welcome!! general volunteer orientation - special ... volunteer orientation special olympics...
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WELCOME!!
General Volunteer
Orientation
Special Olympics Colorado
The mission of Special Olympics Colorado is
to provide year-round sports training and
athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type
sports for children and adults with intellectual
disabilities, giving them continuing
opportunities to develop physical fitness,
demonstrate courage, experience joy and
participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and
friendships with their families, other Special
Olympic athletes and the community.
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Athletes, Coaches and Officials Oath
• Athlete Oath
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be
brave in the attempt.”
• Coaches Oath
“In the name of all coaches, we shall follow written and
verbal instructions of Special Olympics officials at all times, have our
athletes at the appropriate events and activities at the proper time
and abide by the rules and policies, in the spirit of sportsmanship.”
• Officials Oath
“In the name of all judges and officials, we promise that we shall
officiate in these Special Olympics Games with complete impartiality,
respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the spirit
of sportsmanship.” 3
Regional Map and Contacts
State Office:
384 Inverness Parkway, Suite 100
Englewood, CO 80112
www.specialolympicsco.org
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1. Denver Metro Region
Freda Davenport, Regional Manager
P: 720.359.3114
2. Mile High Region
Samuel Miller, Regional Manager
P: 720.359.3104
3. Northeast Region
Jan Radnoti, Regional Manager
P: 970.776.4347
4. Southeast Region
Jolie Nesmith , Regional Manager
P: 719.574.8480
5. Western Region
Julie Fite, Regional Manager
P: 970.945.0395
History of SOCO
• SOCO held it’s first event in 1969 at Aurora Hinkley High
School with 400 athletes.
• SOCO is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics
Inc. and is officially recognized by the U.S. and International
Olympic Committee.
• We currently serve more than 16,000 athletes in Colorado
with the potential of reaching 70,000.
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Special Olympics International
• Special Olympics is an International Organization reaching
150 countries and over 1 million athletes around the world.
• SOI was started in 1963 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, when
she created a day camp for children with developmental
disabilities.
• The first Summer Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field
in Chicago for 1,000 athletes.
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What Makes Special Olympics
Different?
Free to all athletes
Division by abilities
Awards for all athletes
Criteria for advancement
Opportunities for all abilities
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Who Participates in Special Olympics
Colorado?
• 16,384+ athletes
• 9,170+ volunteers
• 1,146+ Unified Sports™ Partners
• 1,000+ Coaches
• 2,265 Young Athletes
All statistics are based off of the November 2014 dashboard.
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Athlete Eligibility
• Must have medical/physical form completed by a medical
professional identifying disability/delay, medications, etc.
• All athletes must be 8 years of age or older to compete in
traditional SOCO programs.
• All athletes are required to train for at least 8–10 weeks prior
to the competition.
During training, athletes develop fitness, sports skills and
learn rules and sport strategies.
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All Special Olympics athletes and Unified Sports® Partners agree to a code of conduct that
outlines expectations for sportsmanship, training and competition, and personal responsibility.
Sportsmanship
• I will practice good sportsmanship.
• I will act in ways that bring respect to me, my coaches, my team and Special Olympics.
• I will not use bad language.
• I will not swear or insult other persons.
• I will not fight with other athletes, coaches, volunteers or staff.
Training and Competition
• I will train regularly.
• I will learn and follow the rules of my sport.
• I will listen to my coaches and the officials and ask questions when I do not understand.
• I will always try my best during training, divisioning and competitions.
• I will not "hold back" in preliminaries just to get into an easier final heat.
Responsibility for My Actions
• I will not make inappropriate or unwanted physical, verbal or sexual advances on others.
• I will not drink alcohol, smoke or take illegal drugs while representing Special Olympics at
training sessions, competition or during Games.
• I will not take drugs for the purpose of improving my performance.
• I will obey all laws and Special Olympics rules.
I understand that if I do not obey this Code of Conduct my Program or a Games
Organizing Committee may not allow me to participate.
Athlete Code of Conduct
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• Year-round/4 seasons
• 22 sports
Winter Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Snowshoeing, Snowboarding
Spring Aquatics, Athletics, Gymnastics, MATP, Powerlifting, Soccer
Summer
Bocce, Cycling, Golf, Softball, Tennis
Fall Bowling, Flag Football, Volleyball, Equestrian (Western Region only)
Sports Offered at SOCO
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SOCO Competitions
• SOCO provides fair and meaningful competition, athletes
are divisioned based on gender, age and ability.
• Special Olympics aims to provide a variety of competition
opportunities for athletes of all abilities by offering official
events of various degrees of difficulty and challenge.
