Why does TRC have a minimum volunteer policy?

Volunteers are integral to the success of TRC.  We rely on our adult family members to ensure that TRC runs efficiently and safely. It's the dedication of our volunteers that allows our coaches and athletes the freedom to focus on rowing. 
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Each overnight regatta requires approximately 85-100 parent hours of volunteer time at the regatta location. To ensure an equal distribution of the workload, TRC asks each athlete’s family to volunteer a set number of hours per season.  You may choose a job at a regatta you attend or a non-regatta job locally. 

How do I sign up to volunteer?

High School parents sign up to volunteer via links published in the TRC Newsletter and here on the Volunteering page. This is explained in more detail during the required parent meetings at the start of each season.  Attend one of the meetings for further information. 

Volunteering and Athlete Safety

Ensuring athlete safety is a top priority at TRC.   Two important components in accomplishing this goal are SafeSport certification and Background Checks.

SafeSport Certification

All TRC Board Members, and many TRC volunteers, must complete and maintain SafeSport certification before being allowed to perform their volunteer duties.  

Earning certification typically takes three hours, which can be accomplished across multiple sessions.

Once certified, maintaining certification takes under an hour per year.

For  more details visit Safety and SafeSport 

Background Screening

All TRC Board Members and certain volunteer positions are also required to participate in background screening.  Triangle Rowing covers the cost associated with background screening and encourages ALL volunteers who interact with athletes to participate in the background screening process.   

Use this link to sign up for Background Screening

What is the volunteer policy?

All High School families must fulfill a minimum number of volunteer hours, per athlete per season. The volunteer requirements will be set at the beginning of each Fall and Spring season.  The estimated number of volunteer hours is typically between 4 and 8 credit hours per high school athlete.

There are a variety of ways you can fulfill the volunteer requirements, including year-long positions, local volunteer opportunities, regatta volunteer opportunities, and more.  

Having enough volunteers at "away" regattas is one of the biggest challenges for our club, therefore, we ask that if your child is traveling to these regattas (Head of the Hooch and/or Head of the South), please volunteer at one of these events! 

This Volunteer Policy only applies to High School families, but we love it when our Middle School families show their support and volunteer too.

Our Volunteer Coordinator is here to help you help TRC. We want to leverage your talents and find ways to make the best use of what you have to offer.   If you have any questions or want to let us know where you think you could best help, please reach out. 

What happens if we aren't able to fulfill the minimum volunteer requirements?

TRC runs on volunteers. We expect and need parents and family members to actively participate because it is so important to the success of our athletes and our program.  If circumstances prevent you from reaching your minimum volunteer obligation you will be responsible for paying a Volunteer Opt-Out Fee.  The amount may change, but the fee is typically $300 per athlete for a season.  This payment takes the place of your volunteer obligation. Note there is no pro-rating of this fee, meaning you pay the entire fee if you do not meet the volunteer requirements.  You will be automatically invoiced after the last regatta if the volunteer hours have not been met, and this payment is non-refundable.

Please notify the Volunteer Coordinator if unforeseeable circumstances prevent you from volunteering. 

Additional Notes

If the volunteer jobs posted are not a match for you and you want to volunteer, please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss options. ​

Our Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteer Auditor verify compliance with these volunteer policies. Non-compliance will prevent your athlete from participating in future events (training, regattas, summer camp, banquets) until payment or hours are fulfilled.