big meet. But just what is that worth to the
club? We ran some quick numbers and figured if we had to pay
minimum wage for every volunteer hour spent to put on our four home
swim meets during a typical season we would shell out close to
$60,000. (That is not counting all the hours needed to handle
day to day club operations.) The thing is, most us
wouldn’t do what we do in a swim meet for minimum wage, maybe
for any wage. It just proves we do things without hesitation
for the love of our children we would never do for
money.
It is important for every parent to be involved
with the club and their children’s activities. That is
why clubs require members to meet share hour quotas. We do not
want anyone to miss out on the fun! A lot of our
first time parents are a little nervous or confused about the many
volunteer opportunities there are in a swim club. There is no
need for either. We are all amateurs! Besides, everyone
is watching the swimmers, not the volunteers.
A minimum of 15 share hours must be earned in the Long Course
season (April through August).
A minimum of 15
share hours must be earned in swim meet
operation.
Bingo is a major source of
funds for our team!Bingo is not a fundraiser; it is a commitment of
every family in the club. We are required to have a
Thunderbolt parent at all Friday night games from 11pm-3am.
Participation is expected of all members. Part of each
family’s responsibility is to cover at least one Bingo game.
If you choose not to cover your game, you need to find a
substitute. Our Bingo Director has a list of families that are
prepared to substitute for you. You need to pay the substitute for
covering your game. If you sign up for a game and do not
show, there is a fine of $250. The fine is because we may risk
losing our game if we do not cover it. If you have any questions,
feel free to contact our Bingo Director (see the last page of the
Courier newsletter for contact information). Visit the ’Bingo’ page under the Members tab
for the current season’s bingo schedules.
