ABOUT UNIFIED LEADERSHIP

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Unified Leadership​
​Through sports training and competitions, Special Olympics helps people with intellectual disabilities (ID) achieve joy, acceptance and success. They gain the confidence that comes with achievement. They feel empowered. Athletes lead the way as the voices of the movement, taking on meaningful roles in their communities and educating the world about the potential of people with ID. These athletes drive the Special Olympics movement forward with their insights and contributions, and are shining examples of what it means to be a leader.

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Special Olympics Louisiana Athlete Input Council

The Athlete Input Council provides athletes the opportunity to develop leadership skills and fill leadership roles. Athlete Input Council members serve and correspond with the athletes of their home region.

Regional leaders consider all Special Olympic Louisiana athletes involved in our sports program for the Council. Leaders nominate athletes that demonstrate leadership ability through hard work, commitment and sportsmanship, a positive outlook, independent thinking and motivation of people around them.

Council members are appointed to one three-year term, during which they receive support from coordinators in their region who facilitate Council attendance and participation. Membership is dependent upon the athlete’s commitment and ability to attend Council meetings and other events, as well as his or her ability to carry out other requirements of the position.

Council members must:

• Be actively involved in Special Olympics Louisiana sports as an athlete, coach or official
• Demonstrate appropriate athlete behavior at all times
• Know their own experience as an athlete and a leader and be able to share it with others

​Members have the opportunity to:

• Lead in a wide variety of regional activities
• Bring concerns and issues from their peers to and from the Athlete Input Council 
• Effectively act on Special Olympics Louisiana organizational requests and objectives

Meet Our Athlete Input Council

COMING SOON!

Meet Our Health Messengers

Rodina Williams - Southwest Area
Samantha Jackson - Southwest Area
Mandy Dolan - Southwest Area
Dianne Steen - Southwest Area
Rocky Davis - Southwest Area
Brian Bolton - Northwest Area
Jamie Britt - Northwest Area
Artis Leary - Northwest Area
Mikey Love - Bayouland Area

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Special Olympics Louisiana Health Messengers
Health Messengers are Special Olympics athletes who have been trained to serve as a health and wellness leaders, educators, advocates and role models within their communities.
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​Special Olympics Global Messengers
The Sargent Shriver Global Messenger program, part of our Athlete Leadership Programs, offers presentation and public speaking training to athletes interested in taking on spokesperson roles. The special athletes who take part become the voice of Special Olympics Louisiana, delivering messages of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage that only athletes can effectively relate.

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Learn More About Becoming An Athlete Mentor