1. SPECIAL OLYMPICS GEORGIA VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
STATE MASTERS BOWLING

2. OUR MISSION
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all 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 Olympic athletes, and the community.

3. STATE MASTERS BOWLING
More than 1,200 Athletes, Unified Partners, and Coaches from around the State compete in traditional and unified bowling at the Masters Bowling Tournament
Over 500 volunteers will be on hand the weekend of the tournament.
Competition begins on Friday and ends Sunday with the Opening Ceremony Friday evening

4. GENERAL INFORMATION
Athletes will compete in bowling in Warner Robins GA
Two venues: Gold Cup Bowling Alley, Robins AFB Bowling Center
Masters competitions are for adults only, so all athletes bowling in this tournament will be 22 years or older.
Official events of the tournament consist of individual ramp bowling, singles bowling, and unified team bowling (unified teams consist of two registered Special Olympic athletes and two unified partners).

5. OFFICIAL BOWLING RULES
Competition will follow the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) rules.
All athletes/teams will bowl three games (10 frames per game).
Competition is in league bowling style meaning athletes will alternate lanes after each frame (singles and team only)
Ramp bowlers will NOT alternate lanes. Ramp bowlers include those athletes in wheelchairs, the visually impaired, and only those ambulatory athletes with conditions too severe to allow for sufficient balance. Ramp bowlers will have the use of a ramp when bowling and lanes will be designated for their use.
Coaches, chaperones, parents, etc. are NOT allowed on the lanes during competition, except for ramp bowling. Only athletes bowling and volunteers will be allowed on lanes.

6. VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Lane Assistants
Awards
Opening Ceremony & Dance

7. LANE ASSISTANTS
The majority of volunteers that volunteer during the bowling competition will be lane assistants
Volunteers will be assigned to one lane and will receive their lane number when they sign in
Volunteers will also receive a pen or pencil and score sheet that lists each athlete bowling on that lane (there will be 1 – 4 athletes per lane)
Volunteers will make sure that the correct athlete is bowling during his/her correct turn
Volunteers will write down the final score of the game on the score sheets provided (games conclude after 10 frames are bowled)
Volunteers will record the final scores of all three games and then will take the score sheet to the lounge area
Volunteers will then wait with their athletes at their lanes – MAKE SURE ATHLETES stay at lanes – until group is called for awards

8. LANE ASSISTANTS
When you arrive on your lane, introduce yourself to your athletes. Get to know their names so that you know who needs to bowl when. ALL athletes will have a credential to help you keep track of who is who.
You do NOT need to know how to keep bowling scores – there are computers at each lane that keeps scores. Your only scoring responsibility is to write down the final score that the computer calculates after each game.
If there is a problem with the bowling lane (ball is stuck, system is frozen, etc.) you can find a bowling alley staff member who will fix it for you.
League Bowling rules apply! Athletes alternate lanes after each frame (except ramp bowlers). The computer will keep track of the switches so make sure that the name on the screen matches who is bowling.

9. LANE ASSISTANTS
Make sure that athletes do not wander off to avoid delays in games.
Only volunteers and athletes are allowed on the lanes!
Make sure to stay with athletes on the lanes until your lane is called for awards. When athletes wander around, it becomes hard to find them to receive their awards.
Your responsibility is to assist athletes on the lanes. Volunteers are NOT to go get food or drinks for the bowlers. If a bowler wants something from the stands, they need to ask their coaches or family members.

10. AWARDS VOLUNTEERS Volunteers assist with:
Escorting athletes from bowling lanes to the awards area
Assisting athletes onto awards blocks
Announcing the winners
Presentation of medals and ribbons to athletes

11. OEPNING CEREMONY & DANCE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Friday Evening
Volunteers:
Hand out program books
Escort attendees, greet athletes
Block aisles for the torch run
Hand out food and drinks during dance
Crowd control during dance
Clean Up – chairs, tables, trash

12. EXPECTATIONS WHILE 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.

13. GENERAL GUIDELINES VOLUNTEER BEHAVIOR
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!

14. VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
When you arrive, please make sure to sign in at the volunteer registration table at the front of the bowling alley
BRING ID
You will receive a volunteer lanyard and nametag. Please return your lanyard to the table after your shift
You will then participate in a small group training, where you will be assigned to specific lane or area
Any questions, go to volunteer registration table or a SOGA staff person

15. THINGS TO REMEMBER
Make sure to arrive at your venue on time! Competitions WILL start on time and all volunteers will be assigned before competition starts. If you are not present when instructions are given and volunteers are assigned, there may not be a volunteer spot for you.
Food will be provided at the bowling alley. You are welcome to use but please do so when there is a break in competition.
Water will be available at all venues.
You are responsible for your personal possessions.
Please dress appropriately & comfortably (t-shirt, tennis shoes, etc.)
Make sure to stay for your ENTIRE shift. Interruptions can cause major delays in competition. You are a vital part of how well the competitions run.

16. BE A FAN. BRING OUT THE CHAMPION IN EVERYONE..
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VOLUNTEERING AT OUR STATE MASTERS BOWLING!! WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE QUALITY EVENTS FOR OUR ATHLETES IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU!
For questions or concerns, please contact
Liz Smith, Volunteer and Event Manager
BE A FAN. BRING OUT THE CHAMPION IN EVERYONE..