Volunteering
Tarheel Swimming Association (TSA) Rep - Represents the swim club on the TSA board of directors. Works as the representative of the TSA at the season's dual meets and works with the opposing team’s TSA rep to resolve any issues or questions that arise during the meet. Coordinates communication on pre-meet information for home meets. Sets up officials meeting before the duel meets. Ensures official meet documentation is printed and provided at home meets per the TSA guidelines. (2023_Paper_Trail_Guide_for_TSA_Reps (1)). Safesport training required yearly for one TSA rep; one time role training recommended not required.
Starter - Furnished by the home team; (not needed at away meets). Uses the commands "step up" (or "step in the water" for backstroke), "Timers and judges ready", announce the distance and stroke or relay event, 'Take your mark", press the starting device button. This position remains stationary at the starting end of the pool. One time role training available, recommended, but not required.
Our starter will use our Dolphin starter system to start each heat. The starter will:
- announce the current heat
- instruct swimmers to get ready
- start the event
- after all swimmers finish, press “stop” followed by “reset” on the automated timing system
Announcer - Does all of the announcing during the home meet including welcoming the visiting team to our pool, calling swimmers to the clerk of course, announces team scores throughout the evening, and other various announcements needed during the meet. No training needed. Script provided for opening announcements for the meet.
Clerk of Course - Two people work together to line up OUR swimmers in the order that they swim. You will organize the swimmers according to the event sheets and lineup prepared in advance by the coach. You will be moving about the starting end of the pool. No training needed and easy to learn. Cannot run a meet without this role filled.
Runner - (One from each team) Picks up DQ slips from Stroke and Turn judges and brings to meet administrators when needed. Picks up Order of Finish forms from OOF judges every 2 events and brings to meet administrator. No training needed. This role is super easy and lots of downtime near the pool to watch kids swim. This is a mobile position (wear comfortable shoes).
Stroke & Turn Judge - (one from each team) Observes the main event swimmers looking for disqualifying motions. This judge sits or stands on the side of the pool. Each S&T Judge is required to attend TSA training yearly. Fills out DQ sheets as necessary and gives to the runner. Cannot run a meet without this role filled.
Order of Finish Judge – (one from each team) This volunteer will work with opposing team OOF judge to record 1st through 6th place for all main heats on Place Judge Forms. The OOF judge reports will be used to verify the timed results, and can also be used in the event of a timing failure or challenge to the timing results. No training needed. This is an easy role to learn and allows to sit close to the pool to watch all events easily.
Home Meet Administrator – Sits at scorer’s table. Responsible for running the Meet Maestro software and Dolphin timing system software at all home meets. Receives DQ slips and OOF forms from the Runner. Responsible for entering meet information into Meet Maestro. Coordinates the meet results as events complete with the Ribbon Writer. Training highly recommended but can shadow and learn during a meet as a backup.
Timer – Assigned to a specific lane at the finish point of each race. Times all races, not just main event. No training needed. Very simple to push one button only when swimmer finishes heat in your assigned lane. 5 timers minimum required to run a home meet.
Setup/Breakdown – Home Meets only. Before meet: Must arrive 1 hour earlier than warm-up time. Sets up backstroke flags, starting blocks, lane ropes, chairs/benches behind blocks, stanchion rope at the shallow end of the pool, extension cords as needed, concessions tent, puts up flag, moves deck furniture (chairs and loungers), sets up scoring, ribbon, and announcer tables, temporary lights, places kid pusher signs at designated tables/ areas, assists with swimmer and volunteer check in. After meet: Gets the facility back in order, collects trash, puts away lane ropes, starting blocks, backstroke flags, 6-under finish rope, furniture.
Kid Pusher - Supervises a group of younger swimmers and delivers them to the Clerk of Course according to the meet lineup sheets prepared in advance by the coach showing each swimmer's events. Ensure all swimmers in your group have their swimmer number printed on the both arms (parents should do this beforehand). You will be moving about the pool deck. Can bring activities to entertain group while waiting for their swims. No training required and easy to learn to do this role. Not required to run a meet.
Ribbon Writer – Sits with the ribbon writer from the opposing team. Puts the printed stickers on the back of the ribbons and files them and DQ sheets in the ribbon box. You do not pass these ribbons out to swimmers. The coach will do that following the meet or at the next practice. Very easy role to do; no training needed. Lots of downtime during meet to step away and watch events as needed.
Heat Ribbon Distributor – gives ribbons to the swimmers after finishing their races. * Non scoring heats only (not the main events). ‘Rainbow’ ribbon given to the winner of the heat; other ribbons given to all other participants. These ribbons are primarily given to the younger swimmers only. This person will be standing for most of the meet and will need to pay attention to the races. No training needed; very easy role to do and get to see all events easily near pool.
Concessions – During Home Meets only. Set-up and Breakdown concession area. Sell, and make change for concession Items. Keep water coolers filled, Deliver bottles of water to volunteers. There is a Concessions Coordinator who is responsible for ordering food and snacks, arranging delivery, stocking items, getting ice and coolers, etc.
