How to Be a Volunteer or Unified Partner
Our Local Program Volunteers are all ages, and their commitment can range from supporting the Local program administratively to coaching a team. Throughout New Hampshire, our Local Program Volunteers fuel our movement and make our athletes’ dreams a reality.
Our Local Program Volunteers are all ages, and their commitment can range from supporting the Local program administratively to coaching a team. Throughout New Hampshire, our Local Program Volunteers fuel our movement and make our athletes’ dreams a reality.
Please review Introduction to Special Olympics (coming soon!) New Hampshire video to review the scope of our organization and to see what volunteer opportunities exist.
LOCAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER OR UNIFIED PARTNER
Safety is paramount. Because Local Program Volunteers and Unified Partners have more contact with athletes, our screening policy has been established to help ensure athletes have a positive experience. Our responsibility is to keep our athletes safe. To that end, it is essential that:
- Volunteers and Unified Partners do not have a history of violent crimes (dangerous to our athletes or others).
- They are not sex offenders.
- They do not have an unsafe driving record or other motor vehicle related charges.
More information on volunteer eligibility can be found in our Local Program Volunteer Policy[SC2] .
Before participating with their Local Program or Middle School Special Olympics Unified Sports, every Local Program Volunteer or Unified Partner MUST have the Local Program Volunteer and Unified Partner Application for Participation completed with two signed references (not a legal guardian or relative), on file in the SONH office.
If the Local Program Volunteer or Partner is under 18, the following needs to be completed unless specified differently.
- Basic Demographic Information
- Parent/Guardian Information
- Emergency Contact Information
- References (names and signatures of two references are required, NOT a legal guardian or relative of the applicant; additional reference page is available via the website)
- Background Information (only required for participants 16 years old and older)
- Health History
- Release Form or consent to participate page
- Special Olympics Waiver and Liability Release (Parents/guardians of volunteers under 18 years of age must sign this page to allow their minor child to participate with SONH.)
If the Local Program Volunteer or Unified Partner is 18 years or older, the following must be completed unless specified differently:
- Basic Demographic Information
- Emergency Contact Information
- References (names and signatures of two references are required, NOT a legal guardian or relative of the applicant; additional reference page is available via the website)
- Background Information (only required for participants 16 years old and older)
- Additional Items to Complete:
- Protective Behaviors training
- Signature authorizing SONH to run a background check
- Have your photo ID checked by the Local Program Coordinator of the program you will be volunteering with.
- Health History (collected in case of emergency)
- Release Form or consent to participate page
- Background Check Authorization
- Special Olympics Waiver and Liability Release (required of all applicants)
Currently, all Local Program Volunteers MUST have a signed Communicable Disease Waiver on file with us.
The Local Program Volunteer Application needs to be renewed every three years to remain compliant.
For more information or any questions related to becoming a Special Olympics New Hampshire Volunteer, please contact Shelby Cote by email at ShelbyC@sonh.org or by phone at (603) 933-1093.