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Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Regional Leadership Conference 2016

“Leading the Way to Inclusion”

24 – 26 October 2016

Hotel Habakuk, Maribor SLOVENIA

Hosted by:

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Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Regional Leadership Conference

“Leading the Way to Inclusion” Maribor, Slovenia 24 – 26 October 2016

SCHEDULE

S AT URDAY 22 N D OC TOB E R

All Day : Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Staff Meeting

S UN DAY 23 R D OC TOBE R

All Day : Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Staff Meeting

MON DAY 24 T H OC TOB E R

All Day: Europe Eurasia Leadership Council (EELC) Meeting

Delegate arrivals

T UE SDAY 25 T H OC TOB E R

All Day: SOEE Regional Leadership Conference

WE D N ES DAY 26 T H OC TOB E R

All Day: SOEE Regional Leadership Conference

T HURS DAY 27 T H OC TOB E R

All Day: Departures



SPECIAL OLYMPICS GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLAN 2016 - 2020



CONFERENCE AGENDA Tuesday 25th October

TIME TOPIC/EVENT LOCATION

7.00 WELLNESS OPPORTUNITY

(Hotel Habakuk Wellness Centre open for conference delegates)

Wellness Centre

7.30 – 8.00 MORNING HIKE/WALK

(optional)

Meet at Reception

at 7.25

9.00 – 9.30

WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS EUROPE EURASIA REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2016

Led by: Andreja Lazar & Ljubormir Miličević Participants: Riikka Juntunen, David Evangelista

The Conference officially kicks off with a warm welcome to Slovenia from our athletes and programme and regional leadership.

Habakuk Congress Centre –

Turner Hall

9.30 – 10.00

THE STATE OF THE REGION Led by: David Evangelista & Micheline Van Hees

During this session we’ll get to know the SOEE team and regional office structure, celebrate the region’s successes and progress to date, look at the opportunities and challenges before us, review key messages and ask ourselves how we are doing as a region as we approach our 2017 Global Strategic Plan goals.


Turner Hall

10.00 – 10.30

MENTORING Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating

More Resources and Strengthening Leadership Led by: Denis Doolan & Marian Murphy

An introduction to mentoring. Mentoring is a new initiative designed to put Programme Leaders together in a supportive and collaborative capacity. We hear from a mentor and mentee pair about their partnership and the goals, aspirations and challenges of the relationship.


Turner Hall

10.30 – 10.45 COFFEE/TEA BREAK Foyer



10.45 – 11.45

PROGRAMME QUALITY STANDARDS Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating

More Resources and Strengthening Leadership Led by: Denis Doolan & Marian Murphy

Participants: Lize Weerdenburg & Ragna Schapendonk

Quality is not an act, it is a habit. Programme Quality Standards were introduced in 2014 and have been used all over the world to help programmes develop and grow. Based on feedback, the standards have been shortened, updated and aligned with the new Global Strategic Plan.


Turner Hall

11.45 – 12.30

ATHLETE LEADERSHIP AND ACTIVATION Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating

More Resources and Strengthening Leadership Led by: Mo Clarke

Participants: SOEE Athlete Input Council & Programme Leaders It doesn’t all happen on the playing field! This session will showcase the important and varied roles that Athlete Leaders are performing across the region at programme level. We will hear examples from members of our Athlete Input Council and from a selection of National Directors.


Turner Hall

12:30 – 13.00 OPPORTUNITY FOR BREAKOUT MEETINGS Various options

13.00 – 14.00 LUNCH Habakuk

Restaurant

14.00 – 14.30

YOUNG ATHLETE Global Strategic Plan Goal: Improve Athlete Performance

Led by: Mo Clarke Participants: Anna Calleja, Gilmor Borg, Carmen Abela, Elaine

Buttigieg This session will focus on the transition from Young Athletes to regular Special Olympics programming and impact, particularly hearing from family members, youths and athletes about their involvement in the programme.


