National Volunteer Week 2025

As part of National Volunteers Month and National Volunteers Week April 27-May 3, Swim Ontario would like to thank our hard working volunteers who give their time and commitment to help our sport and community on a daily basis. We will be highlighting many of our wonderful volunteers over the next few weeks.

Everyone can make a difference.

Pick the place - and then act on the opportunities.

That has been the story about a woman from a small and historic community outside of Sudbury. Her name is Connie Zwarich. Her purpose in life, many would say, has been to learn to embrace so much - and do things for so many.

On the outskirts of a Northern Ontario city known for years as the nickel capital of the world, is a place called Minnow Lake. It’s the birthplace of Zwarich. One day, it would be nice to see a sign recognizing one of the most dedicated and genuine volunteers in the region.

Knowledgeable, kind, focussed and committed. Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when describing the many years of voluntary work and dedication that the 73-year-old has put out for swimmers of all ages.

She has, and continues, to make a difference.

Officiating at swim meets since late 1991, and not one to look for remuneration, Zwarich keeps reiterating one clear and succinct message.

“Swim meets don’t occur with the flick of a few fingers,” she said. “Lots of people are required to run a meet. Many officials are getting older, like me, and if we don’t get parents, and others, to step up then we could be in for a big surprise - fewer meets and opportunities for young kids to excel and become top notch international calibre swimmers.”

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Zwarich is not one for sitting around.

As a career elementary school teacher for 40 years, Zwarich took advantage of an opportunity to utilize her experience, skills and guidance – and beyond the traditional classroom. It was in the confines of a swimming pool.

Her children were always involved in various sports, and it was swimming that came to the forefront in the early 1990’s. Zwarich, having taken her daughter Natasha to a competition, remembers watching her first swim meet in North Bay.

“The viewing area at the pool was minimal and it became boring to watch – it was awful,” she recalled. “I wasn’t one for sitting around at the pool or even at home. I decided it was time to get involved.”

And so, she did.

Now a Level 5 certified swim official, Zwarich continues to enjoy her voluntary job. It’s one that continues to be rewarding - and in ways she never thought were possible.

“I enjoy (officiating) so much, meeting people, getting to know swimmers, having opportunities to give clinics and show others what the job of an official really, the expectations and the importance,” said Zwarich. “We volunteer and officiate for a purpose – not for recognition.”

When approached with a candid question about officiating and whether there is any form of impartiality, Zwarich had a crystal-clear answer.

“I am a normal person and have a job to do,” she said. “You do it – and do it well – or step aside. You can’t be half-hearted as an official. I try to be a mentor and want swimmers, parents and coaches, to know that I am around, available, and they can always come up to me.”

Ask Zwarich about questionable calls in her many years of community service, like disqualifications during swim meets, and she’s razor sharp with a response.

“You want swimmers to be the best,” she said. “If I disqualify a swimmer in a race, it’s usually because of something that a coach can correct. As an official, you need to be fair to everyone and can’t ignore things. If you can’t be honest, and do your job as an official properly, don’t volunteer.”

As a youngster, Zwarich learned how to swim in Lake Ramsey. She would go on to compete in relays for her high school, with freestyle as her primary stroke. There were never any plans to keep competitively. These days, she has a new, and major, responsibility as the official’s representative for the Northeastern Ontario region.

“I can’t say enough about how I enjoy officiating at swim meets,” said Zwarich, a former recipient of Swim Ontario’s Lifetime Achievement Award. “While I have had some great mentors over the years, I hope that I have made a positive difference. It means a great deal to me when parents come to me with praise.”

Zwarich is not one to tolerate grumbling at officials.

She makes it quite clear that they are volunteers – and many, like her, have gone through hours and hours of training, boosting skills and getting super-charged to take on an important function. Officials have sympathetic ears. They know their mission, purpose and are passionate about what they do.

Volunteers, like Zwarich, don’t just do the job. They make it work. Some see the role as it being a volunteer on a grand scale. Others call it a necessity – or events just don’t happen.

You’ve heard the name Martin Luther King Jr. Known for his leadership in the American civil rights movement, he also had some wise words that affect people in many ways.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is - what are you doing for others?”

National Volunteer Week is from April 27 to May 3. It’s a time to reflect on the exceptional impacts volunteers have on communities. In Canada, the theme is “Volunteers Make Waves” – an opportunity to highlight the power and impact of volunteer efforts.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.