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2024 vOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
 
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE KEY TO HOME MEET AND TEAM SUCCESS! 

 

In 2024, the Elks are hosting TWO home swim meets. Each of those events requires a volunteer workforce that is skilled and trained to do their individual jobs. Together, we make an amazing team that produces an amazing meet and experience for everyone!

There are a lot of jobs. Most of them are incredibly easy to navigate and perform. What's most important is for the jobs to have a reliable volunteer who shows up and turns on the jets. The good news is that we will teach you all about it! Below are some answers to the most common questions, and a listing of all of the jobs you have an opportunity to volunteer for. And a big Thank You in advance!

There will be a volunteer training and information meeting during the parent social on Wednesday, June 12 at 6:00 p.m.

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GENERAL VOLUNTEERING INFO

  • Each family is responsible for two volunteer assignments (most are at ELKS HOME MEETS) regardless of the number of swimmers on the team

  • Volunteers will check-in before each assignment to ensure credit

  • Families will be charged $100 for each assignment not fulfilled at the conclusion of the season

  • Families are encouraged to sign up for more than two assignments as need arises at home meets

  • If a family attends only one of the two home meets, they will need to fulfill BOTH assignments that day

  • Families who do attend ANY home meets do not need to fulfill the volunteer requirements (there will be an OPT OUT on the sign-up page)

  • Families who attend additional meets, such as the Fox Hill Pentathlon, Hot Shot/Long Shot, BVSSL Prelims and Finals, will have additional volunteer responsibilities.  These are mandated to each team in the league and our team can be fined for not providing volunteers for those meets

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How do I sign up to fulfill my volunteer responsibilities?

  • A link will be available at the bottom of this page for all volunteer sign-ups. This allows each volunteer to sign up for a specific job on a specific date for a specific shift

  • One shift at a meet is approximately three hours long. Some are longer and some are shorter. Some are easier than others. All jobs count as one assignment.

  • If you have questions or need clarification about any of the volunteer jobs contact the Team Manager

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What will cause me to be charged at the end of the season?

  • Not completing all your volunteer shifts, including extra shifts for special events or meets

  • Not showing up for a shift or not checking in. It is the responsibility of each person to ensure that they check-in for their shift to ensure that they are properly credited

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What time do I need to show up and what do I do for home meets?

  • Volunteer sign-in at home meets is located near the pool entrance.  There will be signage to help you locate the table

  • First shift volunteers must sign in by 7:30 A.M. for a home meet. Some jobs may require checking in earlier (or the night prior)

  • Make sure you check the time and shift you are signing up for. Some jobs require attendance the night before to help with set-up

  • Second shift volunteers start after event #45 (the halfway mark), which is around 10:30 A.M. - this is not exact and depends on the particular meet - be aware

  • Listen for the starter to announce 2nd shift volunteers

  • Second shift volunteers must check in during event #42.  The starter will make this announcement

  • The Team Manager will be available to assist you if you have any questions

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HOME MEET JOBS
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Meet Set-Up Volunteer

  • Set up the pool deck for the swim meet

  • Must be able to lift and move things

  • This job takes place on the Friday evening before the home meet at 7pm.

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"This job is great because you're done the night before and you can relax and enjoy the meet.  Especially easy if you pair it with a Friday night BBQ at the Elks". -Chris Justice

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Heating Volunteer 

  • Line up swimmers according to events

  • This is a fun but hectic job. If you have not done it before, the Team Manager will help train you. Also, hopefully, one of the Heating Volunteers has done it before. It makes it MUCH easier.

  • Move swimmers to the start blocks at the appropriate time

  • Has a sense of organization and structure and procedure

  • This job requires a loud voice, ability to herd cats and a calm demeanor.

  • Able to stay cool and in control during chaos

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"I think it's the best volunteer job. It's really fun. I recommend it". -Chris Justice

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Timing Volunteer 

  • Collect event card from swimmer and verify correct name, event, lane, and relay order

  • Operate stopwatch

  • Record time(s) on appropriate pink or blue card and pass it to the runner

  • Usually in full sun during your entire shift

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"Maybe the most coveted of all swim team volunteer jobs. You get a front row seat to your kids' races. It can be hot, though, and you're standing the whole time." - Chris Justice

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Back-Up Timer  

  • Starts his/her stopwatch with every start

  • Assists in timing when someone’s watch has malfunctioned during the start

  • May be used in particularly close races

  • Exact same job as the timer but you're the back-up

  • Often in full sun during your entire shift

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"See above about the timer. The back-up is even better. Less pressure than the real timer." - Chris Justice

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Heat Winner Volunteer 

  • Hands out tickets to heat winners which they can exchange at concessions for an Otter Pop (“It’s a Freeze Pop” – Chris Justice)

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"This is a truly great job if you just want to sit and watch the races near the pool. Plus, you get to engage with every kid who wins their heat!" - Chris Justice