• There are also events for athletes who use wheelchairs. The
Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) provides
participation for individuals with mental retardation and
disabilities requiring the greatest assistance and support.
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SOCO Competitions
• At each event, (regional, state, National and World Games)
Special Olympics offers sporting events, social events and
ceremonies for the athletes.
• In order to compete at a State Level event, an athlete must
compete at the Regional Level event for that sport.
• Advancement to National and World Games is based on a
random draw of Gold Medal winners from that year’s state
event.
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Events and Programs
• Statewide Events
SOCO offers 120 events throughout the year.
There are 6 state events (Winter Games, Summer Games, Summer
Classic, Fall Classic, State Flag Football and State Basketball).
• National and International Events
Team Colorado sent 27 athletes and 7 coaches to the 2010 USA National
Games in Lincoln, Nebraska from July 18-23rd .
Special Olympics Inc. hosts World Games every other year.
2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
• Competition
Events take place in 5 regions throughout CO (Mile High Region, Denver
Metro Region, Western Region, Northeast Region, Southeast Region).
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SOCO Volunteers and Families
• Volunteers
– Each year more than 9,000 volunteers share their time,
experience and energy.
• Families
– We serve as a social outlet for the families of our athletes.
– We are a reliable source of valuable information for parents
and loved ones.
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Program Volunteer Opportunities
• Coaching/Coaches Assistant
• Regional Management Team
• Officiating
• Administrative support
• Day of Event
• Fans in the Stands
• Unified Sports™ partner
• Games Organizing Committee
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JOB DESCRIPTION TIME COMMITMENT
Day of Event
Class B Volunteer
Help out the day of an event or
competition by volunteering in a variety of
different tasks
1-3 days/event
Coaching
Class A or Class A Youth Volunteer
17 years of age and younger
Work directly with athletes to improve
their skills in specific sports. SOCO offers
20 different team and individual sports
Around 2 hours per week, 8
weeks prior to a competition
Unified Sports® Partner
Class A or Class A Youth Volunteer
17 years of age and younger
Train and compete as a teammate on a
Unified Sports Team with Special
Olympics athletes
Around 2 hours per week during
sports season
Games Organizing Committee The GOC is responsible for the
organization and implementation of a
Special Olympics competition at the
regional or state level
1-2 hours every other week;
Starts 3-4 months prior to an
event/competition
Regional Management Team Assist in year-round organizing and
developing SOCO programs in your
community including training,
competition, public relations, volunteers
and families
2-4 hours per week; Year round
Fundraising Assist with planning and conducting of
state and regional fundraising events Varies
Officiating Work as an official or judge at SOCO
competitions/events 1-3 days/event
Administrative Support Assist with data entry, mailings, office
tasks and other small assignments Flexible
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Unified Sports®
• Unified Sports® is a program that combines approximately equal
numbers of Special Olympics athletes with peer athletes without
intellectual disabilities on sports teams for training and
competition.
Unified Sports® expands sports opportunities for athletes
seeking new challenges
Partners train and compete right alongside Special Olympics
athletes
• All players (Athletes and Unified Partners) are of similar age and
ability. Athletes in this program need to have the necessary skill
level to participate in the sport so they can be appropriately
matched with Special Olympics athletes.
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Special Olympics Colorado Coaches
• Anyone interested in becoming a coach must first complete the Class A Volunteer application and Protective Behaviors Quiz.
• Coaches volunteer approximately eight weeks, two to four hours per week.
• Unsupervised coaches must be at least 16 years old.
Volunteers under the age of 16 may coach with the supervision of a guardian.
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Coaches Training
• Starting in 2012, all teams who register MUST have a certified
coach on the roster.
• Coaches Training is offered on-line (www.specialolympicsco.org)
year-round for all sports.
• Specific Sports Skills Hands-On Workshops are also offered on a
rotating basis.
• There are three levels of Coaching for Special Olympics Colorado
Level I – Assistant Coach
Level II – Head Coach
Level III – Master Coach
• For more information on upcoming coaches training please visit
our website at www.specialolympicsco.org or contact Susan
Foege, Competition and Training Manager,
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Additional Programs
Project UNIFY
Activate youth around the State to develop
school communities where all young people
represent change and advocacy for people
with intellectual disabilities.
Young Athletes Program (YAP)
Sports play program for children, ages 2 ½
through 7, with intellectual disabilities.
Global Messenger Training
Provides athletes with presentations skills
to represent Special Olympics Colorado.
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Training Teams
Training Teams give young athletes an opportunity to still be a part of Special Olympics Colorado, to learn about the
different sports that we offer and to build relationships with other athletes, coaches and family members.
• Training Teams are teams who train but are too young to compete.
The athletes will still be a part of the team and practice with others who are their ability level, however, they will not compete at tournaments until they are 8 years old.
Special Olympics Colorado Training Teams are for those athletes who are 5, 6, or 7 years old.
• Training Teams will train along side and often with our local program teams.
• Training teams will follow the same seasonal schedule and will be offered for all sports.
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Marketing and Development
Volunteer Opportunities
• Professional Photography
• Special Event Organizing Committee
• Graphic design
• Administrative assistance
• Special Event Fundraising
Polar Plunge, Tip A Cop
FirstBank Denver Golf Tournament
Law Enforcement Torch Run
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Marketing and Development
Department
Fundraising
• Individual donations
• Corporate donations
• Grants/Foundations
• Special Events
• Tax Check Off
Public Relations
• Media Releases
• Public Awareness
• E-Newsletter
• Website
• Social Networking,
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Volunteer Applications
• Class A
Coaches, Unified Sports™ Partners, those handling over $5,000.00
at one time, Chaperone, Local Program Coordinator, Driver, Athlete
Leadership Programs, Fundraising
Requires background check (SS# and Drivers License)
• Class B
Day of event/competition, Officials, Fundraising, Office Support
Both Class A and Class B Volunteers must present a photo ID
when registering the day of an event!!
• State and Regional Games Registration
Registration form is required for State Games
Registering for individual games and specific assignments at the
games (souvenirs, hospitality, support services, awards, etc.)
A confirmation email will be sent with volunteer assignments and
details for all State Games 25
Protective Behaviors
Training and Quiz
Purpose: Prevention of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional abuse within Special Olympics Colorado
All Class A volunteers must take the Protective Behaviors Training and Quiz
• Visit www.specialolympicsco.org. At the top of the homepage click on Volunteer. This will take you to the volunteer page.
• In the middle of the page, under Class A Volunteer, there is a link to the Protective Behaviors Quiz.
• Click on the link and it will take you to the Protective Behaviors site. Then it will ask if you wish the undertake the training. Click on it and it will take you directly to the online training.
• Read through the slide presentation and complete the ten question quiz at the end.
• After answering all of the questions click the button Check My Answers. If any of the answers are incorrect, it will allow you to make corrections. Once they are all correct, hit the Finish button. Enter your contact information on the confirmation page and then hit the Submit button.
• Once you submit, an automatic email will be sent to SOCO confirming that you have taken the quiz.
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This is the code of conduct for Special Olympics volunteers.
As a Special Olympics volunteer, I agree that while serving as a
volunteer, I will:
• Provide for the general welfare, health and safety of all Special Olympics
athletes and volunteers.
• Dress and act in an appropriate manner at all times.
• Follow the established rules and guidelines of Special Olympics and/or
any agency involved with Special Olympics.
• Report any emergencies to the appropriate authorities after first taking
immediate action to ensure the health and safety of the participants.
• Abstain from the consumption or use of all alcohol, tobacco products
and illegal substances while involved with any Special Olympics event,
competition or training school.
• Not engage in any inappropriate contact or relationship with athletes,
volunteers or other participants of Special Olympics.
Volunteer Code of Conduct
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Working With SOCO Athletes
• Be yourself.
• Get to know the athletes by asking
about school, work, family, friends,
hobbies, etc.
• Use a normal tone of voice.
• Keep directions simple and clear.
• Encourage with hand shakes and
high fives (hugging and kissing are
not appropriate).
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What We Expect From You
• Enjoy your experience and have FUN!
• Set a good example for the athletes (no alcohol, smoking, or swearing).
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship and cooperation.
• Be observant and aware of the safety of the athletes.
• Refer to the athletes in PERSON FIRST manner.
• Be loyal to your commitment to SOCO.
If you have to cancel call your regional manager or
800-777-5767 to let someone know.
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Medical Emergency
• If you have a medical emergency…
Do not leave an athlete unattended. Send someone to
get help.
A medical person will be in attendance at all events.
Do not give any medications including aspirin. Send
athlete to a coach or family member.
Seizures: remain calm, stay with athlete, send someone
for help, and make athlete as comfortable as possible.
Call 911 if no one else is around.
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Volunteer Dress and Belongings
• Dress comfortably based on quick weather changes.
• Wear comfortable shoes, you will be on your feet most of the day.
• Drink WATER!!!
• Bring the essentials - water bottle, jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella, back pack to store your personal items.
• Must present driver’s license or photo ID upon check-in.
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SOCO could not provide enough
support to athletes without the
remarkable efforts that our volunteers
provide!
Any Questions?
Susan Foege
720.359.3116
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