As a local program management team members, there is general information you need to know.

• Special Olympics, Inc. General Rules
  • These are the rules for how Special Olympics operates globally.
• Special Olympics, Inc. Article I of Sports Rules
  • This is where you can read about rules regarding everything from advancement to how we conduct awards.
• Special Olympics North Carolina Operating Policies
  • These are policies specifically adopted by SONC (i.e., recreational swimming, drone policy, 15-passenger vans, bounce houses, etc.). You need to know these.
• General Orientation to Special Olympics North Carolina
  • Here is a quick training we ask all of our management-level volunteers to read.
• Protective Behaviors Training
  • This is a 15-minute mandatory training for all Class A volunteers that is important for the safety of all involved in our movement.
• 2025 Annual Report
  • This is a one-pager that covers basic information about Special Olympics NC. You can request a customized version of this document for use in your local program by contacting your Community Programming Director.
• Special Olympics NC Style Guide – Using a consistent writing style and form in all Special Olympics communications enhances the clarity and professionalism of our materials. It’s easy to do – and this guide makes it easier!

Local program management teams help ensure that Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) local programs operate effectively at the community level. Each role on the team supports a different aspect of the local program while working collaboratively to provide quality sports training, competition, and inclusive opportunities for athletes.

Team members share responsibilities and support one another throughout the year. Time commitments may vary depending on the sports season, upcoming events or fundraising activities.

Sample Local Program Management Team Contract

• Local Program Coordinator Description
• Athlete Manager Description
• Communications Manager Description
• Events Manager Description
• Finance Manager Description
• Fundraising Manager Description
• LETR Manager Description
• Sports Training Manager Description
• Unified Champion Schools Manager Description
• Volunteers Manager Description
• Wellness Manager Description
• Young Athletes Manager Description

Local Program Accreditation Overview

Local Program Accreditation Standards

Accreditation Tiers

• Introductory
• Achiever
• Visionary
• Elite

Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) offers sports training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Individuals eight years old and up can compete and Young Athletes is available for children ages 2-7 with and without an intellectual disability as a Unified program.

Athletes must register each program year to participate with Special Olympics North Carolina. This applies to all programming including sport practices, local events and all other competitions. The 2025-2026 program year runs August 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026.

SONC is now moving to collect all Athlete Registration Forms via this online portal. This form is used for Young Athletes as well as traditional sports practice and competition.

Either the athlete as his/her own guardian or a parent/guardian must complete the form. A parent/guardian should first create his/her own profile and from there the guardian can register one or multiple athletes for whom they are responsible (only one unique email address is required).

All you need to get started is an email address that will be used as the username and that you can access for verification. Basic information and health history will be needed for the form; there is no required sports physical for the initial form.

Resources to assist you include:

• Overview video
• Health History & Release Form User Guide 
•  User Guide for Parent/Guardian
• Spanish User Guide for Parent/Guardian
• Here are two versions of a flyer you can now send out to all participants to get registration rolling:
  • Word Document – Customizable
  • PDF

A SONC Rollout Frequently Asked Questions document is also provided for local program leadership.

Feel free to reach out to your community programming director with questions.

Please note: Unified partners should complete the Class A volunteer form to register as part of the program.

• Email Template
• FAQ Template – For Internal Use Only
• SONC Interest Form Template (Reach out to your community programming director to use this yourself!)
• Sport Information Template
• Upcoming Events Template
• Brochure Template – Use this editable Word document to design the brochure for your local program.
• Fact Sheet Template – Use this editable Word document to customize a fact sheet for your local program.

Volunteers may participate as year-round or day volunteers. Volunteers may assist at events, on committees, coaches, fundraisers, officials, medical, or in many other ways.

Difference between a Class A and Class B Volunteers: Class A volunteers are in leadership positions (e.g. coaches, committee members, Games Management Team, etc.). If they are a single day-volunteer, and aren’t driving athletes anywhere, they are a Class-B volunteer.

Class A volunteers must complete a Volunteer Screening Form prior to volunteering as a coach, chaperone or Games Management Team member.  Please share this link with your prospective Class A volunteers. You may also complete your own Background Check if you like. Special Olympics NC covers the fee.

Special Olympics North Carolina is now accepting volunteer screening forms via Adobe Sign. Adobe Sign is a secure online platform and all forms are delivered directly to SONC. They are tracked so if there is ever a question about whether a form is turned in we can confirm. Using Adobe Sign has ensured the we gather correct information from each Class A volunteer.

