Hello and Welcome to the Crocs!

We are excited to get our swim season underway! As many of you know from past years swimming, or from our parents meeting, all families that swim for the Crocs also have the honor of volunteering for the many shifts that help our swim meets flow quickly and correctly.

This season, each family is responsible for volunteering for 6 shifts that will total 6 points. These shifts are for our regular season meets. Our divisional meets will also need volunteers (all swimmers swim at divisionals) which is not included in our 6 shifts- all families will have a shift at divisionals. Additionally our invitational meets will require that swimmer families volunteer as well. All of our volunteer shifts/jobs are all 1 point this year. All positions are easy and necessary and each family will have the chance to choose what they sign up to do.

On Sundays (starting next week, April 29th) a sign up will start at 8:00 pm on our Crocs website. Please set an alarm and sign into www.colescrocs.org and click on the button for Volunteer sign ups starting at 8:00pm. Every family will be signing in at this time and quickly choosing their assignment for the upcoming pep rally or swim meet. Shifts go quickly! Please sign on to choose yours for your family. PLEASE ONLY CHOOSE ONE SHIFT. If you choose more then one, I will have to delete one of your choices.  On Tuesdays, sign ups will open for parents to choose a second shift if needed.

What types of shifts are needed? We need timers, ready bench workers, concession stand help, grillers, trash pickup, take down just to name a few. All shifts are simple! We have leads set up for many areas, this will be who you will check in with when you arrive for your shift.  You will not need to locate me and advise that you are at the meet, being in your position will allow us to check you off as arriving for your shift.  In the past, we have had parents check in with me, then never arrive for their shift, so we have changed the check in process. Many of our leads have created teams to allow for a streamline process. Those people were chosen when they stepped up last season and asked to do more.  Be expecting a similar email at the end of this season.   Also, please note that our needs change from year to year based on registration numbers and NWAL request.  If we had a certain number doing a job this year, those things could change.  For example we may need more or less timers this year based on our new timing system.  The board starts meeting in February to discuss what we will need for the season.

What do you do if you sign up for a shift and then realize there is no way you can make it?  If it is early in the week (Sunday - Tuesday) you can remove your name from the sign up.   If it is later in the week (Wednesday or Thursday) you can email me at [email protected] and I can email out to the team to look for a sub.  If you realize this on Friday or Saturday, please find a sub to take your place, I will not be available to find a replacement for you.  

Please also note that there are no jobs available that are not during a swim meet or a pep rally. I have had many emails asking for something to do "not during a meet".  We need every family to be able to work during a meet - we can not have a swim meet with out your help!   I understand that everyone has children, that is why you are on the swim team, and I have had 4 swimmers for the 13 years I have been with the Crocs.  My oldest swimmer just graduated this year, but he started at 5 years old!   I understand that it is difficult and I understand that spouses work, mine did for over a decade of our swim career.  Please do all that you can to "see a need, fill a need". We have no desire to cash your volunteer check at the end of the season, that does not help our swim meets happen.  

Thank you all, we appreciate your willingness to volunteer and be apart of this awesome group! If you have any questions please reach out and remember that Time Trials is set for May 6th and we need all swimmers on deck - you MUST get a time for events you wish to swim this season. Please avoid missing time trials!! We need you!

Croc it Up!

Ashley Yoakem

Volunteer Coordinator

Many Hands Make Lite Work