Volunteer
Special Olympics Georgia is run almost entirely by volunteers. More than 15,000 volunteers are needed to help run 500-plus competitions throughout the year. We need a large and dedicated volunteer force to fulfill our mission for the athletes.
Volunteers take on numerous roles within the organization – from assisting with competitions and special events, to becoming certified coaches and serving on management teams.
Whether you can commit to a single afternoon’s event or to years of coaching a team, we have a place for you!
Volunteer positions available.
Sign up to be a volunteer:
Step 1: Read about protective behaviors with athletes.
Step 2: Take a 4-minute quiz at the end.
Step 3: Fill out this application and fax, e-mail or mail it to the state office.
Download volunteer packet. The packet includes: a Volunteer and Coach Profile form, a SOGA calendar of events, a SOGA fact sheet, a Special Olympics Young Leaders (SOYL) fact sheet, and a list of volunteer job descriptions.
Fax number: (770) 216-8339
E-mail: Leslie.Anderson@SpecialOlympicsGA.org
Phone: 770-414-9390 ext. 120
Mail: Special Olympics Georgia
c/o Leslie Anderson
4000 Dekalb Technology Parkway
Building 400, Suite 400
Atlanta, Ga 30340
*Be sure to include your email address, as this is how we communicate with volunteers.
If you have a group of people who would like to volunteer, please indicate that on your form as well. Once you return your form, you should start to receive regular updates concerning our upcoming volunteer opportunities by e-mail.
If you live outside Metro Atlanta, your information will be given to the SOGA Regional Manager in your area. That person will offer information regarding volunteer opportunities near you.
Coaches:
Our Special Olympians need proper training from devoted coaches and assistant coaches. Coaches go through a short training/certification session that will explain what is expected and what to expect during training.
Time Commitment: 1-2 times per week for 8-10 weeks prior to the state competitions
Skills: You DO NOT need to be an expert in the sport you coach. You only need a desire to work closely with the athletes.
Event Committee Members:
We have several fundraisers and special events that need planers, recruiters and participants. Whether it’s serving on the planning committee or organizing the day of the event, we have the job for you.
Time Commitment: About 2 hours once a month leading up to the event of your choice
Skills: Creativity and Organization
State Games Management Teams:
This is a team of individuals devoted to planning, organizing and implementing each of the 5 state competitions. We need volunteers to organize and plan every aspect of the state competitions – from the Athlete Dance to each sporting venue.
Time Commitment: Once a month for the 4 months preceding the competition
Skills: Creativity and a desire to try new things
Local Management Team Members:
The state is divided into 18 areas, with several local programs making-up each area. We need volunteers who are interested in providing leadership through service on a Local Management Team. These Teams organize and efficiently run the local or area Special Olympics program. From Public Relations to fundraising, there is a place for everyone!
Time Commitment: 2-3 days per month
Skills: Desire to lead and be creative!
Office Assistants:
There is always a need for assistance around our state office in Atlanta. Volunteers would work on mailings, phone calls, word processing, filing, data input and other tasks.
Time Commitment: Volunteers can select their hours and days Monday through Friday from 8:00-5:00.
Skills: Organization, phone courtesy, basic computer skills (not necessary)
Speakers:
We are always looking for volunteers willing and able to speak to our constituency on a wide variety of issues ranging from developmental disabilities to organizational skills. If you have the desire to grow the capacity of SOGA, let us know!
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours when giving presentations
Skills: Comfortable speaking to others, strong knowledge in one subject area
State Games and Events Volunteers:
Summer, Winter and Fall Games, Horse Show and Masters Bowling are the five state competitions. Volunteers are needed for jobs at each of these – from cheering on athletes during competitions, to assisting with equipment set-up.
Time Commitment: 2-8 hour shifts during the event(s) of your choice
Skills: There is a job for everyone at these events. The event-specific applications will ask you to indicate any specialized skills you may have.
Truck Drivers:
Occasionally our events and fundraisers require hauling bulky equipment in big trucks. While the SOGA staff has many specialized skills, driving 26 foot trucks is not one of them. We need volunteers with energy and truck driving skills.
