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Announcing our new Volunteer Portal

Exciting news! We are thrilled to unveil our brand-new volunteer management portal, making it even easier for you to participate in Special Olympics programming.

New volunteers: Click on the Volunteer Application link and follow the steps to create your volunteer profile.

Existing volunteers: Existing volunteers will receive an email with instructions to "claim their profile" on or after Monday, April 15th. The "claim their profile" emails will be rolled out slowly, so please allow up to 2 weeks to receive your email! We kindly request that you do not create a new account, or a duplicate record will be created. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at portalsupport@specialolympicspa.org.

Looking to volunteer at our Eastern Spring Sectional, Central Spring Sectional or Western Spring Sectional. We are still using our existing volunteer management portal for these events. See below to register.

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Welcome to the Special Olympics PA Volunteer Registration Form.

New Volunteers: Create a User ID (your email address) and a Password.  

Returning Volunteers: Log in using your existing account information.  

New User Details
Please complete each section below. All required fields are highlighted.

As a registered Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) volunteer, you will receive occasional email communications about our activities, promote inclusion, raise awareness, or garner support for our mission. We do not share your personal information with third parties.

In case of emergency, who should we contact?

Volunteer Classifications

Special Olympics Pennsylvania has two different classifications of volunteers. They are:

Class A: Class A Volunteers have immediate contact with athletes such as coaching or assisting with team practices or competitions. Because of this, Class A Volunteers are required to complete a background check before beginning to volunteer. Additional online trainings are also required. After submission of this form, you will receive an email to complete the required background checks.

Class B: Class B Volunteers have casual or limited contact with athletes such as assisting with one-day or special events. After submission of this form, you will be automatically directed to a listing of upcoming volunteer opportunities.

As required by PA law and in accordance with Special Olympics Pennsylvania policy, you will need to complete background checks in order to become or remain a Class A volunteer.

Please Note: Class A volunteers that are 17 years of age and under do not need to complete background checks.

Step #1: Print, complete the PA Disclosure Statement and upload. You must obtain a "witness" signature. A witness is someone who is 18 years of age or older and can attest to your signature. Your signature and your witness signature must be handwritten; no electronic signatures will be accepted. To upload, "Browse" for a file, select and "Submit."

If you have not lived in PA for the past 10 consecutive years, an FBI Fingerprint Criminal History Record is required by law.  Click here to find locations to support this requirement.

Health Information

Health information is collected in case of emergency. Each participant is responsible for determining if the participant is physically able to participate.

Please mark if you have any of the following conditions and provide details:

Background

As a volunteer for Special Olympics Pennsylvania, we are required to gather some further background information on you. Any "Yes" responses will require that our office directly contact you before continuing.
Policy Acknowledgment
Please open and review the following Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) policies. By submitting this volunteer application, you are attesting that you have read, understand and agree to uphold.
Acknowledgment of Risk
I understand I could get Coronavirus through in-person sports, training, competition and/or any group activity at Special Olympics Pennsylvania. I am choosing to participate in sports, training, competition and/or other Special Olympics Pennsylvania activities at my own risk.
Volunteer - 17 and under

Volunteers who are 17 and under will recieve an email with a "17 and under application" that must be signed by a parent/guardian. If this procedure is not followed, the individual will not be eligible to volunteer for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Upon the individual's 18th birthday the Special Olympics Pennsylvania background check process must be followed depending on the volunteer classification. Volunteers minor may not be alone with any participating Special Olympics athlete during the course of their duties as a volunteer with SOPA and its programs and/or events.

Volunteer Signature

By signing/submitting the volunteer application, I affirm that I have read, understand and will adhere to the responsibilities and code of conduct; and that the information I have given is true and complete. If at any time the information provided is found to have been knowingly falsified, I will be disallowed from volunteering with Special Olympics Pennsylvania.