Metroplex Aquatics – 2026 Service Hour Policy


Metroplex Aquatics depends on the active involvement of its member families to operate efficiently and to successfully host swim meets and team events. To support these efforts, each family is required to complete annual service hours as outlined below.

For questions related to service hours, please contact the Vice President at metrovp@metro-aquatics.org.


Service Hour Requirement

  • Each family is required to complete 20 service hours per calendar year.
  • A minimum of 10 hours must be hands-on service hours, worked at Metro-hosted swim meets or other hands-on roles specifically approved by the Vice President.
  • Service hours are per family, not per swimmer.
  • Families may choose to pay $500 in lieu of completing service hours.

Calendar Year & Hour Reset

  • Service hours are based on the calendar year (January through December).
  • Service hours reset each January.
  • Service hours do not carry over from one year to the next.
  • Hours earned may only be applied to the current calendar year.

Viewing Your Service Hour Balance

Families can view their service hour balance by navigating to:

Home Page → Volunteer Events

Service hour balances display as follows:

  • 20 credit hours – No service hours completed for the year
  • 10 credit hours – 10 service hours remaining
  • 5 credit hours – 5 service hours remaining
  • 0 or negative credit hours – Service hour requirement fulfilled

Selecting the credit balance will display a detailed history of credited hours.

Prorated Service Hours for New Families

Service hours are prorated based on the month a family joins Metroplex Aquatics:

  • January–March: 20 hours
  • April–May: 15 hours
  • June–July: 10 hours
  • August–September: 5 hours
  • October–December: No service hour requirement

Missing Service Hours Fee

  • Families who have not completed their required service hours by December 27 will be charged a $500 service hour fee.
  • The full $500 fee applies regardless of the number of hours missing (e.g., owing 1 hour or 15 hours results in the same fee).
  • The fee will be automatically billed after December 27 and is non-negotiable.
  • Service hours completed after December 27 will not be credited toward avoiding the fee.

Returning Members & Leaves of Absence

  • If a family is active for only part of the calendar year (including medical leave), service hour requirements are based on the original join date, not the leave period.
  • If a family leaves and returns within the same calendar year, any remaining service hours owed at the time of departure are still required.
  • If a family leaves owing service hours and returns within six months in a new calendar year, the $500 service hour fee will be assessed.

Important Service Hour Guidelines

  • Service hours are per family, regardless of the number of swimmers.
  • Eligible family members (including parents, siblings, and grandparents) may earn service hours.
  • Service hours may not be transferred or donated to another family.
  • Service hours may only be earned for the actual time worked.
  • Service hours earned apply only to the current calendar year.
  • Spectators at Metro-hosted meets may check the volunteer desk for immediate volunteer needs.

No-Show Policy

Families who sign up for volunteer positions are expected to fulfill those commitments.

If a family is a no-show for a scheduled volunteer position without prior communication:

  • First no-show: 1 additional service hour will be added
  • Second no-show: 2 additional service hours will be added

Valid emergencies will not be penalized. To avoid a penalty, families must email the Vice President (metrovp@metro-aquatics.org) at least one hour before the scheduled start time.
Metro reserves the right to evaluate frequent emergencies and impose penalties as appropriate.

How to Earn Service Hours

Officer & Chair Positions

  • Metro Officers and Chairpersons receive full credit (20 hours) if the role is completed in full and as expected.
  • These positions open in October and are voted on by the Board at year-end.
  • Preference is given to families who have already fulfilled their service hour requirements.

Hands-On Service (Required Minimum)

  • At least 10 service hours must be hands-on, typically worked at Metro-hosted swim meets or in other approved roles.
  • Families joining later in the year may earn donation-based hours; however, remaining required hours must be hands-on.

Hospitality Donations

  • Hospitality donations earn 1 service hour per donation.
  • Maximum of 2 service hours per meet.
  • Maximum of 4 hospitality hours per calendar year.
  • Donations exceeding the annual limit are considered donations only and do not earn service hours.
  • Families are responsible for tracking eligibility; no refunds will be issued.

Charity Fundraisers

  • Charity events benefit organizations such as Samaritan Inn McKinney and Allen Community Outreach.
  • Maximum of 3 service hours per event.
  • Maximum of 6 charity service hours per calendar year.

Additional Service Hour Opportunities

  • Metro novice and regular swim meets
  • Metro Store volunteer shifts (limited availability)
  • USA Swimming officiating
  • Approved USA Swimming meets not hosted by Metro
  • SafeSport Training
  • 1 hour per parent completing Parent Training
  • 1 hour per swimmer (age 13+) completing Athlete Training
  • Maximum of 4 SafeSport hours per family

Non-Metro Hosted Events

Service hours may be earned at approved non-Metro USA Swimming events; however, high school-USA Swim meets do not qualify.

To receive credit, families must email metrovp@metro-aquatics.org with:

  • Account name
  • Name of the person who worked
  • Position worked
  • Actual hours worked
  • Photo proof (sign-in sheet, badge, timers’ sheet, or similar documentation)

Metro reserves the right to verify all submitted service hours. Any dishonesty will result in reversal of hours and restriction to Metro-sponsored service opportunities only.