👥 2026 Parent Volunteer Requirements
The Olive Chapel Otters Swim Team is entirely organized and run by our amazing parent volunteers. Without your support—both at meets and behind the scenes—our team simply would not exist.
Each family is required to complete at least 4 volunteer roles per season.
You should be able to watch your swimmer, regardless of your role.
Some roles require a full-meet commitment, while others may be split into shifts.
🤝 Need Flexibility?
We understand that some families may have limitations or unique circumstances. If you need flexibility, please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator—we are happy to work with you to find a role that fits your situation.
🦦 Otter Pups Families
If your swimmer is only participating in the Otter Pups program and you are unsure if they will make the main team, please wait to sign up for meet volunteer roles.
👉 If your swimmer joins the main team, the Volunteer Coordinator can help you select or be assigned a volunteer role that fits your family.
📝 How to Sign Up
Volunteer sign-ups can be completed during registration or anytime before an upcoming meet.
- Click the Calendar tab on the team website
- Select the Meet you would like to volunteer for
- Click Job Signup
- Choose your Role
- Click Save Assignments
✅ Volunteer Quick Pick Guide
Not sure which role to choose? This guide can help you find a good fit.
- Great for New Families: Timer, Concessions Crew, Kid Pusher
- Want to Watch Your Swimmer: Timer, Ribbon Distributor, Order of Finish Judge
- Behind the Scenes / Flexible Timing: Ribbon Writer, Personal Best Ribbon Writer, Meet Setup
- Active / On-Deck Roles: Kid Pusher, Floater / Sub, Hospitality, Runner
- More Involved Roles: Runner, Clerk of Course, Meet Setup, Order of Finish Judge
- Assigned or Trained Roles: Stroke & Turn Judge, Starter, Announcer, Volunteer Coordinator, Clerk of Course Lead
All roles include support and guidance throughout the season.
👉 New to swim team? Timer & Kid Pusher are two of the best roles for new families. Both are easy to learn, important to the meet, and helps you understand how swim meets work.
For the full list of volunteer jobs and detailed descriptions, view the Complete Otters Volunteer Job Descriptions.
👍 Great Roles for New Families
- Timer — beginner-friendly, easy to learn, and a great way to understand swim meets
- Concessions Crew — clear, straightforward job helping sell food, drinks, and snacks at home meets
- Ribbon Distributor — helps hand out heat winner ribbons during meets
- Kid Pusher —helps guide younger swimmers to events and keep them organized during meets
Our team depends on the time and effort of our volunteers, and we truly appreciate everyone who helps make the season a success.
📋 Open & Common Volunteer Roles
Below is a quick summary of common volunteer roles. For full details, time commitments, physical expectations, and complete responsibilities, please refer to the full volunteer job descriptions document linked above.
⏱️ Timer
Timers record official swim times for each lane during races using the team’s timing system. This is one of the most common and beginner-friendly volunteer roles and is a great way for new families to learn how swim meets work.
🏃 Runner
Runners move documents such as timer sheets, DQ slips, and placement slips between meet officials and the Meet Admin table. This is an active, more involved role that requires mobility, attention to detail, and comfort moving around the deck.
🍴 Concessions Crew
Helps sell food, drinks, and snacks during home meets. This is a clear, straightforward role and a good option for families who prefer a defined job area.
🏊 Kid Pusher
Helps gather swimmers by age group and make sure they get to the staging area before their events. This is an active on-deck role that works closely with swimmers and Clerk of Course volunteers.
🏅 Ribbon Distributor
Helps hand out heat winner ribbons during meets, typically near the area where swimmers exit the pool.
🎀 Ribbon Writer
Helps prepare ribbons with swimmer information and results. This role is usually more behind the scenes and involves organizing and labeling ribbons.
⭐ Personal Best Ribbon Writer
Helps prepare personal best ribbons for swimmers who improve their times.
📋 Clerk of Course
Helps organize swimmers before their races and keeps events moving smoothly. This is an important on-deck role that requires attention to heat and lane assignments.
💖 Floater / Sub
Fills in wherever needed during the meet. This role requires flexibility and may be assigned to different areas depending on meet needs.
💪 Meet Setup
Helps prepare the pool deck and meet areas before the meet begins. This role may involve lifting, carrying, moving equipment, and arriving earlier than other volunteers.
👀 Order of Finish Judge / Place Judge / Recorder
Provides a backup visual record of the top finishers in main heats. This role requires focus, attention, and staying on deck throughout the meet.
🍴 Concessions Coordinator Assistant
Assists with organizing, setting up, and supporting concessions during home meets.
💧 Hospitality
Helps provide water, snacks, and support to coaches and volunteers who cannot easily leave their meet positions.
🚗 Parking Lot Attendant
Helps control traffic and parking at home meets to support safe and orderly arrival.
🚧 Signs
Helps place NO PARKING signs around the pool and neighborhood before home meets.
💬 Questions?
We’re happy to help you find a volunteer role that fits your schedule and comfort level — please contact our 📧 Volunteer Coordinator.
