A booster club is defined as a nonprofit organization that is formed to support a sports team through volunteering and fundraising. It is run and organized by the parents of the students in the supported organization. All team members are expected to join and support the Booster Club.

Support is shown in many ways including helping the coaches, managing team activities, organizing team dinners, timing and scoring at home meets, assisting with the season end banquet, providing spirit wear, public communications etc. It’s the best way for parents to get involved and support the team.

Tax Exempt Letter from the Department of the Treasury Iternal Revenue Service (Redacted Identifying Info).pdf

As an automatic member of the booster club, any parent that might wish to obtain one of the office positions. Parents that have expressed interest in a vacant position will go through a nomination process which will take place before the new officer member officially takes a position. Nomination process consist of two current officers approving the nomination.

The length of the term for all board positions will be until graduation of their swimmer or sooner if an elected officer chooses to resign for personal reasons or is voted out of office. The term of office will be from the first booster club meeting until the year-end banquet. 

Shadow experiences are strongly encouraged to ensure a flawless transition of board members whose athletes are graduating. If interested, contact the Secretary expressing the position interested in shadowing.

Booster club meetings will begin with a kick-off meeting at the beginning of the season. Meetings will be monthly through the season; however, they may occur more or less frequently at the board’s discretion. A season recap meeting will be held following the season end banquet.

The agenda for all booster club meetings will follow this format:

1. Introduction of Board members (kick-off meeting only)
2. Approval of minutes from the last meeting
3. Review of practice and meet schedule (kick-off meeting only)
4. Discussion of new agenda items
5. Report from officers/members
6. Review and approval of team purchases (in writing)
7. Discussion of volunteering needs
8. Review of fundraising schedule
9. Planning of team social events
10. Discussion of old and unfinished business

This structured agenda ensures that meetings are productive and cover all necessary topics.

Volunteer opportunities for the team include:

• Timers: For each home meet, we need 9-12 timers to ensure accurate tracking of swimmers' times. Timing is straightforward, and you'll receive instructions at the beginning of each event. Enjoy a front-row seat with a clear view of the action. Your contribution, though simple, is invaluable to the smooth operation of the meet. Thank you for your commitment to the team!

If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to one of the coach or booster club.

Your participation helps make our swim meets successful!

1. You will get wet. Roll up your pants, wear deck shoes (or go barefoot), and go with it.
2. Our home pool deck is HOT. Instead of jeans and sweatshirts, think shorts, thin Tshirts, etc. Bring water. When in doubt, refer to rule 1.
3. Watch the starter at the beginning of a race. The starting command is “Take your mark”, followed by a either an electronic signal, whistle, or voice command. Most electronic starting devices, will also have a visual signal. Depending on how far away you are standing, there may be a delay between the light and the sound reaching you. For this reason, it is most fair to all swimmers to start your watch by the light if one exists.
4. When your swimmer approaches the wall, get close and make sure you can see the plane of the wall so you have a good view of the touch. (Pesky rule 1 again…)
5. Try not to anticipate the finish. Swimmers sometimes take an extra stroke, glide in, etc.
6. On the finish, stop the watch as soon as any body part contacts any part of the end of the pool. (wall, gutter, touchpad, deck – doesn’t matter). If the touch isn’t legal, it’s the official’s problem.
7. If you miss a start, or your watch misfires, etc, raise your hand high as soon as you realize. The backup timer will come to your lane and act as the second timer for the heat.
8. If the next swimmer is in your way of seeing the finish, politely ask them to let you in.
9. It’s okay to cheer for your swimmers while timing if you like.

All high school meets nationwide follow the same order:

1 – 200 Medley Relay. (Back, Breast, Fly, Free)

2 – 200 Free

3 – 200 IM

4 – 50 Free

5 – 1M Diving (if held – if not, there must be a 10 minute break)

6 – 100 Fly

7 – 100 Free

8 – 500 Free

9 – 200 Free Relay

10 – 100 Back

11 – 100 Breast

12 – 400 Free Relay

Note: High School meets tend to run very quickly, and you will often have little rest between events. Everyone else is dealing with the same thing and so long as you put in the work, you do get used to it!

Team dinners are often organized by the parents on a voluntary basis. If you are interested in hosting a dinner, please reach out to the coach and/or booster club for more information on how you can get involved at the beginning of the season. Your support is greatly appreciated!

The number and type of events will be determined by the Head Coach. These events usually coincide with a travel and/or championship meet. Depending on the event, these team building invents will vary between potluck, pasta, pizza, dessert, and refreshments.

Senior Night is a special event dedicated to honoring the graduating senior members of the LHS swimming and diving teams. This celebration includes:

• Introduction and Recognition: Each senior is individually introduced, highlighting their contributions and achievements throughout their time on the team.
• Presentation of Flowers and Gifts: Seniors receive flowers and possibly other tokens of appreciation from the team, coaches, and parents.
• Speeches: Coaches and sometimes fellow teammates give speeches, sharing memorable stories and expressing gratitude for the seniors' leadership and dedication.
• Senior Banners: Displaying banners featuring the seniors' names and photos to celebrate their time on the team.
• Family Participation: Seniors are often accompanied by their families during the recognition, acknowledging the support they've provided.
• Photographs: Team photos and individual shots with family, coaches, and teammates to commemorate the occasion.

Senior Night is a heartfelt tradition that celebrates the seniors' journey, contributions, and the transition to the next chapter of their lives.

The Head Coach determines the date, while the Secretary communicates the logistics to the team.  

At the end of each season, the LHS swimming and diving teams hold a celebratory banquet. This event includes:

• Recognition of all swimmers and divers for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.
• Presentation of awards and honors to outstanding performers and contributors.
• Distribution of varsity letters to varsity-level swimmers and divers.
• Speeches from coaches highlighting team achievements and memorable moments.
• A meal for athletes, coaches, and their families to enjoy together.
• An opportunity for team members to reflect on the season and celebrate their collective accomplishments.

