Get Involved
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about volunteering with Special Olympics Virginia. If you have additional questions, please contact our Volunteer Manager. You can also review answers to frequently asked questions about general information, donations and sponsorship, coaching and athletes.General Volunteer Questions:
How much time do I need to commit as a Special Olympics Virginia volunteer?
How do I find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities in my area?
I've never volunteered for Special Olympics before; what can I expect?
I’d like to organize a group of volunteers to help out at an event. How do I do this?
I need volunteer hours for school; can I fulfill them with Special Olympics and will I receive a letter or worksheet to document my hours?
I need to fulfill volunteer service hours as part of a court ordered mandate. Can I volunteer with Special Olympics?
I completed the Volunteer Interest Form online but never heard anything back – what’s next?
Volunteer Eligibility Questions:
How old do I have to be to volunteer with Special Olympics Virginia?
What is the difference between a “Class A” and a “Class B” volunteer?
Are hired drivers considered Class A volunteers?
What is the purpose of the Protective Behaviors Training?
Do Class A Minors have to take the Protective Behaviors Training?
Are family members, parents, siblings or extended family members of athletes required to undergo background checks and take Protective Behaviors?
Are athletes serving in Class A volunteer capacities required to undergo background checks and take Protective Behaviors?
Do Class A Minors have to complete a Class A Adult Volunteer Form and go through the background check process when they turn 18?
Is an individual who is paid by his/her employer to conduct Special Olympics activities still considered a Special Olympics volunteer?
Are programs permitted to allow a volunteer to begin serving as a Class A volunteer prior to completion of the appropriate screening?
Will a criminal background check conducted by a volunteer's employer satisfy the screening requirement?
Are individuals who are not eligible to volunteer in a Class A volunteer capacity (because of his/her criminal history) permitted to volunteer as a Class B volunteer?
What if a program is notified of an individual’s alleged criminal history from a source other than an approved vendor’s screening of the individual’s background (such as from another volunteer or organization)?
What if a program is notified of an individual’s alleged criminal history and the individual is not an athlete or a volunteer?
What if an ineligible volunteer is a family member of an athlete? Can that person continue to attend Special Olympics activities as a spectator?
What if a disqualified volunteer believes the criminal history record used to determine eligibility is incorrect?
What if a volunteer does not provide a program with information that is required to conduct the appropriate screening (such as a social security number)?
When does an individual become a volunteer?
How much time do I need to commit as a Special Olympics Virginia volunteer?
Special Olympics Virginia can find the right fit for anyone interested in having fun for any amount of time. Special Olympics Virginia provides year-round athletic opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities and also hosts numerous other events throughout the year and across the state. For example, you can volunteer for a few hours at a local or statewide competition or fundraiser, or get involved as a coach for a team. Coaches typically spend 2-3 hours a week with their team for an 8-10 week training period. Contact our Volunteer Manager for more information.
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How do I find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities in my area?
Visit our calendar to see which of our nearly 2,000 annual events are near you. Our calendar lists upcoming area, regional and state competitions and fundraisers. Click on the event name for more details and contact information.
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I’ve never volunteered for Special Olympics before; what can I expect?
First and foremost, you can expect FUN! Depending on your interests and our volunteer availabilities, you can participate in activities ranging from being a “fan in the stands,” officiating a competition, serving snacks or meals to the athletes, manning an activity booth, helping with athlete check-ins at an event, coaching a team, or even playing on a team with the athletes!
No matter your interest, there is a place in Special Olympics for you. Visit our Get Involved section to learn more.
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I’d like to organize a group of volunteers to help out at an event. How do I do this?
Groups are welcome to volunteer at local, regional, or state-wide competitions or events. Check out our calendar to see a list of upcoming events and contact the coordinator to organize your group today. Group volunteerism works best when one contact person within the organization works directly with our event coordinator or volunteer manager. If no contact is listed on the calendar item, please contact our Volunteer Manager for more details.
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I need volunteer hours for school; can I fulfill them with Special Olympics and will I receive a letter or worksheet to document my hours?
Absolutely! An event coordinator or volunteer manager will help track your hours and send out any documentation you may need. Be sure you are specific in the type of letter or form you require. If you need a signature, remember to get it before you complete your volunteer shift.
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I need to fulfill volunteer service hours as part of a court ordered mandate. Can I volunteer with Special Olympics?
All volunteers must meet Special Olympics Virginia's Volunteer Eligibility Policy. Anyone convicted of a felony, class 1 misdemeanor against another person or any other type of class 1 misdemeanor within the past 10 years cannot serve as a Special Olympics Virginia volunteer.
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I completed the Volunteer Interest Form online but never heard anything back – what’s next?
If you submitted a Volunteer Interest Form online and did not hear back from the Region Director in your area, please contact our Volunteer Manager, who can help determine what volunteer opportunities are available near you.
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How old do I have to be to volunteer with Special Olympics Virginia?
The minimum age to volunteer as a Class A volunteer (with the exception of unified partners) is 14 years of age. Unified partners must be at least 8 years of age. Head coaches, trip coordinators, heads of delegations, drivers and chaperones must be at least 18 years old.
Class B volunteers who are at least 14 years old may volunteer by themselves. Class B volunteers who are ages 8–13 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone. Children 7 years old and younger are not given volunteer assignments, but are welcome and encouraged to participate in our Volunteer to Cheer program at local and statewide competitions.
