This page provides information for leadership volunteers across North Carolina to keep them informed of new resources and opportunities from SONC while also sharing regular reminders on practices and policies. Visit it regularly to stay informed!
Election Day Reminder and Resources
Updated: 10/28/20
#ElectionDay is around the corner. Do you or someone you know with intellectual disabilities need info on how to vote? Learn more here:
Special Olympics Voting Resources
Special Olympics Voting Resources Social Toolkit
Support SONC when you holiday shop this year!
Updated: 10/28/20
The holidays are right around the corner and we have so many ways you can support SONC with your holiday plans. When you buy any items from our online shop, you are helping give the gift of inclusion to Special Olympics athletes all across the state. Click here to order masks, hand sanitizer, or Christmas ornaments or click here to visit our virtual store for apparel.
Are you ready for the challenge?
Updated: 10/27/20
Athletes from Canada, the Unified States and the Caribbean log miles walking, running or rolling in a wheelchair to see who can get the most miles. Every week, miles will be posted on a region-wide leaderboard to see who is on top. Help us get athletes to represent the Tarheel state!
This challenge is just beginning and runs through December 13. What a great way to stay motivated to move during the holidays! Sign up here!
2021 Event Announcements Made
Updated: 10/23/20
SONC held a webinar on Wednesday to share plans for the beginning of 2021. That webinar recording is now available online.
We now have our Return to Activities Protocol summary ready for local programs to see plans for the first part of 2021. This document addresses events normally planned for January 1 through May 28. The primary points in this document include:
– All guidelines for the 2020 fall season for in-person gatherings will stay in place with the one change that indoor gatherings will be allowed.
– State-level events and invitationals will not be held. This means Winter Games (both SONC and Southeast), ice skating, and cheerleading are cancelled.
– SONC recommends that no local events be held, including spring games.
– A monthly fitness/health challenge will be offered during the winter months (December, January, February).
– SONC will offer Partner Up Power Up again in the spring and will work with local programs to make this the primary offering to athletes across the state in lieu of spring games.
– Local program fundraising does need to continue. It is important that those programs planning any polar plunges complete the survey below. SONC will also provide a sponsorship package to help transition fundraising from spring games to spring training.
We want to hear from you on all of this!
Coordinators, please take five minutes to complete this survey about 2021 event planning – one per local program please.
2021 Polar Plunge Survey
Updated: 10/22/20
If your local program or LETR Agency is interested in or planning a Polar Plunge in 2021 (in-person or virtual), please complete this form by October 30 so SONC staff can begin working directly with you on recommendations for safe, profitable and fun events.
Help Us Fundraise for Partner Up Power Up!
Updated: 10/21/20
The Scholarship an Athlete program has been set up to support the nearly 3,000 people participating in Partner Up Power Up. This has proven to be a great way to bring everyone together from 59 counties across the state. Funding is needed to cover items such as printed materials, training equipment and recognition items.
Please help by sharing the website www.scholarshipsonc.com with potential supporters! Local programs are able to support their local athletes by selecting their local program team page and donating directly to the local program.
Time to Get Your Flu Shot
Updated: 10/12/20
Special Olympics encourages everyone to follow CDC and NC DHHS recommendations to get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk for getting the flu, many of whom are also at high risk for COVID-19. Check out this infographic, created by Special Olympics, to learn more about the flu, how it spreads, how to protect yourself and when to get the flu vaccine.
Are you up to speed on this fall training season?
Updated: 9/28/20
We’re so excited to now have nearly 3,000 people participating in the Partner Up Power Up program! And if you have more people interested in joining in, it is not too late! Athletes can sign up using this form and Unified partners and coaches can sign up here. Local Program Coordinators will be regularly updated on all registrations in their communities. Registration using training rosters is now closed.
Remember that if your local program is doing any local sport training, those athletes, Unified partners and coaches will need to register for Partner Up Power Up. This is our standard way of capturing activity this fall but it also allows every active athlete the opportunity to record their activity and be a part of this recognition program.
It continues to be important to follow all guidelines for in-person trainings (10 or less people, outdoors only, forms completed, etc.). SONC has secured a vendor for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to make sure that local programs can receive the PPE needed to run successful and safe in-person activities. Local Program Coordinators can order equipment on behalf of their program by using this PPE Order Form. Please contact sports@sonc.net with any questions about in-person training.
