Volunteers
 

April 27th through May 3rd is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. On behalf of all of us at Special Olympics Massachusetts, thanks to all our volunteers who donate their time to provide excellent opportunities for our athletes!
 

As of November 1, 2007, all Class A Volunteers (coaches, unified partners, games management team members, and medical volunteers) as well as SOMA Staff must complete protective behavior training before they may volunteer at an event. Please click here to begin the training.
 

Volunteers are the backbone of Special Olympics Massachusetts. Volunteers enable SOMA to offer sports training and competition programs to nearly 9,300 athletes in the state of Massachusetts on a year-round basis. SOMA could not exist without the tremendous support of nearly 10,000 dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers increase integration and socialization opportunities for SOMA athletes. The dedication of volunteers provides mainstreaming experiences for athletes.

Volunteers include students, business people, family members of athletes, corporate teams and many others. Volunteers fill a wide variety of roles for Special Olympics programs for coaching, area management teams, fundraising, timekeepers and judges.

Sports Training

• Coaches

• Obtain equipment for athletes

• Train individuals with more severe handicaps through the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP)

Competitions

• Organize special events

• Assist with registration, meals, public relations, time and score keeping

• Serve as Games Directors or on management teams

Fundraising and Public Awareness

• Assist with fundraising projects

• Help with special events

• Train Special Olympics athletes to give presentations in public

• Assist with outreach programs