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| | Special Olympics Summer Social | | | The Young Professionals Committee is hosting a Summer Social on Tuesday, July 14th on the rooftop of 230 Fifth. Tickets for this event are $75 in advance, and $90 at the door, to purchase tickets please click the link below. The evening begins at 6:30 with a premium open bar until 9pm along with passed hors d'oeuvres, door prizes and a silent auction. Auction items include a 3 nights stay at the Four Seasons Nevis in the West Indies, a $500 gift card for American Airlines, a round of golf for a foursome at one of American Golf Corps many courses, and much more! This is a great opportunity to network with likeminded individuals who are up and coming in their industries
www.specialolympicssocial.com
For more information about the event or If you are interested in any of the auction items but are not able to make it to the event please contact Elizabeth Forest at 212-661-5217 ext 14 or eforest@nyso.org.
| | TD Bank | | | TD Bank and TD Banknorth are inviting you to
"Be a fan" of Special Olympics, June 1 - July 15!
As part of a national partnership, TD Bank and TD Banknorth are asking their customers to help them raise funds for Special Olympics through a variety of unique and fun ways.
Here are just a few ways you can team up with them to support Special Olympics New York athletes: 
For a $5 donation, you can sport a cool "Be a fan" bracelet - just pick one up at any TD Bank location or TD Banknorth!
Is all that loose change slowing you down? Take it to TD Bank, have it converted to bills, and choose to donate a portion (or maybe all?) of your conversion to Special Olympics.
Visit www.tdbank.com/beafan (starting June 1) to make an on-line donation. That's easy ! Make an in-store donation next time you're in. Take part in one of their special in-store fun events that will benefit Special Olympics. Could be a car wash, a dunk tank, a bake sale, a concert, who knows what they'll come up with? And our athletes will be attending many of these events, so you'll get to meet a hometown hero! Have a commercial account with TD Bank? Talk to your account representative about how you can make a donation.
 Special Olympics New York athlete, Mary Pannese, (Click on her letter here) joined Special Olympics New York President and CEO, Neal J. Johnson, at a management meeting of TD Bank's New York City Market. TD Bank and Special Olympics New York launched the bank's "Be a fan" campaign, which will run from June 1 to July 15, 2009. TD Bank has set a fundraising goal of $1 million dollars for Special Olympics with this campaign across the entire TD Bank Footprint.
Photo:Back Row l-r: Neal Johnson, Michael Tuzzo, Larry Oskowsky, Yvonne Riley-Tepie, Renee Altomonte, Peter Sarantos, Judy Dorn, Chris Smith, Brandon Williams
Front Row- Christine Modafferi, Denise Garcia, Mary Pannese, Jamie DePasquale, Eileen Holmes, Mrs. Pannese.
| | Criteria for Advancement | |
Criteria for Advancement
The Criteria for Advancement in accordance with SO General Rules (and Regional Policy) are as follows:
* Travel Ability - can both athletes and coaches alike tolerate and benefit from the experience
* Demand Survey - training club interest and availability
If the number of eligible athletes exceeds the quota, we must then implement a systematic criteria for advancement:
"Advancement begins with the distribution of a quota for a limited number of allocations to each accredited program. The program is then charged with the responsibility to select athletes in accordance with formalized Criteria for Advancement as defined by the Special Olympics General Rules, Article 7, section 7.08(e) and the Sports Rules Article 1, Section (k). To be considered eligible, athletes must have participated at the previous level of competition prior to advancing to the next higher level." (for example, a local bowling tournament)
"Priority is given to all first place finishers from all divisions of the specific sport/event in consideration.We are required to do the same with second, then third place finishers and so on until we have filled our allocation."
Athlete Selection and Competition on the Center Stage
A group of very fortunate athletes has recently returned to New York having challenged competitors from around the world as members of Special Olympics Team USA. Throughout our history as an organization, athletes representing New York have participated in numerous Invitational, National and World Games. These privileged athletes have experienced a life changing opportunity for which there is no comparison.
Have you ever wondered; "How is it that a Special Olympics athlete earns the opportunity to compete at World Games?" The honest answer is through hard work, dedicated training, progressive competition and good fortune. Few realize what is required to make it to this "Center Stage." World Games competition is certainly the highest level of advancement and opportunity that any athlete can hope to attain. Special Olympics has developed a set of guidelines that govern advancement and the selection process. Our General Rules for athlete advancement are grounded in this fundamental principle: Athletes of all ability levels have an equal opportunity to advance to the next higher level of competition. Each program is bound to fulfill these principles.
Advancement begins with the distribution of a quota for a limited number of allocations to each accredited program. The program is then charged with the responsibility to select athletes in accordance with formalized Criteria for Advancement as defined by the Special Olympics General Rules, Article 7, section 7.08(e) and the Sports Rules Article 1, Section (k). To be considered eligible, athletes must have participated at the previous level of competition prior to advancing to the next higher level. If the number of eligible athletes and or teams exceeds the quota, athletes and teams are selected by random draw. Priority is given to all first place finishers from all divisions of the specific sport/event in consideration. We are required to do the same with second, then third place finishers and so on until we have filled our allocation. The program may also evaluate criteria based on medical, behavior or judicial consideration. The objective of this additional evaluation is to assure that the selected athletes will tolerate the experience and benefit from the opportunity. Finally, an athlete or team may not be barred from advancement or omitted from the draw based on prior competition or advancement experience.
