Volunteer Info
Volunteering with the Manatees
The Mueller Manatees are a 100% volunteer-run team. Swim meets are entirely parent-run — from timing lanes to wrangling swimmers to handing out ribbons, every role matters.
We require that at least one adult (parent, grandparent, friend, or competent older sibling) from each family volunteers at every meet. Most jobs require no experience and can be learned on the spot. Volunteering is a great way to get to know your neighbors, and you’ll still be able to watch your kids swim!
How to Sign Up
Volunteer signups are managed through SwimTopia. Once your swimmer is registered, you can sign up for available volunteer shifts at the same time you sign up for meets — either on the Calendar page or the SwimTopia mobile app.
Meet Day Volunteer Roles
🏊 Poolside Roles
Timer
Operate a stopwatch to time swimmers in your assigned lane. Stand behind the lane, watch the start, and stop the watch when the swimmer touches the wall. Three timers per lane — no experience needed! You will be standing, and you will get splashed. 💦
Stroke & Turn Judge (training required)
Watch swimmers’ strokes and turns for compliance with league rules. Non-conformance (“DQs”) are reported to the referee. A brief training is required before your first meet — check the
Calendar for upcoming sessions. This role puts you right on the side of the pool, a perfect place to watch all the action.
Runner
Collect timing slips from timers and DQ slips from Stroke & Turn judges and deliver them to the scoring table. Active role — you’ll be on your feet and moving around the pool deck.
📋 Organizational Roles
Age Group Parent
One of the most important jobs! You’re responsible for the swimmers in your age group tent — checking them in, keeping them organized, lining them up for their events, walking them to the ready bench, and collecting them after their swims. Plan to be there the entire meet. Great for parents who want to be close to the action.
Ready Bench
Arrange swimmers for each event by heat and lane assignment. Call swimmers to the ready area, confirm they’re in the correct order, and guide them to their lanes. You’ll be standing and moving, but you get to cheer every swimmer on.
🏅 Behind the Scenes
Scoring Table
Enter results into the meet management system. You’ll be in the shade and seated — a great option if you want to help but stay out of the sun.
Ribbons & Awards
Label and organize ribbons during and after the meet. Hand out heat winner ribbons after each race. This role starts later in the meet, so you can watch early events before getting to work.
Set Up
Arrive early at the meet location to help unload and set up age group tents, canopies, ready benches, and other equipment. This is a physical job, and you'll be finished before the meet starts.
Clean Up
Arrive about 15 minutes before the meet ends. Tasks include taking down tents, loading equipment, and general cleanup. Plan on about an hour of work after the meet concludes. This is a physical job, but it goes fast with a good crew!
Not Sure Where to Help?
- Want to just get it over with? Sign up for Set Up (arrive early, done before the meet starts) or Clean Up (stay after, put everything back to normal).
- Want to get your steps in? Runner will keep you moving around the pool deck all meet long.
- Want to hang in the shade with the kids? Age Group Parent is for you. You’ll stay with the swimmers in your age group tent, keep them organized, and walk them to their events. Bonus: if you have younger kids who don’t swim, they can hang with you in the tent.
- Want to be right next to the pool? Timer, Ready Bench, Heat Ribbon Hander-Outer, and Stroke & Turn Judge all put you poolside in the middle of the action. (S&T Judges need to complete a training first.)
- Want to sit in the shade by the pool? Scoring Table and Ribbons & Awards keep you cool, seated, and still part of the fun.
- Are you a procrastinator? Clean Up is your calling — show up near the end of the meet and help put everything back.
Training & Certification
Most roles require zero experience — just show up ready to help! For Stroke & Turn Judges a brief training session is required. Check the Calendar for upcoming training dates.
Questions?
Email us at [email protected] with any questions about volunteering.
Volunteer Role Flyer
Use this visual guide to choose a volunteer role that fits your swimmer and meet-day availability.
