BECOME A VOLUNTEER Volunteers are the backbone of our program. Currently more than 14,000 people in Northern California have discovered the rewards of working with a Special Olympics athlete. Because our program is year round, help is valuable at any time. There is a place in Special Olympics for volunteers of all ages, abilities, interests and schedules. Contact us to learn more about getting involved!

GETTING STARTED

Please take some time and look at some of the volunteer opportunities listed below.  Then contact us and your information will be forwarded to your local Special Olympics office. Volunteers age 16 and younger are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or adult volunteer. All prospective Special Olympics volunteers must submit a completed volunteer application and provide photo identification (driver's license or state identification card) when registering with Special Olympics. Signing the volunteer application also authorizes a criminal background check, which is required for any adult volunteer who has direct contact with our athletes. All prospective adult volunteers must also complete the brief Special Olympics Protective Behaviors Training Program. (Click on the link below to start the Program).

The Special Olympics Volunteer's Code of Conduct is available for review.
Special Olympics Northern California background check program.
Special Olympics U.S. Volunteer Screening Policy.
Special Olympics Protective Behaviors Training Program

2008 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS!

Special Olympics Northern California has implemented a Volunteer of the Year Program to recognize and acknowledge those volunteers who rise above the rest and go beyond the call of duty for our Special Olympics athletes.

We are very proud to announce the winners of the 2008 Volunteer of the Year Awards.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Category	Description	Commitment
Coaching	Work directly with athletes to improve their skills in specific Special Olympics sports.	Participation is seasonal for each sport. The usual commitment is two hours per week for a minimum of eight weeks.
Competitions	Perform short-term tasks associated with conducting competitions (i.e. time for track meet.)	Four-hour shifts, one or more days each year.
Competition & Event Planning/Management	Work with Competition/Event Management Committees to plan and manage competition and competition related special events.	Commitment begins 4-6 months before competition or event date. Specific hours will vary with position.
Fundraising	Plan and/or implement activities to raise financial and in-kind support.	Commitment ranges from three to four hours for a single event to one year as a committee member.
Medical	Provide basic first aid at competitions. Please note that this category requires medical training and certification.	Four- to eight-hour shifts one or more days a year.
Office Support	Tasks associated with supporting administrative and program functions.	Generally, four pre-scheduled hours per week.
Public Relations	Prepare and/or convey information about Special Olympics to various media outlets.	Commitment ranges from a few hours for one specific activity to a year long commitment as a committee member.
Sports Volunteers	Assist coaches during practice.	Participation is seasonal for each sport. Generally one or two practices per week throughout the season.