Time Commitment: Varies, depending on the event
Skills: Experience driving large trucks
5K & 10K Race Volunteers:
We need volunteers for races throughout Atlanta that benefit SOGA. Volunteers staff water stations, registration, finish line and other race components while supporting Special Olympics Georgia.
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours the morning of races
Skills: There’s a job for everyone at the 5K events
Fans in the Stands:
Have you ever been in a serious competition? You probably know that fans encouraging you toward the finish link makes a HUGE difference. We need fans to cheer on our athletes by creating posters, banners and just making as much noise as possible.
Time Commitment: 2-8 hour shifts during the event(s) of your choice
Skills: Volunteers of all ages are welcome to come to competitions to cheer on our athletes
Duck Derby Committee Members
This year, Boccefest will be held in April and the Duck Derby is coming back to White Water in June, and we need your help! We are currently looking for creative and energetic individuals to serve on both committees to help organize the events. Meetings will be held once a month starting in February. Committee members will help market the event, sell adoptions/teams, and brainstorm ideas for sales locations and ways to advertise, etc.
OPPORTUNITIES for 2012
January 20 – 22 STATE INDOOR WINTER GAMES, MARIETTA
Over 1,500 SOGA athletes compete in basketball, bowling, power lifting, floor hockey, ice skating, gymnastics and roller skating.
February 18 POLAR PLUNGE, LAKE LANIER
Join us for this exciting event that has participants running into the freezing cold water at Lake Lanier all in the name of raising money for the athletes of SOGA.
March ART AUCTION, ATLANTA
The Art Auction is being held at a beautiful multi-million dollar home in Atlanta. Volunteers are needed to help with the house set-up and the auction. Volunteers must be 21 or over to volunteer.
April COPS ON DOUGHNUT SHOPS, STATE-WIDE
Cops all over the state will sit on Krispy Kreme donut shops to raise funds for SOGA. Volunteers needed to assist in fundraising. Locations include – Athens, Atlanta, Buford, Commerce, Duluth, Kennesaw, Lilburn, Marietta, Roswell, and Savannah
April 21 OVER THE EDGE, ATLANTA
This one is for those that would rather get their adrenaline rushes from watching others take all the risks – Over the Edge is a brand new event for SOGA that has brave participants rappelling down a building. Volunteers are needed to help with the day’s activities – and we promise not to send you “Over the Edge!”
May 18 – 20 STATE SUMMER GAMES, ATLANTA
We need Fan s in the Stands volunteers for Summer Games!!! Over 2,000 SOGA athletes come to Emory University to compete in athletics, aquatics, artistic gymnastics, badminton, soccer, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. Come out to cheer them on!!!
June 2 – 9 BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS GEORGIA – Chattanooga to Hartwell
Over 1,100 cyclists of all ages ride over 400 miles in 7 days. Volunteers needed to staff rest stops along the route each day.
June DUCK DERBY TAGGING PARTY, ATLANTA
Special Olympics Georgia needs your help to tag those rubber ducks that will be racing in the Duck Derby. We’ll have about 10,000 ducks to tag and we need plenty of volunteers, so come join us for this truly unique party!
June 22 DUCK DERBY, MARIETTA
Those yellow rubber ducks are returning to Six Flags White Water! Volunteers are needed to help with the race and to scoop those ducks out of the water. You MUST be willing to get wet for this opportunity and volunteers must be 18 or over to volunteer.
August STATE MASTER’S BOWLING TOURNAMENT, WARNER ROBINS
Over 600 adult SOGA athletes return to Warner Robins to compete in this annual bowling tournament. Volunteers are needed to help assist athletes on bowling lanes. This is your chance to work closely with our athletes and to see them at their best.
August STATE HORSE SHOW, PERRY
Volunteer for Special Olympics Georgia’s most unique state competition! Event features dressage, showmanship, walking trails and English/Western style riding
September SAILING REGATTA, LAKE LANIER
SOGA partners with the Southern Sailing Club to host this annual fundraiser. Volunteers needed to staff registration, reception and the race. Volunteers must be 21 or over to volunteer.
October 12 – 14 STATE FALL GAMES, DALTON
The fall games return to beautiful Dalton for the second year. Over 1,500 SOGA athletes compete in bocce, cycling, long distance running / walking, golf and softball.