Protective Behaviors Training is required for all Class A volunteers and must be renewed every 3 years. Additionally, a background check will be conducted. We care about your privacy. Please read the SONC Volunteer Privacy Statement to see what we are doing to protect your vital information. Special Olympics has launched the eLearn Portal for Protective Behaviors and other Special Olympics trainings. If they have not previously completed Protective Behaviors, they will need to create a new account. If they had an account with the previous Special Olympics portal, they can follow instructions to re-set their password.

For more information, check out the Become a Volunteer page.

Local Program Community Partnership Planning Toolkit 

• The resources described in the toolkit are to help you put on your own Community Partnership Meeting based on your local program’s needs. This resource is available upon request via your Community Resource Director. 

• Athlete Recruitment Overview
• Athlete Retention Resources
• Volunteer Recruitment Resources

If you have any questions about registration, contact registration@sonc.net

SONC Tax ID: 56-1149607

• SONC Chart of Accounts – List of revenue and expense codes for completing financial forms
• Local Check Authorization and Cash Advance Request Form – A SONC Check Authorization Form is used to request payment for expenses from a pooled banking account by the accredited local program coordinator. This form is also utilized for Cash Advance Requests to reduce the amount of out-of-pocket expenses for volunteers. Proper supporting documentation (i.e. invoices or receipts) must accompany ALL check authorization forms with the exception of cash advance requests.   
• Cash Advances Tutorial – “How To” video for completing the Cash Advance Report Form 
• SONC Cash Advance Review Workbook – This form will help you add up your receipts from a cash advance and double check your math. Please be sure to use the SONC Chart of Accounts (found under Check Authorizations) and separate your expenses by account codes. Remember to always break out taxes. 
• Local Program Cash Advance Report Form – This form is used to detail the expenses paid for with the cash advance. All expenses should be supported with receipts.   
• Local Program Pooled Deposit Form – Any money donated to the local program should be recorded using this form. Please attach copies of the check donations with the appropriate deposit slip. 
• Volunteer Expense Reimbursement Form – This form is completed to receive reimbursement for expenses that you or your volunteers have paid on behalf of Special Olympics. 
• Local Program Online Purchasing Form: Whether you’re ordering from Amazon or other trusted sites, fill out this form.
• Printing Order Form – Use this form to order signage, tents, etc. for your event!
• SONC Approved Vendor List: This document contains information on key vendors Special Olympics NC uses for transportation, signage and equipment. These vendors can provide similar items used by Special Olympics NC and offer competitive pricing for your local program.

• Value In-Kind Report – Any donation of services, goods or funds that is budget-relieving, i.e., the local program would usually incur a cost for, is considered Value In-Kind (VIK). The VIK forms can be turned in periodically or at the conclusion of the season/year. Submitting VIK documentation is a required part of the local program accreditation. 
• SONC Impact Reports, IRS Form 990 and Audits

Several local programs have opted over the years to move money into an investment account. This money is still allocated to that local program, but it basically serves as a “savings” account and as a result, is not reflected on the regular banking statements provided. The status of the investments account is shared with local programs annually.

Provided is a full summary of the investments program and how it works.

The SONC Operating Policy related to investments is also available for your reference.

As a non-profit organization, SONC applies for a refund on all state sales taxes applied to purchases made within the state. Please be sure to provide receipts showing state sales taxes and document the sales tax on all reimbursements, check authorizations and cash advance reports.

Sales tax can now also be broken out on volunteer expense reimbursement requests.

• Sample Knights of Columbus LAMB Foundation Letter: This document is a template for KoC donation requests that can be filled in with specific local program details. 
• Local Program VIK Acknowledgement Letter: This document is a template for VIK receipts that can be filled in with the donor/donation details. 
• Sample Corporate Letter: This document is a donation request template for company sponsorship. It can also be edited for donation requests of individuals.   
• Sample Corporate Benefits: This example is of potential benefit tiers to correspond with the size of a donation. This page should be sent with the “Sample Corporate Letter” and can be edited to best fit the local community and/or needs of the program. 
• Sample Sponsorship Package: This document is a template for a sponsorship package that can be filled in with appropriate sponsor levels and benefits.  
• Local Program Fundraising Event Notification: Local programs that plan to conduct fundraising activities/events in the name of Special Olympics must complete this form if the expected gross is $1,000+ OR if there is any contract, waiver or release form associated with the fundraiser. This form must be completed at least 60 days prior to the event or activity being held.   
• Local Program Letterhead: This document is the approved letterhead local programs can use when corresponding with potential sponsors, donors, etc.
• Walmart Funding: Requests for community grants are written internally by SONC staff. If a local program makes a local connection with a Store Manager and would like to ask staff to submit a request, please contact your Community Resource Director with the location, request amount, and Store Manager name. We also encourage local programs to engage Walmart as volunteers in order to qualify for and potentially receive their VAP grants. You can read more about the VAP opportunity here. Contact your Community Resource Director should you have any questions about the process.
• General Event Waiver – This waiver is approved by SOI and our own attorney for participant events, in most cases fundraisers. It is a fill-in-the-blank document, no other edits or changes are allowed to the document.

