Special Olympics College Club Starter Guide - Updated 2022

Sep 11, 2026

Special Olympics College Club Starter Guide (Updated 2022) provides step-by-step guidance for college students to create and establish an official student organization on campus. The guide explains the purpose of the starter guide and key terms, then details roles and responsibilities plus a 7-step process to launch a club, build leadership, connect with state programs, plan meetings, and ensure communication and long-term sustainability. It also includes additional resources, links, and an editable sample toolkit to support growth toward meaningful inclusion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Section 1: Introduction to Special Olympics College Programs

Purpose of Starter Guide & Additional Resources

What Your Special Olympics College Program Can Become

Terms to Know

Section 2: Starting a Special Olympics College Club

Roles and Responsibilities

7 Steps to Starting a Special Olympics College Club

Steps 1-7

Section 3: Additional Resources and Toolkit

Links from Document

Sample Resource Toolkit

Special Olympics College Club Starter Guide UPDATED 2022 Special Olympics Uniﬁed Champion Schools® Special Olympics Uniﬁed Champion Schools® Hear from Rowan University Isabella Knapp, Co-President Jason McEwen, Athlete Representative Executive Board Members, Rowan Unified Sports “Special Olympics College Clubs create an environment like no other. In our Special Olympics College Club, Rowan Unified, college students and Special Olympics athletes come together to create a competitive, but a tremendously positive atmosphere. Our Special Olympics Unified Sports® program is growing every year and we are so grateful for such strong support from our school and local community! We agree that being active and playing sports together is an extremely important part of the club; however, our favorite part is getting to meet new people! Our athletes love making new friends, especially with college students. The bonds that are built on and off the playing field will last a lifetime. Living Unified is more than just playing a game. We enjoy all the extra activities that come with being a member of the club at Rowan such as our annual Fall Ball and Banquet! Unified has become a way of life at Rowan. Good Luck as you not only play, but live Unified!” The contents of this “Special Olympics College Club Starter Guide” were developed under generous funding from the US Department of Education,\#H380W150001 and \#H380W160001 . However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and one should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction to Special Olympics college programs 4 Purpose of Starter Guide & Additional Resources ................................................................................... 5 What Your Special Olympics College Program Can Become .................................................................. 6 Terms to Know ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Section 2: Starting a Special Olympics College Club 9 Roles and Responsibilies .............................................................................................................................. 10 7 Steps to Starting a Special Olympics College Club ................................................................................ 11 Steps 1: Connect with Your Special Olympics State Program ................................................................ 12 Step 2: Identify Team & Advisor .................................................................................................................. 12 Step 3: Establish an Executive Board.......................................................................................................... 15 Step 4: Contact Student Activities .............................................................................................................. 16 Step 5: Host Your First Team Meeting ........................................................................................................ 18 Step 6 Communication ................................................................................................................................. 19 Step 7: Sustainability...................................................................................................................................... 20 Section 3: Additional Resources and Toolkit 24 Links from Document .................................................................................................................................... 25 Sample Resource Toolkit .............................................................................................................................. 26 Special Olympics College Club Starter Guide | 3 SECTION 1: Introduction to Special Olympics College Pro

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Special Olympics College Club Starter Guide?

It helps college students create and establish an official student organization on campus, providing steps and guidance to start, grow, and sustain a Special Olympics College Club.

What are the seven steps to start a Special Olympics College Club?

The process includes connecting with the state program, identifying team and advisor, establishing an executive board, contacting student activities, hosting the first team meeting, communication, and sustainability.

What additional resources are included in the guide?

The guide provides links from the document plus a sample resource toolkit that is available as editable templates for Special Olympics College Clubs and college programs.

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin