PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT If you are the parent or guardian of a Sea Devil swimmer, consider yourself a member of the Parent's Organization. Sea Devil families don't just show their support from the sidelines at swim meets. They support the team with their generosity, their time and their commitment. Parental involvement is essential for the Sea Devils to exist as a team. FUNDRAISING Membership fees only go so far in organized team sports. In the past, team fundraising has made it possible for top swimmers to attend out-of-state championship meets, for holding dances and parties for the swimmers, making donations to local charaties and purchasing jackets, bags, towels and end-of-season gifts for the swimmers. The current mindset of team leadership is that fudraising will be contained to special events such as swim-a-thons, and holding consession stands and raffles at home meets. OFFICIATING Properly trained individuals are always needed to officiate at swim meets. Parents of swimmers often find that becoming an offical is a great way to increase their level of involvment in the sport. In order to officiate, an individual must become certified. There are two levels of certification, Level I and Level II. You must have a current Level I certification in order to take Level II. The certification process is accomplished through a one day clinic held once a year in-state. More information about certification can be obtained by going to the Eastern Mass. YMCA Swim League web site at www.EasternMassYMCASwimLeag.org/ HOME AND AWAY MEETS Meets held at the home pool are opportunities to offer a concession stand offering snack and drinks for swimmers and spectators. Money raised from the concesions stands goes directly to support swimmers. Parents are needed to operate this stand during the course of the meet as well as to donatate the food and beverages sold there. At every meet, home or away, parents are needed to help out. No experience is necessary and you may well discover that it helps the time at meets to pass more quickly! Some jobs which need to be filled at meets: Timers (6 full time/6 part time) Official's Table (2 score keepers, 1 buzzer ringer) Runner (1 - to go between timers and Official's Table - lot's of energy required) People to cook, bake and donate food and beverages and paper goods Concession Stand Operators Kid Wrangler (1 to find swimmers before their heat comes up) Officials (Parents with some knowlege of, or experience with, copmpetetive swimming are often needed to assist officiating at meets both home and away) Cheering on the swimmers! (The louder, the better) How parents help throughout the season: Filling out 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons after each home meet. This is usually accomplished during practices. Arranging for the selection and purchase of team gear and merchandise. As official Treasurer to bring seed money to concession stands, maintain records of funds, and to deliver funds to the YMCA after meets. Taking photographs for the web site, newspapers, and team bulletin board at meets and other events. Submitting articles and photos about the Sea Devils to local papers. Getting the word out about the team. Big teams win big. Helping to arrange, and assisting with fundraisers and just-for-fun events for the team.