Forest Park Blue Fins

Each registered family must sign up for a minimum of 3 points each season (not including Prelims/Finals).

Shifts: Each shift at regular home and away meets will be Shift 1 (Event 1-45) and Shift 2 (Event 46-90), unless otherwise stated. During-meet shifts typically last around 2 hours. Each shift is worth 1 volunteer point. 

Exempt Positions: Some positions are considered “Exempt”, which means the role lasts all season and may require work outside of regular swim meet hours. An exempt role fulfills all volunteer commitments for the associated family.

Some volunteer positions require training or previous experience (see descriptions below). All other positions can be learned on the job.

Awards Coordinator

Create/label, organize, and distribute weekly ribbons and Speeding Tickets. Updates team record board. Maintains estimate of remaining ribbons to determine ordering needs. Orders end of season awards. Exempt Position.

Backup Timer

Starts a watch for each heat and watches to see if any lane timer indicates that s/he missed the start. If so, the back-up timer gets the finish time for that lane. 1 Point/Shift.

Concessions Manager

The Concessions Manager does all purchasing and coordinating of the concession stand for home meets. Determines how much food to purchase, supplies, coordinates setup/takedown, and coordinates concessions volunteers. Works with local businesses for special pricing or ordering (King Soopers, Blackjack Pizza, Burritos, etc). Also assists with ordering food for social events as needed. Exempt Position.

Concessions Volunteers

Each of these roles help keep the concessions stand organized and running smoothly during home meets. Report to the concessions manager before/during/after the meet as needed. Note that shift times during meets are different than other meet shifts (we do not go by event number for concessions shifts). 1 Point/Shift.

Setup: Help set up concessions tents, tables, food, and all supplies prior to meet starting.

Grilling: Manage the grill and cook hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.

Concessions (General): Sell concessions, keep note of what is sold out, and what a runner may need to get more of. Keep concessions area organized and clean. Hand out rubber ducks to “heat winners” who have been awarded a ticket.

Takedown: After the meet, organize and clean up concessions items and food, wipe tables, take down tents.

Runner & Hospitality: Pick up any food items needed by the Concession staff. Doughnuts, coffee, burritos or ice before the meet, pizza at lunchtime, etc. You will receive instructions the day before. Timing will be flexible. When not making a run, aid in meet Hospitality by passing out water/snacks to key volunteers (Starter, Announcer, Stroke Judges, Timers, Heaters) every 30 minutes. Empty trash cans as needed and ensure bathrooms are stocked with supplies and tidy.

Heating

Before swimming in an event, swimmers report to the heating area. This is a holding area for the upcoming events, where the swimmers are organized in rows of chairs that represent heat and lane assignments. A flip chart near the starter tent shows what events are being heated, and what event is currently being swum. The meet Announcer calls events to heating.

A Heating volunteer works with 3-4 other heating volunteers to make sure all swimmers for an event are present and in place to move forward in heating chairs and to the blocks together. 1 Point/Shift

Home Meet DJ & Announcer

Be the DJ and Announcer at home meets, and get a seat in the shade at the Starter's Tent! Create a fun playlist ahead of time to play during each home meet (bring your own device, and make sure playlist is appropriate for all ages. Don't forget the National Anthem!) As needed, make announcements for the meet (such as: starting the meet with the National Anthem, calling swimmers to the heating tent regularly and/or as needed, concessions announcements, etc. Ensure all meet information is communicated clearly and effectively). Expected to stay as the DJ/Announcer during the entirety of every home meet (or, responsible for finding a qualified substitute). 3 Points for entire season.

Home Meet Operations Lead

Home meet setup/takedown coordinator. Lead and direct volunteers during set up the night before & morning of home meets. Help keep swim team shed organized and ready for the next meet. Clean out and organize shed at end of season. Coordinate tasks such as: team tents, ropes, signage, starters area, PA system, concessions tables and tents, heating area, heating flip chart board, etc. Prior experience with Blue Fins setup/takedown preferred. Exempt Position.

