1 brave never quits 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
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Special Olympics Michigan Annual Report 2015 CONTENTS Message from Lois Arnold...1 Board of Directors...2 Emerging Leaders...2 About Us...3 Our Partners...4 2015 Highlights...5 2015 State Events...6 Project UNIFY...9 2015 Project UNIFY Highlights...10 Young Athletes...11 Healthy Athletes...12 Volunteers...13 Law Enforcement Torch Run...14 Supporters...15 Signature Fundraising Events...16-17 Inspire Greatness Gala...18 2015 Financial Overview...19-20 3
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LOIS ARNOLD Friends, Thank you for helping Special Olympics have a banner year in 2015. Our program now serves over 23,000 athletes, we have more financial stability in our area programs and more athletes have opportunities to participate! I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish as a program. While it has been a lot of work, it is so worth it to see the program grow and improve. Our new Fall Games were a big success. This event has so much potential. Thanks for making it s second year a great one. Our Project UNIFY schools continue to grow. With the help of the state of Michigan funding and the SOI US Department of Education, we are able to offer more unified sports, youth leadership opportunities and anti-bullying R Word rallies. We could not do this without our great volunteers! They are the best! We rely on the use and generosity of thousands of volunteers to help us, coach, run games and raise money. Most impressive is our amazing Special Olympics Michigan athletes! We were proud to take athletes to the World Games in Los Angeles and see them compete. They did a great job and inspired us with their ability and enthusiasm. We also sent an Unified pair of an athlete and teacher to Washington DC to help Special Olympics educate our legislators on how much we offer. We are so much more than sport and we are proud to share this. They were incredible. Project UNIFY promotes inclusion and is engaging a whole new younger group of athletes and volunteers. It is exciting to see the changes that this program is creating in school communities. While we are spreading the word to end the word, we are helping to educate students with and without disabilities that we are more alike than different. Friendships are being built that foster inclusion inside and outside of schools. We continue to see graduation rates going up and suspension and dropout rates going down. I could not be more proud. Thank you for the work you do every day as a sponsor, volunteer or athlete to make us even better! 1
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Robert E. Chadwick II Chair Adjunct Professor & Consultant, Saginaw Valley State University Ms. Juliet Dragos Vice Chair TV News Anchor, WZZM Television Grand Rapids Mr. Matthew Simon, CPA Treasurer Vice President/CFO, Amerisure Companies Mrs. Michelle Acciavatti Director of Account Management, Towers Watson Mr. Christopher Axer Market Manager, Sam s Club Mr. Jim Ayres Managing Director, Amway North America Dr. Jody Brylinksy Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Western Michigan University Mr. Jeffrey Butler Partner, LaPointe & Butler, PC Mr. Stephen Gutman Attorney, Gutman PLLC Mr. Tom Hoeg Executive Vice President/COO, Amerisure Insurance Companies Ms. Bridget Hurd Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield - Michigan Senator Rick Jones Senator Michigan Senate Mr. Don Loding President / CEO, NBB Enterprises Mr. Ken Mattei Retired Manager, General Motors Miss Jacqueline Putney-Bunt Special Olympics Michigan Athlete Mr. Jack Riley Sr. Vice President/Marketing Director, Fifth Third Bank Mr. Fred Schaard President, Rehmann Financial Mr. Bonner Upshaw III CEO, Trion Solutions, Inc. EMERGING LEADERS Mr. Kevin Clement Chair Director, Enterprise Risk Management Amerisure Mutual Holdings, Inc. Mr. Josh Lowry Vice Chair Corporate Controller, Real Estate One Ms. Sara Bolster Secretary Financial Analyst, Amway Mr. Daniel Broxup Attorney, Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones PLC Ms. Alisha Cieslak General Counsel Gordon Food Service Mr. Bradley Clark Marketing Assistant, 365 Retail Markets Ms. Adrienne Clement Account Manager, Grainger Mr. Chris Dean Logistics and Market Analyst Dean Transportation Ms. Melissa Goulet Analyst, Kelly Services Ms. Michelle Palma Assistant Controller, Service Express, Inc. Ms. Kaitlin Poschke Staff Physical Therapist, Spectrum Health Mr. Nicholas Simatos Commercial Banker, Chemical Bank Ms. Lourin Sprenger Reporter, Anchor, CBS WWMT-TV Ms. Jessica Wells Management Trainee, Real Estate One Ms. Julie Conn Student Support Services Director Ms. Kelly Frick Sr. Director of Journalism and Engagement, MLive Media Group Mr. Kevin Voigt Partner, KPMG Mr. Papa Fall Research Analyst, Exchange Captial Management, Inc. 2