Turner Hall



14.30 – 15.30

UNIFIED SCHOOLS AND INCLUSIVE YOUTH ACTIVATION

Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating More Resources and Strengthening Leadership

Led by: Bettina Lehmann & Tobias Stabler Our inclusive Youth Leader teams are the future of the movement. We hear from them about what they do and how best to activate inclusive Youth Leadership in your own programme.


Turner Hall


15.45 – 16.30

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES Global Strategic Plan Goal: Improve Athlete Performance

Led by: Bjoern Koehler Participants: Joanna Styczen-Lasocka & Halina Andrzejak

Our aim is to create a future world where people with intellectual disabilities have the same opportunities to be as healthy as people without intellectual disabilities and, in doing so, Special Olympics athletes can perform to their best on and off the playing field. In this session we hear about the impact of community-based health programmes and best practices from around the Region.


Turner Hall

16.30 – 17.00

SPORTS UPDATE Global Strategic Plan Goal: Improve Athlete Performance

Led by: Mariusz Damentko and Mirek Krogulec Participants: Orsolya Karpati

An overview of sports activities around the region. Orsolya Karpati will provide feedback from a recent survey.


Turner Hall

17.00 – 17.30

WORLD WINTER GAMES 2017 UPDATE Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Positive Attitudes

Led by: Marc Angelini & Johanna Pramstaller

An update on the plans for the World Winter Games 2017!


Turner Hall

19.30 – 21.00 DINNER



Wednesday 26th October

TIME TOPIC/EVENT LOCATION

7.00 WELLNESS OPPORTUNITY

(Hotel Habakuk Wellness Centre open for conference delegates)

Wellness Centre

7.30 – 8.00 MORNING HIKE/WALK

(optional)

Meet at Reception

at 7.25

8.30 – 9.30

MAKING THE MEDIA PAY ATTENTION Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Positive Attitudes

Led by: Fiona Hynes Participants: Jura Ozmec – Editor in Chief at SPTV

When it comes capturing media attention, the competition for news slots has never been greater. One rule, however, still applies: coverage will always be reserved for the best-packaged and most efficiently delivered story. This session will explore how Special Olympics programmes can hone their story-telling techniques to exploit opportunities in the digital age. We will also look at how programmes can effectively engage their national media during big events, such as the upcoming World Winter Games, and we will examine recent successful case-studies. Finally, we will hear from a leading journalist from the European sports media world who will share key insights into what it takes to deliver a highly effective media strategy.


Turner Hall

09.30 – 10.30

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating

More resources and Strengthening Leadership Led by: Annemarie Hill & David Evangelista

A discussion on different strategies to engage governments around the region! We hear best practice examples from our own programmes and international team.


Turner Hall


10.45 – 11.15

CENSUS Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating

More Resources and Strengthening Leadership Led by: Denis Doolan

The census has been updated to gather additional information related to changing strategies and this session will outline these changes and how they relate to you and your programme.


Turner Hall



11.15 – 12:15

OPENING DOORS WITH STORYTELLING: STORIES AS A FUNDRAISING TOOL

Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating More resources and Strengthening Leadership

Led by: Kelli Seely, Colin Kenny & Niamh McCombe Participants: Kiera Byland

Earlier today we discussed how to harness the power of storytelling to change attitudes and build awareness. Now we hear how our movement’s stories can be used as a fundraising tool. The voices of our athletes and their stories can open doors and change perspectives, here’s how you can use them to connect with potential donors and partners.


Turner Hall

12:15 – 13.00

WORKING WITH GLOBAL PARTNERS Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Capacity by Generating

More resources and Strengthening Leadership Led by: Kelli Seely

We hear how we can work with our Global Corporate Partners, for example Microsoft, to benefit the Special Olympics movement on a regional and national, as well as global, level. How our global partnerships can benefit our athletes on and off the playing field within each of our national programmes.


