Sequence of events

Liaise throughout with HORR Computer computer people
Get in touch with a host (house at Barnes, ARA at Hammersmith) about two months before the race
Confirm arrangements with hosts a few days before the event
Build team of helpers in good time. In a team of 10, it is a good idea to have one or two new members each year, but experienced people are invaluable.
Prepare kit
The paper records should be headed differently for each timing point and stopwatch, or better still printed on different coloured paper, to help with sorting later.
Find out from HORR the time at which computers will arrive at a timing point and arrange to be there. This is normally about an hour a half before the race if it is in the morning, and maybe earlier for a late race. Assist Comms (who should also turn up early) in setting up the computer.
Establish with the team when they will arrive. Best to make it at least an hour before the race, to allow time to meet each other, practise, relax, watched the cruise going to the start.
Lead the team through the practice. This is essential, even for experienced people, to refresh memories.
Start the watches on a convenient hour, and least 20 minutes before the race is due to start. For a 1545 race, start the watches at 1500. If this point is missed, the next option is to start on the half-hour, slightly worse than that is on a 10 minute point.
There should be no need for many 'Management' decisions during the race, but occasionally things will go wrong, and action they be needed. (For instance, the team may have to be reminded that is too much talk is unhelpful. If communication between Spotter, Scribe and Stopwatch isn't running smoothly, quick and decisive action must be taken to remedy the situation. The race will not wait, and every time matters, so quick decisions and advice to the team may be needed.)
After the race, the timing area needs tidying.
Stopwatch times need to be downloaded onto the laptop and sent by e-mail to HORR, so they can be used in the preparation of statistics.
The team sometimes meets before the race or afterwards for a drink or a picnic, depending on race time.

You will be contacted by the team leader well in advance of the race.
Please decide whether you can help or not as early as possible.
Arrive in time for a practice session and to watch crews going to the start. This pre-race time is important, as once the race starts there is no opportunity to build an efficient team.
No need to bring any kit, except binoculars if you have them, and a mobile phone. It is helpful if your team leader knows your mobile phone number in advance.
There are several jobs to be done. Make sure that your team leader knows that you are happy to do. (For instance, if you are shortsighted, and can't use binoculars, don't allow yourself to be put on Spotter duty. If you are writing is very untidy, don't be Scribe!
All the jobs in the team are important. All three times, computer and two stop watches, are used when compiling the best estimates of times. The times produced by each team are analysed for reliability and accuracy.