2007 Class of Global Messengers Announced!

Clermont - There is no one better suited to share the story of Special Olympics than the athlete themselves: after all, it is their program. That is the thinking behind Special Olympics' Global Messenger program. Global Messengers are Special Olympics athletes who are formally trained in public speaking and media interview techniques, in order to help spread the word about Special Olympics, educate the community, and recruit potential athletes, volunteers, families and sponsors.

Special Olympics Florida, as part of its ongoing Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) recently conducted another Global Messenger training at its Headquarters in Clermont, May 11-13. Eleven athletes and their speech coaches travelled from throughout Florida to take part.

While the athletes were learning about the art of public speaking, including identifying target makets, crafting a speech, how to talk to media, and presentation skills, their speech coaches were learning how to help their Global Messengers practice, refine and improve their skills.

The goal of the program is to not only give athletes the self-confidence and skills necessary to do presentations and speeches but to create athlete ambassadors who will educate their local communities about the relevance, needs and importance of Special Olympics.

As part of their training, the athletes were treated to a private media training station at WESH Channel 2 (NBC) in Orlando, hosted by WESH anchor and Special Olympics Florida Board of Directors member, Jim Payne. The Global Messengers got a tour of the station and then practiced in-studio interviews and public service announcement tapings on the WESH news set.

The intense three day training concluded with mock presentations and a graduation ceremony.

The Global Messenger training is offered once a year and athletes and speech coaches interested must meet set criteria. This training brings the total number of active Global Messengers in Florida to 37, representing 21 counties.

The training was made possible by a legislative appropriation, approved by the Governor and administered by the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

View photos from the 2007 Global Messenger training!

Anyone interested in having a Global Messenger come speak to their civic group, business, group home, school or anywhere else should contact their local Special Olympics program's County Coordinator.