Michigan Victory Michigan Victory GamesGames

Volunteer Orientation

Who is the Games Director?Who is the Games Director?

Stella HuschStrive, Inc.

7183 N Main St., Suite EClarkston, MI 48346

shusch@striveonline.org(248) 922- 1236 ph/faxwww.striveonline.org

www.michiganvictorygames.com

What is Strive, Inc?What is Strive, Inc?

Strive, Inc. is a non- profit organization that provides individual and group recreational opportunities to individuals with disabilities.

Strive, Inc. offers partners with various other organizations to increase the recreational programs throughout Michigan.

How did Strive get involved?How did Strive get involved?

Although Stella Husch, Director of Strive, Inc, is the Games Director, the games are technically contracted out to Strive Inc.

Why? That way, the MVG can reap many benefits of having a “non- profit” status when fundraising and developing other programs that benefit athletes with disabilities.

What does the Games Director do?What does the Games Director do?

Games Director is Independently Contracted to run and organize the Michigan Victory Games.

The Games Director is NOT considered a member of the Michigan Disability Sports Alliance Board of Directors.

Games Director contract is usually valid for 1 year and a stipend is given.

History of the Games (cont’d)History of the Games (cont’d)

In 1985, the “CP games” started to include those with “Les/ Autres” which just meant those athletes who have another disability other than Cerebral Palsy.

To incorporate more athletes into the games, the “CP games” changed it’s name to “Michigan Victory Games” to ensure that athletes of all physical impairments could be included to compete.

Games Director tasks includeGames Director tasks include

Securing location of event.Update and collect all team/ athlete paperwork,

organize necessary items to run the MVG and implementation of the MVG.

Reporting monthly to MiDSA board of updates in preparation status.

Recruits and identifies Games Staff to run each individual venue (event) for the MVG.

At this time, Games Director also organizes volunteers for the MVG. The MiDSA board also helps to recruit volunteers for the MVG.

What is the MiDSA?What is the MiDSA?

The Michigan Disabilities Sports Alliance (MiDSA) is the governing body for the Michigan Victory Games.

The MiDSA actively recruit members to ensure that Michigan athletes with disabilities have a voice in regards to what the organization does.

The MiDSA board is elected for certain terms of office. Each board member attends monthly meetings and take on tasks to secure that the MiDSA is following out its members’ wants and needs.

Any current member of MiDSA can run for the Board of Directors.

MiDSA Board members include:MiDSA Board members include:

President: Mary Ann WeaverVice- President: Ryan HuschTreasurer: Lori SomaSecretary: Katie EllisAthlete Rep: Rafael Ortiz

Matthew Weaver Adam BrewsterMarissa SiebelMary Ellen ClancyAmanda LeyrerKyle Hosler

Michigan Victory GamesMichigan Victory Games

Michigan’s Premiere Sporting competition for athletes with Physical Disabilities.

It is NOT the special olympics.Not recreational in nature.Athletes are serious athletes willing to

work hard to continue to compete at other levels such as the World Games, National events and Paralympics.

Athletes must have a primary diagnosis of a physical disability.

History of the MVGHistory of the MVG

The very first MVG was held in 1976.

The MVG has been held in various locations throughout the years, including Wayne State University, Central Michigan University and Michigan State University.

It was first previously “coined” the Cerebral Palsy Sports Games as most of our athletes had Cerebral Palsy in the early years of the program.

History of MVG (cont’d)History of MVG (cont’d)

Since around 1993, the MVG has been at Michigan State University.

Stella Husch has been the director since 2007.

Most athletes and coaches have been active in the MVG for many MANY years.

Games StaffGames Staff

The Games Director is in charge of securing staffing for each event held at the Michigan Victory Games.

Often times, the staff are people (team coaches, board members and family) who have been more directly related to the games.

Sometimes, staff are also chosen from those who have stated interest increasing his/her involvement or those who have stated an expertise is a certain sport area.

How are coaches chosen?How are coaches chosen?

Each team head coach or manager is in charge of choosing the coaches for their team.

Some coaches are chosen by the independent athletes also.

If you are interested in becoming a coach, you can contact the teams individually to do so.

Most coaches for the teams are not paid and usually stay for the entire weekend of the MVG.

How do you join a team?How do you join a team?

Contact head coach of the team to see what your involvement can be.

Start your own team if you know of athletes with physical disabilities and become the coach.

Contact Stella Husch to see where you can be placed.

Can I start a team myself?Can I start a team myself?

YES!!!!!! We are always interested in increasing the numbers of competitors.

How can you start a team? Hook up with an organization (such as those

dealing with Traumatic Brain Injuries, hospitals, or others) to see if there are athletes that are interested.

Contact Stella Husch to get the paperwork. Have the athletes complete paperwork and turn

in. Develop your team dynamics as far as coaches,

volunteers, where to practice, etc.

What athletes are eligible?What athletes are eligible?