See the below question for information on the difference between Class A and Class B volunteers.
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What is the difference between a “Class A” and a “Class B” volunteer?
Class A volunteers are those who have regular, close physical contact with athletes; volunteers in positions of authority or supervision; volunteers in a position of trust with athletes; and volunteers who handle substantial amounts of cash or other assets. This includes coaches, unified partners, trip coordinators or heads of delegations, chaperones, Global Messenger mentors, non-hired drivers of athletes, area/local council members, and volunteers who will handle more than $5,000.
Class B volunteers are those who only have limited contact with athletes who are accompanied by coaches and chaperones. This includes single day or single event volunteers, Healthy Athletes® volunteers, and volunteers who drive vehicles on behalf of Special Olympics, but do not transport athletes. Access the Class A and Class B volunteer forms.
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Are hired drivers considered Class A volunteers?
No. Programs are not required to conduct screenings on drivers hired commercially or employed by unrelated agencies (unless those drivers are also acting as Class A volunteers, such as chaperones, at an overnight event). Programs, however, should ensure that a reputable company is used to transport athletes and that the company has appropriately screened its drivers and has adequate liability insurance.
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What is the purpose of the Protective Behaviors Training?
The Protective Behaviors Training is intended to give Class A volunteers guidance in how to treat athletes respectfully and to be knowledgeable about the potential signs of abuse. All volunteers must meet Special Olympics Virginia's Volunteer Eligibility Policy. All Class A volunteers must complete this online training every three years.
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Do Class A Minors have to take the Protective Behaviors Training?
Yes. All Class A volunteers age 16 and older must take the Protective Behaviors Training.
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Are family members, parents, siblings or extended family members of athletes required to undergo background checks and take Protective Behaviors?
Yes. Family members of athletes are subject to the screening requirements when they are serving in a Class A volunteer capacity. Access the Protective Behaviors Training. Access the Class A adult and minor volunteer forms.
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Are athletes serving in Class A volunteer capacities required to undergo background checks and take Protective Behaviors?
Yes. Athletes are subject to the same requirements as other volunteers when they are serving in a Class A volunteer capacity. An athlete ineligible to volunteer may still be eligible to participate as an athlete. Access the Protective Behaviors Training. Access the Class A adult and minor volunteer forms.
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Do Class A Minors have to complete a Class A Adult Volunteer Form and go through the background check process when they turn 18?
Yes. Access the Class A Adult Volunteer Form.
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Is an individual who is paid by his/her employer to conduct Special Olympics activities still considered a Special Olympics volunteer?
Yes. Individuals who meet the definition of Class A volunteers are subject to background checks and must take the Protective Behaviors Training, regardless of whether or not they are being paid by their employer while acting as a Special Olympics volunteer.
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Are programs permitted to allow a volunteer to begin serving as a Class A volunteer prior to completion of the appropriate screening?
No. Volunteers must go through the screening process and take the Protective Behaviors Training prior to serving as a Class A volunteer for Special Olympics. However, a person who has completed the registration form and provided valid photo ID may serve as a Class B volunteer pending completion of appropriate background screening and Protective Behaviors. Class B volunteers are one-day volunteers. Access the Class A adult and minor volunteer forms.
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Will a criminal background check conducted by a volunteer’s employer satisfy the screening requirement?
No. To ensure that we are obtaining consistent data, Special Olympics Virginia is required to conduct its own screening on existing and new Class A volunteers as outlined in the Volunteer Eligibility Policy.
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Are individuals who are not eligible to volunteer in a Class A volunteer capacity (because of his/her criminal history) permitted to volunteer as a Class B volunteer?
No. Once a program acquires knowledge that a potential or existing volunteer (Class A or Class B) has a criminal history that disqualifies him/her from volunteering in a Class A capacity, the individual is no longer eligible to volunteer on behalf of Special Olympics in any capacity.
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What if a program is notified of an individual’s alleged criminal history from a source other than an approved vendor’s screening of the individual’s background (such as from another volunteer or organization)?
Special Olympics Virginia staff should be notified immediately and appropriate measures will be taken to determine the volunteer’s eligibility status.
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What if a program is notified of an individual’s alleged criminal history and the individual is not an athlete or a volunteer?
If the person does not pose an immediate threat to the health and well-being of the athletes and volunteers and is not acting in a disruptive manner, the individual may continue as a Special Olympics spectator.
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What if an ineligible volunteer is a family member of an athlete? Can that person continue to attend Special Olympics activities as a spectator?
Yes. If the person does not pose an immediate threat to the health and well-being of the athletes and volunteers and is not acting in a disruptive manner, the individual may continue as a Special Olympics spectator.
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What if a disqualified volunteer believes the criminal history record used to determine eligibility is incorrect?
All disqualified volunteers will receive information about how to contact Special Olympics Virginia’s background check vendor if they believe information regarding their criminal history is incorrect.
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What if a volunteer does not provide a program with information that is required to conduct the appropriate screening (such as a social security number)?
The individual will not be permitted to volunteer on behalf of Special Olympics Virginia.
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When does an individual become a volunteer?
A person is not considered a Special Olympics volunteer until they have submitted a completed volunteer registration form (Class A or B), and, in the case of a Class A volunteer, undergone the background check screening process and completed the Protective Behaviors Training. Additionally, volunteers that are not registered are NOT covered by Special Olympics insurance policies. Access the Class A and Class B volunteer forms.
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