In line with the worldwide launch of “Be a fan” public awareness campaign by SOI, Special Olympics East Asia launches its own “Be a fanTM” campaign across the five Programs of the region with a series of public awareness efforts in an effort to recruit more “fans” of Special Olympics, i.e., active volunteers and supporters, in the region. One of our efforts is to set up Special Olympics Fan Clubs targeting university students and young working people—the so-called young white-collars—in cities across China. Considering the long-term cooperation between Special Olympics and regional corporate sponsors and successful involvement of sponsors’ employees into previous SO activities, we plan to target the employees of our existing and potential corporate sponsors in China as the start of the Club.
A series of activities are planned for the SO Fan Club members, mainly include:
- Kick-off inductions on Special Olympics movement and characteristics of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as on the “Be a fan” campaign and SO Fan Club project. Interested participants may sign on for the SO Fan Club after the induction, and a champion will be selected as main contact points of Special Olympics and local Fan Club members for future Club activities. After the induction, one unified activity will be organized for Club members with local SO athletes, such as a school sports day or mini Special Olympics competition. The Fan Club members will also have opportunities to participate in local SO activities as volunteers, chaperons and Unified partners so they have first-hand experience of interacting with intellectually disabled people and learn to accept and respect them.
- A dedicated on-line community for the Fan Club members in the new SOEA website (to be launched by Aug. 2009). Club members will regularly get most up-to-date SO event calendar and notice of volunteerism opportunities in their respective cities. They can share their stories and feelings freely with other volunteers and dedicated e-newsletters and stories on a regular basis via emails.
- Various contests open to all Club members and their families, for example, a writing competition for stories, essays or pictures/video clips on to their participation into SO activities. Winners will be invited as honored guests to participate in high-profile Special Olympics events, such as charity Gala for Special Olympics, national or regional SO competitions.
