from Tim Shriver and Brady Lum
Special Olympics Mission Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Survey

What an extraordinary couple of months it has been for the Special Olympics Family.   We at Special Olympics International are eternally grateful for the unprecedented goodwill, love and support you all provided after the passing of our beloved Founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. 

While it is a time for celebrating her enormous legacy, it is also a time for deep reflection on what tomorrow brings.  Mrs. Shriver would expect nothing less.  She believed fervently that “Special Olympics is owned by the future, not the past.”  That future will be defined by all of us in the Special Olympics Family – Athletes, Volunteers, Coaches, Families, Staff, Partners, and FANS.   YOU are Founders in our own right in pockets all around the world, everyday.   This grassroots and global Special Olympics family has always given our Movement its unique strength.  When we work together, there is incredible transformative power to communities everywhere.

It is with this spirit that we are embarking on a new strategic plan for our global Movement.   YOUR input and guidance is critical.  As part of this effort, we are conducting a global Mission Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Survey and we encourage you to participate in this historic process by going online or filling out a hard copy form and letting us know your thoughts and opinions about the current state of the Movement and your needs and desires for the future of Special Olympics. Your experience, leadership and engagement will provide the insight that we all need to develop the best plans moving forward.   The link to the survey can be found below:

www.specialolympics.org/survey

We also ask that you modify the attached letter to meet your needs and forward to others as their input is also essential to ensure that our Strategic Plan will guide us in the best possible direction to serve their needs.

Again, together, we can make a huge a difference.  We look forward to your insights and continued great leadership! Thank you in advance for your serious considerations and participation.

Special Olympics Mission Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Survey – Quick Facts

Why do we need this Survey?

As we develop the 2011-2015 Special Olympics Strategic Plan, Special Olympics International is interested in hearing from as many athletes and other Special Olympics participants as possible and the best way to do so is via a survey available online and in print.

Who can complete the Survey?

The Mission Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Survey is open to all Special Olympics participants, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, members of families, staff members of National Programs, Regional offices, international headquarters, as well as Board Chairs and Board members.

Can I complete the Survey, if I do not speak English?

Currently the Survey is available both on-line and in a hard copy version in seven languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian and Arabic.  You can complete the Survey and provide your comments in any of these seven languages.

How many times can I complete the Survey?

We would like to ask every person to complete the Survey only once.  However, we encourage you to talk to your Special Olympics friends and acquaintances and ask them to complete the Survey as well.

How soon do you need to hear back from me?

Please, try to complete the Survey no later than October 31, 2009.

What can I do, if I do not have regular Internet access?

We also accept printed responses.  You can print out the survey or request a printed copy of the Survey from your Program office, complete it in one of the seven languages mentioned above mark the envelope as “Mission Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Survey” and mail back to:

Mr. Jeff Myers

Suite A-480

Booz Allen Hamilton

8283 Greensboro Drive,

McLean VA 22102 USA

*To preserve confidentiality we ask that you please do NOT mail any hard copies to the SONA office address in Raleigh, NC*

You can also scan and email your responses to SO_Survey_Response@bah.com. E-copies of the survey may be requested from strategicplaning@specialolympics.org.

What will happen with my responses?

Responses are anonymous.  Special Olympics International will work with a consulting agency to collect the entries, analyze the results and develop a report.  Responses will serve as the basis for the Strategic Plan.

www.specialolympics.org/survey

Additional Questions

If you have any questions/comments regarding the overall design of the 2011-2015 strategic planning efforts, Mission Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Survey and related activities, please contact please contact Special Olympics International via e-mail at strategicplanning@specialolympics.org