Code of Conduct: Parents

The purpose of a code of conduct for parents is to establish consistent expectations for behavior by parents.  As a parent/guardian, I understand the important growth and developmental support that my child’s participation fosters.  I also understand that it is essential to provide the coaching staff with respect and the authority to coach the team.  I agree with the following statements:

  • I will set the right example for our children by demonstrating sportsmanship and showing respect and common courtesy at all times to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and all facilities.
  • I will get involved by volunteering, observing practices, cheering at meets, and talking with my child and their coach about their progress.
  • I will refrain from coaching my child from the stands during practices or meets.
  • I understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward coaches, officials, volunteers, and/or any participating swimmer will not be tolerated.
  • I will respect the integrity of the officials.
  • I will respect the directives of coaches, understanding that any requests are in the best interest of swimmers.
  • I will direct my concerns following the OPST Grievance Policy.

 

Family Participation Policy 

Volunteering our time and working together as parents provides our swimmers with examples of hard work, commitment, and dedication that are the characteristics and traits that our team strives to instill in our swimmers. Parents are expected to volunteer as requested. This will vary during Long Course and Short Course seasons and will be communicated to the current families. The following information is specific to the DSA Summer Season only: 

To create a positive environment and maintain success at the highest level, the dedicated efforts of our parents are vital. For every home meet we need about 60 people (not including coaches!). At away meets we need about 30 people, most of them timers and age group parents.  

To ensure that the consistent and full participation necessary to host/attend a well-run meet is evenly shared across the team: 

  • Each family will be required to volunteer a minimum of 5 service hours over the course of the summer at various meets & events. Hammerhead families are expected to volunteer at EVERY meet your swimmer attends, so it would likely be more than 5 hours. 
  • At the conclusion of the season, families who have not met their 5-hour minimum will be billed a fee of $30 per hour fee for each hour missed. 
  • If you sign up or are assigned, but can’t fulfill the role, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. There will be a $40 fee for no-shows or late arrivals.  
  • If OPST is short volunteers at a meet, jobs will be assigned and communicated prior to the meet. 

There are multiple ways that families may fulfill their service hours requirement at OPST: 

  • Swim meets (majority of opportunities) 
  • Team functions (i.e. Swim-A-Thon, Team Breakfast, End of Season Celebration, etc.) 
  • Ad hoc (i.e. help with food, donations, etc.) 

Please refer to the Volunteer Job Descriptions to find a job that will fit your family's schedule and talents. 

Please refer to the Volunteer Sign-Up Guide (to come) for details on navigating the website process. 

 

Volunteer Job Descriptions (DSA Summer Season)

If you have an interest in serving on the OPST Board of Directors, contact the current President.The positions below are filled on a first come first served basis at the beginning of the season. Number of people needed is in parentheses. 

  1. DSA Officials (4-6) – 1 starter, 1 referee, and 2-4 stroke/turn judges per meet. 
  2. Clerk of Course (4) – Checks in swimmers before their races and arranges them so that they can get to the right lane in the right heat in the right event.  
  3. Age Group Parent (22) – 1-2 parents per age/gender group for meets. Assures event information is written on arms, assisting swimmers to clerk of course and starting blocks. Provides general supervision of the group during the meet. 
  4. Scoring Table (1) – Assists Dolphin Timing system checks after each heat and data input as needed. Organizes timing sheets. 
  5. Ribbon Writers (2) – Works at scoring table and places labels on ribbons and files in swimmer folders. 
  6. Meet Runner (1) – Collects timer records and delivers to scoring table. 
  7. Announcer (1) – Voice of the meet; announces each event and heat number. 
  8. Shark Shack (2) – Staffs concessions and apparel for sale. 
  9. Volunteer Check-in (1) – Checks volunteers in and out to ensure service hours are credited correctly.

 
The positions below will be filled by signing up online (TeamUnify) for each meet. Number of people needed is in parentheses. 

  1. Timers (12 @ home meets and 5-6 @ away meets) – 17 timers are needed for every home meet. We fill 5-6 of those slots with the visiting team.  We do offer split sessions to limit the commitment to half the meet. 
  2. Deck Set-Up (4) – Helps to arrange and set up deck prior to meet. 
  3. Deck Take-Down (2) – Helps put deck back to original state at end of meet. 
  4. Water Runner (1) – Ensures officials, timers and other helpers are supplied with water during the meet. 

There may also be volunteer opportunities for team functions such as the Swim-A-Thon, Team Breakfast, End of Season Celebration. Help may be needed with food, donations, or organizing/ running the event. These needs will be communicated via email and/or sign up on TeamUnify. 

 

FUNDRAISING/SPONSORSHIP

Each family asked to participate in fundraising for the team. The team provides several fundraising events throughout the year. Refer to Sponsorship letter in Documents section of website when approaching businesses for support.  Other fundraising activities may be added throughout the year.