1. SPECIAL OLYMPICS GEORGIA VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
GENERAL

2. MISSION
The mission of Special Olympics Georgia is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympics-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

3. HISTORY Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shiver in 1968
Special Olympics Georgia was chartered in The first event was held in Atlanta with over 500 athletes.
One of the largest Special Olympics programs in North America
27,115 athletes
25 Olympic-type sports offered year round
39,000 volunteers
5 State Competitions and over 500 local and area competitions offered
Over 200 programs

4. GENERAL SUPPORT Special Olympics Georgia is funded through:
Individual Contributors
Corporate Sponsorships
Special Events
In-Kind Donations
We are not a United Way agency and do not get funding from Special Olympics Inc.
Special Olympics Georgia is accredited under Special Olympics Inc. (SOI). SOI manages Special Olympics programs worldwide, including the United States programs and over 170 countries

5. GENERAL INFORMATION Athlete Eligibility
Diagnosed with intellectual disability, cognitive delay, or developmental disability
Ages 8 and older
Ages 2-7 can participate in training through Young Athletes Program
Cleared by a medical professional every three years
3 Levels of Competition
Local, Area, State competitions held all over the State each year
Types of competition – Individual, Team Sports, Unified Sports
Athletes are divisioned in competitions by age  gender  ability

6. SPORTS OFFERED Cycling Equestrian Flag Football Floor Hockey Golf
Ice Skating
Kayaking
Long Distance Running/Walking
Alpine Skiing/Snowboarding
Aquatics
Artistic/Rhythmic Gymnastics
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Bocce
Bowling
Powerlifting
Roller Skating
Sailing
Soccer
Softball
Table Tennis
Tennis
Volleyball

7. STATE GAMES Indoor Winter Games – January
Basketball, Bowling, Floor Hockey, Artistic Gymnastics, Powerlifting
Summer Games – May
Athletics, Volleyball, Aquatics, Tennis, Table Tennis, Soccer, Flag Football, Rhythmic Gymnastics
Masters Bowling – August
Bowling for athletes ages 22 and older
Fall Games – October
Bocce, Softball, Cycling, Golf
Horse Show – October
Western Riding, English Equitation, Showmanship,
Horsemanship, Working Trail, Unified Drill

8. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
The program transcends just sports competition. Special Olympics athletes are confident and independent. They have jobs, they make speeches, they live on their own, and they inspire others.
Physical: Physical fitness along with increased coordination, cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
Mental: Knowledge of rules and strategy along with increased self-esteem, self-confidence and pride.
Social: Teamwork, interaction with peers and people without intellectual disabilities, opportunity to travel and learn about other places and interests, family pride, and increased community awareness and acceptance.

9. TYPES OF VOLUNTEERS Coach State Games Volunteer
Games Organizing Committee Member
Special Event Volunteer
Local Coordinator
Local Management Team Member
Volunteer Coordinator
Office Assistant
Awards Captain

10. GENERAL GUIDELINES
Volunteers may hug an athlete only when the athlete initiates the hug
Volunteers should not disrupt competitions in any way
Volunteers should encourage, not coach, the athletes
Volunteers should be friendly, not threatening or harassing to other volunteers or staff
All equipment, banners, t-shirts, and other materials used during competition is the property of SOGA or participating agencies. Please do not take any of these items including the blue volunteer bibs, which must be returned to volunteer registration when you have completed your assignment.
A situation may arise that causes a delay in competition. Please be patient and understand that the SOGA staff is doing all they can to resolve any issues so that competition can continue. During any downtime, get to know the athletes.
And above all else, HAVE FUN!

11. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH ATHLETES
One of the biggest questions that new volunteers have is how to work with our athletes. If you are a new volunteer, here a few things to keep in mind:
Special Olympics offers competitions to children AND adults, so don’t assume that an athlete is a child. Make sure to talk to athletes like adults and with respect.
Many athletes like to hug, shake hands, give high fines, etc. You may reciprocate if the athlete initiates it and you are comfortable with that.
Some athletes are in wheelchairs – do not lean on their chairs.
Some athletes have speech impediments. If you cannot understand an athlete, ask them to repeat themselves or ask a coach or one of the athlete’s teammates to help you to understand.
There are some athletes that salivate excessively, are very stiff, or have other symptoms associated with their disability. Please do not stare.
Remember that respect of the dignity and effort of the athletes is the priority at Special Olympics. Pity is not part of the game.

12. NEXT STEPS Pick events to volunteer for
Take Protective Behaviors quiz online:
Perform Background Screen:
Contact Volunteer and Event Managers:
Liz Smith, ,
Paul McNeil, ext. 1116,

13. THANK YOU!! Thank you so much for reaching out to volunteer with
Special Olympics Georgia!
We are thankful that you are joining the 36,000 other volunteers in the state of Georgia.
Our athletes cannot show their abilities without your help!