Oakton Swim Team

As you know, organizing swim meets is a big undertaking that requires a lot of coordination to ensure things happen. Outside of our coaching staff, the Oakton Otters are a 100% volunteer run team! On-deck meet jobs are required by the NVSL to run an official meet. As a result, each season the Otters have a volunteer requirement that all families must fulfill. We wouldn't be able to have a complete season without help from all of our Otter families. 

We are in the process of finalizing the number of points each family will need to satisfy their requirement. Historically, each family needs to satisfy approximately 8 points. However, the final number depends on the number of volunteer positions we need as well as the number of families that register. We will email the final number on Wednesday May 27th.  In the meantime, please click HERE to review the various types of jobs that are available.  

If your child is an Otter Pup, and you do not have a child on the swim team, you will not have as many volunteer requirements because it is assumed that your child is not swimming in as many meets. Those requirements will be determined after enrollment has closed.

Hello Otter Families! We are anxiously looking forward to a fun swim season!

Important Things to Note:

• Volunteer registration begins Wednesday, May 27th @ 8:00 PM and will close Wednesday, June 3rd @ 9:00 AM. Your prompt attention to volunteer sign-ups is best.
• Each family needs a certain number of points each year. Each volunteer job has a point value assigned to it. We will let you know the exact number of points by May 27th. For reference, in 2025:
  • Families with Otters must sign up for 8 points in order to satisfy your volunteer requirement.
  • Families with only Otter Pups must sign up for 2 points in order to satisfy your volunteer requirement.
• If you do not sign up to volunteer, jobs will be assigned to you and you will be required to fill them. If you do not show up for your volunteer job(s), your child will not swim in the next meet(s).
• If social jobs do not get filled, these event(s) will likely not happen.

When do volunteer sign-ups start?

Volunteer registration begins on WEDNESDAY, May 27th at 8pm. Signing up promptly gives you the most options that work with your schedule. Have your calendar nearby to ensure you do not have any conflicts before signing up. If you wait until the end of the week, you will be required to sign up for meets/events that may not work with your schedule. Registration will close on Wednesday, June 3rd at 9am.

How many jobs do I sign-up for?

We are in the process of finalizing the number of points each family will need to satisfy their requirement. Historically, each family needs to satisfy approximately 8 points. However, the final number depends on the number of volunteer positions we need as well as the number of families that register. We will email the final number on May 27th.

Here are some things to think about when picking your positions:

Do I sign up for an A meet or a B meet?

B meets are developmental and anyone can choose to swim in them. Swimmers for A meets, however, are chosen by the Head Coach. If you are unsure whether your swimmer will be participating in A meets this season, and do not want to volunteer for a meet that your child might not be swimming in, PLEASE sign up for the Monday night B meets. Alternatively, if your swimmer has participated consistently in A meets in the past, PLEASE sign up to volunteer during A meets, so that B meet volunteer positions are left open. Most families want to volunteer when their child is swimming – so PLEASE keep these suggestions in mind when choosing volunteer positions.

Am I qualified to work at a swim meet? 

Yes – you are. Any positions that require NVSL training or prior experience have already been filled. If you are interested in any of those positions and want to know how you can volunteer for them in the future, please contact us.

Can I volunteer for more than one position at a meet?

Yes, please! Multiple members of the same family can volunteer during the same meet (ex: timer and marshal). Obviously, the same person cannot be in two places at once, so please specify who will be volunteering for which job when signing up for multiple positions at a meet. Please note:

• Volunteers must be age 18+ and members of OSRC
• Younger children may not be on deck with you while you are working

What if I need to change a position?

Complications arise, so if you need to make any changes after the registration deadline, please start by trying to find your own replacement. Consider swapping with or asking another Otter parent to cover your role or consider calling an OSRC member with a high school aged child who may need volunteer hours for school. If you know of a conflict ahead of time, reach out to a coordinator and they may be able to help. Please let a volunteer coordinator know of any changes you make. If you are unable to do this, we will help you find a replacement, as well as find a new volunteer slot to replace the one you can’t do. Contact us as soon as possible.

What if I don’t have the time to volunteer but I want my child(ren) to swim?

You MUST sign up for the volunteer requirement – that is the number of positions per family that are needed to run this swim season. Remember – our children are counting on us to run these meets and social events! If you have not signed up for all the positions by the time registration closes on June 3rd, positions will be assigned to you and you will be required to fulfill them. If no one shows up for your job, your child(ren) will not swim in the following swim meet in which they qualify.

Where are the volunteer spots for Divisional Relays and Divisionals?

If you have a child swimming in either of these additional (invite only) meets, you will need to be available to volunteer. Volunteering at these meets will not count towards satisfying your volunteer requirement. If you can be a spectator, you can be a volunteer.

We are new to the swim team and I have questions about volunteer requirements. Who do I contact? 

Please contact the volunteer coordinator, Devon Brinn, before registration starts.

We would like to thank everyone in advance for your time and commitment to the Otters. We are dedicated to making this season run smoothly and for all of our hard working swimmers and coaches! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about volunteering.

Sincerely,

Devon Brinn

Email: 

[email protected]