Volunteer Descriptions
Referee (home meet only): The referee is the head official and ensures that all CAL rules are enforced.
Starter (home meet only): The starter advises swimmers at the start of each race as to the stroke and distance.
Strokes & Turns Judge: Judges observe starts, strokes, and turns of each event; they communicate potential stroke violations to the Referee of the meet. Judges must attend a CAL clinic.
Head Timer (home meet only): Head timers keep the official stopwatch and an extra in case one of the lane timers has a malfunction.
Computer Operations Specialist (home meet only): The computer operations specialist runs the technical aspects of the home swim meet. This includes setting up the timer, operating meet manager, and verifying timers’ inputs from Dolphin timing system. This volunteer submits results from home meets into CAL, runs the meet software, generates reports, and processes results. The person filling this role must have a thorough understanding of the timing rules and how to apply them. Additionally, a Computer Operations Specialist needs a working knowledge and understanding of the software. The ability to troubleshoot computer and other related problems is very helpful. When it comes to time verification, accuracy is a must. Speed is highly desirable.
Announcer (home meet only): Supplied by the home team, this volunteer announces swimmers in the next event and the results of the previous events and calls upcoming heats to the clerk of course. This is a great job for someone with a strong voice and an ability to correctly pronounce names. You announce the names of the swimmers in each event, make any other necessary announcements, and work with the Starter/Referee to keep the meet moving quickly and smoothly.
Clerk Of Course: Two clerks are needed for each home meet to line up swimmers prior to their events. Responsibilities include verifying the names of swimmers in each event and assigning lanes to the swimmers. This is a crucial job to keep the meet running smoothly and on time.
Timer: Multiple timers are needed at each meet (home and away). Timers record each individual swimmer’s time. Additional instructions will be given at the beginning of each meet. This is the most popular meet job among both new and experienced swim parents. You use a stopwatch to time the swimmer in your assigned lane. There are typically three timers per lane, and the median of the times is used as the official time (or as backup for electronic timing systems). You get a much better view of the action. One timer will also record the times on a timing sheet, and one will also hand the sheet to the runner.
Ribbon Labeler: This volunteer position is needed to apply placement (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) ribbons for HMST swimmers and placed in ribbon box. Ribbons are pre-printed after the meet. This job is typically completed at practice the following day.
Concessions (home meet only): Workers are needed to staff the concession stand at each home meet. Volunteers who sign up for the first half of the meet should plan on arriving an hour early to set-up the food and cash boxes. Volunteers who sign up for the second half of the meet should plan on staying to clean up.
Results Table Worker: These volunteers support the computer operations team processing timer sheets, disqualification (DQ) forms and verifying results for each event.
Hospitality (home meet only): Hospitality volunteers meet and greet visiting team coaches, swimmers and guests, provide direction to away team swimmers and parents, answer general Harpers Mill Swim Team questions (concessions, bathrooms, etc.), and deliver water to coaches, officials and meet workers during meet.
Runner (home meet only): After each race, the runner collects the times from the timers in each lane, finish judge cards, stroke and turn judge cards, and any cards from the starter/referee and takes them to the scoring table. You stay on the move throughout the meet, so it's great exercise.
Mite Parent: This is a parent position that assists with 8 and under swimmers during the meet. This position works with the Clerk of Course to ensure young swimmers are in the proper lanes and proper events. The mite parent works in conjunction with the Clerk of Course to see that swimmers report to their lanes in an orderly and timely fashion. This worker is especially needed during the 25-yard events and relays. This volunteer will stay with the swimmers until they are seated behind the blocks, and they often need to find the swimmers in the team area and/ or escort the swimmers in lane assignment and heat order from the clerk area to the starting end of the pool.
Heat Winner Ribbons (home meet only): This position will provide an award ribbon (or prize) to each heat winner during the meet. Great spot to watch meet.
Floater: This position does whatever duties are needed on the day of the meet. If the floater is not needed, he or she will receive one credit of volunteer time. If he or she ends up working, the volunteers committee will issue him or her the appropriate number of credits.
Meet Setup (home meet only): Assists with getting the pool ready for the meet. Requires early arrival.
Meet Breakdown (home meet only): Assist with pool clean-up. Requires staying until the end.
Swim Meet Setup