Online fundraising is a fantastic way to not only manage registrations for special events, but is also a great means of raising funds.  Set a fundraising goal for the soccer training season or for the local program to attend a specific event and share the link for people to donate online! Allow an athlete who wants to fundraise to set their own goal and create a fundraising page for that athlete.

Please remember that local programs are not approved to create or use unauthorized online fundraising websites, such as Eventbrite, FundraiseUp, etc. The only approved platforms SONC local programs can use are GoFundMe and RunSignUp. These must be created through our SONC GoFundMe channel or by SONC staff. Please reach out when planning your event to make sure we can help with planning and ensure we are using the appropriate online registration and payment platform.

• Event Notification: Whether you need assistance with an online fundraising page or not, it all starts with the event notification form. Please complete the form so SONC can stay in the loop and better support your event. We will also share your event on our calendar! 
• SONC’s GoFundMe Channel Fundraising Instructions: This document is a guide to creating a GoFundMe fundraising page for your Local Program through SONC’s GoFundMe Channel. Once created, send the link to the page to your Community Programming Director for review!
• Ways to collect funds:
  • Venmo – The username is @SpecialOlympicsNC and donors MUST put the local program name in the notes so we can allocate the funds to the correct program. Here is a customizable flyer! 
  • Square – SONC staff MUST create the account so it is properly connected. Reach out to your Community Programming Director to get Square set up on your behalf.  
  • GoFundMe Pro – Can be used for online donating and fundraising events. 
  • Fill out the event notification form and our staff will assist with creating your page. Reach out to your Community Programming Director if you have any questions.

• Polar Plunge Resources: This page is a guide intended to help start a Polar Plunge from scratch. This guide includes helpful, editable documents and should be used to assist in planning and managing the event.

Special Olympics North Carolina has dedicated staff who write grants on behalf of Local Programs. Local Program Management Teams are not permitted to independently write or submit grants without the supervision of SONC staff. If your Local Program is interested in pursuing a grant opportunity, please contact Allison Stockburger at astockburger@sonc.net.

• Special Olympics NC Style Guide – Using a consistent writing style and form in all Special Olympics communications enhances the clarity and professionalism of our materials. It’s easy to do – and this guide makes it easier!
• Language Guidelines – please refer to these guidelines when speaking to volunteers, media, on social media, etc. Share this with volunteers, parents, coaches, or anyone else affiliated with your program.
• Logo Guidelines – These guidelines explain the correct usage of logos. Any old program or SONC logos should be thrown out and replaced with the correct logo. If you need your program’s logos, please email kmcghee@sonc.net
  • Logo Usage Examples: What can be changed?
  • Patterns the right way
• Branding Guidelines – These guidelines from SOI are an in-depth look at the brand and address logos, t-shirts and more!

• Local Program Letterhead
• SONC PowerPoint Template
• Brochure Template: Use this sample and insert your local program’s own information!
• Fact Sheet Template – Use this editable Word document to customize a fact sheet for your local program.

