Let your voice be heard.

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2020 COURSE CATALOG

Special Olympics Minnesota’s

Leadership University is an event meant to empower Special Olympics athletes and Unified Partners and give them the skills and confidence to be leaders and advocates in their communities.

During this University style weekend, athletes and Unified partners work together to engage in a leadership class of their choice, network with other athlete leaders in the Special Olympics movement, hear from a keynote speaker, play large group games, and take back practical skills to their communities.

Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners attend Leadership University together. The role of the Unified partner at this event is to provide support to their athlete as needed and to meaningfully engage in sessions throughout the day while empowering their athlete’s voice to be heard.

Registration is $100 per participant and includes lodging, meals, course registration, T-shirt and other prizes and giveaways.

July 17-19, 2020Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota

Register at somn.org/LeadU

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CIVIC ENGAGEMENTIf you’re interested in learning about your local government and how to get involved, this course is for you! Learn about self-advocacy roles and ways in which Special Olympics Minnesota works with lawmakers. This course will prepare you to use your voice and advocate for change in your community.

Classroom Heavy Collaborative/Social Activism/Advocating Accessible

ATHLETES AS VOLUNTEERSIf you have a passion for giving back to your community, this is the course for you! Athletes as Volunteers focuses on what it means to be a great volunteer. Learn how to best prepare for volunteer experiences and explore various opportunities that match your interests. This course expands outside of Special Olympics and helps prepare you to make a difference in your community.

Classroom Heavy Plan of Action Volunteerism Accessible

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MAIN COURSESMain Courses are 8 + hours of quality, intentional curriculum taugh by professionals in their field.

HEALTH & WELLNESS AMBASSADORSAre you a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete who’s passionate about your health? Are you interested in leading other athletes to become healthier and talking with health care providers or political leaders about the importance of health care for people with intellectual disabilities? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should consider applying to be trained as a Special Olympics Minnesota Health Messenger!

Activity Heavy Indoors/Outdoors Hands-On Learning Accessible

BEGINNER GLOBAL MESSENGER Do you want to step out of your comfort zone and learn how to communicate your thoughts and ideas? If so, this is the course for you! Beginner Global Messenger focuses on the basics of public speaking. This includes structuring a speech, defining a disability, preparing to present and practicing a speech. You will leave this course with public speaking knowledge and a speech in hand ready to give in your community!

Classroom Heavy Individual Speech Presentations Writing Intensive Accessible

ATHLETES AS ARTISTS Do you have a passion for art and a creative mindset? If so, this is the course for you! Athletes as Artists will use various art mediums to showcase your unique abilities, interests, and passions. Each of you will have the opportunity to explore who you are and your strengths through expression and art.

Hands-On Learning Creative Outlet Collaborative/Social Accessible

LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY 2020

MAIN COURSES(continued)

DIFFERbilities IN YOUTH LEADERSHIPIf you’re passionate about inclusion and advocacy, this course is for you! DIFFERbilities in Youth Leadership focuses on understating the attributes of an advocate and learning how to develop those skills. The course will teach you how to speak confidently about an area of interest and put together a presentation on that topic. PLEASE NOTE: This course is for youth 21 ages and younger.

Activism/Advocating Speech Presentations Accessible

CAREER DEVELOPMENTIn this course, learn how to develop your career by conducting self-assessments, exploring career paths, and planning and following through with employment strategies! Takeaways include understanding who you are and what type of work would best match your skills and interests; looking at career options to help you reach your goals; and developing your resume, cover letter, and references.

Classroom Heavy Career Finder Resume Builder Accessible

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MAIN COURSES(continued)

ATHLETES IN DELEGATIONS Have you wanted to take on more of a leadership role within your delegation/local team? Come to this session to learn about best practices throughout the state and engage in a discussion about meaningful roles available to athletes within local teams.

Classroom Heavy Lecture Heavy Activism/Advocating Accessible

GET MOVING Get up and get moving during this time! Take a break from sitting all day and move your body through promoting health and fitness.

Activity Heavy Energy Releaser Hands-On Learning Accessible

LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY 2020ELECTIVE COURSESElective Courses are one-hour classes focused on an engaging topic of interest.

BASIC SPORT SIGN LANGUAGELearn some basic sport sign language that will help you at various competitions! Beginners are welcome!

Hands-On Learning Great for Coaches Accessible

BEING ON THE BOARDHave you ever wondered what you have to do to sit on Special Olympics Minnesota’s Board of Directors? Come to this elective class to learn about the process to get on the board and best practices!

Classroom Heavy Lecture Heavy SOMN Career Builder Accessible

ATHLETE INPUT COUNCILHave your voice be heard! You’ll learn what an Input Council is and how to bring valuable information back to your team, and you’ll be involved in a mock Input Council on a certain topic.

Classroom Heavy Lecture Heavy SOMN Career Builder Accessible

LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY 2020ELECTIVE COURSES(continued)

REGISTER TODAY AT SOMN.org/LeadU

Let your voice be heard.

LEADERSHIPUNIVERSITY