This banquet serves as a meaningful conclusion to the season, fostering team spirit and honoring the efforts of every athlete.

The Head Coach is responsible for all facets of the season end banquet. The Head Coach may delegate these responsibilities to the booster club; however, the Head Coach must approve the program and the agenda.

The awards given out at the banquet will be distributed by the Head Coach. Team spirit awards and team gifts are given out at the banquet by the captains.

Each team can score up to 4 swimmers in each event and 2 relays.

Swimmers can score points for 1-16 places.

Scoring

The biggest surprise for many about high school swimming is that it’s not an individual sport. It’s a team effort to see which side scores the most points

Scoring for 6 lane pools: Individual: 6-4-3-2-1 Relay: 8-4-2

Scoring for 4 lane pools: Individual: 4-3-1 Relay: 6 4 2

Championship format: Individual: 20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Relay: 40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2

The LHS swimming and diving team collaborates on yearly fundraisers to support their activities. Due to limited school funding for extracurricular programs, it's crucial to replenish our funds to cover expenses not included in the school’s athletics budget. We need all athletes to participate to ensure each fundraiser's success. When your son or daughter is asked to participate, please encourage their involvement. Your efforts make a significant difference!

Booster club funds may be used for:

• Training equipment
• Team dinners
• Senior banners
• T-shirts or other team gear
• Tech suits for state qualifiers (budget permitting)

Please note that funding for these items depends on the available budget. Fund use will be decided by the booster club and coaches.

About Us

The Laramie High School Swim and Dive Booster Club is a non-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Tax-Exempt Status Confirmation

We are pleased to announce that the Laramie High School Swim and Dive Booster Club has been determined to be exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make to us under IRC Section 170. We are also qualified to receive tax-deductible bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.

Organizations exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3) are further classified as either public charities or private foundations. We are classified as a public charity under IRC Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).

We are required to file an annual information return (Form 990 or Form 990-EZ) or electronic notice (Form 990-N, the e-Postcard). If we fail to file a required return or notice for three consecutive years, our exempt status will be automatically revoked.

For more information about our responsibilities as a tax-exempt organization, please visit IRS Charities and search for "4221-PC" to view Publication 4221-PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Public Charities.

Tax-Exempt ID Number (EIN): 99-3380157
Effective Date of Exemption: June 3, 2024

Support Us

We supply our tax-exempt ID number to avoid being taxed by vendors and caterers. Many companies will match your contribution to organizations like ours or may allow you to designate your contribution to any non-profit as part of their annual fund drive. Please check what options your company may offer and consider making a donation to the Laramie High School Swim and Dive Booster Club. Thank you for your support!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to announce that the Laramie High School Swimming & Diving Booster Club is now using the Remind app to streamline our communication with you. Remind is a safe and effective way for us to keep you updated on team events, meetings, important dates, and volunteer opportunities.

How to Join:

1. Download the Remind app:

   • For iOS: App Store
   • For Android: Google Play Store

2. Create an Account:

   • Open the app and create an account using your email address or phone number.

3. Join Our Class:

   • Enter our unique class code: @h2ofam
   • Alternatively, you can join by following this link: http://remind.com/join/h2ofam

By joining our Remind group, you’ll receive timely updates directly to your phone or email, ensuring you never miss an important announcement. We encourage all parents and guardians to join so we can maintain effective and consistent communication.

If you have any questions or need assistance with joining, please feel free to contact us at [email address] or reach out to any of the Booster Club officers.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to staying connected with you!

Use of Photographs

By participating in events and activities organized by the LHS Swim & Dive Booster Club, you acknowledge and agree that photographs and videos may be taken and used for promotional purposes on our website and social media channels. These images help us celebrate the achievements and community spirit of our team.

Consent

• Swimmers: Parents or guardians of swimmers agree to the use of their child's photographs by the booster club unless a written request to opt-out is provided.
• Board Members: Board members consent to the use of their photographs on the booster club’s website and social media channels as part of their role in promoting and supporting the club's activities.

Opt-Out Option

If you do not wish for you or your child's photograph to be used, please contact us via the Remind app or at info@lhsswimmingdivingboosterclub.org with your request. We will make every effort to exclude your images from our promotional materials.

Privacy Assurance

We respect your privacy and will not use photos for any purposes other than those stated above. No personal information beyond names and images will be shared without explicit consent.

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us highlight the wonderful moments of our LHS Swim & Dive community.

Important Notice About Liability Insurance

At this time, our booster club is in the process of raising funds to obtain comprehensive liability insurance coverage. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our members, volunteers, and participants.

While we work towards securing this coverage, we ask for your understanding and cooperation. Please be aware that participation in our activities and events is currently at your own risk. We recommend taking necessary personal precautions and remaining mindful of safety guidelines during our events.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we strive to provide the best possible experience for our community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Booster Club MOU Form 2024.pdf

Communication Protocol and Contact Information

At the June 11, 2024 Laramie High School Swim and Dive Booster Club meeting, it was resolved that all members, parents, coaches, and fans are encouraged to reach out to the booster club via email at info@lhsswimmingdivingboosterclub.org for any concerns, noted errors on the website or board documents, inquiries about fundraisers, or any other relevant matters.

This communication channel is established to facilitate efficient and effective dialogue between the stakeholders of the club and the board members. We welcome feedback, questions, and suggestions from our community to ensure transparency, accountability, and the continuous improvement of our operations.

Members of the booster club are encouraged to utilize this email address as the primary point of contact for any issues or inquiries they may have. The board will make every effort to promptly address all communications received through this channel.