The Tavistock Tsunamis cannot exist without volunteers. Each meet requires 30+ volunteers. To complete registration for your swimmer, you acknowledged and accepted this requirement.

Each family is required to volunteer for a minimum of 5 volunteer slots throughout the season. There are many types of volunteer opportunities to pick from. Sign-ups will be announced and posted as swim meets draw near. NEW! If families have not volunteered by the midway point of the season, their swimmer(s) will not be allowed to participate in swim meets until the family has volunteered. We are a volunteer-run organization, and we cannot do it without help from everyone.

Volunteer sign-ups will be available on the Team website for upcoming meets. You may sign up at any time, but as we get closer to the meet date, our Volunteer Coordinator will begin filling open positions with volunteers. If a family can't volunteer on a day that they have been assigned, it is their responsibility to find a replacement AND notify the Volunteer Coordinator of the change. Requests to swap volunteer positions can also be posted on the Tsunami team Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/129233693771181/.

Failure to show up for an assigned volunteer position will result in:

• The swimmer is ineligible for the next meet
• Automatic withdrawal of the family from the team for the current season and the following calendar year season for repeat offenders

All parents working on the day of the meet need to sign in at the Volunteer Check-in when they arrive. The Volunteer Coordinator will need to fill any no-show jobs with the Floater position as quickly as possible. Please make every effort to be at the meet when you are expected.

Unless noted otherwise, all jobs are for the entire duration of the meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, a training/informational session will help you become familiar with the tasks you need to perform.

Job Descriptions for Parent Volunteers: All parent volunteers must check in with the Volunteer Coordinator upon arrival. You will not get credit for your efforts if you do not! All volunteers are expected to arrive on time.