Your next question might be; "If only medal winners are eligible, how is it that each athlete has an equitable chance to advance to the next level of competition?" The answer to this question is at the heart of our organization's credibility. Special Olympics Divisioning Rules provide for equitable competition for all athletes at all skill levels. At each competition athletes are separated into heats of three to eight competitors, having been divided by gender, age and ability; ability being the most important consideration. All athletes are evaluated through preliminary rounds and are paired in a division of equally skilled and capable opponents. All medal wining athletes from all divisions have an equal chance of selection for advancement.
Imagine for a moment that Special Olympics New York was granted a quota of one powerlifting athlete to join Team USA for the upcoming World Games. First we need to determine our eligible athletes. These eligible athletes will have competed in the previous State Summer Games for powerlifting and have placed first in their divisions. This imaginary pool may contain 25 powerlifters of varying skill and strength depending upon their divisions. The selection from this pool is drawn from a hat with oversight from the Games Organizing Committee. The selected athlete is evaluated by a team of coaches, family and committee members. Upon confirmation our lucky athlete is recognized and advances to World Games.
The opportunity to travel to a far reaching land, immersion in an unfamiliar culture and bonding with people regardless of language or belief in the pursuit of sport in its purest form seems to exemplify the core principles of our Special Olympics movement. These experiences stretch far beyond the athletes who have had the privilege of selection. Each of us involved in the movement is touched by this exchange.
Please be encouraged to read and learn more about Special Olympics. Additional educational material and the General Rules can be found at: www.specialolympics.org
| | Medical and Consent Policy Overview | | Eligible individuals register for Special Olympics training by completing the Medical Release and Consent form. Forms are available from the Regional Office.
A valid form must be completed in full. The athlete's full name, not a nickname, must be identified. Always be sure to list the Primary Training Club and Agency.
Medical forms are valid for up to three (3) years.
Training Club Head Coaches must review, update, and maintain the Medical and Consent records. A copy must be sent to the Regional Office and a copy must be maintained by the Training Club Head Coach.
Medical and Consent forms must travel with the athletes to alltrainings and competitions. Athletes without Medical and Consent forms will not be permitted to train or compete. | | Future Dates for State Games | | |
Summer 2010 TBD
Summer 2011 TBD
Fall Games 2009 Oct 2-4 Seneca Falls
Fall Games 2010 Oct 1-3 Seneca Falls
Winter Games 2010 TBD
Winter Games 2011 TBD
| | REMINDERS | | Training Rosters Needed!
COACHES: Please submit your completed fall rosters to Colleen Everett at ceverett@nyso.org or fax to our office (212) 661-4658. Any training club that plans on training or competing in the upcoming fall season must have a form on file.
Contact Colleen with any questions.
Thanks!
| | Upcoming Events in the NYC Region | | |
July 18, 2009
JoAnn Young Memorial Swim Invitational, Hillside Swim Club, Staten Island
Featured at this event will be athletes from New York City competing for bronze, silver, and gold medals in aquatics. This event is open to all five boroughs. Registration forms to follow.
August 1, 2009
Fall Coaches' Conference, Brooklyn Development Disabilities Services Office
Coaches and volunteers gather to have an all day conference to train, certify, and recertify coaches. A general Special Olympics information session is held, along with a class teaching protective behaviors. Professional athletic trainers teach coaching tactics of basketball and floor hockey.
September TBD, 2009
New York City Regional Softball Tournament, Cunningham Park, Queens
Special Olympics softball teams from the five boroughs and Long Island will compete in games throughout the day. Athletes will compete for Bronze, Silver and Gold medal.
October 2009
Special Olympics New York State Fall Games, Seneca Falls, NY
Featured at this state-wide event will be over 2,000 athletes, from all over New York State, competing for gold, silver and bronze in multiple Special Olympics Fall sports including: softball, bicycling, equestrian, bocce, cross country running, cycling, roller skating and soccer. Joining the athletes will be professional sports stars, local dignitaries, several thousand family members, game volunteers, cheering spectators and corporate sponsors. The entire day and a half day event will be conducted in a tradition of Olympic-style pageantry, ceremonies and participation. The Special Olympics athletes will welcome and share with all who attend the excitement of sports competition and the sheer joy of the human spirit.
November 14, 2009
Winter Coaches' Conference, Brooklyn Development Disabilities Services Office
Coaches and volunteers gather to have an all day conference to train, certify, and recertify coaches. A general Special Olympics information session is held, along with a class teaching protective behaviors. Professional athletic trainers teach coaching tactics of basketball and floor hockey.
December 5, 2009
New York City Regional Bowling Tournament, AMF, 39th Avenue, Queens
More than 200 athletes from the five boroughs and NYC Department of Education gather to compete in a day full of bowling fun! Athletes will compete for Bronze, Silver and Gold medals.
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