Overview

We need volunteers to tend to club operations (the executive), to coordinate events and fundraising (committee members), and to assist at swim meets.

When we host our own Grand Prix swim meet we need every swim family to step up in some capacity. Water polo families are expected to run the Barracudas Water Polo tournaments. When we attend other clubs’ meets or tournaments, we help out as timers and on-deck judges and scorekeepers (water polo). If you are ever unsure of how you can help out, please just ask. We need you!

Part of your membership obligation is 16 hours of volunteering for swim families, 8 of which must be done at Barracudas Grand-Prix Swim Meet. Water Polo only families must complete 10 service hours during the season. See full Volunteer Policy here.

Here is a suggested Volunteer Timeline:

  • GET TO KNOW the club: ask questions of those who look experienced, email your pool representative and/or coaches and/or executive.
  • Get to know other parents in your child’s training group, so you can CARPOOL and PARTNER UP to watch each other’s kids at meets/ tournaments. You can reduce your driving and this partnership makes it possible for you to help around the deck, and your kids have a blast hanging out in the tents together.
  • Attend a Stroke and Turn CLINIC FOR PARENTS just to learn how swimmers are judged/refereed; no need to go out on deck yet, but these clinics are very informative.
  • BE A SHADOW TO learn how to officiate at swim meets or scorekeep at water polo games just by asking other experienced parents on deck if you can shadow them.
  • VOLUNTEER JOBS for YOU: clean the club shed, manage the lost and found, help at the various special events, do timing at swim meets.

  • Sign up for a TIMING SHIFTS for each day you are at a meet; the deck food volunteers will bring you treats while you press a button and there is no better place from which to watch your swimmer race.
  • LEARN how to be a swim judge at a Stroke and Turn Clinic and take the Harassment and Conflict Resolution course offered at some meets; KEEP SHADOWING and you will realize how ready you are to try things out on your own. You are ready to earn you GREEN PIN.
  • VOLUNTEER JOBS for YOU: Become a committee member by coordinating Pancake breakfast, team bonding activity, Bottle Drive, Gift Card Fundraiser, Awards coordinator OR any other “organize-mostly-at-home” event. Find a partner to work with and ask questions of those who did it in past years. Attend a board meeting or two!

  • CONTINUE with all of the above, but now that you are getting the hang of the Cudas, you are ready to take on more responsibility. Every season, we have swimmers graduate along with their parents, so we need the younger families to fill in those roles.
  • LEARN and PRACTICE OFFICIATING. Stroke and Turn Judging will be a breeze, so sign up for one shift each day you are at a meet. You are ready to earn your RED PIN and even start to learn Starter and Ref by attending a clinic.
  • Try out other positions around the pool deck; perhaps try/shadow the Starter and Ref, Clerk of the Course, or learn about electronics.
  • Water Polo parents can be team managers or tournament directors.
  • Continue with the task you started last season or perhaps train someone new to do your job, but consider learning how to organize something new.
  • Become a MEMBER OF THE BOARD is a good idea at this point. Start with Director of Officials, Secretary, and Vice President.
  • VOLUNTEER JOBS for YOU: Become a coordinator: Concession, Prizes/ Sponsorships, Team Gear, Used Items Sale. Assemble a team of parents to work together on one or two of these tasks.

  • You are “old hat” at swim club now and will have figured out your FAVOURITE ways to contribute.
  • Other opportunities for ADVANCING your officiating are available and perhaps you are ready for a light blue pin!
  • You will be able to run any of our events and becoming PRESIDENT could be the next logical step as you have enough knowledge about swim club that you will start to form your own ideas for the direction you would like to see the club go.
  • VOLUNTEER JOBS for YOU: Swim Meet Manager, President, Treasurer, Registrar

Note: this timeline is only a recommendation for how best to feel a part of the Cudas family without feeling overwhelmed and, by no means, should you view this timeline as limiting of your involvement. The more you get involved the more you will feel like you belong. If you have specialized skills (graphic design, photography / video, equipment maintenance, accounting, web, aquatics …), please let the board know.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please see the Barracudas Grand Prix Swim Meet Page to learn more about Meet Volunteer Roles.

All volunteer job opportunities will be posted in the Sign-up Centre.