Special Olympics New York - Genesee Region: FW: Genesee Region Program Report

Several new events have been added to the online calendar. Be sure to visit the calendar for competition and meeting information as well as all registration forms.

Please refer to the updated article blocks below for more information regarding:

2010 Summer State Games
Spread the Word to End the R-Word Campaign
A New SO Public Service Announcement
World Games- Officials Needed
The 5th Annual Kirch Conference, March 24, 2010

As usual, if you have any questions feel free to contact me using the information provided at the bottom of this report.

Thanks,

Josh Dority
Program Specialist
Special Olympics New York

2010 Summer State Games Info

Apparently its never too early to start thinking about State Games. Here are some important dates to remember for the upcoming summer season as we prepare for Utica in June.

Demand Case Surveys Due to Office
April 5, 2010

Quotas Given to Coaches
April 16, 2010

State Games Planning Meeting
April 20, 2010

State Games Registrations Due
May 3, 2010

2010 Summer State Games
June 4-6, 2010

*Although we are all very busy during the summer season, it is helpful to try and look at the bigger picture as it pertains to your training club. Try switching from hand-written, faxed registrations (hard to read and often not in alphabetical order) to electronic versions downloaded from the website and emailed directly to the office.... This will speed up the process as you register for the Super Regional and eventually State Games as you will already have the information saved.

*Be sure that you get your rosters in as soon as possible and then use those rosters to monitor your medical/consent situation throughout the season.

*You should also be thinking about the coaches that you will bring to State Games. If there is missing information that is holding up the certification process, we will be able to correct the problems before all of the other regions join in the fun.

Spread the Word to End the R-word

Special Olympics New York's SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD campaign developed from Project UNIFY and the efforts of our youth advocates.

This campaign has been created to raise awareness about the hurtful effects of using the word "retarded" to refer to people with intellectual disabilities. Although we have made great progress with educating our youth and communities on the impacts of such language, the change is too slow. Each use of the R-word as a synonym for a stupid action, a schoolyard taunt, or the punch line of a joke, slows our progress immeasurably.

To combat the usage of such derogatory language, Special Olympics New York is recognizing March as its awareness month for SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD, with March 3rd being the official statewide kick off. Throughout the month, youth and friends of our global movement will be hosting rallies and encouraging members of their communities to take the pledge to stop using the "R-word" in a deeming manner.

The New York pledge and more information on events occurring throughout the state can be found athttp://www.nyso.org/spreadtheword.php.

Special Olympics Public Service Announcment

Special Olympics has launched a brand new public service announcement as a part of the ongoing 'Be a Fan' campaign entitled "Skeleton" that encourages viewers to see the athlete first.

The 30-second spot was created by international advertising agency, BBDO Worldwide, and features Mario Ogunbowale, a 21-year-old Special Olympics athlete hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The PSA depicts CG-animated skeletons playing basketball skillfully. As they do, their bodies build up layer by layer-i.e. their organs appear, followed by their nervous system, etc. In closing, the viewer sees that the star basketball player, now fully formed, is actually Ogunbowale, and a super appears: "see the athlete first". The PSA can be viewed at Special Olympics You Tube page here: http://www.youtube.com/SpecialOlympicsHQ.

Ogunbowale was selected by Special Olympics to showcase his basketball skills in the global PSA after Special Olympics Wisconsin submitted his name for consideration after Mario's team received the gold medal at the Wisconsin State Special Olympic Games earlier in 2009. Ogunbowale plays on the Milwaukee Blazers Special Olympics basketball team and enthusiastically showcased his personality to his fans after their gold medal win. Ogunbowale started competing with Special Olympics at age 16 and currently competes in basketball, track and bowling. Special Olympics, through sport, has been working to change attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities and help society see their capabilities. Throughout the world, according to research, the public significantly underestimates the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities which creates social stigmas and severely limits opportunities for them to participate in society. Due to the great vision of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympic movement has been working to dispel misunderstanding and build communities of acceptance and respect for all.

World Games Volunteer Opportunities

Special Olympics is requesting nominations for volunteer sport officials for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, 25 June - 4 July 2011.

The following sport competitions will be conducted for 7,000 athletes around the world.

Aquatics          Athletics          Badminton      Basketball       Bocce              Bowling

Cycling            Equestrian      Football           Golf                 Gymnastics      Judo

Kayaking          Powerlifting    Rollerskating   Sailing             Softball            Table Tennis

Handball          Tennis             Volleyball        Beach Volleyball

International and/or National Sport Federation Officials' Certification, if issued by the sport, and/or Special Olympics officiating experience is required for all applicants for officials' assignments at the 2011 World Summer Games. The majority of the competition technical officials will be recruited, trained and selected from the host country. However, expenses associated with airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and meals will be provided for only a limited number of selected officials from Programs outside of Greece and Special Olympics athletes participating as qualified officials (SOOPA) and their mentors.

