Special Olympics Vermont offers volunteer opportunities in a variety of different areas, providing you with the chance to fulfill your volunteering goals. These volunteer opportunities fall into two main categories: short-term, and longer-term, and can be for individuals or groups. Check out the latest opportunities by clicking here.

Short-term of day-of-event volunteers: usually a one-day commitment of four to eight hours. Below are some of the common day-of-event opportunities:

• Athlete escort
• Serving meals
• Games officiating
• Volunteers and event registration
• Score-keeping
• Awards presentations
• Event set up/tear down
• Post-event clean-up
• Hospitality at competition or events
• Medical support
• Photography

Longer-term volunteer commitments: provide support at competition and fundraising events, and in your community with local teams. These opportunities can encompass roles on management teams requiring several months of involvement leading up to the event; or with local teams, coaching and program management opportunities that can be seasonal with flexible time commitments.

Some of the more common longer-term opportunities include: (for more information please contact Donna Diaz)

• Competition and event management
• Coaching
• Fundraising
• Volunteer training
• Volunteer recruitment
• Local team/program management opportunities (fundraising, coaching, transportation, communication/public relations, training coordination, and many more...

How to Volunteer:

1. Go online and fillout the Volunteer Information/Application.  Unless your information has changed, we only need your volunteer application once.
2. Chose the event that interests you (below) and print off the event specific form and send it to us (or call/email with the even name, your name, address, email and availability)            

Every effort is made to comply with requested volunteer opportunity:

• You choose the day and time you wish to volunteer. There are some events that require a full day commitment due to training requirements.
• You can request the volunteer area you prefer, (i.e. track & field, food services, power team, etc...) but note that volunteer assignments are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Once you arrive at the venue; the Venue Coordinator is in charge (Venue Coordinators can be identified by their Games Management Team shirts) The Venue Coordinator and his/her team will assign and train you for your task.

Once you are at your assigned venue:

• Follow the instructions of the Venue Coordinator or his/her team.
• Listen to the certified officials for all official decisions related to competition.
• The Venue Coordinator will advise you in case of emergency, including when to stop competition in the event of inclement weather.
• Do not “train” or “coach” the athletes.

Register in advance!  Pre-registering provides you with the best opportunity to secure the volunteer assignment you are seeking, and also helps with the overall volunteer staffing and other planning associated with your volunteer experience.

Minimum age for volunteers is 15 years old (unsupervised). Youth groups should

have a realistic ratio of adult supervisors to children.  Special Olympics Vermont

will attempt to keep groups together where ever possible.

Volunteer Group Leaders

Group Leaders recruit friends, family and coworkers to also be part of the volunteer experience. The Group Leader is the only person within your group that will receive confirmation, updates and information, it is then your task to keep your group informed.

Weather cancellations

Events/Competitions are held regardless of the weather. , in case of emergency cancellation you can call the state office at 1-800-639-1603. The phone message will reflect cancellations, time changes.

Please consider the weather appropriate items you might need and other information:

• Rain gear, sunscreen, lip protection, hat or visor, sunglasses.
• Dress comfortably, volunteer t-shirts will be provided and should be worn while volunteering.
• All volunteers will be required to wear their volunteer identification. 

Special Olympics Vermont prohibits:

• Possession or use of alcoholic beverages.
• Possession or use of illegal drugs.
• Possession or use of other dangerous materials.

Food

• Water will be available at all times.
• Lunches are provided for full day volunteers.
• Special dietary needs can not be accommodated.

To volunteer with a local Special Olympics team, check out what is happening in your town...

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