Motivate People to Time at Swim Meets

Last updated on December 28th, 2022 at 03:57 pm

Why would someone want to time at a swim meet, and what keeps people from timing? Careful consideration of these two questions before recruiting volunteers can lead to increased participation. Those who effectively enlist the help of volunteers have contemplated at least some of the answers. This post gives ideas on how to motivate others to time and a few ways to overcome common obstacles to timing.  These principles also apply to recruiting volunteers to fill other positions too. Another post in this series will focus on actual ways to ask people to time at a swim meet.

Motivating and Overcoming Obstacles

What exactly is motivation?  Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary says it is “the act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something”; it’s also “the condition of being eager to act or work.” Others describe it as desire, drive, or what moves us to act.  Certainly, many meet directors have wondered how to motivate people to time; it is an ever-present and ongoing need.  Dan Ariely, researcher and New York Times bestselling author asks those “who [seek] to motivate yourself or others — to think deeply and broadly about the effects of your approach.” When seeking volunteers, how we approach others matters.

In addition to considering what motivates people to time, it’s wise to also contemplate what obstacles might keep people from timing. Of course, there will always be those who are unwilling to time under any circumstances. Fortunately, not everyone in the stands needs to help run a swim meet. The goal is simply to increase the number of willing and able volunteers and not to convert everyone into timers.

Why is it important to identify common obstacles when looking at motivation?

The easier the perceived task, the less motivation it takes to spur one into action. In simplest terms, this principle could be written as an equation:  Easier Task = Less Motivation Needed.  Let’s face it, there are many great reasons to time, but there is a limit to what can be offered in return.  Therefore, it makes sense to try working on “both sides” of the equation. We can’t always continue to “up the motivation” but there are some simple things that can reduce or eliminate common obstacles, thereby making the overall task of timing easier for some.

Think Like a Marketer

Before you hit the spectator stands begging for timers, first take a moment to think like a marketer. Marketing involves showing something in a positive light and drawing in a targeted audience to consider goods, services, or in this case, participation.

Think about how this applies to recruiting volunteers to help run a swim meet.

1. We want to showcase the vacant meet worker position in a positive light
2. Show the potential volunteer why their help is needed, and
3. Draw in a targeted audience to work any vacant positions

Who is your “target audience?” Usually, it’s the meet host team or organization, and spectators at your swim meet who are capable of timing. It’s primarily swimming parents, responsible siblings of swimmers, and possibly grandparents.  After the audience has been identified, the next step is to think about what motivates them.  How effective is your current “Call to Action” on your target audience? Are there obstacles that might prevent them from stepping up and helping as needed?   What are some ideas that may help motivate them time?

Ideas

Below are a few ideas to help motivate parents and other spectators to time and overcome common obstacles to timing.

Ideas To Motivate Volunteers

Everyone at the meet is there because they care about at least one swimmer. Connecting people together for the common cause of benefiting swimmers is one effective way to motivate people to time. There are also benefits that come to timers as a result of their service.  All of these ideas can be used to invite and encourage people to work the meet.

Timing Benefits Swimmers

• Swimmers are some of the hardest-working kids around.  We need timers to make sure they receive the correct times when they race. Will you please help the swimmers today by timing?
• The swimmers have spent hours each week preparing for this competition. Please help them receive the correct times by being a timer today.
• Swimmers need meets and meets need volunteers.  The swimmers need your help today as a timer.

Benefits to the Timer

• Come claim one of the best seats in the house from which to watch the competition!  Be a timer.
• Come meet other swim parents, learn more about swimming, and help the swimmers by timing today.
• Using volunteers helps to keep costs down. Will you please help by volunteering some time?
• Will there be a special treat from hospitality — like ice pops or cold drinks on a hot day?  Let potential timers know.
• Are there any physical benefits to the timing area like shade in the afternoon (if it’s hot), better air circulation than the stands, etc.?  Let the potential timers know.
• We’d really like to start the swim meet on time so everyone can get home sooner.  However, we are short of timers and need your help. Can you please come time?

Message From the Meet Host

• IF the home team or meet host can back up this claim, the following may be a good message to share: We value your time. What better way to spend it than helping to give kids an opportunity to perform and grow? We’re doing our part to run an efficient, high-quality swim meet but can’t do it alone.  Your help is needed. Can you please time swimmers today?

More Ideas from USA Swimming

USA Swimming published an excellent article, 8 Reasons to Volunteer as a Lane Timer, which shares even more great ideas.

Ideas To Help Volunteers Overcome Obstacles

• Willing to time but have little children to watch?
  • If two parents are at the meet, they can trade off getting “adult time” on the timing line while the other one watches the children.
  • If two families each have one parent with little children, they could consider trading off.  One could watch the children of both families in the stands while the other parent times. They could then trade off mid-meet, or at the next meet.
• Leaving early? Could they serve as a “First Half” timer?
• Never timed before? We provide training, support, and encouragement.
• Can’t stay in one place for that long? Timers at this meet get occasional, short breaks

Conclusion

Considering what motivates people to time, and ways to overcome potential obstacles will yield a more effective approach to inviting and encouraging volunteers to fill swim meet timer positions. When parents take part as meet workers, they become:

• More knowledgeable about the sport
• Better able to support their swimmer
• More capable as a swim meet volunteer,
• Connected to other swim parents, and
• More invested in their team

Therefore, it’s worth the extra effort to encourage parents to volunteer and help.

Series Navigation

<< Got Timers? Supporting Swim Meet TimersRecruit Volunteers Before a Swim Meet >>