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Volunteers

Types of Volunteers

All Volunteers fall under one of three categories:

Class A Volunteers: Those who have regular, close physical contact with athletes; are in a position of authority or supervision of athletes; are in a position of trust of athletes; and/or handle substantial amounts of cash or other assets of athletes. Examples include: Coaches, Chaperones and Unified Partners*. These volunteers are required to submit a signed, completed and truthful Volunteer Application at least every three years. The information submitted will be used to complete a criminal records check, and where applicable, a motor vehicle records check. Background checks will be completed at no cost to our volunteers and will help ensure the safety of our athletes.

Class B Volunteers: Those who have limited contact with athletes or who have contact with athletes only when accompanied by coaches and chaperones. Examples of Class B volunteers include "Day of Volunteers", i.e. timers, medical personnel. Class B volunteers must verify their identity via a photo ID upon arrival at the competition site. A formal application or background check is not required for these volunteers.

Minor Volunteers: Those under the age of 18. These volunteers are not subject to a criminal records check, but must submit a "Minor Volunteer & Unified Partner Application" form to the State Office. This form must include two personal or professional references and a Parental/Guardian release. This applies to Unified Partners* under the age of 18.

Adult Volunteer & Unified Partner Application Form
Minor Volunteer & Unified Parner Application Form

* Special Olympics Unified Sports ® is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (called Partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Age and ability matching of athletes and Partners is defined on a sport-by-sport basis.