• Volunteer Check-In: Checks in with all volunteers on meet day. Distributes stopwatches to timers and ensures all positions are filled. Contact Volunteer Coordination about  and no-show/late volunteers—1 per meet.
• Floater (on-call): This position requires the ability to fill in for any role, except those that require certification. You must be at the meet at the start and stay till the end unless released by the Volunteer Coordinator.—1 per meet.
• Computer Operator/Data Entry: This person will sit at the computer during the meet. They input all swimmers' event results and DQ information into the computer at the meet. The computer calculates the 1st—6th place times for each event. The tags are then divided by team and given to each team. The computer operator also prints the score, meet results, and ribbon labels for all the ribbons—2 per meet (Note: this is a trained position that not everyone may be able to volunteer for).
• Head Timer: This position is provided by the host team for home meets. This person is responsible for assisting the volunteer coordinator with distributing and collecting stopwatches at each meeting. During the meet, this person starts several stopwatches in case one of the Timers has a problem with their stopwatch. The Head Timer must be at the meet at least 30 minutes before the start and remain until all stopwatches have been collected—1 per meet.
• Timers: There are 2 timers required per lane with Dolphin Timing System. The Dolphin Timing System starts the Dolphin watches. One of the timers assigned to each lane will be the Head Lane Timer, who will verify the swimmer's name and record the three times on the swimmer’s time card (Dolphin A, B, and stopwatch time). The other timer is responsible for stopwatch timing and heat ribbons. DQs are not factored into the heat ribbon distribution. Stopwatch timers will start their watches when they see the strobe flash signaling the start of the race. If there is no visible flash, timers will start when the starting device sounds. If the watch malfunctions, the timer will raise their hand, and the Head Timer will switch watches with that person. At each meet, there are usually 6 lanes. At our home meets, we need 6 timers total plus a Head Timer. At away meets, we may need to provide 9 timers. For tri-meets, 6 times are needed.
• Starter: This person announces and starts each race, determines false starts, and keeps the meet running smoothly. This position is only required at home meets. ODSL training is required/provided. This person must report to the Referee upon arrival, be at the meet at least 30 minutes before the start, and remain until the end of the meet. This person represents the League, not the team, and requires training provided by ODSL—1 per meet (Note: Requires certification).
• Clerk of Course: These individuals assign swimmers to their proper event, heat, and lane before the start of their event. There will be a Head Clerk, of Course, and three additional clerks. Those volunteering for this position must arrive at the meet at least 30 minutes before the start of the meet and remain in the Clerk of Course area until the swimmers are set up for the last race. (This is a good position for someone who is good with names and faces or who knows or wants to get to know a lot of the swimmers.)—3 per meet.
• Stroke and Turn Judge: Observe the swimmer’s strokes and turns. Disqualify, fairly and consistently, swimmers who violate the league disqualification standards. This position is required at both home and away meets. We provide 2 judges per meet, and the away team provides 2 judges. ODSL training required/provided. This person represents the League, not the team. (Note: Requires certification).
• Referee: Sees that the swimming rules are enforced during the meet and ensures all swimmers have uniform and fair competitive conditions—final authority for the conduct of competition. The referee must arrive at the meet at least 30 minutes prior to the start and remain until the conclusion. This person must be a certified Stroke & Turn and Starter and Old Dominion Swim League certified Referee. This person represents the League, not the team, and requires training by ODSL. The hosting team provided the position.—1 per home meet (Note: Requires certification).
• Runner: These positions are provided by the hosting team. There are four main jobs the runners perform. 1) Collect timer sheets from the Head Timers in each lane and deliver them to the Computer Operator table; 2) Collect DQ (Disqualification) slips from Stroke and Turn Judges and make sure each DQ is signed and deliver them to the Referee; 3) check with Computer Operators for processed DQ slips and deliver to the coaches for review; and 4) check with timers and Stroke and Turn judges if they need a water. These people must be at the meet at least 15 minutes before the start and remain until the meet is complete. (This is a good position for someone who wants to get some exercise at the meets and is a fast walker. There is little preparation required, but it will keep you busy.)—2 per home meet.
• Meet Set-up: Set up tables, chairs, tents, coolers, and rearrange pool furniture. A schematic and a list of to-do items will be in the pool closet. Setup begins at 5 PM for Wed. meets, Sat. meets, and setup is Friday at 7:30 PM and/or 6:30 AM Sat.  (Must be able to lift at least 25 lb.) —4 per home meet. This position is only required at home meets.
• Concessions Assistant: Work at the concession stand during meets and/or sell food. This position is run on shifts, and we always ensure you can watch your child swim. This position is only required at home meets. —3 per home meet. 
• Concession Co-Chair: Assist the concession leader with purchases as needed and directed by the Concessions Chair prior to the meet. Purchases may include hot food, coffee, drinks, candy, donuts, or water. If you are not contacted by the Concessions Chair, this position will assist in concession sales during the meet. —3 per home meet. 
• Ribbon Writer: This person attaches labels to ribbons and distributes them to the away team when we are at home or collects them from the home team when we are away. They are also responsible for placing the ribbons in the appropriate family folders the day after the meet (including transporting ribbons from away meets). This person’s job will start after the first few events are completed. They do not have to arrive early for the meets, but may have to stay a little past the end until all ribbons are labeled. (This is a good position for someone who might not be able to make it to the meets on time but can stay a little late.  We do allow the labels and ribbons to go home to perform ribbon writer task, coordinate with Volunteer Coordinator in this case.)—1 per meet.
• Relay helpers: These parents assist the clerks in organizing the relay teams. These volunteers meet up with clerks, of course, after the butterfly events to help with relay teams. This is a short shift, but it will be chaotic—4 per meet.
• Relay take-off judge: This judge ensures that a relay swimmer does not leave the starting platform before the preceding swimmer touches the end of the pool. This is a short shift and at the request of other team, Tsunami team may utilizes stroke and turn for this job.—2 per meet.
• Meet cleanup: These individuals will need to put away the lane lines with Jr. Coaches and return all chairs, tables, and lounges to their designated daytime positions. Clean-up also entails picking up any remaining litter in the pool area. These individuals need to be present at the meet when it concludes and remain until the pool area returns to its pre-meet state. A schematic of the pool will be provided. (Good position for someone with small kids who could not watch them during the meet or for someone who might have a problem getting out of work on time.)—4 per meet.