2009= -2010

DDST= Parent Handbook

THE DOLPHIN PARENTS’ HANDBOOK

DICKINSON DO= LPHIN SWIM TEAM, INC

2009-2010=

Welcome

The purpose of th= is handbook is: to explain to new members just what the Dickinson Dolphin Swim Team is and to outline various policies that affect all swimmers, year after year. If this is your first experience with competitive swimming, we are sure you will find it exciting. Swimming is a marvelous physical activity for everyone and can be a lifetime sport. In this handbook, we have collected information on all facets of DDST, and on competitive swimming in general.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> You will be introduced to our phil= osophy and team policies and to basic information concerning your day-to-day participation in the DDST program. It is our hope that this handbook will help you better understand and enjoy the world of amateur swimming.

Mission and Objectives

USA = Swimming is America’s largest program of guided fitness activity for children. Age group swimming builds a strong foundation for a lifetime of good health.

The = Dolphin Swim Team offers a guided age-group youth program for children age 6 and up, from beginning swimmers to the most competitive and skilled swimmers. When a young person becomes a memb= er of the Dickinson Dolphin Swim Team, he/she learns the value of sportsmanship a= nd teamwork. Swimming, through t= he DDST, provides physical, emotional and intellectual skills that will last a lifetime.

Swim Season

The Dickinson Dolphins have both a winter season, refe= rred to as short course with meets held in 25-yard pool, and a summer season, referred to as long course with meets held in 50-meter pools. The winter season begins in Novemb= er and runs through March. The summer season begins in May and ends by early August. At the end of each season, an Awar= ds Party is held at which time Participation Awards are presented to all swimmers. The medals and ribb= ons are also presented to the swimmers from the Consolation and State Champions= hip meets.

Facility

The pool used by the DDST is the West River Community Center competition Pool.= The Club is responsible for paymen= t of pool rent at $30.00 per hour. The pool hours set aside for the DDST are 4:00-6:00, however, the coaching staff will set up a detailed practice schedule to be sent home monthly.

REMEMBER: We are guests of the West River Community Center. Please take care of the pool and building.

About the Dolphins

The Dickinson Dolphins Swim Club, Inc. is a non-profit= organization composed of swimmers ages 6-18 and their support group consisting of the parents of swim team members. The purpose of the parents’ group is to elect an executive board and to c= arry out the decisions made by that board for the best interests of the club. These decisions include all financ= ial aspects, public relations, fund raising, managing swim meets, purchasing and maintaining equipment, and other business affairs of the Dickinson Dolphins Swim Team, Inc.

The executive board meets regularly the second Tuesday evening of each Month. Parent= s are welcome to attend and give their input.&nb= sp; Parents are asked to discuss questions or problems with a board memb= er or the board as a whole so that all sides of a situation can be reviewed, understood, and resolved in a satisfactory manner. Please go through the board rather= than to another person to handle matters pertaining to swim team.

EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR 2008-2009

Pres= ident &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mary Grove = Member at Large &nb= sp; Jolene Bohl=

Vice-President = Tammy Anderson = Member at Large Amber Beld

Trea= surer &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Lori Sneddon = ; Member at Large Mike Kerkman

Secr= etary &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Janet Reisenauer = ; Out-going Preside= nt Carla Porter

Coaching Staff

Short Course Head Coach &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Jim Fahy

Assistant Coach = ; &n= bsp; = ; Beth Hilty<= /span>

= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ;

Student Coaches &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Alexis Klug & Marissa Cerkone= y

Nothing has a greater influence on the quality of children’s sports than the excellence of the coach. The Dolphin Swim Team staff consis= ts of highly experienced coaches and as members in the American Swimming Coaches Association; each has access to the most comprehensive training and certification program for youth coaches of any sport in the United States. Our coaching staff provides the assurances that the time your children spend in swimming will be quality ti= me.

&n= bsp;

We are fortunate to have outstanding and dedicated coaching talent and hope that you will give all of our coaches your support.

Fees

The Dickinson Dolphin Swim Team is a not-for-profit organization that operates on a fixed budget. Operating expenses for the team in= clude coaching fees, facility rental fees, coaches meet expenses, team communicat= ion, resources needed to host a meet, team activity expenses, ribbons and awards. As a swimming family,= you have the obligation to assure that DDST continues to enjoy a solid financial footing. This is accomplished= by several sources of funding.

⁪Seasonal Memb= ership Fees:         ⁪$150.00 per season

            =             <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>        =             &nb= sp;            = ⁪$140.00 per swimmer for each additional swimmer

⁪USA Swimming/NDLSC Fee:      ⁪= ;$32 Seasonal USA Swimming/NDLSC fee**

        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;          or

        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;             ⁪$52 Annual USA Swimming/NDLSC fee*

⁪Fundraising Commitment           = ⁪$150 per family to be returned upon mee= ting         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;   commitment or cashed 03/01/09 to satisfy balance

        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;

USA Swimming Registration Fee: When you register with DDST, your fee for registration/membership in the USA Swimming organization is included in the season fees. This is an annua= l fee, which provides insurance for all properly sanctioned events and supervised practices. DDST does not rece= ive any of the USA fee. It is passed straight to= USA Swimming.

