Houndslake Swim Team

Questions About Jobs?

Does every family have to work at meets?

If your family has a swimmer attending the meet, you must sign up for at least one shift of volunteering. Because we only require most of our volunteers to work one shift (not the entire meet), there are always jobs available.

I can't work a meet because of reasons. What should I do?

There are a few behind-the-scenes jobs that are available. Please see a board member at the pool to discuss your individual situation.

Does it matter if I sign up to work first half or second half?

Those with swimmers in the youngest age group should only sign up for first half jobs. You may leave once your swimmer is finished and your job is completed. If you have older swimmers, please sign up for second half in order to leave space for our younger swimmers' families. Please listen for the shift change announcement.

The job I wanted doesn't have any more available shifts. What should I do?

Keep checking back. Sometimes people let their shift go. Sign up for meets as soon as you know you plan to attend, because jobs can fill up quickly. On the day of the meet, check in with our Job Czar to see if there's been any changes to the job you prefer.

What does each job entail?

With the exception of the referee/starter position, no swimming experience is necessary for any job. Most jobs are worked with a partner or partners, so you don't need to worry about a responsibility. 

If you have questions, make sure to attend one of our new parent meetings, ask a board member, or strike up a conversation with a veteran parent!

Shepherding - Remain with your assigned group of swimmers during the meet. Line them up and take them to the block to swim their assigned events. You are responsible for your group until every swimmer in your group is finished with their events.

Backup Timer - (Home meets only) Start 2 stopwatches at the start of every heat of every event. If a lane timer's watch malfunctions, you will swap one of your running watches with theirs.

Lane Timer- There are 2 timers per lane, one from each team in a dual meet. There will be a timer's meeting prior to the start of every meet. Press a stop watch at the start of every heat, and stop the watch when the swimmer finishes their race. Record the swimmer's times on the provided timing slips.

Computer Person - Along with a volunteer from the opposing team, copy times from the timing slips into the computer. Must be trained on meet software (either Meet Maestro or Hy-Tek Meet Manager).

Runner - (Home meets only) At the end of every event, collect timing slips from each lane and deliver to the computer table. Regularly check in with stroke & turn judges to collect DQ slips and deliver to the referee.

Ready Chair aka Lane Coordinator - Check that every swimmer in your assigned lane is in the correct order according to the heat sheet. Chat with the swimmers, remind the younger ones of which stroke they should be swimming. Make sure swimmers go at their assigned heats.

Concessions - (Home meets only) Assist the Concessions Czar with running concessions.

Heat winner ribbons - (Home meets only) Hand out special ribbons to the winners of each heat. Assist in distributing mystery heat winner beads/prizes. Occasionally coordinate with the referee to ensure the correct heat winner receives their ribbon.

Stroke & Turn Judge - After completing training (either online or in-person), attend the judges' meeting prior to the start of every meet. Watch your assigned lanes for disqualifying events. Write the event on the provided slips, and turn into the referee. 

Referee & Starter - Must have proper training & certification. Expereince as a stroke & turn judge preferred.