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN ABOUT US OUR MISSION Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. OUR VISION Special Olympics Michigan is a premier statewide program committed to excellence and will offer opportunities to experience quality sports training and competition at all levels of the program to eligible persons in the State of Michigan. Special Olympics Michigan will pursue growth of our programs, increased opportunities for our athletes, and build greater managerial, operational and financial stability throughout the organization. Special Olympics Michigan is dedicated to the principle of One Team, One Vision. OUR GOAL The ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public s awareness of their capabilities and needs. 3
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN OUR PARTNERS STATEWIDE PREMIER GOLD MEDAL SPONSOR STATEWIDE GOLD MEDAL SPONSOR STATEWIDE SILVER MEDAL SPONSOR THE REAL ESTATE ONE FAMILY OF COMPANIES CAPITAL TITLE INSURANCE AGENCY JOHN ADAMS MORTGAGE COMPANY INSURANCE ONE AGENCY RELOCATION AMERICA INTERNATIONAL STATEWIDE BRONZE MEDAL SPONSORS STATEWIDE CIVIC PARTNERS MICHIGAN HEALTHY ATHLETES PRESENTING SPONSOR 4
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN 2015 HIGHLIGHTS As part of the worldwide Special Olympics movement, SOMI contributes to the physical, social and psychological development of people with intellectual disabilities. Through successful experiences in sports, our athletes gain confidence and build positive self-images that go with them into their homes, classrooms, jobs and communities. In addition to athletic achievement, SOMI athletes use their strong spirits and dedication to work hard to help change public perceptions about intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Michigan athletes are proof that differences should be embraced, appreciated and celebrated. SPORTS OFFERED Alpine Skiing Aquatics Athletics Basketball Bocce Bowling Cross-Country Skiing Cycling Figure Skating Flag Football Golf Gymnastics Horseshoes Poly Hockey Power Lifting Soccer Snowboard Snowshoe Softball Speed Skating Volleyball Weightlifting BY THE NUMBERS 23,317 athletes 2,327 Young Athletes 22 sports offered 12 state-level competitions, district basketball tournaments & more than 390 competitions statewide 29,270 Volunteers 7 Healthy Athletes Initiatives and 8 screening events offered to athletes at no charge Athlete Participation Numbers State Winter Games 1,357 Unified Basketball 364 District Basketball 1,419 State Basketball Finals 479 State Summer Games 2,713 State Fall Games 1,492 Poly Hockey Finals 708 Unified Bowling Finals 305 Plus: Motor Activities Training Program 5
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN 2015 STATE EVENTS STATE WINTER GAMES Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, and Speed Skating February 3 6, 2015 Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Schuss Village at Shanty Creek Resort & Howe Arena at the Grand Traverse Civic Center Healthy Athletes Programs: Med Fest, Fit Feet, Health Promotion, Strive STATE UNIFIED BASKETBALL February 28, 2015 Western Michigan University Student Recreation Center in Kalamazoo DISTRICT BASKETBALL March 7, 2015 Mt. Pleasant, Northville, Saline, & Grand Rapids STATE BASKETBALL FINALS Sr. Male, Junior, Female and Skills March 27-28, 2015 Rockford High School, Freshman Center, and North Middle School Healthy Athletes Programs: Special Smiles Young Athletes Demonstration STATE SUMMER GAMES Aquatics, Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Gymnastics, Horseshoes, MATP, Power Lifting, Volleyball, and Weightlifting May 28 May 30, 2015 Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant Healthy Athletes Programs: Opening Eyes, Healthy Hearing, Special Smiles, Fit Feet, Health Promotion, FUNfitness, MedFest, Strive Young Athletes Demonstration Unified Sports Day & Rally May 28, 2015 STATE FALL GAMES Softball, Golf, Cycling, Flag Football, and Soccer September 25 27, 2015 Eagle Crest at Marriott in Ypsilanti, Canton Softball Complex & Independence Park, & Chelsea Proving Grounds Healthy Athletes Programs: Special Smiles, Fit Feet, Health Promotion, FUNfitness, Strive Young Athletes Festival Project UNIFY Youth Rally September 25, 2015 STATE POLY HOCKEY & UNIFIED BOWLING FINALS November 21-22, 2015 Poly Hockey, Eastern High School & Fieldhouse, Lansing November 21, 2015 Unified Bowling, Royal Scot Lanes, Lansing Healthy Athletes Programs: Special Smiles 6
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LET ME WIN. BUT IF I CANNOT WIN, LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE OATH 8