Social Media

• SONC’s Social Media – Section3.NC15: Accredited Sub-program social media profiles
  • Accredited sub-programs may have and maintain their own social media profiles, provided said social media profiles meet minimum brand guidelines as outlined below:
    • Use the official accredited sub-program logo as the profile image.
    • Follow Special Olympics naming conventions: “Special Olympics _____ County”
    • Follow all Special Olympics language guidelines and graphics standards.
  • All sub-program social media profiles must have a Special Olympics North Carolina staff member with administrator access at all times.
  • Social media profiles include but are not limited to Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Instagram accounts.
• How to add SONC as a Facebook administrator
• All social media questions can be directed to kmcghee@sonc.net

SONC Website

• Local program pop-ups: Each program has their own pop-up linked through the Local Programs page on the Special Olympics NC website. This can be more specifically tailored to your program. If you have updates to your pop-up, please send them to your community resource director.
• Special Olympics NC Website Policy: Section 3.NC16: External informational and fundraising websites
  • Accredited sub-programs are not allowed to have external websites of any kind, including but not limited to general program websites, sport-specific websites, GoFundMe or additional online fundraising pages or event websites.
  • Sub-programs may continue to have pages housed within parks and recreation websites if the program is run through local Parks and Recreation departments.

The logo should always be placed on solid color backgrounds with plenty of empty space around it, preventing any logo crowding. The logo should not be used on tie-dye or camouflage backgrounds, unless it follows these guidelines. Do not separate parts of the logo and use them individually. The seal (circle with five people) cannot be used on its own under any circumstances.

The classic logo is best used for printed materials, but can be used for T-shirts as well, though its size and layout makes it better suited for a full front rather than a pocket logo.

The shield logo is best suited for use on T-shirts (especially for a chest pocket logo) and uniforms. The team name (or other wording such as “coach”) can go above or below the shield graphic.

• Event Resources Page: This page provides resources for local coordinators and games management teams to plan local events. Topics include: Competition, Games Management System (GMS), logistics, Games Management Team (GMT), day-of volunteers, special events, media, public relations and more.

• Conducting sports and other activities involves exposure to a variety of risks to the participants, volunteers and the organization.  Some of these risks could result in a financial loss for the individuals and organizations involved. Effective risk management practices allow you to minimize the chance of something bad happening to athletes and volunteers, and also minimizes the threat of financial loss that arises from your operations.
  • SONC Incident Report Form and Explanation
  • 2026 General Certificate of Insurance – This can be used unless a facility specifically requests to be listed as Additional Insured.
  • Protective Behaviors Training– is required of all volunteers who may come in close contact with athletes. The Protective Behaviors Training Program is training aimed at preventing sexual abuse against Special Olympics athletes, as well as, ensuring the athletes’ protection.
  • Special Olympics Corporate Insurance Policy (SOCIP) Brochure – explains the overarching insurance policy provided to all U.S. programs by American Specialty, Inc. It does not include insurance coverage that SONC has secured for basic business operations, but gives you a good summary of how things like incidents involving athletes, volunteers, events and rental vehicles are handled

SONC has several state-level events each year and there is a training season leading up to each. Even if an athlete does not go on to compete at the state level, it is important that SONC still receives information about any sport training in which they are involved.

Special Olympics North Carolina offers Olympic type training and competition in 20 sports. To ensure high quality sport programming and athlete experiences the documents below outline the standards for training and competition and the official sport seasons offered.

• Sport Training and Competition Seasons
• Training and Competition Standards

Special Olympics North Carolina offers Olympic type training and competition in 20 sports. To ensure high quality sport programming and athlete experiences, the documents below outline the standards for training and competition and the official sport seasons offered.

• Training and Competition Standards
• Special Olympics North Carolina Official Sport Season

At this time, a full program year of training seasons, SO Good, state-level events and local games will be offered.

See the 2026-27 program year events calendar here!

See the full equestrian sports season timeline (e.g. event dates, registration deadlines, etc.) here!

Special Olympics NC Equestrian Tournament
The 2026 Special Olympics NC Equestrian Tournament is scheduled for Sept. 25 – 27 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC.

• Equestrian Checklist and Overview by Sport – use this checklist to ensure all registration information is completed. This includes links to athlete competition registration.
• Delegation Info Summary – The Delegation Information form is now a Microsoft Form to complete online.  This should be completed at the same time as the rest of registration.
• Non-Athlete Roster – You can use this blank roster to add any coaches, chaperones, etc. who are coming to the Equestrian Tournament.

See the full fall sports season timeline (e.g. event dates, registration deadlines, etc.) here!

Special Olympics NC Fall Tournament
The 2026 Special Olympics NC Fall Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 12 – 14 in the Charlotte area.

• Fall Tournament Checklist and Overview by Sport (Coming Soon!) – this checklist/overview document provides an explanation and links for all registration required to attend this state-level event. All registration is due by Tuesday, October 20.
• Delegation Info Summary – The Delegation Information form is now a Microsoft Form to complete online.  This should be completed at the same time as the rest of registration.

