Local Special Olympics Board hosts New Hampshire guest

The board of directors of Special Olympics St Vincent and the Grenadines (SOSVG) hosted Mike Quinn, a representative of Special Olympics New Hampshire, (SONH) USA, from February 25 to 29.{{more}}

Quinn, who formerly served as President and CEO of SONH, is currently engaged as a consultant to the organization. His visit marked the first step in the partnership between the two entities, to be formalized within the next few months.

Beth Alldridge from SO International and Maureen Webber, SO Caribbean, initiators of the partnership, also travelled to St Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in the activities organized by the SOSVG board to welcome Quinn.

At a breakfast meeting on February 26, SOSVG directors were introduced to Quinn and discussed the board’s 2013 strategic plan and possible areas of cooperation with SONH. Following the meeting, a team comprising the visitors and local SO officials called on a number of local businesses to discuss sponsorship. In the afternoon, at a seminar organized for parents of children with intellectual disabilities, the visiting team outlined the purpose, goals and activities of Special Olympics and fielded questions from participants.

On February 27, the team met with Assistant Superintendant of Police Jonathan Nichols and track and field coach Michael Ollivierre to discuss the major sporting activities planned for 2013 – a Law Enforcement Torch Run and SO National Games, scheduled for the last week of May. Quinn also had the opportunity to observe and interact with special athletes as they engaged in a friendly game of bocce.

On the final day of his visit, accompanied by the SOSVG board vice president Anthony Yorke and athletes’ representative Terrence Davis, Quinn visited the Sunnyside School in Bequia. The group toured the facilities and held discussions with principal Camille Jacobs on the participation of Bequia’s special athletes in the upcoming events and arrangements for their training.

Chair of the SOSVG board Errol Allen expressed his satisfaction with the visit and his optimism about the partnership with New Hampshire.