Wellsley Wave
Volunteer Positions
Volunteering
Our success over the years is directly related to the vast amount of volunteer help from parents and others willing to contribute their time to the team. As you can see below, many people are needed each year to make it all work – during swim meets (especially home meets) as well as organizing fun events or just keeping things running. There are many type of needs described below, so certainly there is a place where you can help!
Meet Positions and Other Non-Meet Roles
Kid Pusher Perhaps the most important of all volunteers are the Kid Pushers. Each age group is assigned a seating area on or around the pool deck. Pushers supervise the age group to which they are assigned, line up the kids using the Meet Sheets provided, and lead them to the Clerk-Of-Course in time for their races. One or two Kid Pushers are needed for each of the following groups:
6 & Under Boys
6 & Under Girls
7-8 Boys
7-8 Girls
9-10 Boys
9-10 Girls
11-12 Boys
11-12 Girls
Kid Pusher Lead The Lead provides the Meet Sheets and markers (after the coaches create the lineups) to the Kid Pushers, coordinates swimmer lineup changes with the coaches when there are no-shows, and answers questions and supports the Kid Pushers. (More details below.)
Meet Set-up Help For home meets, the team needs help putting up tents, arranging chairs and tables, putting up separation ropes, and other routine setup. 1 person is needed for each home meet. Home meets only.
Meet Clean-up Help For home meets, the team needs help breaking down tents, re-arranging chairs and tables, taking down separation ropes, sweeping, and other routine clean-up. 1 person is needed for each home meet. Home meets only.
Announcer During home meets, the Announcer helps setup the announcing equipment and area prior to the meet. The Announcer announces each heat to keep everyone up to date with the meet’s progress including periodically sharing the meet score. The Announcer also shares other important information such as informing people of food deliveries, weather reports, and evacuations among other things. Home meets only.
Clerk-of-Course The Clerk-of-Course is assigned to the swim lane starting area and is responsible for organizing swimmers for each heat. The Clerk ensures each swimmer is places in the appropriate lane according to the line-up. The Line-up is prepared in advance by the swim team coaches. It is ideal to have 2 Clerks share responsibilities for each meet. This is to make sure there is proper coverage and plenty of opportunities to take breaks during meets.
Stroke-and-Turn Judge This individual observes the turns made by all the swimmers looking for disqualifying movements and motions. This is a technical position. It requires training prior to the beginning of the season. If you are interested in being a Stroke-and-Turn Judge, please notify the meet director for appropriate training.
Place Judge Attention to detail is a must. Place Judges are located at the finish line with Recorders. Each judge is provided a stopwatch to time the swimmers in the lane they are assigned. The judge notes the time for the Recorder to record the times on the Event Sheets. A minimum of 3 Place Judges are needed for each meet, but to ensure coverage and provide break opportunities, it is ideal to have more.
Personal Best Timer Two people are assigned per lane, for half the lanes (the ones with our own team swimmers). Run stopwatches for all the races and record the times on a pre-printed numbered roster. You don't need to know all the kids' names (although you will learn them), because you will use the numbers on their legs and arms for recording their times! This position offers a great opportunity to be close to the finish line, and to chat with a neighbor.
Recorder Attention to detail is a must. Recorders are located at the finish line with Place Judges. Each Recorder records the place of swimmers in the main event and they record the 1st place times. A minimum of 3 Place Judges are needed for each meet, but to ensure coverage and provide break opportunities, it is ideal to have more.
Runner Wear comfortable shoes! This job requires someone willing to stay on the move. Runners take the Event Sheets from the Recorders, and Disqualifying Sheets from the Stroke-and-Turn judges and delivers them to the Scorer’s Table. 2 runners are needed for each meet.
Scorer Attention to detail is a must. Scorers are located at the score-keeping table with Scorers from the opposing swim team. Scorers take the information provided by the Runners and records the results on the official (preprinted) Score Sheets. Scorers maintain the meet score tallies and report them to the Announcers throughout the meet. Only the main events are recorded. 2 scorers are needed for each meet.
