Special Olympics New York Western Region: Western Region Program Report

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

~ Athlete Oath ~

Weekly Program Report:

This Week in the Western Region

Week of: September 9, 2008

DEMAND CASE SURVEYS

Coaches,

Thank you to everyone for getting in your State Games registrations – we really appreciate everyone’s commitment to meeting the deadline. Next up for state bound head coaches is our state games planning meeting on Thursday September 18^th. Due to requests by a number of coaches we will be conducting this meeting via conference call and I will be sending out all the details to head coaches later this week. If you are yet to send in your T-Shirt request for state games we must have these by the end of the week. Thanks in advance.

This weekend, we have two Western Region teams heading east for the Super Regional Bocce tournament in Rome. Good luck to both Grand Island and Alle-Cats. We wish both teams the very best of luck!

Program Meeting Monday- September 15^th

The next program meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15^th at 6:30pm – 8pm. This meeting will take place in Springville at the Microtel. Thanks to all those that have confirmed attendance. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Date for the planner – November 1st

Coaches,

Please make a note of our Western Regional bowling event. Once again we will be at Transit Lanes under the stewardship of Debbie Fleetwood. Last year training clubs brought the following numbers:

Niagara Orleans – 37

Chautauqua Lakers – 58

Alle-Cats – 46

Cheers – 10

Hits’ N Misses – 18

Lancaster – 6

Saturday/Sunday Bowling – 33

Cheektowaga – 8

Please e-mail me back over the next couple of weeks indicating if you need to increase or decrease your numbers. Based upon information form the Program Meeting and your input we will send out quotas the week before state games. Thanks in advance.

FUTURE CONFERENCES

NEXT CONFERENCE WILL BE IN DECEMBER 2008!!!!!

Why should you attend?

It is the quickest way to get all of the information pertaining to the region.
Update your existing certification and background check (needs to be done every 3 years).
Get certified in new sports or learn new coaching concepts in sports where you have previous certification.
Keep up to date with the changes at Special Olympics—learn the new concepts.
Complete online Protective Behaviors.
Get a free lunch!!!!
Meet all the amazing volunteers from around the region.
Coaches Recognition-attend 3 consecutive conferences and receive a great Special Olympics Coaching Bag

The Western Region hosts three Sports conferences per year at the beginning of each of our seasons:

MIMO…

E-MAIL RMITCHELL@NYSO.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Aarons and RAC promotion

Aarons and “Rent a Center are currently running a fantastic Special Olympics promotion in a great number of their stores across the state. Customer donations in the form of purchasing a “Torch Icon” directly support our athletes. If you are passing a store please stop in to say “thank you” to their great sales staff. In one store that we visited in Buffalo last Thursday, over 70 icons had already been purchased which I am sure you will agree is a phenomenal effort! Many thanks to Aarons and Rent a Center for supporting our fantastic athletes.

Upstate Fall Classic – September 20^th 2008

The deadline for the Upstate Fall Classic has now passed. Thank you so much to Cheektowaga, Buffalo Storm, PARC and The Lakers for getting in your registrations. A Bus has been booked for the 3 teams in the Buffalo area and a schedule of departure times has been sent to head coaches. The Lakers will also be utilizing a bus to get to the games and you should see Joe Trusso or Bob Goold for further details.

Online Calendar

The Western Region Calendar is now complete for the remainder of the year. Registration forms for Regional and Super Regional Events will be posted next week. To access the calendar please visit:

http://nyso.org/Western/Wcalen.php

Please ensure that this information is passed along to fellow coaches, athletes and families.

Meds and Consent Binder

Reminder: That the Med/Consent binder needs to be presented at the beginning of each event and be present at all training sessions/trips etc. This will be checked at registration on the day of the event and should include valid Meds/Consents for each of the athletes participating. If you do not bring your binder to the event we cannot allow your team/individual to participate.

Development

Western New York Polar Plunge – November 22nd

SAVE THE Date!

Saturday, November 22^nd, 2008

Beaver Island State Park

Grand Island, NY

When It’s ALL About Just Being Part of the Team!

Why Plunge?

IT’S A BLAST!

Come out and enjoy a fun day at the beach!

Want to stand out? Dress in similar colors, team uniforms or

design a costume theme that will highlight your team!

Large teams make for a fantastic media draw!

Visit www.specialolympicsny.org to register NOW!

Will your team be this year’s TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM?!

Ø Last Year’s Top WNY Fundraising Team: Splashin Snyders - $2,600+

Ø Last Year’s Top WNY Individual Fundraiser: Michael O’Byran - $1,200+

Watch live video of the FUN on You Tube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsnPvu4zx30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=041gXxc_QOQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULJ4vJG2Gqk

Once online you can:

Start your own fundraising page (really quick and easy)
Recruit plunge teammates
Download fundraising tips
Learn about special prizes
Read stories of past plungers!

This is a great way to support Special Olympics and also a fantastic opportunity for athletes and coaches to have a great time. For more information on this event please visit the website or contact Melissa Wiggins:

Melissa Wiggins

Associate Director of Development

Special Olympics NY, Upstate Region

Phone: 585.586.7400 Ext. 105

Fax: 585.586.7065

Email: mwiggins@nyso.org

Bikes and Badges

Bikes and Badges will be taking place on Saturday, September 13^th. For more information, please see the attached flyer above or contact Mwiggins@nyso.org