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Introduction to Athlete

Leadership

Course Overview

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Part 2: ALPs and You

Part 1: Overview of ALPs

Part 3: Your Mission Statement

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Part 1: Overview of

ALPs

Introductions

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Name

County

mentor

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“ALPs”

What does it stand for?

Athlete Leadership Programs

ALPs History & Philosophy

Started in 1997

Began as a single public speaking course

Now a cornerstone of S.O. movement

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Cultural shift

From a focus on pity

To a focus on respect

Respect of athletes’ experience & potential

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Excellent management tool

Athletes know the program

Athletes give good input

ALPs byproduct – learning skills that are useful in the life of the athlete

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Existing ALPs Programs

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Let’s define just what ALPs really is.

Definition of ALPs

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ALPs University athletes from

Indiana

• Allowing athletes to choose HOW and in what ROLE they participate in Special Olympics.

ROLE PLAY TIME

Tell us about your choices

Clothes

Hair cut

How you treat others

To be at ALPs

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Definition of ALPs

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• Encouraging athletes to take meaningful positions of influence and leadership throughout the organization to help determine policy and set direction.

ROLE PLAY TIME

Give us an example of meaningful roles

Help with fundraising

Teach other athletes to volunteer

Have a voice in Special Olympics

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Definition of ALPs

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Jan Griepenstroh teaches about Volunteering

• Providing training for coaches, volunteers & parents as they welcome athletes in their new roles.

ROLE PLAY TIME

Why is training for mentors, parents, & coaches important?

They don’t think we can do it

They need to learn to believe in our abilities

They need to remember that they are there to help us but not do the work FOR us

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Role of mentor

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Know the athlete

Always give encouragement – especially before a speech or event

Provide support as needed

Allow athletes to express themselves

Listen – people want to know what the athlete thinks, not the ideas of the mentor

Commit to working with the athlete

Role of mentor

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Act as a leadership “coach”

Help express the athlete’s opinions if they have problems

Work with parents, guardians or group home to explain what ALPs is

Ensure meaningful positions of leadership

Help athletes stay on task

Help understand minutes of meetings

Role of mentor

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Make sure you know about training opportunities

Ensure opportunities to do practical experience

Provide transportation if needed

Help athletes with medical or diet needs

Value your athlete’s opinions and preferences

Role of mentor

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Work in a one-on-one relationship with your athlete during each class and locally

Commit to a partnership with your athlete to make their ALPs experience as meaningful and educational as possible

Be an advocate for the athlete

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Part 2:ALPs and You

ALPs and You

Ask yourself:

Why should I get involved with ALPs?

What will it do for me?

How will it benefit others?

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What can ALPs do for you

Confidence On the job Facing fears Self-respect Self-worth

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What can ALPs do for you

Knowledge Public speaking Technology Leadership

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What can ALPs do for you

Social skills Coaching Listening Respecting others while they are talking

Respecting opinions of others

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What can you do for ALPs

Spokesperson Speak to others about S.O.

Speak to companies to raise money

What else?

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What can you do for ALPs

Teacher Become an ALPs instructor

Help others become ALPs members

What else?

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What can you do for ALPs

Good Role Model Show others the right way

Respect ALL S.O. members (athletes, volunteers, etc.)

What else?27

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Athlete Leadership ProgramsAthlete Leadership Programs

Existing ALPs Roles

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Can you name some existing ALPs roles for athletes?

Existing ALPs roles

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Athletes as fund raisers

Athletes as volunteers

Athletes as course instructors

Athletes as coaches or officials

Games management team members

Athletes on boards or committees

Global Messenger or reporter

Input Councils or Athlete Congress

Athletes as helpers or advocates

ALPs – your role

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So what’s next?

What can you do?

Your role as an ATHLETE in ALPs

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Look around at Special Olympics and see what people are doing. Are there things YOU would like to do?

Talk to your County or ALPs Coordinator about different ways you can be involved.

Your role as an ATHLETE in ALPs

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Be prepared to work hard and maybe study for your new role.

Be brave and try new things!

Where to Start?

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•Set up a regular time for athletes to just sit and talk to staff and volunteers.

•Find out what athletes think about the program and what they KNOW about the Special Olympics options available to them. (Knowledge is power!)

Where to Start?

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•Investigate existing Athlete Leadership Programs to see if they would benefit you or your local program.

•Make a “Show Me the ATHLETE” sign to remind everyone to include athletes in everything we do in Special Olympics.

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Show me the ATHLETE!

Road blocks and barriers

Do you think your new role will be clear sailing?

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Road blocks and barriers

Others do not believe in you!

Lack of training

No self-respect

Overcoming lack of knowledge

Others say: “No.” “You cannot do that.”

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ALPs Input Councils

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Governance in Action

Governance

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INPUT COUNCILS

What are they?

Why have one?

Governance - Input Councils

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Who should be involved?

▪ Facilitator

▪ Athlete leaders

▪ Members

Governance – Input Councils

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Who should decide topics?

What follow-up is required?

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Part 3: YOUR Special Olympics

Mission Statement

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Mission Statement class goal

To help you focus in on what you believe is the best way you can contribute to Special Olympics

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Mission Statement

Roles in Special Olympics

View the Florida video

“We are an organization about change. Sport is our platform”Vancouver, BC – March 2011

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Mission Statement definition

What you want to do

Specific

Empowers you (gives you the power)

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Special Olympics Mission Statement

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for

children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience

joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special

Olympics athletes and the community.

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ALPsMission Statement

To empower athletes to develop leadership skills and utilize their voices to assume meaningful

leadership roles, influence change in the Special Olympics movement and educate communities

around the world that results in positive life changes.

ALPs Summit, Vancouver, BC -- March 2011

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A Personal Mission

Statement I want to use my energies to enrich the lives of

my spouse, my friends and those with intellectual disabilities. I want to be involved as a teacher to

help athletes learn the fun and excitement of leadership through ALPs. I want to be involved in programs that will open new horizons for athletes

to experience activities, friends and places they have never dreamed of.

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Getting to know YOU

What are my greatest strengths? Examples: Good communicator, good mentor, friendly, good organizer

What have been some of the happiest moments in my life?

What things are the most important to me?

How can I best contribute to Special Olympics?

Existing ALPs roles

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Athletes as fund raisers

Athletes as volunteers

Athletes as course instructors

Athletes as coaches or officials

Games management team members

Athletes on boards or committees

Global Messenger or reporter

Input Councils or Athlete Congress

Athletes as helpers or advocates

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A Few Sample Mission

Statements Because I’m good at organizing things, I want to be an assistant basketball coach so I can schedule the games, take care of the uniforms, and keep the scorebooks for competition.

I want to go to schools and give speeches to recruit new athletes for Special Olympics.

I want to start my own television show on cable TV so more people will know about Special Olympics.

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What’s NEXT?

Figure out how to reach your goal.

Talk to your county coordinator, coach, or someone who can help.

Look at your Mission Statement DAILY or WEEKLY. Do NOT forget it because it’s too important!

Let’s share some of YOUR mission statements.

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Athlete Leadership ProgramsAthlete Leadership Programs

Athlete Leaders In Action At Summer Games VIP Dinner

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Break

Please return in 10 minutes!

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