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Parents are the backbone of the swim team.  We ask that parents take a few simple steps to help the swim team run smoothly to ensure that it is a positive experience for the children.

• Ensure that you are subscribed to the Swim Team List-Serve (simply send a blank email to glenwoodswim-subscribe@yahoogroups.com). We encourage both spouses, additional guardians, to subscribe, to make sure information gets through to each Swim Team family.
• Stay informed of team news by checking the bulletin board daily.
• Make sure your swimmers have read and understood the above “Expectations of Swimmers.”
• Volunteer for three jobs, plus one for each additional child (e.g. two swimmers would equal four jobs, three swimmers would equal five jobs) during the season (see below).
• Donate food to meet concessions when scheduled to do so, usually two meets per season per swimmer.
• Inform the coaches in writing if your child is going to miss a meet by placing a note in the Coaches’ Mailbox.

Parent Volunteers

MCSL, and each team in the league, could not exist without the help of parent volunteers.  It takes approximately 25 people from each team to hold a meet.  In short, “It takes a village to run a swim meet.”  This figure does not include the people needed to prepare for a home meet and coordinate the many non-meet team functions (Family Dance, Pep Rallies, Swimathon, Banquet, Sportswear, etc.). 

All parents are expected to volunteer for three or more job assignments (per the formula above) and encouraged to do more.  If you do not commit to the requisite number of job assignments during the season, your child may be ineligible to swim in meets.  No one wants this to happen.  If your schedule presents a challenge for service during a meeting, please contact the Team Rep or Ass’t. Team Rep to make alternative arrangements. 

You may sign up for specific shifts until June 15, at which time a set of duties will be assigned.  Specific meet duties include: 

• Clerk of Course (check swimmers in before each event and escort them to the starting area)
• Timers (with two other parents, keep time in one lane for each event)
• Ribbon Writers/Scorers (assist the Computer Operator with scoring verification and process swimmer awards as each event is completed)
• Runner (courier time sheets between timers and Scorer’s table)

And, for home meets:

• Inventory (coordinate food purchasing and/or donations)
• Concession Set-Up (get food and equipment organized and ready for sale)
• Seller (work the Glenwood Tigers Concession Stand for a 2-3 hour shift)
• Griller (for experienced grillers, prepare burgers, chicken and hot dogs)
• Clean-Up (return the Snack Bar area and Storage Room to pre-Meet condition) 

You will receive the brief training necessary to be effective at any of these assignments.  If you are unable to serve at a meet that you have signed up for or have been assigned to supply food for, we ask and expect that you will secure a replacement.  A Team Directory will be distributed at or prior to Time Trials on Saturday, June 7, with an addendum distributed by June 24 via the Swim Team Folder system.

NOTE:  You may be asked to work a meet where your child is not swimming.  We try to avoid doing this, but sometimes it is necessary in order to run the meet and we ask your cooperation.  Other parents have found it preferable to volunteer at meets where they do not have a swimmer entered so they can relax and enjoy those at which they do.

Officials Certification Clinics

Some of the jobs at each meet require formal MCSL training and certification.  These include: Stroke and Turn Judge, Referee, and Starter.  To become certified, you must attend one of the league training sessions below, and must renew your certification every two years.

For more details, please visit www.mcsl.org and click on the “Officials Certification” link.

MCSL Officials Certification Clinics
Olney Swim Center
16605 Georgia Avenue
Olney, MD  20853
301-570-1210

• Sunday, June 1, 8:00 AM, full clinic -- Starter/Referee/Stroke & Turn
• Sunday, June 8, 8:00 AM, full clinic -- Starter/Referee/Stroke & Turn

Another clinic is to be scheduled in late June at North Creek.