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

Meet Fees: Each swimmer is responsible for all expenses incurred going to and from Swim meets. This includes: Travel, lodging, me= als, and entry fees.

Fundraising: Since revenue generated by fees do= es not cover all Team expenses, additional fundraising is necessary. The Fundraising Commitment can be = found in detail on the following page.

Dickinson Dolphin Swim Team=

Fundraising Commitment

The Dickin= son Dolphin Swim Team is fortunate to be supported by one of the finest organizations in all of competitive swimming, the DDST Parents’ Club. Each time a youngster j= oins the team, the swimmer’s parents automatically become members (and own= ers) of the DDST Parents’ Club and inherit with that membership the responsibility to participate and support the activities of the Team and the Club.

In preparing for the 2007-2008 swim season, a major emphasis for the club will be securing needed workers for c= lub sponsored swim meets and activities and raising the required funds to balan= ce our budget without a major fundraiser in the summer . Whether you are a longstanding or = new member, you know that the fees you pay cover only a portion of our expenses. Fund-raising is essential to meet the operating costs. Much like any other non-profit organization we must have fund-raising events in order to keep our fees low= and to allow more families to participate.   Each family's participation = makes these activities successful.  &n= bsp; =

Fundraising Commitment Requirements – Each DDST registered family is required to earn $150 per year in fundraising to benefit the Club. These funds are necessa= ry to cover the cost of pool rental, both for practice and for meets. The fundraising commitment can be = met in several ways, each of which is described below.

= ;

= ;

  &nb= sp;         Program Ad Sales – The busi= nesses of our community have been very generous in supporting youth activities and this is a way for us to recognize them for their donations at our meets.

  &nb= sp;         Swim-A-Thon – This year we = are asking every DDST swimmer to participate in the National Swim-A-Thon Program. The family can solic= it contributions for the distance completed from friends, neighbors, co-worker= s, and other family members. For= every $10 contributed, the family earns $7.50 of fundraising credit. Thus, if a family raises $200 of contributions through Swim-A-Thon, the annual fundraising commitment will be completed.

  &nb= sp;         Cash Contribution – Some fa= milies prefer not to participate in any of the various fundraising activities. Additionally, at the end of the fundraising period, some families will not have fulfilled the full $150 minimum. In such cases, the c= heck collected at the beginning of the season will be cashed and the portion that has been met will be returned while the unmet portion will be retained by t= he club.

Refund Policy

Because we must commit to our coaches for the entire season, it is expected that swimmers also commit to an entire season of fees, whether or not they are a= ble to swim during all weeks or months of the season. DDST Board will consider refunding= the swimmers club fee, less the USA fee if the person is injured or if a medical condition arises after the team medical form has been signed. A prorated refund will be given only if a doctor gives a medical excuse advis= ing them not to swim. =

Coaches<= /span> Responsibilities

&nb= sp;

The coaches’ job is to supervise the competitive= swim program. The DDST coaching st= aff is dedicated to providing a program for youngsters that will enable them to le= arn the values of striving to improve one self—“to be the best you = can be”. Therefore, the coa= ches must be in total control in matters affecting training and competition.

        &= nbsp;

1. The c= oaches are responsible for placing youngsters in practice groups. This is based on the age and abili= ty level of each individual. Whe= n it is in the best interest of a swimmer, he/she will be placed in a more challenging training group by the coach.

2. Sole responsibility for stroke instruction and the training regimen rests with t= he DDST coaching staff. Each group’s practices are based on sound scientific technique and are gea= red to the specific goals of that group.

3. At me= ets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> After each race, the coaches will = offer constructive criticism regarding the swimmer performance. (It is the parent’s job to o= ffer love and understanding regardless of their youngster’s performance)
4. The b= uilding of a relay team is the sole responsibility of the coaching staff.

The coaching staff is constantly updating and improvin= g the DDST program. It is the swimm= ers and parent’s responsibility to make the most out of the excellent opp= ortunity this program provides for success in swimming.

Parental Responsibilities

DDST is a program set up by parents for our children. It is therefore essential that all parents participate fully and share in the responsibilities associat= ed with being a DDST parent. Som= e of the responsibilities include:

&m= iddot;        Parents are responsible for running and staffing all home swim meets. Some of the jobs associated with h= olding a meet are set-up and take down, clerk of the course, snack bar, pool marsh= al, timing, runner, computer, hospitality, results and awards.

&m= iddot;        Parents are responsible for working as timers at out-of-town meets. DDST is usually responsible for providing 3 to 6 timers throughout the meet.

&m= iddot;        Parents/swimmers are responsible for returning entry forms and fees to their coach for each = swim meet in a timely and appropriate manner.

&m= iddot;        Coaches welcome inquiries about your swimmer’s progress at mutually agreed up= on times. Parents should leave s= troke and race analysis to the coaches.