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Runner 

  • Takes event cards from each timer once time is recorded

  • Delivers event cards to the scoring table

  • This is a fast paced job, you are on your feet and moving during your shift

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"I love this job. You are moving the whole time. It's called "runner" for a reason. You don't really have to run, per se, but you do have to walk with a purpose. This job makes you feel important because people are always needing you." -Chris Justice

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Starter/Announcer 

  • Responsible for running the meet smoothly

  • Starts each race with specific phrases

  • Announces heating for events

  • Announces changes in shifts​

  • Must be a very timely individual with a very good sense of meet process

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"This is my job for the 2024 season but, like all starters on all summer swim teams, I was thrown into it without knowing anything. If you're the parent of a younger swimmer and think this might be something you would enjoy, let me know and I can give you the ins and outs. I might need someone to fill in at some point." -Chris Justice

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Stroke Judge Volunteer 

  • Contact the Team Manager if you are interested in this position

  • Attend stroke judge training session with BVSSL before season start

  • Walk alongside of pool checking for legal strokes, kicks, wall touch, diving entry on relays…

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"Having a swim background is helpful with this job. It's an important slot and one that is usually tough to fill. Please talk to me if you're interested." -Chris Justice

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Scoring Volunteer 

  • It's inside and it usually lasts until after the meet is over

  • Enters swimmer and race data into the computer. We can train you to do this

  • It's done inside so you're in the shade!

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"This is the most important volunteer job and the most unheralded. You'll need some training and knowledge of computer stuff. You're inside the entire meet and bonding with your other scoring friends." -Chris Justice

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Ribbon Volunteer 

  • You get to do this one at home if you want!

  • You're placing race results stickers on individual ribbons for each race

  • Separate event ribbons according to teams (BEST box and Away Team box)

  • File BEST ribbons into individual swimmer files

  • Return all materials to appropriate storage area when you're done

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"Great job that you can do on Sunday at home at your leisure. Kids love getting their ribbons. You just need to file them into the swimmer folders on Monday after the home meet." -Chris Justice

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Wild Card 

  • Check in 30 minutes before the meet starts

  • You're the back-up for all of the jobs for one shift

  • Must be willing to do all jobs at meet

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"This is the best gig to sign up for if you're a gambler or like variety and surprise. There's a really good chance that you won't be asked to do anything and you'll get credit for it! There's also a chance that you take a job that you might not be excited about. Roll the dice. Sign up as a wild card!" -Chris Justice

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Saturday Post-Meet Clean-Up & Tent Taker-Downer

  • Returns pool to pre-meet condition

  • Lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas back on pool deck

  • All meet equipment returned to storage room

  • Take down tents and tarp and return to storage shed

  • Picks up all trash

  • Assists in a variety of other staging duties in an effort to open the pool to the public

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"I like this job because it's not during the meet and it's straight forward. It's just moving stuff and putting things away. It's pretty quick. Downside is that it's after the meet and you probably just want to go home. -Chris Justice

 

AWAY MEETS JOBS
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Away Meet Team Tent Set-Up Volunteer 

  • Friday night pick up the following from the Elks Pool before the pool closes:

    • Portable tents (tents are located in the storage shed at the west end of the pool)

    • Large blue tarp to put under tents

    • Elks Banner

  • Set up tents and tarp by 6:45am Saturday morning as tent spots fill up quickly

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"You normally need to take two or three tents. Easy gig. You don’t even need to know how to set a tent up.  Someone will help you on Saturday morning.” -Chris Justice

 

Away Meet Team Tent Taker-Downer

  • Bring back the stuff the “set-up” volunteer brought.  Simple.

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“You just have to remember to bring the tents and tarp back.  I once had tents and tarps in my Jeep for weeks.” -Chris Justice

 

ONE-TIME OR SPECIAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

*Mandatory additional volunteer jobs for parents with swimmers participating in Prelims and/or Finals

All teams in the Boulder Valley Summer Swim League provide volunteers in proportion to the number of swimmers that participated on their team in the previous season.  Meets are staffed entirely by volunteers.  Prelims and Finals volunteer jobs may include: tent set-up and break-down, timers, clothing sales, crowd control, runners, heating area assistance, clean-up, etc. BVSSL will assign our team specific jobs and those sign-ups will be available the week of prelims and finals.  

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Contact Chris Justice at www.bestswimmanager@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out beyond the mandated two volunteer shifts.  We are in need of help in the following areas:

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  • Volunteer Coordinator

  • Big Fish/Little Fish Coordinator

  • Special Events Coordinator

  • Spirit Coordinator

  • Head Timer

  • Heating Area Director

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2024 Volunteer Sign-Ups

For specific information on each volunteer job, please revert back to this page.

Remember, your family must complete two volunteer assignments during the season.

We encourage you to sign up for more than two, though!  

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Additional Volunteer Opportunities

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Away Meet @ Meadows - June 8

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Home Meet Vs. MESA - June 15

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Home Meet Vs. BCC - June 29

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Away Meet @ Meadowglen - July 13

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Away Meet @ Lafayette - July 20

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Volunteer Opt=Out

Note:  This is only for families whose swimmer(s) will not swim in any meets

home or away, including prelims and finals

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VOLUNTEERING

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