How to Start an Agency
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Meet with your SOWI Area Staff and receive a Prospective Agency Packet.
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Recruit one or more volunteers to serve on your Agency Management Team (AMT).
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Register your Agency
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Complete the Agency Registration form
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Complete the Class A Volunteer forms
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View the General Orientation Video
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Meet with your SOWI Area Staff for an Orientation
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Identify key volunteers for leadership positions on AMT and designate meeting times and agendas.
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Recruit athletes ages 8 years old and older of all abilities through schools, residential settings, the Arc, work centers, churches and families.
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Hold orientation for athletes and families to determine what sports they would like and availability of coaches, facilities and equipment Also enlist them to help with the remaining steps.
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Recruit coaches through athletic clubs, Sports Federations and Governing Bodies, schools and universities, service providers, parents and family members.
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Train coaches by promoting their attendance at Certified Training Schools (CTS). Key points include: SOWI mission and philosophy, how to coach SOWI athletes, rules, divisioning, expectations and how to spot and foster athlete leadership.
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Register coaches utilizing the Class A volunteer process including screening, viewing the General Orientation video and completing the Protective Behaviors Online training.
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Meet with athletes, coaches, parents/siblings, providers and volunteers to set sports training schedule.
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Conduct Athlete Training a minimum of 8 hours in each sport. Stress skill development, offer local competition opportunities, and involve peer coaches.
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Advance to Area and/or State level competition.
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Establish more enhanced relationships with schools, families, residential facilities and the community.
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Promote public awareness: the message of competence and value, importance of sports recreation; education and employment; and contribution to inclusion.
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Evaluate Agency and continue to expand services and empower athletes.