Volunteer Policy & Clearances

Volunteer Policy

The Catholic Youth Swim League is a volunteer organization that relies on strong member involvement. The children love when their parents are volunteer and are involved.

It is the goal of the Tritons Swim Team Board to run smooth and effective meets, as well as increase family involvement. Anyone who has been to a swim meet knows that it truly takes a village to run a swim meet, and it can not be done without parent volunteers. In order to reach our goal, it is the policy of the Tritons Swim Team that at least one member of every family on the team volunteer for at least three (3) meets throughout the season. We are sure that every parent can find a meet job that he/she enjoys. A description of the meet jobs is provided below.

The Tritons will be using an online volunteer management system to aid in the coordination of volunteering. Once the volunteer management system has been activated, you will be prompted to register into the system. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email that will allow you to sign in and begin signing up to volunteer. Should you have any questions about any of the volunteer positions or the system itself, please contact us at stdavidtritons@gmail.com.

Volunteer Positions & Descriptions

Timer: This is the most popular meet job among both new and experienced swim parents. You use a stopwatch to time the swimmer in your assigned lane. There are three timers per lane.

Head Timer: The head timer serves as a back-up timer in case of a watch malfunction.

Time Recorder: One time recorder is assigned to each lane. The time recorder writes the official time (determined by the timers) for the swimmer in each race.

Runner: After each race, the runner collects the times from the timers in each lane and the judges’ slips and takes them to the scoring table. You stay on the move throughout the meet, so it’s great exercise.

Scoring Table: Scorers from each team record the results following each race/dive, and track the team scores. There can be some pressure at the table, and the job requires knowledge of the computer program (Meet Manager) used for the computerized scoring system. The scorekeepers are critical to the success of the meet, and they are often the only ones who know which team is winning the meet.

Place Judge: The place judge stands at the end of pool and observes the end of the race. He helps to decide the order in which the swimmers finish the event (i.e., who won). No technical knowledge of swimming is required, but it does require a keen ability to focus your attention for close races.

Stroke & Turn Judge: These judges determine whether a swimmer touched the end of the pool during a turn and whether the technical aspects of the swimming stroke were legal. It requires knowledge of the US Swimming stroke regulations, and a willingness to fairly disqualify swimmers when appropriate. The Stroke and Turn Judge MUST attend a clinic which is run by the league. The Stroke & Turn Judges Clinic will be held in the beginning of the season, dates & times TBA.

Event Number Holder: This person will be responsible for updating the event number for the judges, timers, spectators, etc. to see during the meet.

50/50: This is a great way to meet everyone at the meet. This is another club fund raiser at home meets. You sell the lottery tickets during the meet, and a drawing is held toward the end. The winner receives half of the money collected, and our team gets the other half.

Ready Bench: The ready bench parents line up the 8&U, 10&U and 12 &U swimmers scheduled for upcoming events in the ready area, see them to the proper lane prior to the start of their race and help get them psyched up for their swim.

Restroom: This parent will stand on deck at the bathroom doors to monitor the bathrooms as the swimmers come in and out. They will make sure that the swimmers are not fraternizing in the bathrooms when they should be on deck for the ready parents to locate them. When the relays start, this person will not allow the swimmer to leave through the bathroom as the team will meet with the coach for a cheer and other items after the meet.

Set Up/ Clean Up: You will arrive before the meet to help Set Up or stay after the meet to Break down/Clean up for home meets only.

Required Clearances Policy

ALL coaches, board members and individuals who assist with practices must complete PA State Police Criminal Clearance and Child Abuse Clearance forms. This is mandatory for all school/parish and sport activities. The forms are good for 3 years. The needed information can be found at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Child and Youth Protection website.

***These documents are not required for family members volunteering on deck for a swim meet.

PLEASE BRING COPIES OF YOUR CLEARANCES WITH YOU TO REGISTRATION!