Special Olympics Project UNIFY is a school-based project that uses sports and education programs to activate young people to develop school communities where all youth are agents of change fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Michigan is excited to finish our 6th year with the program. During the 2013/2014 school year, 3,510 students participated in 106 schools with 37 school districts participating. It s a very rewarding program that is changing school climates and establishing friendships with all students in the school. Students are empowered to be leaders in their schools and educate their peers about diversity, anti-bullying and respect. Statistics show a decrease in school suspension and absenteeism and an increase in graduation results in schools that participate in Project UNIFY. KEY CHARACTERISTICS Youth Leadership Students with and without disabilities form Youth Activation Committees within their school and work with teachers to determine what activities will be planned throughout the year. Unified Sports Unified Sports partner students with and without disabilities on the same team. These teams practice and compete together to form friendships on and off the field within their schools. R-word (anti-bullying) Campaigns Students host R-word campaigns in their school, encouraging peers to end the use of the word retard(ed). This improves the school climate and makes for a more welcoming environment in the classroom. 9
Project UNIFY 2015 Program Highlights 10 Project UNIFY Schools participated in the state basketball finals at WMU. It is the most PU teams participating at the finals. 8 PU Unify basketball teams participated in March Magic Hoopfest in conjunction with the MHSAA and the Lansing Sports Authority. The teams comprised 4 divisions. Leadership Launch was held for the first time ever. Leadership Launch was started by a student at Central Michigan University and was developed from the GenUin Youth Summit at World Games. The launch had 150 Project UNIFY students from 17 schools that participated in Leadership development led by CMU s Leadership Institute students. Everett High School s Unified Cheerleading team took part in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles. The first ever teacher conference was held in Frankenmuth educating teachers on the program and providing networking opportunities. More than 100 teachers attended. 10
Special Olympics Young Athletes The Young Athletes Program is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities designed to introduce them into the world of sports. The activities help children improve physically, cognitively and socially. It also serves as an introduction to the world of Special Olympics while showing resources and support available within Special Olympics Michigan. This program is also designed to address two specific levels of play. Level 1 includes physical activities focused on developing fundamental motor tracking and hand-eye coordination. Level 2 concentrates on the application of these physical activities through a sports skills activity program and developing skills consistent with Special Olympics sports play. Activities consist of: foundational skills, walking and running, balance and jumping, trapping and catching, throwing, striking, kicking and advanced skills. 11
The mission of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes is to improve the athlete s ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. Athletes receive a variety of health screenings and services to assist in enhancing their sports experience and well-being. Clinics are scheduled at various state events held throughout the year. Athletes can attend any or all of the clinics at no cost and receive free health aides as indicated (glasses, mouth guards and hearing aids). Screenings are performed by health care professionals and trained students. 2015 Highlights Opening Eyes : Vision screening, refractive testing, glasses fabrication, and sunglasses and protective eyewear 1,006 Athletes partcipated in 2015 Special Smiles : Dental screenings, education about proper brushing and flossing and the importance of diet to oral hygiene, mouth guards for contact sports, and referrals to community providers for necessary dental care 483 Athletes participated in 2015 FUNfitness: Surveys general exercise habits, assesses flexibility, functional strength and balance and aerobic fitness, provides education about home exercises to improve performance, and facilitates community referrals as needed 99 Athletes participated in 2015 Healthy Hearing: Screenings of hearing acuity, custom swim earplugs, minor hearing aid repairs, consultations on hearing aids and