2020 Virtual Global Messenger Training
September 11 – 25, 2020
Normally, Global Messenger Training is held in person each year at the Special Olympics North Carolina headquarters. However, due to the pandemic, we are moving it online! There will be a series of virtual (online) trainings, the first of which will begin on September 11, 2020.
Special Olympics North Carolina will pay for all expenses, including all training materials needed, for four new Global Messengers and their speech coaches. All athletes must have one adult speech coach selected to attend and participate in the Global Messenger Training. Due to the online format of this training, family members are eligible to serve as speech coaches.
The training sessions will be held via webinar sessions over the course of the two weeks. A tentative schedule is outlined below. Dates and times are subject to change. It is mandatory for Global Messengers and speech coaches to attend all sessions for the duration of the training.
The training sessions are designed to teach both the athlete and the speech coach to give presentations about Special Olympics; however, the athlete is always the person who is in the spotlight representing Special Olympics. The speech coach assists the athlete in preparing speeches, practicing those speeches and scheduling presentations.
Once submitted, all applications will be reviewed by the local program coordinator.
If selected, additional information about the training will be emailed to you as soon your application has been received and approved.
Session 1 training schedule:
- Friday, September 11: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, September 12: 10 – 11 a.m.
- Monday, September 14: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 16: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, September 18: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, September 19: 10 – 11 a.m.
- Monday, September 21: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 23: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, September 25: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Session 2 training schedule:
- Monday, November 2: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 6: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Monday, November 9: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 11: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 13: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Monday, November 16: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 18: 5:30 – 7p.m.
- Friday, November 20: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Session 3 training schedule:
- TBD
Participation and Application Information
Potential Global Messengers and speech coaches should review all below information before beginning the application.
- Local program coordinators must approve all nominations.
- Local programs may nominate one athlete and one speech coach.
- Each Global Messenger and speech coach must submit a SONC Volunteer Screening Form with their application.
- Applications are due no later than Friday, August 7, 2020.
- Applicants will be contacted for a brief webcam interview after their application has been received.
- Four athletes and their speech coaches will be chosen and notified by email once the completed forms have been received.
- If you have questions, pease contact Katie McGhee, Director of Digital Media for SONC, by email or phone at 919-719-7662, ext. 112
All athletes applying to be a Global Messenger must:
- Be actively involved in Special Olympics, exhibit enthusiasm and be able to share that enthusiasm
- Be 16 years or older (unless age requirement is waived by SONC prior to this training)
- Have a desire to speak in front of a group
- Must exhibit enthusiasm and willingness to recruit new athletes, donors and volunteers
- Have capability to travel (on own preferred but not required)
- This does not mean that the athlete must be able to drive.
- Have the following Special Olympics accomplishments:
- Proficient in at least one sport
- Competed at a state-level competition
Participating local programs are required to:
- Assign a speech coach to work with the athlete
- Prepare and implement a one-year written plan after the workshop for utilizing the Global Messenger in various markets (primarily adults, families and parks & recreation) and geographic locations throughout the state
- Allow the SONC staff to use a trained Global Messenger at a variety of statewide functions, including tournaments, SONC Leadership Conference and other statewide functions
- Cover all costs of the Global Messenger while he/she is conducting official Special Olympics business for the local program (SONC will cover expenses relating to state-level presentations)
- Submit progress reports to SONC
JOB TITLE: Speech Coach
PURPOSE: Assist a Global Messenger in making presentations for Special Olympics.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prepare and submit an application for participation.
- Attend (in-person or online) state-level Global Messenger Training with selected athlete.
- Assist athlete with speech preparation during Global Messenger training.
- Be prepared to follow up with Global Messengers upon returning home from Global Messenger training.
- Assist Global Messengers in changing their presentations to fit the situation.
- Maintain an inventory of supplies needed for that Global Messenger’s presentation.
- Assist in scheduling presentations.
- Coordinate athlete presentations with the SONC Communications Department and the appropriate local program coordinator.
- Assist the SONC Communications Department with scheduling chapter Global Messenger presentations.
- Ensure completion of Global Messenger report forms.
- Send suggestions for improvement to the SONC Communications Department.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Good organizational skills.
- Some experience in working with athletes and in “training” others.
- Public speaking skills.
- At ease with media.
- Working knowledge of mission, philosophy and outreach goals of Special Olympics.
- Holds no other time-consuming job in Special Olympics.
SUPERVISED BY: Local Program Coordinator and SONC Communications Department
TRAINING PROVIDED:
- Global Messenger training and Global Messenger manual.
- Orientation by SONC to include:
- Overview of all Global Messenger and PR materials available
- Review of public relations manual developed by Special Olympics International
- Who Covers Expenses?
- Review of Chapter Staff and Committees
- Review of Job Description
- How Families, PR and Outreach Committees interact with one another
- Review of Chapter policies, goals and objectives as they relate to Global Messenger
- Procedure for sending memos to the field and for communicating with staff and volunteers
- Evaluation procedures