Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have people dominate positions and come up with crazy rules to block others from doing them. People who don’t have kids on the team, mostly. They are super annoying. Move on.

Come on. If this was so annoying, you all could figure out a way to rotate those people out.

So you think not only should I put up with some jerk parents criticizing me over and over about tiny details like not lining up with them over a couple hundredths in time while they forget to time their events or whatever because they are talking it up with others and their own kid, but in addition I should get on the swim board to knock this person off the swim team leadership board? Not doing that. If you want volunteers treat them nicely and be helpful, make it easy to volunteer and make it fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have people dominate positions and come up with crazy rules to block others from doing them. People who don’t have kids on the team, mostly. They are super annoying. Move on.

Come on. If this was so annoying, you all could figure out a way to rotate those people out.

Anonymous wrote:We have people dominate positions and come up with crazy rules to block others from doing them. People who don’t have kids on the team, mostly. They are super annoying. Move on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

“We just throw money at it.” Is a common phrase and mentality in our area. Money is nice, but for many events, bodies are more valuable.

But also, the people running events need to be clear and fair with how volunteer positions are handed out. Swim meets need people volunteering.

Anonymous wrote:We have people dominate positions and come up with crazy rules to block others from doing them. People who don’t have kids on the team, mostly. They are super annoying. Move on.

Anonymous wrote:why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

Sometimes volunteering is too disorganized. I’ve taken time off work to arrive at a meet early to volunteer. There was nothing for me to do (and I asked several people).

Guess what, I’m not taking time off work to volunteer anymore.

And yes volunteering disproportionally falls on mom and rightly, Gen Z is saying no thanks.

How is this possible? At our pool you sign up for a specific task- timing, tables, stoke and turn. Never have we had someone show up and not have a job for them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are seeing that it is a lack of commitment. My kids have seen swimming on our summer team for 15y and DH and I have been very involved (stroke and turn, on the board, timing, etc.)

When my kids started, nearly 100% of parents made every effort to get their kids to practice/meets. It was rare to have kids missing at meets. Now we are seeing MANY younger families whose kids *maybe* make 2-3 meets. We have stressed the importance of meets (both on an individual level and as a team.) We have offered rides, brought breakfast items so parents wouldn't have to deal with that, etc with little to no avail. When talking to parents I hear "it was hot", "it was cold", "I didn't sleep well and didn't want to wake up", "it is too much to get the kids out of the house on a Sat AM",

And if they do make it, they sit and watch while others are scrambling. We have asked for help directly "Hey, Larlo, we need you to time today. Even half the meet would be helpful.", we have tried the 'fine' for not volunteering (they are happy to pay), we have explained the importance of volunteering to keep things running....

Honestly, I am worried about the existence of the team past the next few years when older kids/families age out. I am hoping that the younger families become more invested and step up.

We have seen this as well but something else I noticed is the "my kid did not feel like it" or "we will ask my kid their thoughts/opinion on going to a meet/practice/etc" "we discussed it, and Larla decided she wanted to sleep in" and I am like WHAT!?! They are asking from input/feedback from a six year old who developmentally cannot make these decisions. Then on the flip side, they do not seem to understand what making a commitment actually means when they do.

Then they wonder why their monster of a child turns into a bigger monster as a teen. They do not define rules, structure, and familial hierarchy. It is wild.

Anonymous wrote:My kids are done with swim team. I always enjoyed the community aspect of swim team. Now I have the luxury of showing up for a meet and doing whatever job needs to be done and not being responsible for anyone but me. I love volunteering and cheering the kids on.