Parent Volunteers – Swimming
Anyone who has been to even one swim meet knows that it takes much effort on the part of parent volunteer workers to make it happen. Approximately 14 parent volunteers are needed for each away meet and at least 28 volunteers for each home meet in the roles of timers, judges, scorers, snack bar helpers, etc.
Every RAC swim family is required to volunteer their time and work a minimum of three (3) meets per year. Dive families are required to work two (2) meets per year. There are many different ways you can help at a meet. There is a job to suit everyone. Outlined below are descriptions of those roles RAC expects parents to fill at swim meets.
Timer
Timers use a stopwatch to time the swimmer in your assigned lane, and record times.
Backup Timer
Backup Timers stand to the side of the pool and start their watches at the beginning of each event. They look to the lane timers to see if anyone has missed an event or is having difficulty with their watch. In these situations, the back-up timer goes to the lane where the timer with trouble is working and gets a time in his or her place.
Runner
After each race, the runner collects the recorded times from the timers in each lane and takes the time cards to the scoring table.
Finish Judge
Finish judges stand at the end of pool and observe the end of the race, recording the order in which the swimmers finish.
Snack Bar (Set Up & Sell Concessions)
Arrive 40 minutes prior to the meet to set up the concessions area and sell food/drink during the meet. 4 people sell concessions so that parents working the table may each leave to watch their child during his or her races.
Snack Bar (Sell Concessions & Tear Down)
Sell food/drink during the meet and stay after the meet to tear down and clean up the concessions area. Tear down begins 15 minutes after the meet has ended, and there are no longer swimmers loitering in the lobby purchasing snacks. 4 people sell concessions, so that parents working the table may each leave to watch their child during his or her races.