noisy environments, and recommendations for medical or audiological evaluations 173 Athletes participated in 2015 Fit Feet: Evaluations of the skin, nails, bones and joints of the feet, examinations of the function of the feet and gait, and examinations of athletes socks and shoes 333 Athletes participated in 2015 Health Promotion: is a free screening that offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation, and physical fitness. Health Promotion is designed to convey and reinforce key concepts on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices, and nation-specific health issues 281 Athletes participated in 2015 MedFest: The MedFest program recruits volunteer physicians to provide the required physical examinations for people who wish to register in Special Olympics 152 Athletes participated in 2015 12
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS With more than 23,000 athletes Special Olympics Michigan couldn t accomplish what it does without the assistance of more than 25,000 great volunteers. Special Olympics Michigan has many opportunities for volunteers to get involved at area, regional and state competitions, along with various fundraising events. Other volunteer opportunities include: coaching and chaperones, competition coordinators, Healthy Athletes, games management, officiating/referees, Unified Sports partners, Young Athletes, Area Management team positions, volunteer coordinators and competition committee volunteers. Volunteers of all types are needed to continue to expand the Special Olympics movement. Volunteer with Special Olympics Michigan to change lives and have your life changed in the process! 13 Whether you can give five or 50+ hours, Special Olympics Michigan needs you! For more information or to register to volunteer visit somi.org.
GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME Nationally, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. Officers and athletes serve as The Guardians of the Flame, running the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of numerous Special Olympics competitions. Officers from across the state host different agency fundraising events, assist in medal presentations at State Summer, Fall and Winter Games, sell merchandise and raffle tickets, as well as participate in Polar Plunges and in local Community Runs. Proceeds from these fundraisers help support year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Michigan. MICHIGAN POLAR PLUNGES The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge series is known for its zany costumes and courageous participants. After raising funds for Special Olympics Michigan athletes, these participants dress up in costume and prepare to plunge... ready to jump in and freeze their fur! 2015 Plunge sites included: Alpena, Battle Creek, Belleville, Brighton, Caro, Cheboygan, Chippewa Lake, Clarklake, Detroit, Fenton, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Greenville, Higgins Lake, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lake City, Lansing, Legislative, Marquette, Mt. Pleasant, Muskegon, Saginaw/Bay City, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph, St. Clair, Sylvan Lake, Traverse City, University of Michigan 14
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN SUPPORTERS CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Corporate partners are essential in helping Special Olympics Michigan fulfill its mission. Through their generous contributions of cash, in-kind donations of products and services, volunteers and awareness, we are able to share the power of sport with the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan. INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS Thousands of people across the state support Special Olympics Michigan through donations, volunteerism and advocacy. Whether a monthly pledge donor, a volunteer at local competitions, a teacher promoting tolerance and acceptance in the classroom, or a campus volunteer recruiting fellow students to end the derogatory use of the R-word, our individual supporters are critical members of the global Movement. They have taken a stand for dignity and acceptance in an effort to create a better world for us all through promoting understanding and compassion. Did you know that you could continue to be an integral part of this movement by leaving a gift to Special Olympics Michigan after your lifetime? It s simple! You could name Special Olympics Michigan as beneficiary in a will, trust, life insurance policy, or retirement plan. Seven out of ten Americans who pass away each year leave no will. The result is often uncertainty, anguish and unnecessary expense. Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to state law, regardless of your wishes. A properly executed will ensures that your wishes are carried out. Here is an example of suggested language for naming Special Olympics Michigan as a beneficiary. Please feel free to adapt this language with your legal counsel to fit your individual situation: I give, devise and bequeath percent of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate (or sum of dollars $ ) to Special Olympics Michigan, located in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, for its unrestricted use and purpose. If you believe in the Special Olympics movement now, please consider the simple steps toward securing the future of this movement for years to come. For more information, please contact Alison Miller at (989) 621-5580 or mille1as@cmich.edu. 15
Special Olympics Michigan Campaign for the State Basketball Finals Held in West Michigan Peter Secchia, Mike Jandernoa, and David Korte have teamed up to build a fund to support the Special Olympics Michigan State Basketball Finals held in West Michigan. Leadership gifts from Peter & Joan Secchia and Mike & Sue Jandernoa total $1,000,000. These gifts are given to Special Olympics Michigan as a matching-gift challenge. Goal To build a permanent, self-sustaining fund to support the Special Olympics Michigan State Basketball Finals held in West Michigan each year. 16
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENTS Athletes Like Audrey Luncheon Join us each spring at our premier fundraising event for the Special Olympics Michigan State Basketball Finals held in West Michigan. Peter Secchia, Mike Jandernoa, and David Korte have teamed up to co-chair this fundraising luncheon. It honors Mike and Sue Jandernoa s granddaughter, Audrey, who was born with Down syndrome, as well as other children with intellectual disabilities. For more information about the Athletes Like Audrey Luncheon or any of our programs, please visit our website at somi.org. Breakfast of Champions Every May this inspiring event is held at the Detroit Athletic Club in Detroit to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan. This event and all its costs are underwritten by Amerisure to ensure all funds raised go directly back in to the program. Michelle Acciavatti of Towers Watson and Suzanne Seitz of Cooper Standard have teamed up to co-chair this event which showcases all of the Special Olympics Michigan programs and ways in which you can support our athletes. For more information on the Breakfast of Champions please feel free to contact Taylor Baroli at Taylor.Baroli@somi.org or visit our website at somi.org. 17
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN INSPIRE GREATNESS GALA The 5th Annual Inspire Greatness Gala, Special Olympics Michigan s signature event was held at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit on Friday, October 9, 2015. The Gala raised funds in support of Special Olympics Michigan s programs and athletes. Award-winning journalist Lila Lazarus emceed the night s festivities with honorees including Drew Stanton and Dean Transportation. The evening s festivities also featured lively entertainment by the Rick Lieder Band as well as a silent and live auction featuring one of a kind items such as a Wine County Trip to Sonoma, California, Pavel Datsyuk autographed Red Wings jersey, a Celani Vineyards wine basket and many more wonderful items. 18
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN 2014 & 2015 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW PUBLIC SUPPORT & REVENUE 2014 2015 Special Event Fundraising $2,478,757 2,408,402 Corporations & Organizations 1,466,918 1,840,737 Telemarketing 470,811 406,495 In Kind 836,926 900,730 Individual Contributions 862,221 1,390,802 Special Olympics International 760,287 775,002 Foundations 224,204 225,344 Miscellaneous Revenue 27,967 69,845 Investment Income 114,895 7,242,985 65,209 8,082,567 EXPENSES 2014 2015 Programs & Competitions $5,807,741 6,222,535 Fundraising 771,896 794,305 Management & General 218,072 218,645 6,797,679 7,235,485 19
2015 Organizational Audited Revenue Breakdown Miscellaneous Revenue 1% Investment Income 1% Foundations 3% Special Olympics International 9% Individual Contributions 17% In Kind 11% Special Event Fundraising 30% Special Event Fundraising Corporations & Organizations Telemarketing In Kind Individual Contributions Special Olympics International Foundations Miscellaneous Revenue Investment Income Telemarketing 5% Corporations & Organizations 23% 2015 Organizational Expense Breakdown Management and General 3% Fundraising 11% Programs & Competitions Fundraising Management and General Programs & Competitions 86% 20
Special Olympics Michigan Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 800-644-6404 www.somi.org 21