VOLUNTEER | BEST

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.

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

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

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

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

HOME MEET JOBS

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.

"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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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)

"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

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

"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

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

"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

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…

"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

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!

"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

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

"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

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

"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

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

"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

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

"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.

“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.

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: