COMMUNITY ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVE

This page was reviewed on June 20, 2024, by Special Olympics Ontario. 

COMMUNITY ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVE

Purpose

To provide a voice for athletes on community councils and to help ensure athletes in the community are participating in community initiatives.

Community Athlete Representative plays a vital role in ensuring that athletes’ voices are: heard, valued, and respected within the Special Olympics community.

Community athlete representative actively engages with athletes, advocating for their needs, and promoting a culture of inclusion and empowerment, and contribute to the overall success and impact of Special Olympics programs and initiatives.

-Promoting Athlete Engagement

-Celebrating athlete success

Qualifications

  • Desire to be a leader amongst Special Olympics athletes
  • Basic understanding of Special Olympics
  • Good attitude
  • Respected by other Special Olympics athletes and coaches
  • Comfortable in group situations
  • Committed and responsible
  • Good language skills
  • Good communication skills
  • Ability to get to events without Community Council or Special Olympics Ontario support
  • Access to computer and e-mail strongly recommended.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Attend Community Council meetings
  • Work with Provincial Athlete Advisory Committee
  • Communicate with local athletes about their interests, concerns and wishes for Special Olympics
  • Make sport club visits to local clubs
  • Work with Community Public Relations Coordinator to set up speaking events around your community and to help athletes in your community become involved in these events
  • Work with Community Fundraising Coordinator to make sure athletes participate in local fundraisers
  • Work with Community Registrar and Volunteer Coordinator on recruitment campaigns
  • Make sure that Athlete Empowerment is happening in your community
  • Work with Community Council to find the next Athlete Representative and train them when your term is finished

    ·     Review and be familiar with sections 1,6,7,8, and 18 of the information portal.

  • Maintain Special Olympics e-mail address that is provided to you if applicable.

Time Requirement

  • Up to 10 hours per month, e-mails, phone conferences, meetings, events and workshops
  • 13 month term

Accountability

  • Reports to Community Council and Provincial Athlete Advisory Committee and is accountable to all local athletes

* Please note that Athlete Representative position on a Community Council can not be related to any Community Council member.