Those with:◦Cerebral Palsy◦Traumatic Brain Injury or Closed Head Injury◦Multiple Sclerosis◦Muscular Dystrophy◦Stroke ◦And other documented issues…

How are athletes chosen to fairly How are athletes chosen to fairly compete against each other?compete against each other?

Each athlete is “classified” into a proper athletic ability group. This ensures that there is “fair competition” between like- abilitied athletes in each event.

Classifications are divided into 2 groups:◦The CP class ◦The LA class (anyone who doesn’t have CP is

categorized here)Both CP and LA groups are then further divided

into classification numbers of 1 through 8 depending on ability.

The MVG numbers……..The MVG numbers……..

We have about 75 athletes that compete in our MVG.

Another 30- 40 or so coaches are involved with those athletes.

About 30 games staff.About 75 or so volunteers.Athletes and their coaches pay around $300 per

person to participate.All athletes and coaches are also required to pay

their MiDSA annual membership.

Events offered at the MVGEvents offered at the MVG

SwimmingSlalomIndividual, Team and Pairs BocciCross CountryBowlingPower liftingTable TennisTrackFieldCycling and Handcycling

Volunteer tasks are…..Volunteer tasks are…..

EquipmentRecord KeepingMeasuringTimingMarshallingRefereesRunnersAssist with MealsOpening/ Closing CeremoniesMiDSA StoreCommand CenterObserversDriversAides to Athletes

Equipment tasksEquipment tasks

Set up/ take down equipmentOrganize/ inventory equipmentShop for needed itemsHang BannersPut up signage throughout venues

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Write down measurements and times for the athletes

Input scores into main Command Center computer

MeasuringMeasuring

With direction from the Games Staff person for the event, you will be asked to “measure” the distance of implements that were thrown by the athletes.

Sometimes, asked to “mark” the exact location that the implement landed.

HOW TO MEASURE…..

TimingTiming

With direction of the Games Staff person of the event, you will be asked to use stopwatches to time the athletes speed.

Timers usually keep scores/ times and have to bring them to the record keeper to write down.

Events that use timers include: slalom, track, bocci, swimming, cycling, some class 1 events, hand cycling, and cross country.

How to time……………………….

MarshallingMarshalling

Gathering the athletes signed up for whichever event in a certain location/ area.

Announcing the event next on deck to be run.

Getting those proper athletes to correct locations at the appropriate time.

RefereesReferees

Understanding rules of event.Qualifying/ Disqualifying athletes

according to those rules.Manage appropriate event markers and in

bounds lines to compete in.

RunnersRunners

Assist in hands- on needs that may include communicating the needs of the event back to the command center

Running various tasks to places of interested as deemed by event coordinator

Running information to places of interest.

Assist with meal timesAssist with meal times

Assist athlete in need with meals.Tasks may include:

◦Helping carry or obtain their food/ drinks from the meal line.

◦Assist in cutting food to ensure safe consumption.

◦Possibly feeding an athlete if needed.◦Assist in clean up and help put trays back into

proper location.◦Assist in taking meal tickets on- site of those

who purchase meals independently.◦Assist in sales of meal tickets to family/ friends

who are hungry.

Opening/ Closing CeremoniesOpening/ Closing Ceremonies

Assist in planning of event as neededAssist in set up for eventAssist in clean upBe banner holder for eventDevelop/ create items as needed for eventHelping get athletes into ceremonies and

seated/ organized into the room

Command CenterCommand Center

Assist Games Director on tasks to be completed at Command Center

Assist with registrationLabeling placement ribbons/ medalsDistributing materials to athletes/ coachesInputting scores/ times into computerPosting resultsDistributing with parking passes/ meal ticketsVarious communication needsShoppingOrganization

ObserversObservers

Viewing during each event to make sure safety is always present

Stop traffic for road courses as neededWelcoming Assist in loading/ unloading of athlete or

organization equipment

DriversDrivers

Assist in transporting other volunteers/ coaches/ athletes/ games staff as need to various locations.

Hands- on aideHands- on aide

Assist in running or cycling with athletes during the event to keep safety precautions during event.

Assist in making sure athlete knows of proper direction of event course.

Ways to support MiDSA/ MVGWays to support MiDSA/ MVG

Family and friends support letterHungry Howie’s pizza fundraiserDonationsMarket and spread the word about the gamesStart a new teamGet more volunteers to assist. Lansing area

volunteers are DESPERATELY needed.Get your friends and family members who are

business members to purchase an advertisement in the program booklet or become a event sponsor.

What MVG costs the MiDSAWhat MVG costs the MiDSA

Total the games cost about $48,000.00Broken down to:

◦MiDSA pays approximately $5000.00 in just facility fees to host each athletic event.

◦MiDSA pays approximately $60.00 per night for each room used. (double occup.)

◦MiDSA pays another $25 per day for each person to eat during the MVG.

Any donations help to offset these costs.

MVG formsMVG forms

In case you want to know, we will review the forms that need to be completed by each athlete/ team in order to register for the MVG.

See me after

Questions?Questions?

Got any?????????????????