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Rules and Traditions
RULE #1
Never, Never be late for the Meetings!
Failure to be on time for Medical Staff Meetings result in the "traditional" punishment of having to stand up in
front of the group and sing us all a song. No one is excused*, in the past the Team Leaders of both Summer and Winter Games
have sang a rousing version of the "CMU Fight Song", one of the members of the SOMI Board of Directors provided
an in-tune episode of the "UofM Fight Song", and most recently - 1 Doctor, 1 Rookie MedStaff, and 2 Area Medical
Nurses sang "Little Teapot" (complete with Choreography). I am not quite sure how this got started but its been
as such since I started 12 years ago!
* = unless you are busy providing Medical Care to an Athlete as they take priority over anything else. Medical Team Leader
may grant pardons when it is in the interest of all involved.
IE: Going to the ER with a Diabetic Siezure at the request of EMS (who are transporting Priority 1 or 2), Performing ALS Treatment,
doing Triage, or following Doctor or Team Leader Orders are good examples of Excused Absenses.
RULE #2
Work hard, Have Fun, and Play Hard, but remember Rule #1
Of the Hundreds of Volunteers involved in Special Olympics Michigan at the State Games - Medical Staff works the longest hours.
Our day starts with a 7 a.m. Meeting and ends at Lights-Out around 10 p.m. (unless you have Night Coverage). However that
has never stopped MedStaff from having fun with the rest of the Volunteers at the nightly "Appreciation Receptions!"
These often last until the wee hours of the morning, but the Meeting Starts on time and we seldom have singers (see Rule #1).
RULE #3
Learn from one and another to become a better professional!
One of our Veteran Doctors has promoted this idea for years and it really is one of the key attributes. With the Multi-Disciplinary
nature of our MedStaff, there is always a chance to improve your skills or learn more about other disciplines. For example,
a Sports Trainer can learn more about Medical situations and an EMT has a chance to learn more about Sports Injuries. Working
together and learning from one and another is one of the reasons SOMI MedStaff is one of the best in Special Olympics.
RULE #4
Lead by Example
Be a positive Role Model for others. Remember that there are many things that we can do to provide a safer environment. We
are all Professionals and need to project a "aire" of professionalism. This doesn't mean "don't have fun",
just remember that if the Athletes see you doing something they may assume it's okay for them also. This means practice proper
Handwashing, Drink plenty of water and fluids, wear sunscreen, limit horseplay to after hours, and support the athletes in
their competition. By all means Get Involved with the Athletes - that's half the fun and what it is all about.
ROOKIE STATUS/REQUIREMENTS
Probably the most frequently asked question by new MedStaff members is "how do we get rid of this rookie stigma?"
Not to fear there are three simple steps that must be completed:*
STEP ONE: Clean up a "copius" quantity of Bodily Fluid! (Blood, Vomitus, Feces, or Urine using proper Universal
Precautions)
STEP TWO: Be asked BY an ATHLETE to dance at the Victory Dance. (If you ask them it doesn't count)
STEP THREE: Complete Gator Training and do the GATOR with other MedStaff at the Volunteer Party following the Victory
Dance! (proper training will be provided by a GATOR Professional)
* Note: This needs to be completed within your First Winter and First Summer Games <or> within your First Year on the
Medical Staff.
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