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FAMILY OBLIGATIONS:
Summer swim programs run completely on volunteers. Family engagement is essential! Without all of us working together the meets will not happen! If you are struggling to find shifts, reach out early in the season. We will find solutions. No engagement and a failure to meet three volunteer shifts will result in a $250 fine.
- Regular season - 3 shifts per family required from regular meets. Some of you enjoy passing the time by picking up extra. If you are inclined, you can sign up for more. If other families are short shifts, we may have them work in your place.
- Conference - If swimmer is in conference, you are required to volunteer at conference or banquet prep, this is in addition to the 3 shift requirement.
- Gator Meet – Can only sign up for 1 volunteer slot. If you sign up for 2, you will be canceled out of 2nd slot
- Job Sign-ups close the Friday night (7pm) prior to the meet to prevent late cancellations. We print volunteer labels on Sundays prior to meet. If past the Friday night deadline and you absolutely cannot make it, please alert a parent rep so we can plan for coverage.
- When Signing up, please be mindful of the shift start times. Swim meets are early (4:30pm for warm ups) on Monday evenings. If a working parent with flexible scheduling, consider adjusting your schedule for 6 weeks. (I wish someone had mentioned this to me.) CHECK IN IS REQUIRED for all volunteers between 4:30 and 5pm. If you will be late YOU MUST communicate via TEXT to the Volunteer Parent Rep. See contact info below. There are some roles that require you to be present prior to 4:30!!)
- As is the nature of coordinating volunteers, positions will shift to meet needs. 😊 THANKS FOR YOUR FLEXIBILITY. 😊 Depending on enrollment and the quantity of home vs away meets, different jobs may be available each season. We alternate hosting and traveling each year. Some years are heavier on the hosting side. If you are struggling to find shifts, REACH OUT EARLY in the season and we will help you.
- A personal thought: Getting help to fill obligatory volunteer shifts didn't occur to me until my third season. And while I have not done this, it has proven successful for some families: If you cannot or do not want to juggle your volunteer shifts, work, and the kiddos, some families hire a responsible and accountable babysitter or other helper to be a timer. This is not the norm, but we are all volunteers and understand that this may be a viable solution.
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When can I sign up?
The volunteer sign up pages online should be available in late May, when most swimmers will be registered and all meets are put in to the computer.
Do I still have to volunteer if my kid is not swimming in meets?
Short Answer: Yes.
Long Answer: Yes. The Brentwood Gators are a team and we highly encourage all swimmers to participate in the meets. The experience is an important part of growing as a swimmer, a team mate, and a person! If you will not be swimming in meets, we do not recommend you join the team.
We understand there may be special cases in which swimmers cannot be in meets. We encourage you to discuss your situation with the coaches and parent reps as soon as possible. However, families of non-meet swimmers are also part of the team and also have the 3 job requirement.
Parent testimonials:
"Volunteering was a great way to get to know the kids my child was hanging around with this summer."
"Helping out in the bull pen made the sometimes loooong meets go by quickly!"
"I didn't grow up on a swim team. I love that my kids are building summer memories that include evenings spent outdoors with friends, swimming, and games in the bull pen!"
Note: To ensure that the team has enough volunteers for every meet to run smoothly, the registration documents include a contract stating that a $250 charge will be assessed at the end of the season for all families that have not fulfilled their volunteer obligation.
