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Volunteer for the 2011 World Games in Athens
Special Olympics International has 250 volunteer assignments for people around the world during the 2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. These volunteers will pay their own way to get to and from Athens as well as their lodging while there, but in return, they are given the opportunity to receive the same training, transportation, meals, and uniforms as the local Greek volunteers.
The SOI International Volunteer opportunity is open to all SO Programs and the deadline is November 26. Nominations will be on a first-come first-served basis.
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Special Olympics Virginia's Grace Anne Braxton Excels on Woods Course
Grace Anne Braxton played in the Virginia State Golf Association Women’s Amateur Stroke Play June 16-18th at Kingsmill Resort. She finished 12th in the Second Flight and shot 94,88,87 on the Woods Course.
Read more about Grace Ann Braxton in a 2007 article from the VSGA and her take on the sport and Special Olympics, click here
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Special Olympics Athlete Makes Debut on Golf Channel
Special Olympics Global Messenger and SO Massachusetts golfer, Tyler Lagasse made his cable debut on the US Golf Channel. Lagasse talked about how he got started in the sport and the meaning of Special Olympics in his life.
To watch Lagesse's segment, click here
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Special Olympics Invited to the Vatican
Last month, the Knights of Columbus opened their museum exhibit the Vatican's Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy.
The final exhibition room contains memorabilia reflecting the relationship between Special Olympics and the Knights including a slideshow with several photos of Knights volunteering at SO events, as well as images of Mrs. and Mrs.Sargent Shriver.
Free tickets to the exhibit, which runs June 10-Oct. 31, 2010, are available to Knights of Columbus and their families who may be visiting Rome, through the Knights of Columbus Rome office.
Read the full press release from the Knights of Columbus, click here.
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GOA Study Finds the Need for More Athletic Opportunities for People with Intellectual Disabilities
"The results released on June 24 confirm the need for continued action and advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities. Specifically, the report noted that students with disabilities participate in athletics at consistently lower rates than students without disabilities...The findings also recognized the positive benefits sports participation bring to students with disabilities including health, social well being, and improved self esteem."
Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver confirmed, "Years of research and anecdotes demonstrate the desperate need for opportunities for people with disabilities and the dramatic impact experienced through participation in sport. The vast majority of Special Olympics athletes benefit from increased self esteem, self confidence, social relationships at work/school, and physical abilities."
Read the full report, click here.
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"Special Olympics Southern California: 40 Years of Changing Lives" Wins Tellys; Nominated for Emmy
The one-hour special from 2009, "Special Olympics Southern California" 40 Years of Changing Lives" has been honored with two Telly Awards and a Los Angeles Area Emmy. The program won a silver Telly in both the People's Choice and Social Responsibility catagories.Less than 10% of entries are chosen as winners of a Silver Telly--the highest honor.
The annual Los Angeles Area Emmy® Awards are given for broadcast achievements produced or solely financed and controlled by Los Angeles television stations or cable television systems. Special Olympics Southern California:40 Years of Changing Lives" is nominated in the category of LA Local Color. The 62nd Awards presentation will be held on July 31 at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood.
Find out more about the Telly Awards, click here
Read a full list of LA Local Emmy Nominees, click here
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MINUTES: Special Olympics US Leadership Council
Finance and Development Committee--May 4, 2010
Minutes are available by clicking, here
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Protective Behaviors Training Required Every Three Years
The current Special Olympics policy requires that all Class A Volunteers complete the Protective Behaviors Training at least once every three years, regardless of whether there have been any changes to the training. The purpose of this policy is to help protect Special Olympics athletes from sexual, emotional and physical abuse. Legal counsel has confirmed that this policy remains in effect. In addition, taking Protective Behaviors Training counts toward the SONA Coach Education recertification.
To read the full memo, click here
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Drew Choules Joins SONA as Healthy Athletes Manager
Drew worked the 2009 World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho as the Healthy Athlete Manager and has reprised her role for Special Olympics North America. Prior to the World Games, she worked for the State of Idaho Medicaid Transportation Department and graduated from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. Choules is currently living in Boise, Idaho and will be moving to DC in the Fall.
Drew Choules can be reached at dchoules@specialolympics.org.
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Important Update on the Philadelphia Insurance Company Agreement
"...As the conclusion of the current rate level agreement approaches, we are preparing to market certain SOCIP coverages to qualified insurance companies who express an interest in providing coverage to Special Olympics. This process will ensure that Special Olympics continues to secure the broadest coverage at the most competitive pricing. It is important to note, however, that there are only a small number of insurers with the willingness and ability to meet the specialized insurance needs of Special Olympics. In addition, we anticipate some new challenges with the 2011 renewal as a result of significant, adverse loss experience under the auto policy..."
Read the full memo, click here
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Michael Sarver to Perform at Opening Ceremony of 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games
"Michael Sarver's in Nashville this week, recording a song for Special Olympics. He'll perform the song, a tribute to founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, at the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Special Olympics National Games in July in Lincoln, Neb. 'I don't know if I was the last man on the list or if they thought I was the right guy for the job, but they called and said, 'We think Michael should sing this song.'
...Nashville's getting to be a regular stop for the singer, who finished 10th during American Idol's 2009 season. 'I want to be a part of everything they'll let me be a part of," he says.'"
Read the full USA Today article, click here.
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US Representative Matt Millet Leaves for Unity Cup
Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete, Matt Millet, embarked on his trip to South Africa last week to represent the United States in the inaugural Special Olympics Unity Cup Presented by Coca-Cola, a global unified soccer match that will be played just prior to a FIFA World Cup™ quarterfinal match at Cape Town Stadium.
Watch ABC coverage of Millet's story and send-off, click here.
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Tim Shriver Unveils Five-Year Plan to Rebuild Special Olympics Haiti through Camp Shriver
Special Olympics Team USA Selection Underway!