See the full winter sports season timeline (e.g. event dates, registration deadlines, etc.) here!

Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games – Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding
The 2026 Special Olympics Southeast U.S. Winter Games Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding held Feb. 8 – 10 will also serve as the state-level event for Special Olympics North Carolina. A series of training camps will be held in advance of the state-level competition. Local programs participating in the Alpine skiing and snowboarding training clinics may use registration in these clinics as whole or part of their training rosters.

• Winter Games – Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Checklist and Overview by Sport – use this checklist to ensure all registration information is completed. This includes links to sport registrations.
• Delegation Info Summary – The Delegation Information form is now a Microsoft Form to complete online.  This should be completed at the same time as the rest of registration.
• Non-Athlete Roster – You can use this blank roster to add any coaches, chaperones, etc. who are coming to Winter Games.

All other sports training
Sports like basketball or bowling may also start during this time. Please follow a timeline below that would line up with your training season for that sport.

See the full summer sports season timeline (e.g. event dates, registration deadlines, etc.) here!

SO Good (spring)

• The SO Good season for this training season began on March 16 but athletes can still get started with the program.
• Virtual sessions will continue on Tuesday nights at 7pm through May 5.  Login information can be found in the playbook.
• The full program can be found online.

Special Olympics NC Summer Games
The 2027 Special Olympics NC Summer Games will take place June 4 – June 6 in the Raleigh area.

• Summer Games Checklist and Overview by Sport and Local Program Registration Checklist – this is a resource for you and not a required document for registration.
• Summer Games Registration Portal – This registration portal is what you will use to register every member of your delegation.  Information from your training rosters has been added to the portal for your convenience.
• Delegation Info Summary – The Delegation Information form is now a Microsoft Form to complete online.  This should be completed at the same time as the rest of registration.
• Summer Games Registration Instructions
• Note there is no housing roster!

Adding New Sports Resources

Sports Training Checklist

What is a MedFest? MedFest offers the physical exam that athletes need prior to participating in Special Olympics sports programming. To learn more, click here. Also, check out this SONC MedFest Planning Toolkit.

Health Screenings at Spring Games
If your local program is planning on having any form of health screenings at your upcoming spring games, make sure you have thought through these options:

1. Do you have a medical professional already certified through Special Olympics as a Clinical Director?  If so, you can use the terminology Healthy Athletes (HA) for your event.
2. Do you have a medical professional interested in becoming a Clinical Director?  Please email health@sonc.netwith information on this individual and you can be on your way to having true Healthy Athletes events.  The majority of the HA Clinical Director trainings can be done online and are fairly short.
3. Do you have a health screening planned that will be led by medical professionals who have not received Clinical Director training?  In this case, you cannot use the term Healthy Athletes due to liability issues.  The Special Olympics insurance policy will only cover screenings that have certified Healthy Athletes Clinical Directors. Medical professionals not certified and providing health screenings assume all liability associated to any incident that occurs during their screening.  You should refer to your event as a health screening.
4. You may also consider having a local medical professional offer an interactive health education (e.g. dental education, healthy habits education) area at your games.

Healthy Athletes is a Special Olympics program that provides free health screenings and health education in a fun, welcoming environment with a focus on removing the anxiety people with intellectual disabilities often experience when faced with a visit to a medical professional.  We want these activities happening across the state but please help us ensure the proper steps are followed!

Healthy Athletes

• Fit Feet
• FUNfitness
• Health Promotion
• Healthy Hearing
• MedFest
  • MedFest Starter Kit
  • SONC MedFest Planning Handbook
• Opening Eyes
• Special Smiles
• Strong Minds

Below are Special Olympics health resources and tools that are currently available. Most of these tools can be modified to meet the needs of each program. These are to help speed up program implementation. As health programming continues to grow and evolve so will the resources and tools.

Data and Evaluation

• Community Health Needs Assessment
• Health Measures Tracking Tool
• Lifestyle Survey
• Nutrition & Fitness Tracker
• SONC Health Report (2017-2018)

Wellness Programming

• Fit 5: A guide to achieving fitness and your personal best with physical activity, nutrition and hydration.
• Guide to Sports Nutrition for Coaches
• Healthy UCS Challenge
• SOfit Starter Kit
• SO Fitness Guide for Schools

SO Good webpage

SONC Health and Wellness webpage