Coaching & Sports Training: work directly with the athletes to improve their skills in a specific SORI sport as a coach, assistant coach or sports volunteer. Participation is seasonal depending on the sport.
Time Commitment: Minimum 2 hours per week for an 8 – 10 week training period leading up to a state competition.
Unified Sports Partner: unified sports offer sports training and athletic competition for individuals of all abilities. Unified Partners train and compete as teammates with SORI athletes in our Unified Sports Programs, which pair athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form sports teams for training and competition. Unified Partners serve as mentors and role models for SORI athletes. Sports knowledge and experience are not required. Participation is seasonal depending on the sport.
Time commitment: 1 -2 hours per week for 8 – 10 week leading up to a state competition.
Official: serve as an official or judge at a state level competition. Must have certification.
Time Commitment: Participation is seasonal depending on the sport.
Games Management Team: bring experience or learn with us. Become a member of a team responsible for the organization and implementation of state level competitions.
Time Commitment: Ranges from approximately 2 - 3 months for a specific state level event.
Local Team: assist the local team coaching staff with non-sports issues or responsibilities and usually serve as a chaperone at competitions. Volunteers usually learn enough about the sport to have an interest in becoming an assistant coach. All team volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
Time Commitment: varies according to team training schedules.
Fund Raising Event: serve on a committee that plans and implements state level fundraising events.
Time Commitment: Hours vary depending on event. Typically monthly meetings are held beginning 6 months prior to event.
Medical Service: volunteers provide onsite coverage at SORI competitions and also assist in providing pre-participation medical examinations for SORI athletes. Medical volunteers include physicians, athletic trainers, nurses, physical therapists, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Time Commitment: Partial or full-day for both event coverage and pre-participation medical examinations.
Public Relations: write articles about SORI athletes, families, coaches; volunteer copy writing, photography or public relations skills; help train SORI athletes to give presentations through the Global Messenger Training Program.
Time Commitment: Varies depending on the public relations/marketing needs of the organization and the needs/participation of the athletes in the Global Messenger Program.
Day of Event Volunteer: perform short term tasks associated with our State Level Competitions which include security, awards, ceremonies, clerking areas, etc. Usually a 4 – 8 hour time commitment and will vary depending on the event and specific assignment. Day of event volunteers are the perfect opportunity for Corporate Employee Groups for a great team-building activity.
Time Commitment: Usually one day for a specific event.
Volunteers are needed for our State Summer Games being held
June 1 - 3 at the University of Rhode Island on the following days and times:
Saturday, June 2nd
8:00am - 12:00pm Track Clerking
12:00pm - 4:00pm Track Clerking
8:00am - 12:00pm Field Clerking
12:00pm - 4:00pm Field Clerking
8:00am - 2:00pm Aquatics
All Volunteers must be 16 years of age to help at one of these sport venues. Volunteers will work in pairs/groups and be assigned to a group of athletes in the staging area and your mail task is to keep all the athletes for each group together and lead them to the competition area.
Saturday, June 2nd
4:00pm - 7:00pm Cycling Time Trails
Volunteers will direct athletes on the cycling course. This is a great venue for families to volunteer with their children between the ages of 12 - 15 years of age.
Sunday, June 3rd
8:00am - 12:00pm Cycling Finals
Volunteers will direct athletes on the cycling course. This is a great venue for families to volunteer with their children between the ages of 12 - 15 years of age.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Louise Miller at louise@specialolympicsri.org after May 1st.
Special Olympics Rhode Island appreciates the gift of your time and we hope that your volunteer experience is positive!