Special Olympics strives to be a leader in implementing leading edge nonprofit governance practices, including meeting or exceeding Sarbanes-Oxley, Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, and Internal Revenue Service standards.
Innovation
Special Olympics has been an innovator concerning Board of Directors governance. For example, the Special Olympics Board of Directors includes seven Directors elected by Special Olympics Accredited Program leaders – one from each of seven geographic Regions covering the world. In addition, Special Olympics has established the office of Lead Director – a Board officer elected from the independent Directors whenever the Board Chair is compensated or is also serving as Chief Executive Officer. The Lead Director, Stephen Carter, chairs the Board’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee, and makes the final decision on conflict of interest issues relating to Directors or officers.
Special Olympics Movement
Special Olympics is the governing body of the global Special Olympics movement, which includes 228 independent accredited Special Olympics Programs in over 160 countries and Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committees. Special Olympics is responsible for maintaining and implementing the Special Olympics Official General Rules, which include the requirements, obligations, and policies that guide all levels of the movement.
The following Special Olympics governance and financial materials are available by clicking on the links below: