WELCOME TO

FAMILY ORIENTATION

FOREST PARK SWIM TEAM

SEASON 2026

• Brandon Laurie: President
• Jeff Pogue: Vice President
• Nancy Valero: Treasurer
• Raenelle Tauro: Secretary (Membership/Communications)
• Haley Olmstead & Jeanine Williams: Fundraising/Marketing
• Heather Cochnauer & Marcie Franich: Hospitality & Spirit

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MEET THE FPST Board

• Trinety Murphy: Parent Worker Coordinator (Jobs)
• Rachel Haddadin: Snack Shack Coordinator
• Andrea Stewart: Merchandise, Awards, & Incentives
• Amy Ragland: Meet Director
• Tatyana Leskowicz: Webmaster

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MEET THE FPST COACHES

Jeff Mellinger: Head Coach

From Coach Jeff: �Swimming may seem like more of an individual sport.

Never forget, every swimmer matters!�-SIGN OUT of dual meets on time! �-CHECK the posted meet program when you get to the meet!

-TEACH swimmers to watch meets & understand EVENT ORDER instead of looking for the assigned event number. �

MEET THE FPST COACHES

DECK COACHES: Joe, Lucia, Rayna, Robert

SWIMMER COACHES: Anthony, Hailey, Hannah, Izzy, Liv, Maggie, Makayla, Seline, Zach

Check out our bulletin board in the coming weeks to meet and learn more about all of our amazing coaching staff!

FPST THEME 2026

WELCOME TO RIDE THE WAVE

SOCIAL EVENTS

HAVE FUN & STRENGTHEN OUR FOREST PARK SWIM TEAM COMMUNITY! �(Age 5 & Under Need a Parent

with them at events)

BUDDY PROGRAM

OPT OUT BY

Monday,

May 18

Email: Events@forestparkflyers.com

Click HERE to read All About Buddies Letter and click HERE for All About Me Buddy Sheet

• It’s helpful for parents to be involved, especially for the younger kids
• Exchange phone numbers
• Cheer your buddy on when they swim
• Take pictures with your buddy and feel free to share them by text or send them Events@forestparkflyers.com for some fun buddy prizes throughout the season
• Make a sign for your buddy for City Meet
• Plan a coordinating outfit for Buddy Night/Team Party 
• Check the weekly Buddy challenge/activity for meets 

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BUDDY PROGRAM

TIPS FOR BUDDY PROGRAM SUCCESS:

When will I find out who my Buddy is?

Saturday, May 23 during our 8 am team meeting.

• 7:30-8:00 am: Set-up and swimmer arrival 
• 8:00-9:00 am: Team Meeting, Buddy

Assignments & Activity, and

Warm Ups

• 9:00-12:00 pm: Time Trials*
• 11:00 am: BBQ begins

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*Mini-Flyers who are ready to participate in time trials will be notified via email around May 18

TIME TRIALS & BBQ

SATURDAY, MAY 23

SWIMMER/FAMILY �EXPECTATIONS & SUPPORT

• Mini-Flyers
• Code of Conduct
• Jobs
• Fundraising

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• Awards/Merch
• Communication
• Meets

MINI-FLYERS PROGRAM

• Prepares swimmers for competitive swimming
• No fundraising or jobs requirement; Families who move to the team in the summer are encourage to do at least one jobs shift.
• Invited to social events (Ages 5 & Under must be accompanied by a parent)
• Look out for emails in mid to late May, letting you know if your swimmer will begin participating in Time Trials/Dual Meets
• Look out for emails late May, letting you know if swimmer is moving to team/staying on Minis and for registration details
• Swimmers are being evaluated throughout season - See Coach Makayla for questions
• Other questions - Contact Nancy (treasurer@forestparkflyers.com) or Raenelle (secrectary@forestparkflyers.com)

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CODE OF CONDUCT

Click here to see Code of Conduct

Help us ensure a place where ALL swimmers can thrive!

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• Emphasis this year on communication with parents and partnering with families to support swimmers
• See something, say something to a board member

JOBS!

Why do we have to do jobs?

Recreational Swim, like most other recreational sports, requires parent participation to run.

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• Keeps Costs Low
• All Teams / Parents Participate
• Keeps Meets Fair

What are the Jobs?

There are 4 Categories of Jobs

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• Standard Meet Jobs – No Training Required
• Snack Shack Jobs – Requires pre-approval
• Meet Administration Jobs – Requires Training
• Event Jobs – Helping with our Team Events

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Standard Meet Jobs

No Training Required!

• Lane Timer / Recorder (4)
• Relief Timer (4)
• Setup (4) & Take Down (2)
• Garbage / Bathrooms Attendant (2)
• Shepherd (4)
• Deck Runner (4)
• Ribbons (2)

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Snack Shack Jobs

Requires Pre Approval

• Snack Shack Meal Prep (3)
• Snack Shack Starter (4)
• Snack Shack Closer (4)
• BBQ Grill Server and Cook (4)
• Cashier (4)
• Shaved Ice (3)

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Meet Administration

Requires Training

• Head Timer (4)
• Stroke and Turn Judge(4)
• Starter (4)
• Referee (4)
• Jobs Coordinator (4)
• Computer Desk & Announcer (Filled for 2026)

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Event Jobs

These jobs help out with activities outside meets:

• Age Group Activity Coordinator (2)
• Swimathon & Pancake Breakfast (1-4)
• Buddy Night Volunteer (2)
• Pasta Feed / Potato Bar / Fiesta Night Helpers (2-4)
• Auction Basket / Age Group Baskets (2-4)
• Coaches Appreciation (2)

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How Many Jobs?

We base jobs on points, where each point represents 1 hour of work. Based on the number of families we have this year, each eligible family contributes the following:

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• 26 Hours
• Aproximately 6.5 Four-hour Shifts
• Families are encouraged to start with signing up for only 4 shifts as more swimmers are still joining and the number of hours required may go down.

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When / Where do I sign up?

Job Sign ups are through Swimtopia. �

Open �May �16th

Do Invitational Jobs Count towards my Jobs Requirement?

No. All families who participate in invitationals are expected to work at least 1 job.

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Invitational jobs are split into smaller shifts to ensure families have equal opportunity to watch their swimmers.

I signed up for a job I can no longer fulfill. What do I do?

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If you cannot fulfill your assigned duty, it is YOUR responsibility to find a replacement. Replacements must notify the coordinator they are covering for you. If a replacement cannot be identified, contact the jobs director ASAP for help.

We don’t want to do jobs. Can we do exclude ourselves?

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All families are required to participate, however, families may buy out their jobs requirement for $600 at the beginning of the season.

What happens if we don’t do our Jobs?

Families who fail to meet their jobs total, will be charged $100 per shift, up to $600.

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Arriving more than 10 minutes late without communication will be marked as a "no-show" and a $100 fee will be deducted from your job deposit. If there is a second “no-show,” a $200 fee will be deducted. After three "no-shows," $300 will be deducted from your job deposit and your child will not be allowed to swim until arrangements are made with the Swim Team Board.

Is anyone exempt from doing jobs?

Yes. For various reasons: �

• Mini-Flyer (Only) Families – Mini Flyers do not generally attend meets.
• Parents of 15-18 Year Olds – Most swimmers in this age group work as mini-helpers and/or can drive themselves to meets.
• Board Members – Board Members meet year round and contribute outside of meets.

Who do I contact if I have questions, concerns, or need information?

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Visit: https://forestpark.swimtopia.com/jobs

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Email: Jobs@forestparkflyers.com

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising ensures that FPST provides a welcoming, fun, and safe space for all swimmers to receive quality instruction and improve their skills in the water.

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The cost of running the Swim Team goes beyond fees collected so all Swim Team members (Mini-Flyers are exempt) ages 14 and below are asked to raise $150. 

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FUNDRAISING

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Ways to raise funds that will be applied toward a swimmer’s fundraising obligation:

• SWIM-A-THON, June 6, 9 am: Our biggest fundraiser! Each swimmer collects sponsorships from friends/family and then swims laps for a specified period of time based on their age. At the end of the event, funds are collected from sponsors.
• RAISE RIGHT: This app allows participants to purchase gift cards/scrip from hundreds of retailers with a percentage of the purchase is donated back to the team.

Enrollment code: H19GLU75LSCQ

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FUNDRAISING

FPST is excited to partner with Big House Beans!

• 40% of sales will go directly back to Forest Park Swim Team (and will count toward your swimmers fundraising obligation)
• Fundraiser is running NOW through May 27!

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FUNDRAISING

Other ways to fundraise that help the team!

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• DINE & DONATES
• DONATION MATCHING: If your company participates, we’d love to connect and learn how to take advantage of this opportunity.
• July 4th Silent Auction: We are looking for a lead! This position will fill your families' jobs requirement.
• Auction Baskets Age Group Coordinator: This Parent Power Position will earn you points toward your families' jobs requirement.

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FUNDRAISING

SPONSORSHIP: We offer 4 levels of sponsorship with accompanying benefits packages.

Confirm your sponsorship by May 11 in order to get your company logo on team shirts and swim meet advertising.

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Learn more here!

FUNDRAISING

• Questions? Please reach out to Haley, Jeanine or any board member.
• Or send us an email at fundraising@forestparkflyer.com. 

www.forestparkflyers.com/fundraising

Sign OUT of DUAL MEETS (on Swimtopia) at

least THREE days in advance. Email Coach Jeff, jeff.mellinger@gmail.com if less than three days before!

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Sign IN to INVITATIONAL MEETS by the date listed on the Calendar entry and select your events. Pay for your Invitational entry through the Payment Portal page (under the Calendar Tab) if you did not prepay. Click HERE for instructions with screenshots.

MEET SIGN IN & SIGN OUT

Calendar, job shifts, sign in/out of meets, and your swimmers’ history. No subscription needed.

USEFUL SWIM APPS

Live scoreboard and event program at our meets and those using TimeDrops. Our Code: 2468

Another app that shows meet results. Requires a subscription, but has a longer history.

AWARDS

• Lollipops for popping time
• Ribbons
• Flyer of the Week
• Award Night at end of the season
• RETURNING - Individual Goal Times - Rewards for each one reached

FOREST PARK MERCH

• THREE WAYS to purchase merchandise for everyone in the family: �
• At HOME meets from our merch table
• First Place Spirit Wear website
• Forest Park Online Store via Elsmore Swim Shop

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Team shirts will be handed out

Show some team spirit!

COMMUNICATION

• Weekly and sometimes mid-week emails
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Team Website, News Posts,

www.forestparkflyers.com

COMMUNICATION

CHECK OUT THE BOARDS: Announcements, Social Events/Buddies, Swimmer Accomplishments, Meet Results, DQs, Notes from Coach Jeff

DON’T FORGET!

POOL OPEN HOUSE -

Saturday & Sunday, May 16-17, 1-6 pm

10% discount for first-time members

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THANK YOU