Exciting news! Special Olympics Washington’s new Volunteer Portal is now live! This is your one-stop shop for finding and applying for volunteer opportunities effective Monday, July 29.
Getting To The New Portal
- Step 1: Visit https://portals.specialolympics.org
- Step 2: Click “Create an account” which will walk you through profile creation
- Note: Your email activation code will be sent from “Microsoft on behalf of Special Olympics B2C Production.” Please be sure to check your spam folder as well.
- Step 3: Enter the Volunteer Portal homepage
Resources
- FAQs | Create an Account | Register as an Individual | Register a Group | Group FAQs
- Office Hours (Every Monday at 12:00 pm | 6:00 pm)
- Volunteer Community Webinar (Every third Tuesday at 12:00 pm | 6:00 pm)
- Find more tips and tricks on navigating the portal below!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our athletes, Unified partners and coaches this Fall! As competitions wind down, there’s just one opportunity left to volunteer this season:
- November 17: Unified Robotics Championships; Renton. See available shifts HERE.
- Only roles remaining are judges (tech background preferred) and referees (robotics background/experience preferred)
Save the Dates – 2025
Our staff is still finalizing details for Winter season but in the meantime, please save the dates for these upcoming volunteer opportunities (dates and locations subject to change):
- Saturday, January 25: Basketball Subregional; Auburn.
- Saturday, January 25: Basketball Subregional; Marysville.
- Saturday, January 25: Basketball Subregional; Bremerton.
- Saturday, February 1: Basketball Subregional; Tacoma.
- Sunday, February 2: Basketball Regional; Sunnyside.
- Saturday, February 8: Basketball Regional & Unified Districts; Bellevue.
- Saturday, February 8: Basketball Regional; Marysville.
- Saturday, February 8: Basketball Regional; Pullman.
- Saturday, February 8: Basketball Regional; Bremerton.
- Saturday, February 8: Basketball Regional; Tacoma.
- Sunday, February 16: Alpine/Snowboarding Regional; Summit at Snoqualmie.
- February 28 – March 2: State Winter Games; Wenatchee area.
Prep Work / Office Support Volunteers
Do you have daytime/weekday availability? During the season, our staff often find themselves needing an extra set of hands or two to prep for a competition or special event. This could mean assembling coaches’ packets, organizing medals and ribbons, and other tasks that can free up the staff person to make other final preparations. The shifts are primarily 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Friday afternoons but there are a few variations.
- Please check back for dates and registration information.
First Aid Volunteers Needed
Volunteering for medical support missions is a noble and rewarding endeavor, offering a unique opportunity to serve the community while gaining invaluable experience. Special Olympics, an inspiring movement that celebrates the athletic spirit of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is seeking medically qualified volunteers for its regional competitions. Volunteers are crucial for ensuring the health and safety of all participants, and accommodations such as hotel and travel per diem are provided for those volunteering at out-of-town venues.
Those interested in contributing their skills to these events can find more information and sign up through the Emergency Management Group-Washington’s website. Your participation will not only be greatly appreciated but will also make a significant impact on the success of these community events. Schedules and sign-up information can be found at 2024 Special Olympics Volunteer Signup – Emergency Management Group-Washington (emgwa.org) or https://emgwa.org/so-signup/
New Portal Tips and Tricks
- Want to register for an event? Find and register for event volunteer opportunities (fall season events are live!) by clicking on Sign Up for An Event
- Looking for an event in your area or at a specific time? “Show More Filters” and search by zip code OR enter a Date Range (example: 9/1-12/1)
- Are you a volunteer between the ages of 11-13? Please have a parent or guardian apply for the Event Volunteer Group Lead role prior to registering for a shift.
- Interested in getting a group together? For folks who want to volunteer together, please select a person from your group to apply for the Event Volunteer Group Lead role which will allow you to manage your group’s registrations.
- Interested in other volunteer roles? Apply for other volunteer roles (like coaching, etc.) under Do More with Special Olympics (find more specifics of when and where under Sign Up for An Event)
- Have other skills and talents you’d like to share? Let us know about your interests, skills, and talents under My Checklist > Add Your Skills so program staff can help match you