Where Big Things Are Nurtured By Small Things      		               
         To create a horticultural therapy moment
    that enhances the Special Olympics experience
    for participating athletes via caring volunteers,
    touching soil and repotting a plant to take home
    and nurture. 
       About Pot-A-Plant   How to "Pot-A-Plant"   General Email                   State/Province Affiliates 
      Program Information   Survey   Email   Affilate List		  

 Welcome to our affiliate section.
 
  Here you will find basic information about Pot-A-Plant, a historical overview
  of the program,  policies and procedures and a national outreach data form
  that you can use to register your state program’s interest in incorporating Pot-A-Plant into your
  Summer Games activities.  Check back frequently for updates.

         Please complete our survey to express your program's interest in the Pot-A-Plant Experience.
  Doing such is not a commitment to including Pot-A-Plant in your venue, but rather an indication
  to us to begin the process of locating a local plantscaper or horticultural therapist in your city
  with whom you can interact.

         Each state affiliate will have its own page on the Pot-A-Plant website, accessed via a link
  on the Pot-A-Plant home page.  After each summer event, the local coordinator can submit
  photos and volunteer and vendor names for inclusion on your program's webpage.  We also
  keep your upcoming event information updated.  View a sample affiliate webpage.

         OBJECTIVE        
 
         To enhance the Special Olympics experience, the Pot-A-Plant program was created to offer 
  athletes an opportunity to commune with nature.  The potting activity encourages athletes to touch
  and feel soil and learn how to handle and care for live plants.  It is a simple form of horticultural
  therapy that has great impact.  The program is one of the most popular extracurricular activities
  during the Summer Games.
 
          POLICIES & PROCEDURES 
 
  1. Pot-A-Plant is a coordinated, volunteer program that provides horticultural therapy activities
    for athletes during free time at the Special Olympics Summer Games.  It is normally a booth
    in the Olympic Village, Sponsor Village or Expo Park.
     
  1. Booth space will be provided by the local Olympic Village sponsor.
     
  1. Pot-A-Plant is coordinated by a Regional Coordinator, usually an interior plantscaper local
    to the Summer Games venue and appointed by the Pot-A-Plant Director.
     
  1. The Regional Coordinator oversees the operations of the local program and coordinates
    with Special Olympics and Sponsor staff to effect its implementation.
     
  1. Specifically, the Regional Coordinator will:
     
           a.    Gather a team of assistants with whom to work and assign procurement responsibilities.

           b.    Procure all materials needed for the booth:
 
    1. 2” plants, 4-5 varieties
    2. 4” empty plastic nursery pots
    3. potting soil
    4. plastic cups for water
    5. deep plastic saucers in which to perform repotting tasks
    6. small plastic sandwich bags
    7. lunch-sized paper bags
    8. pre-printed plant care labels

Activity materials can be procured through donations and/or coordination with Special Olympics and Sponsor staff. 

c.   Recruit and train volunteers to staff the booth and create a work schedule.  Recruitment is normally performed by word-of-mouth or email solicitation in advance of the event.  Volunteerism is handled differently across the country.

d.   Maintain communication with Special Olympics and Sponsor staff.

            e.   Maintain interface with the Pot-A-Plant webmaster for website needs. 

f.    Maintain communication with the Pot-A-Plant Director.

                  Affiliate Email    Complete Our Affiliate Survey