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Be A Mentor
* * * WANTED – Athlete Leadership Programs Mentors * * *
 Through the Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs), you have the opportunity to support athletes who want to expand their participation in Special Olympics Minnesota beyond sports training & competition by becoming a mentor for an athlete. We have many athletes that want to participate in ALPs but don't have the opportunity because they don’t have a mentor to work with them. Here is your chance to get involved!
What is ALPs?
ALPs stands for Athlete Leadership Programs. Special Olympics defines ALPs as:
1. Allowing athletes to choose how and in what role they participate in Special Olympics, such as athlete, coach, volunteer, and/or leader.
2. Encouraging athletes to take meaningful positions of influence and leadership throughout the organization to help determine policy and set direction.
3. Providing additional training for athletes as they develop their leadership skills in new roles.
4. Allowing athletes to explore opportunities for participation in roles previously considered "non-traditional." Through ALPs, athletes are trained to serve as public speakers, assistant coaches, volunteers, and gain knowledge about the responsibilities of becoming an effective board or committee member.
Mentors are a key component to ALPs training as each athlete is required to attend ALPs courses with a volunteer mentor. This mentor works with the athlete during and after the course to see that the skills learned at the training are implemented.
A mentor's role can include the following:
1. Attending 1, 2, or 3 day ALPs courses with the athlete
2. Assisting athletes with activities and comprehension while learning the same curriculum side by side
3. Creating opportunities to help ALPs athletes implement their newly learned skills to benefit their delegation/area/state programs
4. Proving that athletes with committed mentors are more successful with ALPs
Expectations of an ALPs mentor:
1. Lending support to the ALPs athlete during and after ALPs courses
2. Making a definite time commitment to the ALPs athlete (this will vary depending on the ALPs course taken)
3. Providing transportation
4. Facilitating communication between the ALPs athlete and the delegation/area/state programs
5. Partnering with the ALPs athlete to plan, set goals, implement, listen, shadow and provide guidance where needed
A mentor can be a friend, teacher, co-workers, coach or family member that is willing to make the commitment to support the athlete as they choose to become involved and continue to grow in the ALPs program. Through the ALPs courses, the athlete and mentor will develop a unique relationship that will increase self confidence, build leadership skills and provide many other benefits that will impact both of you.
A mentor should have a basic knowledge of Special Olympics, be willing to make the necessary time commitment, and have the desire to work with the athlete as they assume new roles in Special Olympics by becoming athlete leaders.
For more information about this exciting opportunity to become an ALPs mentor, contact Heather Harmer at 612-604-1276 or 800-783-7732 ext. 276 (Minnesota only), or email at harmerh@somn.org
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