General Orientation for Families

Vermont

Special Olympics Vermont

Worldwide Movement

SOI paradigm shift

SOVT within the Movement

WE are Special Olympics

170 Countries 270,000 Coaches 805,000 Volunteers 3,750,000 Athletes 49,778 competitions ~ 136 per day

Worldwide Movement

3 / Special Olympics Vermont

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder

1963 – Starts a day camp

1968 – First Games in Soldier Field, Chicago 1,000 athletes

25 states and Canada

1971 – December 1971The U.S. Olympic Committee gives Special Olympics official approval as one of only two organizations authorized to use the name “Olympics” in the United States

Vision


The Special Olympics Movement unlocks the joy of sport to inspire people throughout the world to open their minds to human giftedness, to accept, include and value people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of life, and thereby unite people in a shared belief of a more just and welcoming world.

Mission

The mission of Special Olympics 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 friendship with their families other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Statement of PurposeFarmer’s Market Speech


Special Olympics Vermont is part of a global movement that works year round to foster acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities by using the power of sport to showcase their gifts and abilities.

Unique from Other Sports Organizations


• Sports opportunities for all ability levels

• Division for equitable competition

• Awards for all participants

• Random draw for advancement to higher levels of competition (National/World Games)

• No fees charged to athletes or family members

Statement of Eligibility


• Persons with intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability (Identified by agency or professional)

• Aged 8 years or older 2-7 Young Athletes Program (YAP)

• Registered with Special Olympics to participate

The Resulting ScaleThe Resulting Scale

3.75 million athletes participating in training and games on a global scale

The world’s leading public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities

A culture of athlete leadership

The world’s leading voice in elevating awareness of the needs and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities

More than an event… a MovementIt’s one thing to change a life.

Imagine changing a mindset. “We’re not leading a program; we’re leading a movement—

some say a civil rights movement of the heart—powered by sport.”

Timothy Shriver - opening address to the 2010 Global Congress

Defining our Brand

Athlete Experience

Advance Quality Sports &

Competitions

Build Communities

Connect Fans & Funds

Develop Movement Leadership

Establish Sustainable Capabilities

Special Olympics Foundation:Mission, Values and Model of Change

Movement’s Strategic Plan

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Organization

Organizational Structure

Local Athletes & Coaches

Area/County Local/School Programs

52 United StatesProgramsSOVT

NorthAmerica

SONA

Special Olympics, Inc.Headquarters, Washington, DC

SOI

Canada Caribbean

Africa Asia-Pacific

Europe-Eurasia

LatinAmerica

Middle East-North Africa

Special Olympics, Inc.Board of Directors

Global

Regional

National

Local

East Asia/ China

SOVT Organizational Structure


President & CEOLisa DeNatale

Marketing & Development

DirectorChris Bernier

Special Events ManagerLiza Reed

Office AssistantBecky Cross

Finance ManagerWendy Kenny

Director of Programs

Michelle Gates

Families and Athletes

CoordinatorKelly Wilkins

Sports Manager

Chris Langevin

Board of Directors


Determines statewide policies and provides financial oversightComprised of business and sports leaders, athletes, families, family members, educators and experts in intellectual disabilities from Vermont.

Officers Nicole Andreson, Chair Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.CJeff LaBonte, Past Chair Hickok & Boardman InsuranceTom Nold, Treasurer Shelburne FarmsTimothy Lewis, Secretary University of Vermont

Board MembersMeredith Austin Champlain Investment PartnersDr. Stephen Contompasis University of VermontJoel Desautels PT 360Bethany Dubuque People’s United BankCindy Elcan United Way of Chittenden CountyGrace Lynch Champlain Valley Oral & Maxillofacial SurgeryKelly Griffin Burton SnowboardsMarge McDonnell Green Mountain Coffee RoastersLois Nial Champlain Valley Fairgrounds Cheryl O’Toole Fletcher Allen Health CareKevin Plette Burlington School DistrictBruce Schrack State of VermontMary Lafountain Vermont Sun Fitness Center , Athlete Representative

Volunteers

Training

Public Relations

Fund-raising

Officiating

Management Team(Area/County & State)

State Board Member

Office Support

Partners Club Member

Event Volunteer

School/Agency Coordinator

Games Mgmt Team(Area/County & State)

Coaching

Unified Sports™ Partner

Chaperoning

Recruiting Athletes,Families & Volunteers

Medical Support

Special Olympics is the LARGEST Volunteer Driven OrganizationIn The WORLD

Program Infrastructure


Local Programs Traditional and Unified Sports® Total: 21 – community based

School Unified Programs Elementary through high schoolTotal: 34 statewide

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Special Olympics Vermont MovementOverview of Special Olympics Vermont History, mission, facts and vision.

