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 12PM | 6PM)
- Volunteer Community Webinar (Every 3rd Tuesday at 12PM | 6PM)
- Find more tips and tricks on navigating the portal below!
Beginning in early September, athletes from across the state will participate in 17 sub-regional and regional bowling and flag football competitions, and the Unified Robotics Championships. Registration is now open and we hope that you’re able to join us! If the event(s) you’re interested in doesn’t have the registration link quite yet, please check back in a day or two as we finalize volunteer needs.
- October 12: Bowling (NW regionals); Kenmore. Registration is FULL. Thank you for your support!
- October 12: Bowling (East sub-regionals); Pullman. See available shifts HERE.
- October 13: Bowling (East sub-regionals); Moses Lake. URGENT NEED! See available shifts HERE.
- October 20: Bowling (East sub-regionals); Kennewick/Tri-Cities. See available shifts HERE.
- October 20: Bowling (East sub-regionals); Spokane. See available shifts HERE.
- October 27: Flag Football (East regionals); Richland/Tri-Cities. See available shifts HERE.
- November 3: Bowling (East regionals); Kennewick/Tri-Cities. See available shifts HERE.
- November 17: Unified Robotics Championships; Renton. Registration site coming soon!
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. The Special Olympics, an inspiring event that celebrates the athletic spirit of individuals with intellectual disabilities, is seeking medically qualified volunteers for its regional competitions. These events are scheduled on weekends from September 15 to November 3 across various locations in Washington. 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