Relay 2024 Forum - Recent Threads

Communication Tools & USMS Resources for Volunteers

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:53:53 GMT

Communication Tools & USMS Resources for Volunteers - Overview of Community Forums, peer-to-peer programs, and website, national committee and national office resources.

Speakers: Bethany Burchill and Jacky Merianos

RE: Communication Tools & USMS Resources for Volunteers

Jacky Merianos — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 15:01:33 GMT

Incase the QR Codes aren't scanning, here are the direct links to our P2P registration surveys. Again, all surveys will remain open for registration through Sunday, November 3rd at 11:59PM (PST).

P2P Sign Up - Chair & Vice Chair

P2P Sign Up - Secretary

P2P Sign Up - Treasurer

P2P Sign Up - Membership Coordinator

P2P Sign Up - Communications Chair & Webmaster

P2P Sign Up - Coaches Chair

P2P Sign Up - Fitness

P2P Sign Up - ALTS

P2P Sign Up - Sanctions

P2P Sign Up - Officials Coordinator

P2P Sign Up - Top10

P2P Sign Up - LMSC Records

P2P Sign Up - Open Water Chair

P2P Sign Up - Safety Chair

P2P Sign Up - Event Directors

P2P Sign Up - D&I Coordinator

P2P Sign Up - Awards & Recognition

P2P Sign Up - LMSC Hall of Fame

RE: Communication Tools & USMS Resources for Volunteers

Jacky Merianos — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 14:59:16 GMT

Sorry about that, Caitlin! Not sure what's going on with the QR codes...will post the direct links in a moment.

RE: Communication Tools & USMS Resources for Volunteers

Caitlin Gagnon — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:41:35 GMT

The QR codes say you need a new plan. Did we scan them too many times?

RE: Communication Tools & USMS Resources for Volunteers

Jacky Merianos — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:44:44 GMT

Hi, Volunteers!

Reminder: our Peer-to-peer surveys will remain open through Sunday, November 3rd. Register via volunteer survey by then if you wish to participate: LMSC Peer-To-Peer Surveys (Sign-up)

Drop Bethany and I a reply/comment below if you have any questions regarding Volunteer Communication or USMS resources.

Relay 2024 presentations and discussion boards, by schedule

TosbornMOORE — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:24:47 GMT

Relay 2024 “Community Development”

USMS Community Forum discussion boards

Fri 2:30

Adult Learn-To-Swim Overview / Demo

Sat 7:30

Marketing for Clubs & LMSCs

USMS 101 for New Volunteers

Sat 8:15

National Coaches Clinic & Relay 2024 Kickoff

Sat 9:00

Community Via Competition

Leadership Skills Workshop

Sat 10:30

Bridging the Generation Gap

Volunteer Engagement

Sat 12:00

Lunch & Keynote

Sat 1:45

Charity Events Roundtable

Social Media for Clubs & LMSCs

Sat 3:15

Community via Fitness & Education

D&I Practical Tips

Sat 4:45

USMS Meet & Greet (in person opportunity)

Sun 9:00

Communication Tools & USMS Resources

Sun 9:45

Partnerships & USMS Initiatives Roundtable

Community via Service

Sun 10:45

Relay 2024 Closing & Wrap-Up

Volunteer Engagement

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:52:41 GMT

Volunteer Engagement - Tips and best practices for recruiting, engaging, and retaining volunteers.

Speakers: Tom Moore (MN), John King (Pacific)

RE: Volunteer Engagement

TosbornMOORE — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:17:59 GMT

Here are notes from the discussion during the presentation

Questions / Issues

Officials

Board Volunteers – How do you keep them coming back

Recruiting

Train New Volunteers / Load Sharing / Too Busy to handoff workload

Where look for new volunteers?

Lack of Diversity / Fire a Volunteer

Discussion

Mentorship

Corporate Resources for volunteer time

RE: Community via Competition

TosbornMOORE — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:14:05 GMT

Here are the notes from the Breakout Session discussions during the presentation:

Best of (each group picked their best idea to share)

Massage school students

Families / shorter meets

College community timers

Recognition for participation in multiple meets

Cap trading with other local teams

Volunteers get a coupon for free coffee

Food Drive

Personalized thank you notes

Officials vote for spirit award

Swimmers that swim with the host club

o Buddy system

o Get non-competetitive swimmers to volunteer & provide recognition

o Free membership to volunteers

o Team breakfasts (on site or go out)

o Unique caps / seasonal caps / birthday caps

o Swim outlet sales / dollar store

o Food drive / charity functions

o friendsgiving

Swimmers that swim with other clubs

o Guest swimmer program

o Relays with visitors

o Encourage team to welcome guests

o Team cheer contest

o Relay meet

Families of swimmers

o Shorter meets

o Give something fun to do

o Have family members volunteer as lap counters or cheer leaders

o Feed them

o Family member relays

o Holiday parties for families

o Dress up

o Coffee fund

Officials & timers

o Stipend for nationals (hotel / travel)

o Hand written thank you car

o Gift cards

o High schoolers / support them back

o Massage session

Volunteers

o Reach out to local schools for volunteers that want to do community service

o Communicaite

o Thank yous

Sponsors & partners

o Put sponsor’s logo on swag

o Allow sponsor/vendor to setup a table at event

o Have triathletes help at meets / swimmers help at triathlons

o Massage school students

Vendors

o Have a local swim shop on site

o Food truck

o Boyscouts/girlscouts

Community via Competition

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:51:55 GMT

Community via Competition - Discuss how pool meets, open water events, virtual national championships, and informal competition during workouts or elsewhere can help build community.