Special Olympics Vermont History


• Established February, 1971• 1971 State Track & Field Games; more than100 athletes• 1981 International Winter Games – Smugglers Notch• 1990 First School Unified Sports program; 3 schools• More than 935 athletes & 450 partners • More than 1700 registered athletes eligible to compete• 54 programs• More than 1500 volunteers annually

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Sports and Competition

Sports Rules


• Based on international and national governing body rules

• Contains few modifications

• Provide sports and events for all ability levels, including skills

• Govern all Special Olympics competitions

Proven Benefits


• Improved strength, stamina & motor skills

• Improved self-esteem & self-confidence

• Healthy, skill-dependable employees

• Greater independent participation in community

Sports Offered in Vermont (12)

* School Unified Sports


Alpine Skiing Cross

Country Skiing

Aquatics

Golf

Athletics

Snowboarding

* Basketball

* Snowshoeing

* Bocce

* Soccer

* Bowling

Softball

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• Healthy Athletes

• Project UNIFY

• Young Athletes

• ALP’s

•Families

Athlete-Centered Programs

Healthy Athlete Program


Health Promotion – screening that offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation and physical fitness

Opening Eyes – vision and eye health screening in partnership with Lions Clubs International Foundation (coming soon to VT)

Fun Fitness – physical therapy screening program

Special Smiles – free dental screening, oral health information, and instructions on brushing and flossing properly


Young Athlete Program

Young Athletes engages children with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities. The activities are designed to foster physical, cognitive, and social development.

YAP welcomes family members of children with intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support; and raises awareness about the abilities of children with intellectual disabilities through inclusive peer participation.

Young Athletes seeks to offer families a community network experience that supports the development of their young children.


Project UNIFY• More than Unified Sports® • Youth centered initiatives to

promote inclusion throughout schools– Get into it

• Service – Learning Curriculum

• Developed with the DOE and endorsed by IDEAs that Work

– Youth leadership• Youth Activation

Committees, rallies and Summits

– R-Word Campaigns– Fans in the Stands– Partners Clubs

Athlete Leadership Program

29 / Special Olympics Program Name

Governance

Healthy Lifestyles

Technology

Global Messenger

Fundraising

Athlete as Coach, Official or Volunteer

ATHLETEInput

Council

Families


• SOVT Welcome brochure- overview of programs• SOVT Welcome folder- explanation of programs & offerings, area to insert additional information requested by new families or athletes• Family registration table at Summer Games, welcome & distinguish families,help families locate their competing athletes

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Fundraising

Penguin Plunge


• Largest fundraising event series• Raises nearly half of the annual operating budget

• Attracts 1,500 Plungers, numerous sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers

Grassroots


Variety of Community based events that raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Vermont

SOVT is entering its third year as an official Miles for a Mission partner of Run Vermont for the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and Relay

BOD Golf Tournament


In July each year, the Board of Director’s host their annual fundraising golf tournament. This event includes:

- 18 Holes of Golf- BBQ lunch- SOVT athletes playing and leading contests- Silent Auction- Raises $15,000+

LETR – An International Partnership


The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is to increase awareness and raise funds for the Special Olympics movement. It is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics world-wide.

Since its inception in 1981, the LETR has grown extensively with more than 142,000 volunteers spanning 48 countries, and raising more than $414 million for the Special Olympics movement.

Fundraising is only part of what the officers involved with the initiative give to the movement. Our athletes say law enforcement officers are truly supportive of the cause – extending to them friendship, acceptance and encouragement.

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Thank you.

General Orientation for Families

Sports

Transcript of General Orientation for Families