North Springfield Dolphins

A successful swim meet takes many parent volunteers, in fact, over 65 parents to time, officiate, score and run concessions, along with meet setup and clean up. We are actively looking to increase the number of volunteers from last year. 

Please do not be intimidated by signing up initially! Most jobs do not require any previous experience or training. Volunteer Official positions require some training (see below) but that training is offered through NVSL for those interested. 

Each family is expected to volunteer at every meet their child(ren) are swimming in. We do require each family to meet a certain number of volunteer points per season that are tracked through swimtopia. If the points are not met there is a fee associated with it. 

NVSL rules require that all parent volunteers that are gong to be on the pool deck during an NVSL sanctioned meet wear a white shirt (with no team logo of any kind) and navy blue shorts/pants/skirt. Volunteers can wear what they would like during a B meet. 

If you are interested in a job that requires NVSL training, please check the NVSL training schedule (to be posted). All trained volunteers must recertify every two years. We cannot have too many certified officials, so all help is welcomed!

Referee and Chief Judge

Seeking Volunteers! The chief official for each swim meet. He/She is responsible for the conduct of the meets and is the final authority on the interpretation and enforcement of all swimming rules. Prior to the start of each race, the referee sounds four short whistles to advise the participants to get ready. After event is announced by the announcer or starter, the referee sounds one long blast as a signal for swimmers to get into position for the start or get in the water for backstroke. For backstroke a second long blast is given to bring the swimmers to the wall for the start. When the referee sees that all swimmers are ready, he/she extends his arm pointing towards the starter. At this point the starter takes control. 

Assistant referee or "Chief Judge" is also provided by the visiting team for B meets. 

Starter

Seeking volunteers! This person is responsible for starting each race during a swim meet. They wait for clearance from the referee, indicate to swimmers to go into a racing stance, and then start the race. We are only responsible for providing a starter at home meets. 

Stroke and Turn

Seeking Volunteers! Stroke and turn judges stand at either end of the pool and ensure that all starts, strokes and turns are done legally. If they see that as wimmer is not swimming legally, they will write up a DQ slip and discuss it with the meet referee. 

The jobs may have training available, but training is not mandatory.

Team Rep - Katie Wayne and Trish Armentrout

Responsible for all aspects of running the team. Represents team to the NVSL, attends NVSL meetings and is point of contact for Saturday meets. Works closely with Data Coordinator and coaches recording swimmers times and creating meet sheets.

Email: [email protected]

Announcer - Ken Balbuena

The home team provides one announcer. They work along with the referee to make sure the meet runs smoothly. They make sure warm ups start and end on time. During A meets, they will announce the name of every swimmer. Periodically they will report results of races if time is available. 

Chief Timer and Assistant Chief Timer - Kevin Armentrout (seeking additional volunteers)

The home team provides the Chief Timer and the visiting team provides an assistant chief timer. This individual is responsible for all the timers at the swim meet. They fill in if a timer has problem with their watch. They make sure that all the time cards are collected and properly filled out at the end of each race, and sent to the scorers table. This individual is responsible for handing out stop watches to the timers and collecting them at the end of the meet. 

Clerk of Course - Seeking Volunteers

Each meet we provide one or two individuals in the this position. They receive swimmers from each team area prior to each event, organize the swimmers by lane, and make sure they make it to the correct end of the pool to start the race. As you can imagine, organizing 12 eight and under boys and girls can take a lot of patience. 

Data Coordinator - Emily Dalton

This person has responsibilities during the meet and during the week. During the meet, they enter results into the computer and tally the score. During the week, this person assists the coach and team rep in creating the line-up and communicates with the other team's data coordinator to create a meet sheet. 

Data entry

This individual will hep the team data coordinator work with the table workers and enter the results into the computer during meets. 

These jobs are great for new swim team parents, and are essential for a meet to run smoothly

Relay Take off Judges

After the individual events are over during the A meets, relays begin. Relay Take off Judges make sure that when a swimmer leaves the wall, the previous swimmer has touched.  you will receive a brief training session from the referee during the meet.

Runner

There is one runner provided by the home team. The runner receives the time cards from the chief timer and makes sure the time cards make it to the scorers table. 

Timers

Each team provides 9 timers. Each lane will have 3 timers. They are responsible for starting the watch when the starter goes off, and stop the watch when any part of the swimmer touches the wall. They make no decisions regarding legal swimming or not. They also fill out the time card and hand it to the chief or assistant chief timer. 

Table Workers

Receive the time cards from the runner. They determine the place order for each event and submit the results to the data coordinator for scoring. They help verify the score. The table workers also are responsible for creating ribbons for each event.

Marshals

Each team provides at least one marshal at all meets (including divisional meets). This person wears the “orange vest of authority” and ensures that swimmers are in the appropriate location, noise is kept to a minimum, monitors warm ups, and generally acts as a parent to make sure everyone behaves.

Head of Concessions - Bobbi Grady

These individuals are responsible for the concessions stand at home swim meets. It is an important job as it is one of the main methods to generate income for the swim team and allows us to pay for many things. This is a great job to share with a friend!

We are always able to get people to volunteer to shop if you give them a list, and we have plenty of volunteers to work during the meets, but we need someone to take leadership role. 

Concession workers

They assist the Concessions Chair(s) with shopping, set up, clean up, and sales. Every effort is made to ensure concession workers see their child race.

Little Flippers Coordinator

I am looking for someone to organize and run the little flippers program. I am still able to help in the background however I need someone who can be present at little flipper practices in the mornings and evenings. This individual will help with creating and organizing little flipper practice groups and ensuring each group has a coach, will help with ensuring the practices are running smoothly and help with organizing end of season celebration for the little flippers. 

Pancake Breakfast Coordinator- Margaret Autry

Pancake breakfast Fridays are a team favorite. This individual is responsible for the set up, and clean up of pancake breakfast and ensuring volunteers know what to do. I ensure there are plenty of volunteers to help and parents provide the necessary food and items for pancake breakfast. 

Spirit Day Coordinator

Spirit days happen on Friday evenings, this individual is in charge of planning and holding spirit nights. I have a lot of ideas on things we have done in the past and things we have not done. I also have a closet full of spirit night supplies and can help with getting any other supplies needed.