Volunteering
***PLEASE READ NEW POLICY***
Beginning 2024 season we will be implementing fines for families that fail to fulfill their volunteer commitment. Prior to the start of the season, you will be required to select all your volunteer shift obligations before you child is eligible to swim in a meet.
If you find you are unable to fulfill one of the shifts you selected, it is up to you to find a replacement and communicate with the volunteer coordinator the changes. If a volunteer does not show for a position, then a $100 fine will be implemented for that shift. The fine will need to be paid to the team before the swimmer is allowed to participate in future meets. If a volunteer does not show for a position at the Northland Conference meet, then a $250 fine will be implemented for that shift.
Families with outstanding fines for unfulfilled obligations will not be allowed to register for the subsequent year until payment is made.
Swim meets are run solely by volunteers, and it can take up to 65 volunteers to run a meet. Most volunteer shifts are approximately one half of the meet (2-3 hours). There will be a few volunteer opportunities outside of meet times connected to other team events. Each volunteer position is critical to running a successful meet. Most Volunteer shifts are worth one point. Each swim family is required to volunteer for 6 points this season even if your swimmers choose not to participate in meets. (This may adjust depending on final registration numbers.) Families that do not have swimmers that are on the competitive Riptides team (Little Ripple only families) are exempt from the volunteer requirement.
Additionally, if you have a swimmer that swims in the Northland Conference Championship meet, you will be required to volunteer for one of our assigned team shifts.
We understand that this is a time commitment and that you may have more than one child/swimmer you are responsible for. We promise you are not the first family to experience this and encourage you to reach out to other parents to problem solve in order to fulfill your volunteer requirements.
Riptides have great families that give their time and energy to the team and their swimmers. Volunteering for the meets shows that you are investing your own time in something that matters to your swimmer. Plus, you can meet other swim families and learn more about the sport.