Meet Setup

The night before a Home Meet, be at the pool by 8:00pm to help set up. Report to the Home Meet Operations volunteer for a full list of setup tasks needed. Set up includes (but not limited to): Team tents/Heating tents, heating area chairs, false start rope, pool perimeter rope, starters area, PA system, concessions tables, staging area, heating flip chart board, signs and banners, parking reservation signs. 1 Point/Shift.

Meet Takedown

After the conclusion of a Home Meet, help clean up all swim team equipment and organize it neatly back in the shed. Report to the Home Meet Operations volunteer or a Parent Rep for a full list of takedown tasks needed. Takedown includes (but not limited to): Team tents/Heating tents, heating area chairs, false start rope, pool perimeter rope, starters area, PA system, concessions tables, heating flip chart board, signs and banners, parking reservation signs, empty trash cans, bathroom trash and tidying up. (The more we all pitch in for this task, the sooner we are done!) 1 Point/Shift.

Meet Manager

The Meet Manager(s) maintains the meet management system (Meet Maestro) throughout the season, including before, during, and after each meet. Responsible for developing and printing heat sheets prior to home meets. Must be each home meet for the entirety, at the starter tent and managing each race using Meet Maestro. Requires RMSL training. Exempt Position.

On Deck Helper

This is a backup volunteer position, if needed. Check in with the Volunteer Coordinator at the start of shift, to determine if help is needed. Only those with required training will be asked to fill stroke judge positions. Each family may only sign up for this position one shift per season. 1 Point/Shift

Parent Rep

Keeps the team running and organized each year! Between 2-4 Parent Reps each season to share responsibilities such as: RMSL meeting attendance (one meeting per month throughout the off-season), managing registration, gear/suit coordination, hiring and managing coaches, acting as liaison between parents/coaches and Starter/Ref in case of any disputes or challenges during meets, fundraising and sponsorships, etc. This role works best within a small team of parent reps.

RMSL Training required. At least one Parent Rep must be a Forest Park resident. Exempt Position.

Starter/Referee

Runs and communicates the meet via PA system. Leads meetings before meet for Timers and Stroke Judges. Starts each race and ensures that the timers and Stroke Judges are in the right position. Oversees any disputes between opposing teams, or disputes regarding disqualifications. This role may also work well as a team of two (one Starter and one Referee). Must be familiar with all rules and regulations. RMSL training or prior starter/referee experience is required. Exempt Position.

Stroke Judge

A stroke judge observes swimmers in their jurisdiction and makes a call to the Starter Referee for any stroke infraction (DQ) and writes down the DQ. When possible, advise the disqualified swimmer of the DQ and reason in a kind, encouraging, and diplomatic way. Should be familiar with the proper execution of all strokes and turns (reinforced through RMSL training). Stroke Judges should be available by 7:30am the morning of the meet to attend the Stroke and Turn Meeting. 

Training: Stroke Judges complete self-paced training online through USA Swimming. This collaboration between RMSL and USA Swimming makes the "pathway" into this volunteer role easier and more consistent. The training should take between 60-90 minutes. New Stroke Judges must also practice judging at the Blue Fins Mock Meet, usually occurring the Friday morning before the first meet of the season. 1 Point/Shift

Timer

One timer per lane during meets. The Timer uses the team’s Dolphin Timer system stop watch and times each event for their lane during their shift. Write the time for that swimmer or relay team on the event time sheet. You may also be asked to hand out a ticket to the winner of the heat (individual events only). Timers should be available by 7:30am the morning of the meet to attend the Timers Meeting. 1 Point/Shift

Treasurer

The team treasurer manages the funds of the swim team. Responsibilities include: reconcile bank statements, coordinate and disburse coaching salaries, file yearly tax forms, and disburse and reimburse funds as required and needed. Must be a Forest Park resident. Exempt Position.

Volunteer Coordinator

Coordinates all volunteers for meets. Ensures that volunteers know what meet and shift they are volunteering for and organizes the volunteer check in for Forest Park at each meet, including name tags and check-in sheet. Works with Parent Reps to ensure volunteer requirements are fulfilled for all regular meets and Prelims and Finals. Exempt Position.