Parent's Info
History
The Dalles Swim Team (TDST) was formed in 1955 by Ted Walker.
Ted Walker came to The Dalles as a swimming instructor and started
the Dalles Swim Team in 1966. He was instrumental in the construction
of the Dalles Natatorium, the local swimming pool, and in 1993
the pool was renamed in his honor. Today, we call our annual summer
swim meet the “Ted Walker Invitational”. TDST strives
to carry on the spirit and tradition created by Ted Walker. The
Dalles Swim Team is an Oregon Nonprofit Corporation (501(c)(3)).
If a child is a registered swimmer, then the parents become members
of this corporation. Copies of the by laws can be obtained upon
written request to the TDST Board of Directors, PO Box 157, The
Dalles, OR 97058.
TDST Team Dues (per family) Summer 2008
$85 for the first swimmer
$70 for the second swimmer
$55 for the third swimmer
$40 for each additional swimmer
In addition to team dues, each swimmer must pay $29 to register
with Oregon Swimming (OSI). OSI is the Local Swimming Committee
(LSC) of USA Swimming, which is the national governing body for
competitive swimming. This is an annual fee that covers summer
and winter swim teams.
Returning summer and winter families must attend the May registration
meeting or pay a $25 surcharge. This is to reduce the workload
needed to process swimmers prior to entering the pool. All paperwork
and fees must be received, complete, and confirmed as well as delivered
to Oregon Swimming prior to swimmers entering the water.
Fundraising Commitment
All families desiring to join TDST must sign this fundraising
commitment in which they agree to raise or pay the designated additional
amount per swimmer in their family. Remember, swimming is unlike
most any other non-school related sport your child participates
in because the coaches are paid employees, not volunteers. The
dues you pay for nine weeks of swimming five days a week do not
cover all coaches’ salaries and team expenses.
The past several years have seen a marked increase in the number
of swimmers on our team with no corresponding increase in the number
of coaches. Last year the team’s board of directors began
to remedy this coaching deficit by hiring more coaches in order
to maintain a more reasonable coach to swimmer ratio. Additional
funds are necessary in order to do this, hence, the necessity of
a fundraising commitment.
While families in the past have been expected to participate in
numerous fundraisers in order to meet the team’s expenses,
particularly coaches’ salaries, no mandatory amount per swimmer
has ever been required to be raised. This has often resulted in
a few families raising most of the money to cover many of the swim
team’s expenses. This new financial commitment is designed
with two goals in mind: first, to make fundraising more equitable
for all families and second, to minimize the number of fundraising
activities families need to be a part of.
Fundraising efforts for this summer season have once again been
substantially streamlined. While the team will continue with some
Ted Walker related fundraising, individual fundraising will be
limited to obtaining heat sheet sponsors for the Ted Walker swim
meet from both businesses and individuals and the Annual Pop Can
Drive. As a reminder, a “heat sheet” is the program
for a swim meet. For $10, an individual or business can help sponsor
the Ted Walker swim meet and have their name listed in the meet
program with the donation being 100% tax deductible.
Swimmers have eight weeks from Spring Registration on May 1, 2005
to fulfill their fundraising commitments. Thereafter, families
will be billed for their outstanding fundraising balance and their
swimmer(s) will not be allowed back in the water until their account
is brought current. This years commitment once again is $50 per
swimmer.
Volunteer Commitment
TDST is an all volunteer, parent run organization, with the exception
of our head coaches. Our head coaches are paid. Volunteerism, however,
is the lifeblood of our swim team and is what keeps it running.
Without parents generously volunteering their time, there would
be no TDST. Make no mistake, TDST needs you!
Each family registering a swimmer for the team is an essential
part of the volunteer commitment needed to make our summer a success.
You may choose the areas where you may serve. Many are flexible
as to when you can fulfill your responsibilities. However, due
to the nature of coordinating so many volunteers, please understand
that your choices will be treated as preferences, and are not guaranteed.
Just because there is not anyone that wants to fill a certain volunteer
need does not eliminate the need for it to be done.
If you are simply unwilling or unavailable to volunteer your time
and you have the financial means to do so a financial donation
to the team can be made. Please remember that if we need to purchase
tools, equipment, or services in your place we will often be paying
full retail price. This option is not encouraged unless absolutely
necessary, because TDST needs many hands to make our swim season
successful.
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