Get ready for an Adventure Around the World! 2016 Fall Festival Volunteer Orientation

Mission To provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. To give continuing opportunities to: Develop physical fitness Demonstrate courage Experience joy “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Impact Special Olympics has a direct and positive effect on the self-image of participating athletes and their ability to function in social settings. Special Olympics athletes perform better at school, work, and home the longer they participate in the program.

Fall Festival Villanova University has been the official host of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall State Games for 27 years. The Special Olympics Fall Festival at Villanova is currently the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world.

Volunteers This event would not be possible without our amazing volunteers. Let’s explore the roles of our volunteers throughout the weekend.

Volunteer Roles AwardsCompetitionBocce Long Distance Running/Walking Powerlifting Roller Skating SoccerVolleyballEvaluations Fans in the Stands Food Healthy Athletes Housing Media and Publicity Medical Security Transportation Unified

Awards Help celebrate the athletes accomplishments! Assist with checking in the athletes and their coaches and help with ushering, staging, and organizing medals during the ceremony. Great way to commend the athletes for all the amazing things they do.

Competition Cheer on the athletes Keep score and time Act as flag/line judges and fulfill any necessary sport-specific roles.

Evaluations Assess different venues through the weekend Provide feedback to improve Fall Fest Able to interact with athletes, other volunteers, and coaches throughout the weekend

Fans in the Stands Our new “Fans in the Stands” program creates an upbeat, inclusive atmosphere for both Special Olympics athletes and volunteers. Involves making signs, clapping, and cheering at the competition venues

Food Facilitating in dining halls, checking credentials Cafe Nova, Pit and Spit Great opportunity to interact with the athletes outside of competition

Healthy Athletes Health screenings for Athletes Strives to improve athletes’ ability to train and compete ability to train and compete Help to run a health clinic

Housing Patrols throughout the night to ensure that the athletes are safe Volunteers will get free rooming, transportation, and snacks Stays in hotel on Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday night Volunteer can commit to one, two, or all three nights Must have a background check

Media & Publicity Act as reporters, paparazzi, and fans Take pictures of athletes at their competitions Note: Media & Publicity volunteers must bring their own cameras!

Medical Stationed at each competition venue Responsible for attending to minor injuries Bandages and ice packs for cuts or bruises Must notify the medical committee via radio of any incidents of major injury so that EMS support can be dispatched CPR certification required

Security Dependable and flexible with time and duties CPR certification is preferable Responsible for monitoring competition for unsafe situations Work closely with Medical volunteers to ensure the safety and well-being of all athletes

Transportation Welcome athletes, coaches, and volunteers Direct vehicles into Main Lot Help to send volunteers and athletes to proper locations

Unified Sports New to Villanova Special Olympics Fall Festival Participate in competition alongside Special Olympics athletes Collaborate with committee members to run or supervise competitions

Volunteer Check-In Volunteer check-in is located in a tent outside the Jake Nevin Field House From here, you will be allocated to a volunteer venue & sign a waiver if you haven’t already

See you November 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th ! Contact us at: or