Application forms can be downloaded at http://info.specialolympics.org/2011worldgamesofficials

The application form must be received no later than April 1, 2010. The processing of application forms will begin immediately, thereafter.

Submit Completed Applications and Supplemental Documentation to Email address:

Worldgamesofficials@specialolympics.org

An auto response from this email address should confirm receipt of the application.

5th Annual Kirch Conference

Wednesday
March 24, 2010

Hyatt Regency Rochester

Planning and Living the Transition Years:
Balancing Health, Relationships, Recreation, and Independence
for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

The Kirch Conference is presented annually to honor Andrew J. Kirch. Its mission is to bring information about developmental disabilities to individuals with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work with them. This year's conference focuses on wellness and developing healthy lifestyles for transition age individuals with developmental disabilities. We are particularly honored that the Golisano Foundation is supporting the Timothy Shriver, Ph.D. keynote that will focus on health
and wellness for athletes with developmental disabilities.

Timothy Shriver, Ph.D.
Keynote Speaker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Special Olympics International
Sponsored by the Golisano Foundation

Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics for 14 years, serves 3.1 million Special Olympics athletes and their families in 175 countries. Shriver has helped transform Special Olympics into a movement that focuses on respect, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities in all corners of the globe. He launched the organization's most ambitious growth agenda leading to the recruitment of over 2 million new athletes around the world. He has created new Special Olympics initiatives in athlete leadership, cross-cultural research, health, education, and family support, and has worked to garner more legislative attention and government

Upcoming Events

Region North Aquatics

Saturday
March 6, 2010

Adapted Athlete Registration Begins: 8:30am
Athlete Registration Begins: 9:30am

Webster Aquatics Center
875 Ridge Rd.
Webster 14580

The deadline to register for this event has passed.

Region South Bowling

Friday
March 5, 2010

Saturday
March 6, 2010

Friday Athlete Registration Begins: 3:00pm
Saturday Athlete Registration Begins: 12:00pm

Rossi Lanes
410 West Washington Ave.
Elmira 14901

The deadline to register for this event has passed.

Regional Basketball

Saturday
March 20, 2010

Athlete Registration Begins: 10:00am

Sodus High School
54 Mill St.
Sodus 14551

The deadline to register for this event is Friday March 5, 2010.

Regional Junior Bowling

Monday
March 29, 2010

Athlete Registration Begins: 8:30am

Roseland Bowl
4357 Recreation Dr.
Canandaigua 14424

The deadline to register for this event is Friday March 12, 2010.

Future Events

Regional Bowling
Saturday April 10, 2010

Unified Volleyball

Monday's April 19th, 26th and May3rd

Super Regional Basketball
Saturday April 24, 2010

Calendar of Events

Our full calendar of events is available online:

Just Click Here!

And get dates, flyers and registration forms for events around the Genesee Region.

Birthday Party to Benefit Special Olympics Genesee Region

Please join us to celebrate Tad's 24th Birthday!

Tad is the Assistant to NY State Assemblyman Joe Morelle of the 132nd District.

Thursday
March 18th, 2010

Lovin' Cup @ Park Point
(Corner of Jefferson Road & John Street)

7-9pm, DJ to follow

Hors d'oeuvres will be served / Cash Bar

Band: Something Else
Host: Megan Carter from 98PXY & Specials Guests

RSVP by March 16th to 585.402.4115

*In lieu of gifts, donations of any amount may be made to: Special Olympics New York
All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Training Club Meetings

Coaches

As part of our continued commitment to improving Program we have been conducting individual training club meetings. We will meet with clubs that plan to participate in the upcoming sports season. During the meeting the head coach/coaches will meet with one of our program team and we can discuss the following:

Rosters for the upcoming season.
Registration requirements and deadlines.
Medical and Consent Form needs.
Training Club issues (things that we can do to improve your Special Olympics experience).
Equipment needs.
Conference registration details.
Sports rules changes.

If you wish to schedule a time for us to come and meet you please e-mail Rob Mitchell (rmitchell@nyso.org) or Joshua Dority (jdority@nyso.org).

Young Athletes

SONY LI Athletes

Young Athletes is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities, designed to introduce them to the world of sports prior to Special Olympics eligibility (age 8). This is a fun, participation-based program that teaches eye-hand coordination and motor skills through games and group activities. The Young Athletes program introduces children with intellectual disabilities and their families to the world of Special Olympics by pursuing the following goals:

Engage children with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive, and social development.
Welcome family members of children with intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support.
Raise awareness about the abilities of children with intellectual disabilities through inclusive peer participation, demonstrations and other events.

This is a versatile program that can work in various learning situations. The program is designed to be simple enough for families to use at home with their child. It is also appropriate for preschools, schools, playgroups and recreation programs to use with small groups of young children.

The program includes several resources to get started including a Young Athletes Activities Guide, a Training DVD, Young Athletes Equipment Kit and and website for further resources, materials and information.

For more information on how to get started or a list of locations already participating around the region please email Rob Mitchell at rmitchell@nyso.org.