Volunteering 101
AYSO runs on volunteer power. There are 220,000 volunteers around the country making sure everyone plays! AYSO volunteers are mostly parents of current players, but also siblings, grandparents, parents of former players, neighbors and even active players themselves. AYSO volunteers give each child the precious gift of their time.
AYSO is a family experience. As an AYSO volunteer, a parent gets to participate with their child and teach the values of giving back to the community. Sometimes it's the whole family with parents, siblings and grandparents all getting in on the act.
Coaching and refereeing may be the most visible volunteer roles, but there are many ways to help a team or Region. Many volunteer roles require small amounts of time, but are very valuable to the kids. There is an AYSO volunteer opportunity for everyone.
Volunteering should be a fun and fulfilling experience for you. It's a chance to learn something new, or an opportunity to use the skills you already have. Start out by finding a position or task that interests you. If it's a little more of a time commitment than you can offer, find another parent who can share the responsibility.
If after looking at this list of AYSO volunteer jobs and tasks, you are still too busy to take on a volunteer position but want to help - ask around. Someone always needs help making copies, dropping off flyers to schools or manning a registration table for a couple of hours. There is always something you can offer to help your team or your Region.
Here are some roles that Regions need help with and their estimated time commitment. Each Region is different so roles and time commitments will vary. Check with your Regional Commissioner (RC) or Volunteer Coordinator for how you can best help your Region and how much time it will take.
15 Minutes A Week
Role: Team Check-in
Tasks: Make sure each team is properly attired, without jewelry, and ready to play 15 minutes before the game starts. This is as simple as telling your RC that you will check-in your team and the opposing team. This will only take a few minutes of your day during a time that you are already at the field.
4-6 Hours Per Season
Role: Team Parent
Tasks: Assist the coach by making the snack schedule, distributing the uniforms and making phone calls for picture day, schedule changes, rain-outs, etc. You can cut down that time commitment by working with another parent.
2 Hours Per Month
Role: Team Parent Coordinator
Tasks: Be the point person for team parents. Give team parents all the information they need on how to distribute uniforms and teach team parents how to best assist coaches. This is a perfect position for someone who has been a team parent before and would like to try their hand at some thing new.
1 Hour Per Week
Role: Goal Maintenance
Tasks: Set up the goals before games and make sure the goals are safe and secure.
10 Hours Per Year
Role: Bilingual Interpreters
Tasks: Assist staff and parents communicate during the Registration process; help educate non-English speaking registrants on the AYSO Philosophies, and assist coaches in contacting non-English speaking players' households to relay details regarding practice and game schedules. Required Training: BASIC Course (one hour). Registered AYSO Volunteers can complete the BASIC Training online at www.aysotraining.org.
4-6 Hours Per Season
Role: Data Entry
Tasks: Assist the Registrar, Coach Administrator and Regional Commissioner with data entry, especially with entering player information during Registration.
8 Hours During Registration Time
Role: Assistant Registrar
Tasks: Assist the Region Registrar with registering players and volunteers.
12 Hours Per Year
Role: Special Events Coordinator
Tasks: Plan special events such as the SFAYSO end of season BBQ. Find a few friends and split up the tasks for the Special Events Coordinator, and each of you can take lead on a different event.
4 Hours Per Month
Role: Publicity Coordinator
Tasks: Serve as the Region's liaison to the media and school district. Design flyers for Registration, Opening Day and other special events. Distribute flyers to schools, supermarkets, doctor's offices, etc. Send press releases to local newspapers.
6 Hours Per Year
Role: Fundraising Committee Member
Tasks: Assist the chairperson in planning and implementing the fundraising activities.
2 Hours Per Week
Role: Newsletter Editor
Tasks: Collect stories and ideas from the Region Board. Write additional stories if necessary and layout newsletter. The time commitment can be cut down if you use a newsletter template (this can be found in Microsoft publisher or newsletter services such as Constant Contact), so whenever it's time for a new newsletter-all you have to do is drop in the information.
6 Hours Per Season
Role: Pre and Post Season Field Workers
Tasks: Help prepare the fields for the soccer season by assisting with the setup of equipment and field maintenance such as fertilization. Once the season ends, help take down equipment.