Eligibility

Applications are accepted from investigators who have a demonstrated record of research and are affiliated with an institution that offers support for researchers.

Maximum Award

Applicants may request up to $15,000.00. The number of grants awarded is dependent upon the recommendations of the committee. A total of $15,000.00 is available without a minimum or maximum number of required awards.

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Click here for a full description of the role.

The Chef de Mission is the volunteer leader of the Special Olympics Canada National Team.  As such he/she, in conjunction with Special Olympics Canada, is responsible for developing the vision and critical path for the National Team. The Chef de Mission is a proactive, motivational leader who supports and promotes the National Team by creating a team environment that is conducive to a productive and positive competitive and team experience for all National Team members.

The application and selection process for the Chef de Mission position consists of the following steps.

1. Submit an application that answers the questions stated below. (Deadline: Friday, June 28, 2013)
2. The National Team Program selection committee will short list the applicants.
3. The shortlisted applicants will take part in a phone interview with selection committee members. (July 2013)
4. Applicants will be informed of selection committee’s decision by August 1, 2013.
5. Announcement to stakeholders of successful candidate by August 9, 2013.

Application Questions:

• Current Special Olympics/Sport Affiliation (positions held and years of involvement)
• Games/Sport management and leadership experience
• The definition of a “successful team” from your perspective.
• The qualities that you will bring to the position
• Reasons for making application for the Chef de Mission position
• Goals for the Team that will represent Canada at the 2015 World Summer Games

Time Commitment (may be subject to change):

• August 2013 Team Management Planning Meeting
• May 2014 – Mission Meeting – Individual Sports  (weekend)
• September 2014 Mission Meeting – Team Sports (weekend)
• October 2014 – Team Training Camp (four days)
• Spring 2015 – Sport Specific Training Camp (weekend)
• May 2015 – Final Mission Meeting (weekend)
  • July 2015 – Staging Camp, Send-Off & World Games (inclusive of travel and Host Town Program)
• August 2013 to September 2015 on-going team / planning responsibilities
• Ex-officio member of 2017 NTP selection committee

Required Documentation:

• Cover letter;
• 2 letters of reference, one of which must reference your leadership experience;
• Resume (optional);
• Police Records Check

*Applications must be completed and received by Special Olympics Canada by midnight (EST) June 28, 2013.  Applications received after midnight (EST) June 28, 2013 will not be considered. Submit applications to Marian Coulson, Director Sport & Competition, Special Olympics Canada at mcoulson@specialolympics.ca

“As the largest corporate supporter of Special Olympics Canada, we know that there are many families and athletes in the communities we live and work that need our support,” said Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada. “Helping to collect much-needed funds and spreading the word about this great organization has become a part of our fabric and company culture.”

Staples Canada customers are encouraged to visit their local Staples store to make a donation and share a dream. Proceeds raised will go directly to Special Olympics programs in their communities, helping kids like Oliver, this year’s campaign star, be more physically active while developing the confidence and skills to succeed both on and off the field of play.

Oliver is one of many Canadians with an intellectual disability who benefits from the daily programs provided by Special Olympics Canada. In addition to the well-known national and international Special Olympic Games, Special Olympics offers youth programs aimed at improving motor, social and cognitive skills in children and youth, and weekly year-round sport training for all abilities ages 12 and up. These programs provide an opportunity for those with an intellectual disability to socialize and be a part of a greater community.

Last year’s Give a Toonie. Share a Dream. campaign surpassed its fundraising goal of $300,000, raising an incredible $508,560. This year, Staples Canada and Special Olympics Canada hope to raise a minimum of $500,000 that will go towards supporting the daily Special Olympics programs offered in communities across the country. Through the public’s donations, more athletes like Oliver will be able to experience the transformative power and joy of sport.

TSN viewers can hear these athletes’ incredible stories and witness their inspirational journeys first-hand. Help celebrate the achievements and successes of Special Olympics Team Canada’s monumental 2013 World Winter Games and tune in on May 4!