Ribbon Writer The Ribbon Writer is located at the score-keeping table with the Scorer. For main event results, the Ribbon Writer records names and results to the back of ribbons for pass out during the next swim team practice. A minimum of 3 Writers are needed for each meet, but to ensure coverage and provide break opportunities, it is ideal to have more.
Starter During home meets, the Starter is positioned at the starting line and is responsible for the start of each race. A delicate balance is needed for this role. The Starter is responsible for making sure all the swimmers are ready for the start, but keeping the meet moving along so that swimmers are not waiting too long on the starting blocks! 1 person can do the job, and it's ideal to have a backup at each meet.
Home meets only.
Photographer/Slideshow A better title might be The Catcher of Memories! Anyone can help with capturing photos for the team, but it’s the Photographer’s job to get wide coverage – swimmer close-ups, group pictures, and everything in between. The Photographer then uploads the photos so that they can be shared on wellsleywave.com as well as compiled for the year-end party. The photographer uses the photographs they take to make the slide show that is presented at the awards banquet.
(Not Available For 2021) Concession Stand Associates If you like helping and socializing at the same time, this one may be for you. Lots of help is needed at the concession stand during home meets. Working together, associates help setup, run, and break down the concession stand. Running the concession stand may involve taking and fulfilling orders, exchanging cash for goods, or making runs to fill up on inventory. Home meets only.
(Not Available For 2021) Concessions Lead The Concession Lead is the steward and works with the swim team treasurer to purchase and stock concessions according to budget. The Lead works to set the volunteer assignments and run the concession stand. 1 person can do the job, but duties could also be shared. Home meets only.
Ribbon Coordinator The Ribbon Coordinator orders and prepares 1st-6th place ribbons, personal best ribbons, and participation ribbons for our three home meets. This involves taking an inventory of ribbons at the end of season, projecting needs for the next season, and placing an order by February. To prepare the place ribbon box for each home meet, the coordinator: prints and attaches a label to each ribbon; bundles ribbons together in the order of the meet event by place, gender, age, and stroke; and delivers the place ribbon box to the meet director before each home meet. The place ribbon box should be prepared at least one day prior to each home meet, and interns may assist in preparing the box. The ribbon coordinator restocks and brings participation ribbons to each home meet to give to swimmers after completing events at the meet. Personal best ribbons are delivered to coaches at the beginning of the swim season. At the end of the season, the ribbon coordinator collects and stores all ribbons to inventory and prepare for the following season.
IT Administrator Performs website and team snap administration, registration setup, assisting others with website usage, and works directly with the swim team board on associated tasks.
Similar write-ups for many roles are also located on the Triangle Swimming Association website.
Board Members
Chairs
Kim Koppel and Crystal Barger
Secretary
Laura Feldberg
Treasurer
Katie Bosken
TSA Representative
Lois Roegge
Parent Coach Liaisons
Adrienne Allen and Trish Colberg
Meet Directors
Kelly Schaeffer & Yoomi Kim
Fundraising/Retail Sales
John Williams
Liaison to HOA Board
David Schmidt
Swim Team Committee Position Descriptions
Detailed Description of Volunteer Roles
Below are links to descriptions of the most complicated Meet Positions as well as some key off-deck roles (outside of a meet) which are critical to team operations. After being on the team for a couple of years, we recommend everyone become an integral part of the team by getting involved with one of these activities or a committee role - and feel great as you make a difference! Note: All the fun events are arranged by the parent volunteers along with the coaches.
Activity Description Template - an overview of the type of information contained for all these volunteer position descriptions.
Awards Ceremony - reserve a location, gather volunteers to provide decorations and snacks. The evening's program and the awards are handled by the CoChairs and Coaches.
Cary City Meet Volunteer Coordinator - discuss with coaches the theme and the preparations; coordinate volunteers and tents
Concessions Lead (need doc)
Kid Pusher Lead - and contact a committee member to access the website for training info, email samples, and meet lineup sheets
Ribbons - and contact a committee member to access the website for additional instructions for creating labels, an order form and template and process, and more.
Web Tech - manages the technical things (website, registration system. TeamSnap, etc)