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 29, 2008

STATE GAMES ARE HERE!!!!

Coaches,

We are all set for this coming weekend. Bus transportation and room assignments are now complete and we look forward to seeing everyone in Rochester on Friday afternoon. Your bus arrangements have been e-mailed to your head coaches. Please ensure that you have checked the times of departure and are at your pick up location well in advance. Your T-Shirts, room keys and wristbands will be waiting for you at the Holiday Inn upon arrival.

Secondly, we have also included the schedule for the weekend for your perusal.

Have a great weekend everyone and we look forward to a great games!!!

Program Meeting - Monday October 20th

The next program meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20th at 6:00pm – 8pm. This meeting will take place in Springville at the Microtel. This meeting will be open to all coaches as we will be conducting our seasonal wrap up meeting beforehand. 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. 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.

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