In case you miss it the first time around, TSN and TSN2 will be rebroadcasting the show! You can catch it on TSN on Friday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. EST or TSN2 on Monday, May 6 at 10:30 p.m. EST and Tuesday, May 7 at 4:00 p.m. EST. The show will also be broadcast on RDS, dates still to be determined.

Last year, over $1.6 million was raised during the campaign which sent hundreds of kids with disabilities to Easter Seals camps and provided support for local programs offered through Special Olympics.

2013 Easter Seals Ambassador Jacob McGregor, 19, has Spastic Quadriplegia and many fond memories of attending Easter Seals Camp.  “Camp Horizon gave me an enjoyable break, offered me the opportunity to make many new friends and a feeling of freedom provided by the accessible giant swing,” said Jacob.

Special Olympics Athletes Dean and Debbie Pelletier are both long-term Safeway employees and like working for a company that supports people with disabilities.  “We have both attended lots of Special Olympics events and competitions and we know that our company supports what we are doing both in our stores and on the field,” said Dean and Debbie.  Last year over 35,000 Special Olympics athletes participated in a variety of sports programming throughout the country.

“Helping our neighbours living with a diverse range of abilities has long been a Safeway priority,” said Canada Safeway President and Chief Operating Officer Chuck Mulvenna. “As a company that proudly employs hundreds of people living with disabilities, Canada Safeway directly benefits from the incredible work of these two important organizations.”

Each year Safeway stores dedicate the month of April to raising funds and bringing awareness in support of people with disabilities.  From March 29 through April 30, Canada Safeway customers will be invited to make a donation of $2.00 at any Safeway store and in return receive 5 AIR MILES Reward Miles.  100% of the funds raised during the campaign will support Easter Seals Canada and Special Olympics Canada.  To date, Safeway stores across North America have raised more the $119 million in support of organizations that assist people with developmental and physical disabilities.

Make sure to visit the Special Olympics Canada facebook page or your local Special Olympics facebook page, for more information!

We at Special Olympics Canada are saddened by the passing of our dear friend, colleague, leader, and a true champion — Frank D. Selke Jr.

While best known as a celebrated hockey executive and sports broadcaster, Frank became involved with Special Olympics in 1969 as a hockey executive working for the California Golden Seals. Frank stayed involved with the Special Olympics movement for the rest of his life.

In the 1980s, Harry “Red” Foster, Special Olympics Canada’s founder, encouraged Frank to take on a bigger role. As chair of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Ontario, Frank established greater financial stability for the organization by attracting community support. He heightened national awareness by persuading his colleagues at the Canadian Sport Network to include segments about Special Olympics on Hockey Night in Canada.

Frank went on to contribute at the national level, serving on the Special Olympics Canada Board of Directors for eleven years. After retiring from the Canadian Sport Network in 1992, he joined the Special Olympics Canada National Office as Executive Vice President where he helped to establish our national partnership program, and was instrumental in the success of this undertaking and the growth of the Special Olympics movement in Canada.

While Frank was a master at selling the benefits of our organization to corporate sponsors, he was also a tremendous friend to our athletes, and well known to their family and friends. He was an ardent ambassador of – and advocate for – Special Olympics athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Frank loved the movement; he understood the power of sport to transform lives and, in his work with our athletes, he contributed to the transformation of many. In his kind and encouraging way, he was a leader, with outstanding personal integrity and generosity, who led with his heart.

The death of Frank Selke is a tremendous loss to our organization and to our country. Our thoughts today are with Frank’s family: his wife Red; his children Gary, Greg and Lisa; and his many grandchildren.

Frank Selke was Special Olympics Canada’s greatest ambassador for 44 years. He was the heart and soul of our movement, and the face of Special Olympics in our country’s boardrooms and locker rooms alike. We are grateful for all that he gave our movement and our athletes, and we know his gifts will continue to strengthen Special Olympics Canada for many years to come.

Lindsay Glassco
President & CEO
Special Olympics Canada

Make a donation in memory of Frank D. Selke Jr.

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