Turner Hall

13.00 – 14.15 LUNCH & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY Habakuk

Restaurant

14.15 – 14.45

WORLD GAMES Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Positive Attitudes

Led by: Kim Widdess

A look ahead to World Games going forward.


Turner Hall

14.45 – 15.15

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Global Strategic Plan Goal: Build Positive Attitudes

Led by: Peter Wheeler

The 50th Anniversary is a platform to raise awareness of Special Olympics, educate the world about its impact and accomplishments, recognize those who contributed to its success, and create sustainable funding for future Special Olympics Programs. We will share the overview of the 50th Anniversary plan and discuss how SOEE can participate.


Turner Hall



15.15 – 15.45

HIGHLIGHTS & CLOSING REMARKS Led by: David Evangelista & Athlete Input Council

We’ve reached the finish line! As we wrap-up and conclude the 2016 SOEE Leadership Conference and look ahead to the future we would like to thank you for your participation and collaboration in the important discussions which have taken place over the last two days.


Turner Hall

15.45 – 16.00 COFFEE/TEA BREAK

(Opportunity for participants to change into sports clothes/shoes in preparation for Unified Sports Activity)

Foyer

16.00 – 17.30

UNIFIED SPORTS ACTIVITY Global Strategic Plan Goal: Improve Athlete Performance Led by: Athletes, Youth and the Community Impact and Sports Teams

Will be held outdoors and participants are asked to wear sports clothes/shoes.

Off Site

20.00 – 22.00

CLOSING RECEPTION &

RECOGNITION AWARDS



SPEAKERS Andreja Lazar Andreja has many talents, which she diligently develops and upgrades. She is hard-working and very disciplined in classes as well as with practice at home. She has been attending ballet school for 10 years, where she dances classical ballet. Once a week, she goes to an individual ballet class, where she prepares choreographies for her performances. At the Waldorf Musical School, she has been learning how to play the recorder. She enjoys and likes to perform. She performed at the Presidential palace, at Brdo Castle on Human Rights Day, on TV SLO at charity concerts. She also dances with Matjaž Brinovec, a dance teacher and choreographer. They are preparing a beautiful choreography for a December performance at Brdo Castle. Andreja already co-hosted three major Down Syndrome charity concerts, which were also on TV SLO. She participated at this year’s PLAY WITH ME FESTIVAL, and at many other events. Andreja likes to help very much. She feels good when she’s useful and accepted. Once a week, she helps at a kindergarten as a volunteer. She enjoys being among children.

Annemarie Hill Annemarie Hill serves as the Senior Director of Global Development and Government Relations with Special Olympics International. In this role she is responsible for cultivating and leveraging partnerships to improve services for - and promote the inclusion of - individuals with intellectual disabilities in all aspects that serve to improve their quality of life. Previously Annemarie served as the CEO of Special Olympics South Africa during which time the Program grew by over 25% and played host to two International events including the inaugural African Unified Football Cup in 2012. Prior to taking on this role, Annemarie served with Special Olympics International for 4 years where she was responsible for the roll out of the Healthy Athletes Programme in 22 African states as well as the fostering of international relationships with organizations. Annemarie holds a BSc (Physiotherapy) qualification from the University of Cape Town and a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of the Witwatersrand where she focused her dissertation on the training of health care professionals on the subject of intellectual disability.

Bettina Lehmann Bettina Lehmann joined the SOEE Team July 1, 2015 as Youth Coordinator. She works together with National Programs and youth leaders towards a sustainable and meaningful youth structure. Next to working on the goals regarding youth in the new strategy she works closely together with the SOEE Youth Activation Committee. She is currently also the youth representative on the Europe Eurasia Leadership Council (EELC). Bettina studies at the moment her Masters Programme in Media Management in Stockholm. She has been involved in Special Olmypics for eight years as a volunteer, youth leader, facilitator and youth advisor. She attended Global Youth Activation Summits in Athens, South Korea and LA as well as regional summits and youth meetings. Most of the time she was part of an inclusive youth leader team with Dennis Kutzner, a Special Olympics Germany athlete. Together they were members of the regional Youth Activation Committee from 2012 to 2014.

