| Special Olympics New York Western Region Volunteer Newsletter | January, 2010 |
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Happy New Year from Special Olympics New York! You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in learning more about volunteering and other opportunities with Special Olympics New York. This newsletter serves to provide information on the latest volunteer opportunities, upcoming events or any other announcements. On behalf of the 40,000 athletes in New York; THANK YOU for your interest, involvement and support. | | Volunteer Opportunities | The following is a list of volunteer opportunities in the Western Region. We are going to an online registration process so for the events we need volunteers there will be a volunteer registration link. On the Western Region calendar of events (link to the right) you can click on the individual event and follow the link. Check out the Western Region Calendar for updates Scheduled competitions Saturday, Jan. 16th - Local X-Country ski and snowshoe, Jamestown Sunday, Jan. 24th - bowling competition, Thruway Lanes. Register HERE Sunday, Jan. 31st - bowling competition, Thruway Lanes Register HERE Spaces are limited so register early. Sunday, January 31st - Upstate Winter Classic, Amherst Pepsi Center -This event we are looking for individuals with figure/ice skating experience to assist in judging. We will provide everything you need including scoring levels and what elements to look for- very easy! The competition will take place from 12:15 PM-2:30 PM We also need FANS IN THE STANDS to help cheer on the athletes who have been training hard. All are welcome! If there is no volunteer registration link for an event please contact the regional office. | | Seasonal Conference | Many people have been asking about training and certification opportunities. This is a one stop shop! At the beginning of each of our 3 seasons we host a seasonal conference to kick of the season. At these conferences we hold a few sessions that help new volunteers start their involvement and also veteran volunteers the opportunity to attend an educational seminar we hold for everyone to attend (which also counts as a coach's re-certification) Our summer conference is scheduled for: At this conference we will be holding a general session (volunteer orientation) for new volunteers. This is a requirement for the certification process. It is a one time requirement. We will also be holding at least one sport specific training. You will also have the opportunity to meet other new volunteers along with veteran volunteers who can provide a lot of valuable information and tips. Mark you calendars now! | | Coaching Needs | In order to be able to sustain certain clubs and maintain required coach:athlete ratios we are always looking for new coaches to join a team or teams. Immediate coaching needs: Teams in the Erie County areas: Teams in the Jamestown area: Please contact me for more information about any of these sports | | | The following are some pictures from one of our past bowling competition in November. This is our largest bowling competition of the year.   | | Polar Plunge | This past December's Western Region Polar Plunge was our most successful one yet thanks to volunteers like you. We also had our largest turnout of brave plungers. 
If you missed the chance this year watch for information next fall so can be freezin' for a reason! To the left is Patrick, a Special Olympics athlete who took the plunge in December. | Steps to become a Volunteer | There are 3 main types of volunteers. 1. Day of volunteers: this is pretty self explanatory. You would volunteer the day of an event helping in some of the many opportunities available that day. There is no formal certification process for this type of volunteer. 2. *Type A volunteer. A Type A volunteer is defined as having regular contact with an athlete/athletes. This is required if you are working with any team. This process would only involve the first 3 steps of the coach certification listed in the next section. 3. **Coach. Becoming a certified coach opens the most doors for a volunteer. The certification process is laid out below in the next section. ** Certifications for Type A volunteers are valid for 3 years. We always offer a re-certification class at every conference. | | How to become a Coach | | I have been receiving A LOT of interest from people interested in coaching. As the number of athletes participating in Special Olympics grows, we are in need of more coaches to either help out established teams or even start new teams. I have spoken to many of you regarding this great opportunity. Below is some basic information regarding the coaching certification process. 1. Attend a general session ("Special Olympics 101") 2. Complete a volunteer application 3. Complete a protective behaviors online quiz 4. Attend a Special Olympics approved sport training in the sport you want to coach* 5. Complete 10 practicum hours working with another team 6. Turn in a coach certification application If you are interested in becoming a coach please contact me. Thank you to those who have contacted me already! *If you have extensive experience and knowledge in a particular sport, there is a process to become certified w/o attending the sport training. This is on a case by case basis. Please contact me to see what teams/sports may be in your area | | Sports Offered | Sports Offered through Special Olympics New York: Fall - Golf, Bocce, Roller Skating, Cycling, Softball, Equestrian, Soccer. Season runs from July-October. Winter - Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowshoe. Season runs from November to February. Summer - Aquatics, Track and Field, Basketball, Powerlifting, Bowling, Tennis, Volleyball, Gymnastics. Season runs from March to June. | | Athlete's Oath | | Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. |
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Shelby Baker
Director of Program
Special Olympics New York |
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| | | Get involved in other ways | Want to get involved with Special Olympics but don't necessarily have the time to coach?
There are many ways to get involved such as with fundraising, PR, assisting at events, being part of planning committees...
Please contact the Western Region Office to learn how you can bring your talents to Special Olympics! | | Event Coordinators | We are currently looking for organized, motivated and enthusiastic people to help coordinate an event or events. This is not a permanent position. Some examples of what one may do are: securing a facility if needed, working with facility staff or personnel, coordinating the day's schedule, determining volunteer needs and duties. We would provide training and of course assist you through the process. Depending on the specific event, the time commitment would be 15-30 hours per year. |
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