*Please read ALL volunteer information carefully! 

If you have questions, please re-read this information - if you still have a question email [email protected] or [email protected]

Volunteer sign ups will go live on May 17th at 2:00pm on SwimTopia

1. Every family is required to work 2 volunteer spots (and conference if your swimmer is participating). *ALL swim meets are Wednesday evenings at 6pm and Volunteer Meetings will start approximately 5:30pm* It is essential that all volunteer positions are filled for every meet (home and away). This is a volunteer-run conference, so the only way we can have swim meets is to have adequate family participation.

2. Each family will sign up using SwimTopia for volunteer positions. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND SIGN UP FOR ALL JOBS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON.**Feel free to sign up for more than 2 full spots as well. All families must be signed up for their 2 volunteer spots by JUNE 7TH.

Once you sign up for a spot, you can't change your sign-up without contacting the volunteer coordinators - please double check the dates you are signing up for.

3. If you are unable to fill your volunteer spot (illness, last minute emergency), PLEASE FIND A REPLACEMENT ON YOUR OWN (family member, babysitter, neighbor). Signups will not be able to be removed the week of the meet. If you are unable please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, but they will not be responsible for finding a replacement for you.

Volunteer Job Descriptions

The following volunteer positions require training:

STARTER/REFEREE- The starter has full authority over all officials and will enforce all applicable rules and decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet. Must have knowledge and understanding of all rules governing competition in MOWSC including USA Swimming Rules and Regulations. Must have completed Stroke/Turn Clinic or be USS Certified with current year credentials. Responsible for providing a fair start for all swimmers and is responsible for calling “false starts.” The starter is the person responsible for the flow our home meets. They will be the person you hear over the speaker detailing what event and heat we are on and keep the meet moving along. For example, “this is event 1, boys 6 & under 25 yard freestyle, heat 1…swimmers please step up, take your mark”...and they activate the horn for each heat to begin.

STROKE AND TURN JUDGE- This is exactly what it sounds like. You will be responsible for walking along the side of the pool and watching swimmers for illegal strokes and/or turns. There will be an official from the other team on the other side of the pool so one person isn’t solely responsible. You will have disqualification forms (DQ slips) that must be completed when you determine a swimmer has performed an illegal move. MOWSC policy is that these officials wear white shirts and khaki bottoms during their assigned sessions.

SCORE KEEPER – Responsible for recording the official score in the computer database throughout the course of the entire meet according to the MOWSC rules. You will be sitting with the score keeper from the other team and work together to be sure the meet is scored correctly. The score keepers separate DQ slips by team for the coaches to review. You will confer with the meet directors when scoring questions arise.

The following jobs DO NOT require MOWSC training:

TIMERS –Timers will start their clocks on the starting signal’s LIGHT and stop their clocks when the swimmer in their lane touches for the finish. Timers must stand at the finish of the race to see the swimmer’s touch. Both teams will have a timer present. Times must be written legibly. Timers will work the entire meet and attend a timer’s meeting prior to the start of meets. Stopwatches are provided and will need to be returned at the conclusion of the meet.

BACKUP TIMER- Starts stopwatch with the start of each heat, in the event that there is a stopwatch that does not function properly, or that is not started, to time an individual lane. The backup timer must watch for a raised hand in any lane being timed – this will indicate that someone needs you to go to their lane and finish timing the swimmer. Timers will work the entire meet and attend a timer’s meeting prior to the start of meets. Stopwatches are provided and will need to be returned at the conclusion of the meet.

LANE MONITOR– Volunteers will stand in each lane where KTST swimmers are assigned. When clerk of course brings swimmers to you, you will make sure that the correct child is in the correct lane and assist them to be ready for their race at the appropriate time. Swimmers should be staged in the chairs (or standing) 2 to 3 events prior to their race. (Coaches will line up relays. Lane Monitor volunteers assist swimmers for freestyle, backstroke, IM, breaststroke, and butterfly.) There are a lot of bodies in this area. Please be mindful that you don’t impede traffic flow to this area.

CLERK OF COURSE– Clerk of course is a group of volunteers who assist with gathering 10 & under swimmers only. Older swimmers will be responsible for getting to their lanes at the appropriate time. Clerk of course will call names in our team area, organize swimmers into correct heats, and walk them to where a lane monitor volunteer will take over. Coaches will line up relays but might ask CoC for assistance keeping kids in line. Clerks assist 6&U, 7-8 and 9-10 freestyle, backstroke, IM, breaststroke, and butterfly.

EVENT BOARD – Responsible for updating event board with the correct event and heat number. The event board works the full meet. This is a position for our home meets only utilizing a power point on the Keene Trace Jumbotron. This is a very focused position - distractions will result in confusion lining up swimmers and could result in parents missing swimmers' races.

RUNNER– Pick up any DQ slips from the stroke & turn judge on your side after each heat. Pick up timer sheets from timers when they are complete (every 5 heats). Organize paperwork and deliver it to the scoring table. 

HOSPITALITY- Check in with all meet volunteers regularly and provide water and/or offer to relieve a timer for a bathroom break. (Home Meets only)

As always, please let us know if you have any questions!

Go Ducks! 🦆 

Mara Clay & Hanna Hostetler

Keene Trace Volunteer Coordinators