Bjoern Koehler Bjoern Koehler has been the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Manager of the Healthy Athletes initiative since September 2008. Prior to working with SOEE he was working for Special Olympics Germany and was responsible for coordinating and developing the Healthy Athletes Program in Germany where he started as Volunteer in 2006. Bjoern also worked for an Agency for public and media relation and supported PR activities and edited stories for internet



releases about popular and public Sports programs (e.g. Integration through Sport) of German Federal Sport Association (DOSB). In 2005 Bjoern graduated in Sports Management and Sports Economy from German Sport University in Cologne.

Colin Kenny Colin has been part of the SOEE Development team since March 2010. Previously, he worked as Education Manager in the National Concert Hall in Ireland where he managed a number of projects aimed to develop the musical skills of children and youths who wouldn’t otherwise have access to music education. He is extremely passionate about both sport and music and he loves working with Special Olympics due to the way sports at a grassroots level can impact positively on people no matter what their background. Through his work on the Development team Colin has secured funding from the Thierry Henry Foundation and the Knights of Columbus to support the Unified Sports Programme. He has also managed 2015-16 Special Olympics global relationship with Norton Rose Fulbright which raised $250,000 for the movement. Colin has also managed a number of high profile fundraising events for Special Olympics including the Paris2Nice fundraising cycle and the recent Special Olympics Golf Classic which was hosted by the 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. On the Development team he plays a key role in seeing where there are opportunities to acquire funding for the development of sports programming.

David Evangelista David Evangelista has served a variety of strategic and programmatic capacities with Special Olympics including as Vice President of Global Development and Government Relations, creating and sustaining national and multinational partnerships and strategies. He also served as an instrumental team member for the Healthy Athletes program, developing and managing key relationships with Movement-wide partners such as Lions Clubs International, Essilor International, Safilo Group, UNICEF, and many more. He has also helped spearhead other key initiatives, including the 2013 Special Olympics Global Development Summit in Korea, the 2014 African Leaders Forum on Disability in Malawi, and the 2015 Inclusive Global Development Roundtable Consultation in California.

Denis Doolan Denis is Chief of Organisational Excellence at Special Olympics International. He has 20 years’ international experience working in the UK, Australia, Ireland and the US as well as consulting on projects in Belgium, Canada, Italy and Poland. His work has ranged from strategic and operational planning, project management and business consultancy in the not-for-profit and event sectors to the provision of leadership training and development services in the corporate world. Further to working on the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Denis was Director of Venues for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. He has since worked with the SO Ireland Program and was interim President and Managing Director of the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region during 2011. In his current role, Denis has led the development of Program Quality Standards, a new Census system and new Program leadership training initiatives, and he is currently responsible for leading the creation of a new strategic plan for the Movement. Denis’s sister Emma is a Special Olympics athlete, participating in athletics, gymnastics and ALPs.

Fiona Hynes Fiona Hynes is the newest addition to the SOEE team having recently joined as Head of Communications. She has also been appointed to serve as the International Marketing and Communications representative on Special Olympics’ Global Unified Sports Advisory Group. Before joining SOEE, Fiona served as Communications and Marketing Manager for Special



Olympics Ireland for three years, during which time she led the highly successful media campaign for Team Ireland. Fiona’s background is journalism, and she worked in a variety of senior editorial roles with Independent News & Media, one of Ireland’s leading media companies, for over a decade. A communications strategist, Fiona has wide-ranging experience in devising and implementing high impact campaigns and brings a creative approach to content production and delivery in the digital age.

