Volunteer Information
Swimarin, along with the entire Marin Swim League (MSL), is run 100% by volunteer efforts. It’s an amazing thing when you witness the coordination of a swim meet. As a member of the swim team, your volunteer support is essential.
For those not familiar with the swim team, we understand that the volunteer commitment can feel overwhelming during your first season. Jobs can be chosen during the volunteer open enrollment. Every family is required to participate in some way. If a family does not sign up for events during the open enrollment, we will reach out to you directly to assign you a role that would work for you and your family. The Swimarin swim team is a family-friendly environment - we all work together to put on a great swim meet and HAVE FUN doing it. See you on the pool deck!
Important Guidelines
- The participation requirement is 5 jobs for the season (not including All-Stars if your child qualifies).
- At least 2-3 jobs need to be in the second half of the meet.
What to Know About Your Jobs
- Job Descriptions Can Be found HERE
- Most jobs do not require experience. The jobs are easy to learn and fun to do because you meet other swim families and get to know the kids. Some jobs will also give you a front row seat to the races!
- It is VERY important to show up for your assignments and be on time. No-shows or cancellations are extremely disruptive to the meet. If you can't make it - please reach out to try and find someone to cover you. No-shows that do not find a replacement for their job will incur a $100 fee per missed job.
How to Sign Up
- Log into your account on the website, www.swimarin.org
- Click on Team Events on the lower half of the homepage.
- For each meet, there is a “Job sign up button.” Click that and choose your job. Please be sure to put in the name and cell phone number of the person most likely to be doing the volunteering that day. Be sure to click save at the end.
- Repeat for all 5 jobs following the guidelines above.
Swimarin Volunteering FAQ’s
We are not going to be at every meet, can I sign up for more than 1 job per meet? Yes, you can double up, but understand the team needs coverage for all meets, both morning and afternoon.
What if I miss a shift? If you miss a shift, you may be charged a no-show fee, which is currently set at $100.
What is a “team” job? Team jobs include data desk, snack bar, and meet set-up and tear down. If you have a team job you will do different jobs within a team for the entire season but will only be required to work at the home meets.
What is a “season-long” job? Similar to the team job, if you do a season-long job such as Costco Shopper, Stroke and Turn Judge, or Starter, you will do that one job all season.
I have never been to a swim meet, how will I know what to do? All of the jobs are easy to learn and a fun way to get to know other families on the team. Time Trials is our first "meet" of the season. This “meet” is just our team and is a great way to "practice" your new job.
What time will my shift start and end? Times listed for all jobs are approximate and are based on the first and second half of each meet. It is important that you remain flexible on these times as they are impossible to predict exactly and are dependent on the number of swimmers. Generally speaking, meets against larger teams take a bit longer. Typically, first-half jobs begin just before the meet and run to or through the mid-meet break. Second half jobs begin after the mid-meet break.
We have kids in other sports so it’s hard for us to volunteer. Many of our swimmers participate in other sports. Try to plan ahead as best you can and ask other experienced parents for advice. You always have the option to pay the buy-out fee of $500.
This sounds serious; what have I gotten myself into? Relax! Yes, there is a lot of information, but you have lots of options. These jobs are easy and enjoyable! Swimarin is full of amazing and helpful families that are happy to show you the ropes and help you out in any way they can. Don't take your job too seriously and have fun so your swimmer can have fun, too!
Swimarin is an all-volunteer, parent-led organization. The success of our team and home meets depends upon active participation and support from all parents. Please read How To Volunteer for all details.
