One of the goals for NFS is to become the best team we can be.  We will never use another team as the standard to measure ourselves.  We want to always measure ourselves against our own standard.  For NFS to be the best team, parents need to be involved.  Typically, 20% of the people in any organization do 80% of the work.  At NFS, we would like to develop a culture that goes against the 20-80 rule.  We want our volunteer culture to be "if everybody does a little, then nobody has to do a lot."

Here are ways for all parents to be involved with NFS:

• Become a USA Swimming Official
• Become involved with a specific aspect of the North Florida Swim Classic
• Become involved in one of the Standing Committees

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is for those parents who support the goals, vision and mission of NFS at the highest level.  As parents become involved in the areas listed above and demonstrate their dedication to NFS, opportunities may arise to serve on the Parent Advisory Committee.  Coach Dave and the current advisory committee members will make those selections.

Inside the Handbook is a Parent/Volunteer Commitment Agreement.  Your involvement will prove supportive to your child and will enrich your own experience.  Please look at all of the options carefully and consider volunteering where your skill set will be maximized.  Determine the chairperson of the committee where you want to be involved with and discuss your participation.  Don’t be fearful of asking questions, you are among friends.

If the opportunity arises, it is always good for parents to volunteer at away/out of town swim meets.  The usual opportunities will be as an official or timer.  Volunteering at away meets indicates to other NFS parents your dedication to your swimmer and will certainly get NFS recognized as a top level team from meet organizers, not to mention, it’s fun, helps the time pass quicker and may prove educational.

As with any organization, there is the tendency to see aspects of the team or meets that can be improved.  Coach Dave and the Parent Advisory Committee encourage parents to make suggestions.  The reality is that there are only a few problems and many opportunities for improvement.  At NFS, we want to be constantly improving.

NFS currently has Standing Committees where parents can become involved.  These committees are the backbone for our team.  The time requirements for committees depends on the number of parents involved and the committee needs.  Some committees are seasonal while others function year round.  Remember, "if everybody does a little then nobody has to do a lot."