Johanna Pramstaller Johanna is from Vandans, Bludenz, Austria. As an International Global Messenger, she seeks to take the ideas and wishes of her fellow athletes and turn them into reality. Johanna hails from a family of nine, which includes three other siblings with intellectual disabilities. Johanna credits Special Olympics with changing her life by helping her be more independent, developing friendships, and learning to trust more. Johanna is very competitive and likes to make goals for herself in the myriad of sports in which she competes (alpine skiing, swimming, floorball, athletics, golf, fitness). She is a four-time World Games athlete, including the 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 events, who shares that she always has fun competing. She also plays Unified Sports and won gold with her partner Josef at Austria’s National Games in her first time competing Unified. Johanna won silver in Unified golf at the 2011 World Games with her partner Edwine. An athlete who focuses on training year-round, Johanna shares that her favorite athletes are Michael Phelps, Anna Fenninger (an alpine skier in Austria) and Tiger Woods. In addition to her involvement with Special Olympics, Johanna works in a nursing home Monday through Friday, enjoys meeting friends, spending holidays in Italy and making looming bands (bracelets).

Jura Ozmec Jura Ozmec is Editor in Chief at SPTV, Croatia’s first national sports TV channel. Jura is also a member of the AIPS Executive Committee, and President of Hrvatski Zbor Sportskih Novinara - the Croatian Sports Journalists' Association.

Kelli Seely Kelli Seely oversees the global fundraising strategy for Special Olympics in the 170 countries where they have a presence. Seely is a 20-year veteran of the non-profit industry. Prior to her position at Special Olympics she served as the Sr. Vice President/Chief Development Officer of the United Service Organizations (USO) in Washington, D.C. She has extensive experience in the corporate arena having secured partnerships with major Fortune 100 companies including Microsoft, Visa, Kroger, Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and American Airlines. Prior to her move to the East Coast, Kelli made her mark on several organizations in California. As President and CEO of Make-a-Wish Foundation in Los Angeles, she created the organization’s successful national “A Season of Wishes” campaign. From 1999-2004, Kelli served as President and CEO of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce & Visitors & Conference Bureau where she successfully led city-wide re-branding and licensing initiatives for the world renowned city.

Kim Widdess Kim Widdess is Vice President Guest Services & Events for Special Olympics.

Ljubomir Miličević Ljubomir Miličević, President of Special Olympics Slovenia, is a gym teacher in a special school, so coaching Special Olympics athletes is his every day occupation. He has been involved with Special Olympics since 1989, the beginning of the movement in Slovenia. First he was a Sports Director and a head of national competition and training advisory committee. Over the years he was involved in almost all competitions organized on a national level. He was an alternate member of CTAC from



2003 to 2007 and a member from 2007 to 2013. He has been the President of Special Olympics Slovenia since 2010.

Marc Angelini Marc Angelini is the National Director of Special Olympics Austria where the Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in 2017.

Marian Murphy Marian began her employment with SOEE in 1998 and currently holds the position of Director of Organisational Development. She also oversees the family and young athlete programmes. Her background is in project management and strategic planning. She started her Special Olympics involvement with Special Olympics Ireland as a coach. Following on from that she was involved in the national programme restructure and became chair of the Ireland Board and chair of the EELC before joining the SOEE staff.

Maureen Clarke Maureen Clarke has been part of SOEE since 2010 and is currently coordinator of the Young Athletes and Family programmes. She is a qualified event organiser with vast experience in the organisation and facilitation of conferences and training seminars throughout Europe. She also volunteers with Special Olympics Ireland as a mentor in the Athlete Leadership programme. In her spare time she likes to take part in outdoor challenges and can include Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Toubkal, Everest Basecamp and Paris2Nice cycle among her achievements.

