Volunteers

NOTE: All Special Olympics Ontario volunteers must be 14+ years old.

No volunteer applicant is allowed to have direct one-on-one contact with a Special Olympics Athlete until they have been FULLY registered with Special Olympics Ontario and approved.

Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) has the following requirements in place to become a registered volunteer:

As of March 1, 2022 update from SOO on how the applicant needs to select Community while adding their Portal enrollment (not a club/program). While submitting their application, in program search they need to select Region and community (chapter will be auto populated). Then from search result, click add beside the name of community and follow the steps to submit enrollment.

You must apply to get registered via:

"GET INVOLVED - This site is located at https://www1.specialolympicsontario.com/get-involved/ and serves as the primary registration link for all new (and returning) athletes and volunteers (family, group home administrators etc.).

This site offers step by step instructions and guidance for every user (both existing members and new ones) on how to create their portal account, find programs, register for programs and manage their accounts. It will also have direct links to be able to submit requests to change portal email addresses or request the creation of Family or Group Home accounts."

Please Note: You must fill in all mandatory fields ON ALL TABS before you will be able to progress. Be sure to click on all tabs to look for mandatory fields.

As per Special Olympics Ontario’s information for applicants … Hello, Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Special Olympics Ontario! We appreciate the difference you will make in the lives of our athletes.

Because the safety and security of our athletes is extremely important, we require all of our volunteers to submit two reference checks and a Vulnerable Sector Check.

To complete our reference check process, please contact two references and give them this link: https://www1.specialolympicsontario.com/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/volunteer-reference-check-form/.

References cannot be related to you. Community/Club officials can be a reference only if they know you well outside of the context of the club.

When your references complete and submit the e-form, SOO will be automatically notified.

Please be sure to fill your references information in the last tab of your Portal application.

Here in Durham Region, you can obtain a free Vulnerable Sector (VSC) “police” Check. You need to print off the attached letter and write Greater Durham on the line for Community: ___

** The Durham Regional Police Service is no longer accepting any requests for VSC except online - via their secure website at https://www.drps.ca/online-services/police-records/police-record-checks/

You will have to scan/download your completed letter when applying for your VSC.

NOTE: Because the DRP is not taking in person VSC applications, our applicants have to pay BUT eventually get a refund when they apply/pay on line. You will have to scan/upload your VSC into your Portal application when you receive it.

Please be aware that your application to volunteer with Special Olympics Ontario will not be processed until both of these steps have been completed.

**** SAFE SPORT TRAINING - is an online module delivered through coach.ca and is MANDATORY for ALL registered volunteers (no matter what role). Once certified, you will need to add this information into your profile in the Portal under the Member Training tab. You are required to take this course prior to starting to volunteer.

Any questions should be emailed to greaterdurham.volunteers@specialolympicsontario.ca

NOTE: Special Olympics Ontario advises that:

All Volunteers within their first year of volunteering with Special Olympics should have completed the following on-line course:

- Making Headway in Sports Concussion Awareness (Free, online module) www.coach.ca/concussion-awareness-p153385

All Volunteers are encouraged to take the Special Olympics Community or Competitive 1 day Course at the first opportunity that it is offered www1.specialolympicsontario.com/events