Volunteer Roles
Pelham Falls Swim Team is ENTIRELY a parent volunteer-run organization (except for the Coaches), as are all other neighborhood swim teams. It takes approx 100 VOLUNTEERS to run a successful swim meet! PARENT INVOLVEMENT IS IMPERATIVE, not to mention it's a great opportunity to become more involved and get to know all of our PFST families!
New families with no prior swim team experience are encouraged to start out by volunteering for positions that require no certification.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Swim Meets are divided into halves. There will be 1st half shifts and 2nd half shifts. First half volunteers must be on the pool deck 15 minutes before the official swim meet start time. We have 2nd half shifts for those who are unable to make the 1st half time. Please plan accordingly!
Thank you!
Volunteer Roles:
Timer: SAIL Certification is required. For each lane, there are 3 timers with stopwatches and 1 recorder who records the results on the lane sheets. We need 24 timers/recorders per swim meet. Plus, it's the best seat in the house! All you have to do is take a 10-minute online test at the following link: Timer
Head Timer: SAIL Certification is required. The principal responsibility of the Chief Timer is to ensure proper timing methods are being followed at every swim meet. As well as creating the schedule for the timers/recorders for every swim meet. A Chief Timer is required to take a simple online test found here: Chief Timer
Records: SAIL Certification is required. The primary responsibility of Records is simple data entry. You will be brought the lane sheets and you are responsible for putting into the system. Bonus!! it is usually located in the shade or inside the clubhouse.
Ribbons: Sail Certification is required. Responsible for correctly sorting and labeling individual award ribbons. Bonus!! Ribbons are usually located inside the clubhouse.
Head Ribbons: SAIL certification required. The Records/Ribbons chairperson is responsible for keeping accurate ribbons in order and bringing them to the meet. They are also responsible for coordinating the appropriate place finish labels, getting them on the ribbons, and filing them in the swimmers files to be handed out at fun Friday morning practice. Records and Ribbons
Runner: SAIL certification required. Runners pick up sheets from the timers and take them to the records table. Anyone who likes to stay on the move can be a runner! All you have to do is take a 10 minute online test at the following link: Runner
Clerk of Course: SAIL Certification is required. Lines the swimmers up in proper order to move to the starting blocks in a timely fashion. Three clerks of course are required per half; six for the meet. Patience and a keen sense of organization are needed.
Tent Parent: NO SAIL Certification is required. We usually use 4 tent moms per swim meet to stay with the swimmers, call out events, and make sure swimmers go to Clerk of Course on time. It’s a fun job and you can leave to watch your own swimmers!
Concessions: NO SAIL Certification required. Volunteers assist selling concessions during one half of the swim meet. Everyone loves concessions… it’s a fun social position!
The following SAIL Officials require classroom training and passing an online test. The goal of all SAIL Officials is to create a safe and fair environment for all swimmers.
Referee: SAIL Certification is required. This job requires thorough knowledge and understanding of USA Swimming and SAIL rules; and a commitment to fair and competitive swimming conditions. The principal function of this job is to see that a meet is properly conducted according to the rules. To serve as Referee, a person must be certified as a: Referee, Starter, Stroke and Turn Judge. In addition to attending classroom training, a referee must pass an online test found here: Referee
Starter: SAIL Certification is required. The Starter gets the swimmers up on the starting blocks, announces the stroke, and begins the electronic start. The home team provides the Starter; the visiting team provides the Assistant Starter. To serve as a Starter, a person must attend a Stroke and Turn class and pass the online test. In addition to attending Starter classroom training, a starter must pass an online test found here: Starter
Stroke and Turn Judge: SAIL Certification is required. Observes swimmers as they swim to enforce the rules of each stroke. Knowledge of swim strokes is important. In addition to attending classroom training, a stroke and turn judge must pass an online test found here: Stroke and Turn Judge
Head Clerk of Course: SAIL Certification is required. Lines the swimmers up in proper order to move to the starting blocks in a timely fashion. Patience and a keen sense of organization are needed. In addition to attending classroom training, Clerk of Course must pass an online test found here: Clerk of Course
Head Computer Operator: SAIL Certification required. The computer operator(s) are responsible for inputting the swimmer's events each week and merging files with the other team to create the heat sheets, and coordinating the labeling of blue cards by volunteers each week. They also input swimmer times into the computer during the swim meet. In addition to attending classroom training, the Computer Operator must pass an online test found here: Computer Operator