Mariusz Damentko Mariusz Damentko graduated (1977) and received a Ph.Ed. D. (1988) from the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw. From 1978 to 1994 M. Damentko conducted Adapted Physical Education and Sports for Persons with Disabilities. As the university assistant at that Academy M. Damentko started Special Olympics Poland with small group of volunteers in 1985. He was assisting former SO European Directors to launch SO Programs and train first SO coaches and volunteers in other countries from Central and East part of Europe (f.e. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria as well as Finland etc.). He was part time SO Europe Consultant since 1990 to 1994 and full time Director for Central and East Europe (1994-2000) and since 2000 till now Sports Director M. Damentko is Board member of International Federation Adapted Physical Activity IFAPA. Mariusz Damentko organized approximately 150 different sports seminars, conferences and educational projects in Europe- Eurasia Region in 1990-2016 time period.

Martha Jo Braycich Martha Jo Braycich, Senior Director, Community Impact Initiatives, Special Olympics International Regional office based in Brussels Belgium. Martha Jo has worked with Special Olympics for 18 years. Ms. Braycich leads the regional Community Impact team that focuses on developing inclusive sports, early childhood development, inclusive youth activation, health initiatives and athlete self-advocacy. She is also responsible for overseeing program development in 14 countries.

Micheline van Hees Micheline van Hees, 52, is a Special Olympics athlete from Belgium. She joined Special Olympics Belgium over 10 years ago and trains and competes in swimming and bocce. Ms Van Hees is a member of the‘t Vosje Sports Club in Vilvoorde. She has competed at National, European and



World Games. She is a Coach Assistant for swimming and athletics. Ms Van Hees is the athlete representative on the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Leadership Council (EELC), which provides guidance and advice to the 58 Special Olympics National Programs in the region. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Belgium. In addition to sports, Ms. Van Hees volunteers in a senior home. She speaks French and Dutch and lives in Hoeilaart.

Mirek Krogulec Mirek Krogulec, Director, Sport and Organizational Development, joined SOEE in 2001 after working as a certified Nat’l basketball coach, Physical Education Teacher and Sports Manager for Special Olympics Poland. Over fifteen years worked on Sport & Competition development in 58 Programs of Europe and Eurasia, involved in all Regional sport event management and sports related projects - training seminars, sports conferences, creation of educational materials, university projects and partnerships with sports federations. He leads the biggest sports development projects - football supported by UEFA and basketball supported by FIBA Europe and Euroleague Basketball. In addition works closely on Program development and leadership in Eastern and Central Europe countries. Mirek holds a Master’s Degree from the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw.

Niamh McCombe Niamh McCombe has been working on the development team in Special Olympics Europe Eurasia since 2010. Niamh worked in web development, computational linguistics and artificial intelligence before shifting her focus to social science. She has an MSc in Economics from Trinity College, Dublin and takes a particular interest in measurements of social wellbeing, and in the kind of benefits which Special Olympics delivers. Since joining the Special Olympics team, Niamh has worked on corporate development, on grant writing and on major donor cultivation.

Peter Wheeler As Chief and Executive Producer of the 50th Anniversary, Mr. Wheeler will lead activities around Special Olympics milestone 50th year in 2018-2019. Prior to this he has led the oversight of the past three World Games from selection through delivery of the Games. His portfolio also includes managing the most successful charitable music series ever – A Very Special Christmas, and the Global Ambassador and Celebrity Program.

Tobias Staebler Tobias Staebler joined the SOEE Team on 1 March as Unified Sports Coordinator to cover a colleague’s parental leave. Tobias will support the implementation of Unified Schools, as well the development of Unified Sports resources and activities in the region. Tobias has been involved in Special Olympics for over 14 years, with experience as a Unified Skiing and Unified Volleyball partner. Tobias has participated at the World Summer Games in Shanghai, Athens and Los Angeles as a Unified partner and as a Unified Coach. Tobias also organized Special Olympics Germany competitions, contributed to the SOEE Unified Volleyball Coach Manual and spent one year at the Special Olympics Namibia Program in 2011. Tobias is from Wilhelmsdorf, in southwest Germany.

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