Vancouver Vikings Aquatics

Hosting a meet requires a great deal of planning, and we need “all hands on deck” during our Meet.  To make our Meet successful, everyone has to pitch in.  We will, accordingly, be asking everyone to do at least two shifts in jobs other than timing.  The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you sometime before the Meet to ask what you’d like to do.  If you worked in a particular position in previous years, the coordinator may ask you to assist in that area again, but if you need a change, please let us know!  And if you’re new to the Vikings, don’t be shy – volunteer for a position knowing that we have others in the Club with experience to guide you and make sure that you enjoy yourself!    

We will need volunteers for the following positions:

• Setup Crew:  Starting Friday evening at approximately 6:00 pm, the Setup Crew sets up blocks, flags, tables, canopies, timing equipment, etc.  All Grade twelve swimmers are asked to help on the Setup Crew.
• Announcer: The Announcer announces the events and heats over the speaker system.  A strong, clear voice an asset.
• Clerk of the Course:  The Clerk of the Course processes scratches and deck entries and organizes swimmers into their lanes.  The Clerk of the Course also posts the events being marshaled on an events board, and distributes time cards to swimmers as they are called to their events.
• Marshallers:  The Marshallers, working with the Clerk of the Course, organize swimmers by heat and lane on benches as their events approach.  An effective Marshaller has patience, a sense of humor, and confidence-building skills.
• Lane Timers:  Using a stopwatch, the Lane Timers time swimmers from the start signal (light flash) to the final touch.  The Lane Timers then give the times to the Recorders.  Lane Timers are supervised by a Chief Timer.
• Recorders:  Recorders push the electronic plungers when the swimmers make their final touches at the wall, and record times on the swimmers’ cards.
• Place Judges:  Three Place judges sit on each side of the pool.  They record the ranking of swimmers as they finish their races; this serves as a back-up to the timers’ data and the electronic timer data.
• Runner:  The Runner collects cards from Lane Timers, Place Judges, and Stroke & Turn Judges after each event, and delivers them to the Crash Desk.
• Crash Desk:  Several volunteers run the Crash Desk, and calculate final times and places based on the records from the Lane Timers, electronic timers, and Place Judges.  This position requires a calm disposition and good numeric skills. 
• Computer Volunteers:  These volunteers verify and enter the final results into the computer program to print results sheets for posting, and print labels for the ribbons.  This position requires good computer keyboard skills.
• Fundraising:  These volunteers are stationed in the lobby to sell programs, raffle tickets, and to run the silent auction. 
• Hospitality:  These volunteers help to set up the food preparation area, prepare and serve food, and assist with tear down after the Meet.  Our Club has a great reputation for terrific food, and the Hospitality Volunteers are essential if everyone is to be kept fed and happy. Note:  all families will be assigned an item of food to bring on each day of the Meet.  Watch the newsletter for food assignments.
• Tear Down Crew:  The Tear Down Crew disassembles tables and other equipment, and generally cleans up after the Meet. All Grade twelve swimmers are asked to help with tear down.
• Assistant Volunteer Coordinator:  The Assistant Volunteer Coordinator makes phone calls to remind people of their assignments at the meet, and to help find volunteers to fill remaining positions.
• Awards:  The Awards Volunteers put labels on the ribbons and aggregates. 
• Stroke & Turn Judges:  The Stroke & turn Judges ensure that swimmers are executing strokes in accordance with the BCSSA rules and regulations.
• Starter:  This volunteer starts the races.
• Referee:  The Referee assists the Starter by ensuring that all swimmers are on the blocks and ready to go, and also assists the Stroke & Turn Judges by identifying any stroke violations.