2025-26 Fall/Winter Volunteer Commitment
Why Volunteer?
1. You get to wear your super cool - FREE - volunteer shirt. Each volunteer receives one shirt that should be worn while volunteering. The first time you volunteer you’ll receive one to wear each time you volunteer so others know you’re part of the hosting team!
2. You’ll have the best seat in the house. Being on deck is way better than being in the stands!
3. You’ll meet new people. Volunteering is a great way to meet new families and spend time with friends.
4. WE NEED YOU! It takes hundreds of volunteer hours to host our meets each season.
Volunteer Commitment
Each family will be responsible for volunteering one shift per swimmer, per family (up to two (2) shifts per family) during the Fall and Winter seasons. Families will be charged a $225 fee per unfulfilled volunteer shift at the end of the Winter season, with a maximum of $450 per family. We strongly encourage families to volunteer during the season in which their swimmer participates. This commitment applies to every family regardless of swimmer participation in our hosted meets. Each shift is typically 4-6 hours in length. Only volunteer needs at our hosted team events that specify you will receive credit fulfill the volunteer commitment.
Credit for a volunteer shift will be given only if the entire shift is fulfilled. Any shift that is not fully completed will be considered unfulfilled. Each unfulfilled volunteer shift will incur a $225 fee at the end of the Winter season. No partial credit will be given for shifts that are partially completed.
I’m unable to be at the meet or my swimmer is not participating. Am I still required to volunteer?
Yes. Because hosting meets is one of the most important ways we raise money and participate in the local swimming community, it is important that we have enough volunteers to run efficient and successful meets. We can only do that with enough volunteers!
If you are unable to be at a meet, consider the following options:
- Have someone fulfill your shift on your behalf. We are open to responsible volunteers aged 14 and older for timing related jobs. They do not need to be part of the team. We’ve also had grandparents, aunts, and uncles volunteer on behalf of families. You just need to sign up as though you are filling the shift and add the actual volunteer’s name in the comment field.
- During most seasons there is a very limited number of volunteer opportunities outside of meets. We cannot guarantee these will always be available, as it depends on the non-meet events we hold each season.
- Pay the volunteer fee. While we’d rather have your time, the volunteer fee payments help cover the costs of hiring people to fulfill open shifts should we need to do so.
I really love swim meets. How can I be sure I get to volunteer at every meet?
There are some volunteer jobs that are best done by those with some experience. If you are interested in learning one of the following roles, please reach out to [email protected] for more information regarding any needed training:
- Meet Manager Software Operators – Correcting any timing system errors or swimmer information in the Meet Manager software system after races/meets are completed
- Colorado Operators – Operating the Colorado Timing System at our Intrasquad Meets
- Assistant Meet Manager (immediate need) – Coordinating meet set up and logistics before, during, and after meets
- Meet Marshals (immediate need) – Enforces warm-up procedures in the pool & maintains order in the venue, ensures only swimmers, coaches, officials and meet volunteers are allowed on deck per USA Swimming regulations, ensures that swimmers are behaving in a safe manner. Located on deck throughout the meet.
- Officials – Positions (referee/starter/stroke & turn) must be certified under USA Swimming. Training class plus 6 sessions of apprenticeship required for certification. Email [email protected] for more information.
Meet Volunteer Positions
Below are some examples of volunteer needs for hosted meets. Please note the descriptions are just examples and may vary slightly from actual jobs.
Meet Setup/Float – Helps with setting up tables and chairs, posting signage, etc. Once set up is complete, reports to the Meet Manager to see where additional help may be needed.
Meet Runner – Assist meet officials throughout meet (carry DQ slips from officials to computer operator), post event results in designated area, assist Safety Marshal if needed.
Announcer (intrasquad meets only) - Announces all information pertinent to meet including swimmer names, events, and general announcements.
Awards – Set up Awards table, hand out awards to swimmers, clean up awards at end of meet
Head Timer – Runs 2 stopwatches for every heat to hand to timers if their watches fail, coordinates the timers to help carefully put away timing equipment.
Timer – Operates stopwatch & timing system plungers and records times.
Order of Finish – Sit poolside and record swimmers’ order of finish for each race (example: Lanes 4,6,7,3,8,1,2,5 finished in that order).
Volunteer Check-In/Float – Checks-in volunteers and provides direction to where they need to report, hands out volunteer t-shirts and nametags. Once all volunteers have arrived, reports to the Meet Manager to see where additional help may be needed.
Credentials Check/Float -– Check Deck Pass for current USA Swimming credentials of coaches and officials, checks in with Meet Manager for other areas that may need assistance.
Hospitality Servers – Help with organization and set up of snacks, beverages, and meals for coaches and officials; distributes drinks and snacks to volunteers, coaches and officials on deck.
I’m ready! How do I sign up?
Jobs are posted approximately 10-14 prior to a hosted meet
1. Log into the Hurricanes website
2. Find the meet at which you plan to volunteer
3. Click “Job Signup” button
4. Select desired session and volunteer position