&m= iddot;        Parents are responsible for paying the club annual dues and swim team fees in a tim= ely manner.

&m= iddot;        Parents are responsible for participating in DDST fundraising projects and meeting = the annual fundraising commitment.

DDST Volunteer Goals<= o:p>

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The DDST volunteer commitment simply states that each family will commit to assisting the team with its sponsored swim meets each year by volunteering = for any number of jobs associated with the meets. In addition, each family is strong= ly encouraged to assist the team by volunteering for any number of team positi= ons or activities. There is also = a need to train officials as each team is required to provide one official for eve= ry 10 swimmers entered in meets throughout the state. As our membership grows, the need = for officials does also.

ALL PARENTS ARE REQUI= RED TO WORK

SWIM MEETS HOSTED BY = OUR TEAM!

DDST Invitational January

Dickinson Consolation March

State Short CourseChampionship March

The following is a non-inclusive list of available positions at the swim meets:

= Concession Helper &nb= sp; = Lane Timer &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Safety Marshal

= Hospitality &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Meet Program Sales = ; Clerk of Course

= Runner Set-up &= nbsp; = Clean-up &= nbsp; &nbs= p; = Team Store

Concessions D= onation
Families are asked to donate concession items for home swim meets. Information will be distributed pr= ior to the meets outlining what donations are needed and where and when they can be delivered. Generous concessio= ns contributions generate revenue the team relies on, and provides the food and drink our swimmers and their families need during the meet.

= ;

E-mail is the main communication tool used by volunteer coordinators. If you do not have an e-mail addre= ss please list a number where you can be reached or a message can be left for = you on your registration form.

= ;

SWIM MEETS=

Philosophy of Competition

DDST emphasizes individual growth and development. While the swimmer’s individu= al improvement is the primary focus, sportsman-like behavior is of equal importance. The reputation of= the team will be a reflection of the actions of our swimmers, coaches, and parents. Respect for official= s, congratulations to other competitors, encouragement to teammates, determined effort and mature attitudes are taught and expected. Swimmers are taught to set realist= ic but challenging goals for swim meets and to relate these goals to training effo= rts.

General Guidelines for Meets

The North Dakota LSC establishes a meet schedule: http://www.und.nod= ak.edu/org/ndlsc/scmt0405.htm.

Swimmers are encouraged to attend meets as their family schedules allow. To be eligible for the championship meets -- State Short Course and Long Course Championships, swimmers must sw= im a qualifying time at one of the sanctioned meets during the corresponding season. Qualifying times may = be found at the NDLSC web page: http://www.und.nod= ak.edu/org/ndlsc/timestds.htm.

Meet Entries

Sign-up sheets for meets will be distributed to swimmers approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the meet as most entries are to be received by the host team 7 to 10 days before the meet.

Entering a Meet:

1. Read all information on meet entry form carefully. Fill out the first page of the meet packet with all the information required.&= nbsp; This form will indicate how many events a swimmer may enter per day.=

2. Swimmers should determine the events in which they wish to compete. If a swimmer needs assistance on choosing events, please speak to the coaches. Enter event numbers carefully.

3. Attach a check to the entry form with the appropriate entry fees. All forms must be turned into the coaching staff by the due date indicated on the entry form. Please indicate on your check the swimmer’s name and meet name. Late entries will not be accepted, so TURN YOUR FORMS IN EARLY!=

4. Relay members may be assigned at a= ny time up to the start of the event. If you choose not to be a member of a relay, please inform the coach= es when signing up for the meet. The coaches will determine relay members, based on a variety of considerations. These may inc= lude: swimmers’ best times, relay performances, work ethic, practice attendance, attitude, = etc.

Additional Swim Meet Information

1. Dress appropriately. It is generally very warm in the pool area.

2. Seating can be limited. Bring folding chairs or blankets. T= hey can always remain in the car if not needed.

3. Meet Programs are usually available to purchase for $3-$5. It is recommended to bring a highl= ighter and pen to highlight your swimmer’s (and their teammates’) even= ts in the program. Use the pen to write event numbers, heats and lane assignments on your swimmer’s han= d, arm or leg. (See example belo= w)

Event	Heat	Lane	Stroke
14	5	4	100 free
21	2	3	50 back
35	3	6	25 fly
43	4	2	25 breast

4. Bring snacks and drinks for your swimmer and your family. Keep your swimmer hydrated!

5. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to be lined up at the appropriate = time and in the appropriate lane. = Watch the scoreboard for the current event and heat number and allow time for your swimmer to consult with a coach before lining up behind the appropriate starting block. Swimmers shou= ld also check in with the coach after their event to discuss the race.

All swimmers should compete in the team suit and cap. The swimmers should arrive at the = meet at least 15 minutes prior to the warm-up session and check in with one of t= he coaches. Questions, concerns,= and comments during the meet should be made to a coach, never to a meet official. Any meet-related pr= oblems will be addressed by the coaches.

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