Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
As the Special Olympics Oklahoma Sports Team finalizes volunteer needs for each event, registration links will be posted below. Please bookmark this page, as additional links will be added as they become available. In the meantime, feel free to mark your calendars and save the dates for any events not yet posted
PLEASE NOTE: You must log in to the volunteer portal at https://portals.specialolympics.org before registering for a specific event. You may view volunteer roles and shift details without logging in, but you must be signed in to complete your registration. If you’re new to the portal or need assistance, please review the helpful hints at the bottom of this page.
See Our Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, April 25 Smoke & Guns in Tulsa
Wednesday, May 13 through Friday, May 15 State Summer Games in Stillwater
See Other Upcoming Events On Our Calendar
Volunteer Roles
We love our volunteers! Special Olympics Oklahoma would not exist today, nor be as successful as it is, without the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time, talents, energy and especially their enthusiasm to making the world a more inclusive and accepting place.
Not sure where to start? Visit our SO Portal to pursue opportunities or email us at haley@sook.org.
Day of Event Volunteer Roles
- Description: Provide day-of support for Special Olympics Oklahoma’s events, competitions, and programs.
- Examples: Event setup at an athletics competition, scorekeeping at a basketball competition, check-in table at a health event, handing out awards at a athletics competition.
- Commitment: Day-of
- Next Step: Sign up for an upcoming opportunity by creating a profile and registering for an event within the SO Portal: https://portals.specialolympics.org/
Unified Partner Roles
- Description: Compete in Unified Sports along side an athlete at Special Olympics Oklahoma’s competitions.
- Examples: Being on a unified flag football team at your high school, being a partner for unified bowling at an area competition.
- Commitment: Continuous
- Next Step: Creating a Unified Partner profile and complete the requirements at: https://portals.specialolympics.org/. Reach out to a coach to be paired with a Athlete
Volunteer Leadership Roles
- Description: Work directly with our athletes and staff to execute Special Olympics Oklahoma’s events, competitions, and programs.
- Examples: Coach, Area Management Team, Games Committee, Athlete Leadership Council Advisor, etc.
- Commitment: Variable
- Next Step: Email us at haley@sook.org so we can find a spot for you.
- Currently recruiting for Spring Season (Jan 2026 – June 2026)
Health Volunteer Roles
- Description: Support Special Olympics Oklahoma’s health programs and Healthy Athletes screening events.
- Examples: Physical Therapists, Dentists, Audiologists, Optometrists, Podiatrists, Psychiatrists, Medical Doctors, Nurses, Dietitians, Health Care and Medical Students
- Commitment: Variable
- Next Step: Sign up for an upcoming opportunity by creating a profile and applying for a health role within the SO Portal: https://portals.specialolympics.org/
Specialty Volunteer Roles (varies)
- Description: Lend your talents and expertise to a specialty service for a Special Olympics Oklahoma event, competition, program, or major initiative. Examples:
- Examples: Security or medical volunteer at an event, special project volunteer in technology, project management, etc.
- Commitment: Variable
- Next Step: Let us know your skills and preferences by creating a profile and updating your profile within the SO Portal: https://portals.specialolympics.org/ and reaching out to haley@sook.org to get connected.
Becoming A Volunteer
We have updated our Volunteer Portal. Every level of volunteer will need to create an account to sign in, directions below. If you have volunteer certifications we have transferred over to your portal that’s connected by your email, any missing certifications please let us know. If we do not find them please note that you may have to redo that certification. If you have any questions that need immediate assistance please contact Haley Hilmes for Volunteer inquires.
Who Can Become a Volunteer?
Our volunteer base includes students, senior citizens, business groups, individuals, civic organizations, families, churches, school groups and coaches just to name a few. In other words, ANYONE CAN GET INVOLVED!
There is no experience required; however, you must be at least 15 years of age, unless accompanied by an adult.
How do I become a Volunteer?
Special Olympics has three types of Volunteers — Class A, Class B and Groups. Each has different requirements as they represent different levels of involvement. Please see the corresponding explanations below:
Class A: Class A Volunteers include anyone who wishes to be a coach, assistant coach, chaperone, committee member, driver, medical, group lead, or Unified Partner. Because Class A volunteers will be spending a lot of one-on-one time with our athletes, we take extra precautions to ensure their safety.
Class A volunteers MUST COMPLETE THE STEPS IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:
- Complete a Volunteer Release Form
- Complete Protective Behaviors Course
- Complete (with satisfactory results) a background check through our selected third-party vendor.
Class B: Class B Volunteers are those who only wish to volunteer on the day of an event. To be a Class B volunteer, all we need is a completed Volunteer Release Form.
Groups: To volunteer as a group, you will need a group lead who completes Class A then group members complete Class B.
The Volunteer Registration Portal is a website where you can sign up to volunteer in Special Olympics Oklahoma events.
How can I get to the portal?
- Click the link below:
- Click Here to Portal
- If you have already made an account, click on “sign in”, and log in with your email that you used and then enter in your password.
- If you have not created an account, follow below.
How do I create an account?
- Use the link above to get to the portal.
- Once you are on the website, click “create an account”.
- Once you add your email you will need to verify your email
- Enter in the code you get on the portal website.
- After you have added the code, you will then be able to go on with the sign-up process.
- After you fill out all the needed information, you set up your portal!
What do you do on the portal?
- Class A Volunteer (Volunteer Release Form, Protective Behaviors, Background Check)
- Class B Volunteer (Volunteer Release Form)
- Coach Certifications
- Sign-up for SOOK events
Volunteer Resources
Volunteer Training Videos
Special Olympics Oklahoma Overview
Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
Special Olympics Overview
SONA Special Olympics Overview
Volunteer FAQs
What are the age requirements to volunteer with Special Olympics Oklahoma?
Youth volunteers to ages 15 may volunteer with a parent or adult guardian. Teen volunteers between ages 15 – 17 may volunteer in select roles. Sky’s the limit for folks that are 18+!
I am looking to organize a group to volunteer together, how should I go about organizing this?
We love groups of volunteers/have lots of opportunities that make great team-building events! Check out our Volunteer Portal or feel free to reach out to us directly at haley@sook.org.
How should I register to volunteer at a Special Olympics Oklahoma event in my area?
Create an account within our Volunteer Portal to sign up and manage your volunteer registrations.
I am looking for an ongoing volunteer role in my area, what are my next steps?
Review long term opportunities by visiting our Volunteer Portal or feel free to reach out to us directly at haley@sook.org.
What is the difference between a Class A and Class B volunteer?
Class A volunteers are typically in close contact with athletes and/or handle money (merchandise, fundraisers. These types of roles require background check as well as additional training. Class B volunteers do not require a background check, with some requiring additional training.
Does Special Olympics Oklahoma verify volunteer hours?
Yes! Feel free to send any verification forms to haley@sook.org and/or reach out to us if you need help.
Without volunteers, Special Olympics Oklahoma would not exist. We depend on the time, energy and dedication of thousands of energetic volunteers to fulfill our mission. We are sure that your life will be enriched immeasurably as you become an important part of the Special Olympics family.
