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.

2

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

4

1. Denver Metro Region

Freda Davenport, Regional Manager

P: 720.359.3114

fmd@SpecialOlympicsCO.org

2. Mile High Region

Samuel Miller, Regional Manager

P: 720.359.3104

smiller@SpecialOlympicsCO.org

3. Northeast Region

Jan Radnoti, Regional Manager

P: 970.776.4347

jradnoti@SpecialOlympicsCO.org

4. Southeast Region

Jolie Nesmith , Regional Manager

P: 719.574.8480

jnesmith@SpecialOlympicsCO.org

5. Western Region

Julie Fite, Regional Manager

P: 970.945.0395

jf@SpecialOlympicsCO.org

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.

5

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.

6

What Makes Special Olympics

Different?

Free to all athletes

Division by abilities

Awards for all athletes

Criteria for advancement

Opportunities for all abilities

7

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.

8

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.

9

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

10

• 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

11

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.

12

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.

13

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).

14

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.

15

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

16

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

17

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.

18

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.

19

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,

sf@specialolympicsco.org.

20

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.

21

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.

22

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

23

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,

Facebook

24

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.

26

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

27

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).

28

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.

29

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.

30

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.

31

SOCO could not provide enough

support to athletes without the

remarkable efforts that our volunteers

provide!

Any Questions?

Susan Foege

sf@specialolympicsco.org

720.359.3116

32

33