Good afternoon parents!

 

We’re gearing up for another spectacular season of Marlins domination. However, we have some season-long positions that need to be filled first. The three most important positions are the Head Timer, the equipment crew (need 5-6 more dads/moms), and the staging area. Finally, we still need some Tent Parent positions filled: Two (2) for 6 & under girls, Two (2) for 7/8 boys, One (1) for 9/10 boys, One (1) for 11/12 boys, and One (1) for 11/12 girls. Descriptions of these season-long positions are described below.

 

Head Timer: The head timer places the timers in their lanes and double times each race, using two stopwatches, in case one of the lane stopwatches malfunction. The head timer from the Marlins and visiting team switch on the hour so no one is standing in the sun for long. Very easy and extremely fun job.

 

Equipment Crew: These are the moms and/or dads that put up the equipment inside the pool area and the tents outside. For away meets, only the tents are put up. You arrive about a couple of hours before the meet to set up everything, then you are off for the entire meet. At the end of the meet, you take everything down and store it. Total of about three hours of work that is not all that hard.

 

Staging Area: This is part of the Ready Bench area. The two staging area volunteers help the 6 & under, 7/8, and 9/10 kids get to their lane seats and help coordinate each heat by guiding the swimmers. You are off duty for the 11 & up races. The other volunteer is Tarrah Plair and she is a veteran of this position. It’s a faced paced position when the kids are there but with Tarrah there as your partner, it’s the easiest position that I need to fill.

 

Tent Parent: This is the parent that writes the races on your child’s arm and wrangles them up when their heat number is called. Once the initial information is written on the kids you can relax. The 6 & unders, 7/8s, and 9/10s have two tent parents to work as a team making the job easier. For 13 & up there will not be a tent parent. One very important point to make here. You are not the babysitter and are in no way, shape, or form responsible for the safety of the kids between each race. The parents are still obligated to take care of their children. You only write the race numbers on their arm and bring them to the ready bench when called. You’re going to be there anyway, might as well get a season-long for it.

 

The desk parent positions for the entire season are open. These are week-long positions for the slot you sign up for only. Just remember that you need to get there no later than 15 minutes before your shift.

 

Finally, like last season, the volunteer positions for each swim meet will open at 6:00pm the Wednesday before that swim meet. This is to give stay-at-home parents and working parents equal chance to get the positions they like.

 

We’re doing great with the volunteering this season. Let’s get these positions filled before Time Trials so everything runs even smoother. If you are interested, reply back with your request. First come, first serve. Thanks for considering and I’ll see you at the meets!

 

Ray