Registration & Check In

Please plan on having lunch before your arrival

General Session– Welcome & the Journey

Speakers: David Solo, President & CEO; Matt Cohen, Chief Program Officer; Mike Teske, Vice Chair

In this opening session, our CEO will provide us a warm welcome along with an inspiring overview of where Special Olympics Northern California stands today, share key updates on our progress, and outline our vision and goals for the future. It’s a great opportunity to hear about the impact we’re making and the exciting plans ahead!

General Session – Journey of our Volunteer Coaches

Speakers: Matt Cohen, Chief Program Officer; Cathy Domanski, Chief Operating Officer

This session will discuss the customer journey of our volunteer coaches as SONorCal looks to revitalize the customer journey by investing in training, systems, and processes that enhance the delivery of our customer service. We will have small table and larger group discussions on how to deliver a seamless, inclusive, and high-impact experience for the volunteer coaches.

Snack Break

Hosted by SONorCal

Take a moment to recharge and connect! This short snack and networking break offers a perfect chance to enjoy refreshments while mingling with fellow leaders and SONorCal staff. Use this time to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build connections before we dive into the next session.

General Session – Crisis & Risk Management

Speaker: Matt Cohen, Chief Program Officer

This session provides an overview of SONorCal’s approach to risk management at practices and competitions. We’ll cover incident documentation, athlete and volunteer discipline procedures, and key elements of the SONorCal Crisis Management Plan to help leaders respond effectively and confidently in challenging situations.

General Breakout Session

There are three breakout session available, please select the one that best fits your interests or needs.

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Breakout Session Option 1: Coaches Education

Speakers: Mikey Parissenti, Sports Manager; Jeff Ruthenberg,Vice President of Sports

Understand the purpose behind coaching requirements and discover available clinics, learning opportunities, and training topics. This session highlights how ongoing education supports safe, high-quality experiences for athletes and teams.

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Breakout Session Option 2: Designing Practices

Speakers: Steven Del Zompo, Sports Manager; Zach Whitaker-Voelz, Regional Sports Director

Learn how to build effective, engaging practices by leveraging assistant coaches, Athlete Leaders, and other team members. This session covers collaborative planning strategies that support skill development and a positive season-long training environment.

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Breakout Session Option 3: Recruiting Volunteers

Speakers: Donnie Beeler, Sports Manager; Genesea Black-Lanouette, Manager, Volunteer Services

Explore how SONorCal and local programs can partner to recruit and retain coaches and volunteers. We’ll look at data-driven approaches, available tools, and practical methods for strengthening volunteer pipelines.

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Break & Hotel Check-In

Take this time to relax, check into Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown, and get settled before dinner.

Appetizer & Cocktail Hour

Networking with light bites and drinks before our evening programming.

Dinner 

Hosted by SONorCal

Enjoy a delicious dinner with fellow attendees as we come together to reflect on the day’s events and celebrate our shared commitment to the SONorCal community. It’s a great opportunity to relax, network, and continue the conversations sparked throughout the conference. Bon appétit!

Award Ceremony

Speaker: Genesea Black-Lanouette, Manager, Volunteer Services

Join us for a brief but impactful Volunteer Award Ceremony, where we’ll recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of our dedicated volunteers. Let’s come together to honor the amazing work that makes SONorCal possible!

After Hours- Optional

Join us for some fun and friendly networking in the hotel lobby bar! Unwind and relax with fellow attendees in a casual, lively atmosphere as we wrap up the evening together!

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Athlete Leaders Walking Scavenger Hunt

Facilitated by: Special Olympics NorCal Athlete Leaders and Tyler Krochmal, Sr. Director Athlete Leadership Program

Start your day with a refreshing Walking Scavenger Hunt with our Athlete Leaders. This optional activity is designed to get you energized and ready for the day.

Breakfast Buffet Available

Hosted by SONorCal

Fuel up, socialize, and get ready for an exciting day of learning and collaboration!

Morning Announcements

This brief session will cover the day’s agenda, highlight any schedule changes, and provide reminders to help you make the most of each session and networking opportunity.

General Session – Health & Wellness

Speakers: Amanda Young, Director, Health & Wellness; Toni Barich, Senior Manager, Health & Wellness

Join us for an exciting update on Health & Wellness! We’ll outline our plans and goals for 2026, provide an update on Healthy Athletes 2.0, and offer an opportunity to meet our Clinical Director team.

Break

Take a short break to recharge and refresh before the next session. Use this time to grab a snack, stretch, and connect with fellow attendees before diving back into the next round of discussions.

General Breakout Session

There are two breakout sessions available, please select the one that best fits your interests or needs.

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Breakout Session Option 1: Unified Leadership

Speakers: Special Olympics NorCal Athlete Leader and Unified Facilitator 

Learn about how people with and without intellectual & developmental disabilities can work together to build inclusion in sports, the workforce, local communities and more.

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Breakout Session Option 2: Volunteer Areas

Speakers: Michael Preciado, Regional Sports Director; Will Averbuck, Sports Manager; Debi Fox, Sports Manager

This session covers key responsibilities for Volunteer Area Directors, including budget planning for uniforms and equipment, managing competition attendance (travel, receipts, housing), and essential accounting tasks such as deposits and reporting.

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Lunch

Hosted by SONorCal

Enjoy a delicious lunch and the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and connect with fellow attendees in a casual setting. Share experiences, network with colleagues, and enjoy a meal as we continue to build relationships and strengthen our Special Olympics community.

General Session – New Technologies

Speakers:  Jeff Ruthenberg, Vice President of Sports; Kevin Andrews, Sr. Director IT

Discover SONorCal’s latest updates in sports registration, volunteer applications, mandated reporter training, web pages, and registration packets. This session highlights new tools and processes to streamline operations and enhance the volunteer and athlete experience.

Conference Wrap-Up and Raffle

Join us for the Conference Wrap-Up and Raffle! We’ll reflect on the key takeaways from the day, celebrate the collective impact of our volunteer leaders, and look ahead to the exciting opportunities in the year to come. Don’t miss out on the chance to win some great prizes during our raffle as we close out this inspiring event!

Conference Concludes

Thank you for your passion, dedication, and leadership; we look forward to seeing the amazing work you will do in the year ahead. Safe travels, and here’s to a great 2026!