Speakers: Karyn Austin (SWAG), Ed Tzusuki (NJ), Bob Bruce (OR)

USMS Marketing for Clubs & LMSCs

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 21:08:55 GMT

USMS Marketing for Clubs & LMSCs - Describe USMS marketing initiatives and tools, including Try Masters Swimming, Club Finder, Calendar of Events, and club, coach and event development resources.

Speakers: Jay Eckert, Kyle Deery, Bill Brenner

CEO Strategic Overview - Luncheon and Keynote

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 16:05:38 GMT

Lunch and Keynote Speaker -

Speakers: Dawson Hughes, CEO Strategic Overview

Relay 2024 Closing Comments & Wrap Up

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:54:38 GMT

Relay 2024 Closing Comments & Wrap Up - Closing wrap up and review, attendee comments, and look ahead to future Volunteer Relays.
- Speakers: Dawson Hughes, Ed Coates

Community via Service

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:54:21 GMT

Community via Service - Descriptions and examples of how swimmer and volunteer engagement with community service programs and organizations helps build community.

Speakers: Carrie Stolar, Bill Meier

Partnerships & USMS Initiatives Roundtable

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:54:08 GMT

Partnerships & USMS Initiatives Roundtable - Overview of Grown-Up Swimming, College Club Swimming, USA Swimming Foundation, Try Masters Swimming, and USMS sponsors.

Dawson Hughes, Jay Eckert, Kyle Deery, Brian Robbins, Jeff Strahota (CCS)

Diversity and Inclusion

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:53:36 GMT

Diversity and Inclusion: Practical Tips - Practical tips for how LMSC can incorporate diversity & inclusion best practices into governance processes, clubs & workout groups, events, meetings, and volunteer opportunities.

Speakers: Jeff Commings

Community via Fitness & Education

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:53:23 GMT

Community via Fitness & Education - How non-competitive events can help build community --- e.g., socials, dryland and non-swimming workouts, ALTS and "Bridge to Masters" programs, USMS Education Weekend courses and clinics, USMS resources for independent swimmers.

Speakers: Bill Brenner, Charlotte Brynn, Brandi Bashor, Del Grant & Abby Dickson.

Social Media for Clubs & LMSCs

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:53:09 GMT

Social Media for Clubs & LMSCs - Best practices for leveraging social media --- Facebook, Instagram, X, Tik Tok --- to build community and target specific types of current and prospective Masters swimmers.

Speakers: Rendy Opdycke, Caitlyn Gagnon, Kysa Crusco.

Charity Events Roundtable

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:52:55 GMT

Charity Events Roundtable - Discussion and examples of the power of charitable causes, how charity swim events can build community, and why swimmers, governance leaders, and clubs benefit from hosting, supporting, and participating in charity events.

Speakers: USA Swimming Foundation: Elaine Calip, Swim Across America: Rob Butcher, Charity swims benefiting veterans: Stephen "Scuba" Brown

Bridging the Generation Gap

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:52:26 GMT

Bridging the Generation Gap - The past, present and future of USMS - College Club Swimming collaboration, including combined events, bridge memberships, and potential benefits to both organizations.

Speakers: Jason Weis, Maddie Sibilia, Onshalee Promchitmart, CCS Adv Bd member David Chen ('24), and URI Swim Club President Casey McQuesten ('25)

Leadership Skills Workshop

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:52:10 GMT

Leadership Skills Workshop - Best practices for LMSC and club leaders. Creating a vision, structure, operating plan, and succession plan. Running meetings, making decisions, resolving conflicts, and managing the "nuts & bolts" of your organization.

Ian King (large LMSC), Doug Garcia (medium LMSC), Ann Marshfield (small LMSC)

Relay & National Coaches Clinic Kick-Off

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:51:34 GMT

Relay & National Coaches Clinic Kick-Off

Speakers: Ed Coates

USMS 101 for New Volunteers

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:50:10 GMT

USMS 101 for New Volunteers - Overview of USMS's guiding principles, strategic priorities, and local and national volunteer opportunities.

Speakers: Doug Garcia, Kenny Brisbin

Adult Learn-to-Swim Overview

Jessica Reilly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:49:52 GMT

Adult Learn-to-Swim Overview - Learn about the "nuts & bolts" of the Adult Learn to Swim program in a classroom setting and observe an ALTS lesson with certified instructors and local non-swimmers in the hotel pool.

Lead instructor: Bill Meier. Assistant instructors: Megan Lassen, and Kerry O’Brien.