Thin Blue Line

Blue Line Branding

I do my best to keep these posts as light and entertaining as possible, but I need to be very serious for a moment. This is not a pleasant post to have to make.

All of us are proud of our profession and many of us live in areas where law enforcement is still revered, celebrated and appreciated. One of our constant reminders of the sacrifices our brothers and sisters have made is identification with the Thin Blue Line. Many of us wear it proudly on shirts, or fly blue line flags at our homes. In fact, many Torch Run programs use the blue line imagery.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where that symbolism is not universally respected. When Greg Dawson and I were recently in Berlin, we became aware of the cultural divide this symbol can cause. It's even more dramatic than what some of you see in the United States or other locales. Bottom line, the thin blue line symbol is not respected in Germany in the same manner it may be in other parts of the world.

Now, none of us on the management side of this team will ever dictate what you can and cannot wear when you're "off duty," but we can provide you with what we know so you can make an informed decision.

During our recent trip, Greg and I did a little reconnaissance at local establishments in Berlin and our observations were that a tremendous number of young people flock to Berlin to enjoy the numerous watering holes and venues the city has to offer. Berlin also has a reputation for its young people being more than willing to voice their opinions in a variety of colorful and not always peaceful ways. 

All of this to say, if you have the opportunity to venture into the community and enjoy the many sites (not that we're going to have a lot of down time), it might be best to do so under the radar, so to speak. None of us want to see anyone become involved in a disagreement simply because of a symbol on their clothing.

Thank you for your understanding, and I'm always open to comments and questions.

 

The Drought is Breaking

 

THE INFORMATION DROUGHT IS BREAKING

One of the more unusual aspects of the preparations for this Final Leg event has been the delays we have experienced in releasing critical information to you.

We would have liked to have shared information about the running routes, ceremonies, accommodation etc months ago, but we simply have not been able to do so.

But the drought is breaking!

I am pleased today to publish two documents that I hope will be of value to all team members.  The first is a Team Guide which is broken into three parts:

•  THE FINAL LEG TEAM
•  FLIGHTS & HOTEL
• THE FINAL LEG

The second document is a Book of Maps.  It is a PDF document that contains the run routes for all 19 Torch runs that we will undertake between 14 and 17 June.  

Please remember that you can also access the live Alltrails maps from the Team Portal.

Click on the Cover Page images below to download the two documents. 

They are also available for download from the Team Portal.

 More to come

Arriving in Berlin

 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN BERLIN

AIRPORT ARRIVALS

The Berlin Local Organising Committee is making arrangements to collect Final Leg Team members flying into Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Monday, 12 June 2023 and transport then to the Sheraton Berlin Grand Hotel Esplanade.  The will also provide transport from the hotel back to the airport for those team members departing on Monday, 19 June 2023.

If you are flying into Berlin before Saturday, 10 June, 2023, you are unfortunately going to be left to your own devices at Berlin Airport.  there are simply no resources available to collect you.

On Saturday, 10 June and Sunday, 11 June, the Logistics Team will meet and greet arriving team members and provide transport for them to the hotel.

On Monday, 12 June, members of the Logistics Team will be positioned at the airport to meet and greet incoming team members and direct them to the LOC Transport.

AIRPORT DEPARTURES

On Monday, 19 June, members of the Logistics Team will be positioned in the foyer of the hotel to provide assistance to team members travelling to the airport.

HOTEL CHECK-IN

When you arrive at the hotel, you will be greeted by a member of the Logistics Team and guided to the Final Leg welcome area.  Depending on the time of your arrival, your room may or may not be ready.  In the case that your room is not ready, the Logistics Team will store your luggage and you are free to go out for a walk to stretch your legs and blow the cobwebs away.  You will be given an approximate time that your room will be ready.

DELAYED FLIGHTS

In the event that your flight to Berlin is delayed, please find a way to send us an email message telling us as much as you can - where you are, how long the delay is likely to be etc.

We have created an email address which will be monitored from Saturday, 10 June for this purpose.

The email address is:

flightdelay@letr-finalleg.org

DON'T HAVE YOUR UNIFORM KIT YET?

If you have not received your Uniform Kit (you are from Europe or Asia), the Logistics Team will be set up to supply it to you upon arrival at the hotel.

If you have received your Uniform Kit, but some or all of the sizes are incorrect, please tell us on arrival at the hotel and we'll make arrangements to do a swap out.  Please note that we have very limited numbers of spare uniforms so it will be a case of first in - best dressed.

What should I pack?

 

What Should I Pack for Berlin?

Greetings Torch Runners! We are a mere 12 days from many of us being wheels-up to Athens, which means the rest of the team is only 20 days from departure! Hard to believe that all of this preparation is coming to fruition very soon.

Speaking of preparation, what the heck should you pack for your adventures in Berlin? Fortunately, you all have a backpack full of gear that will represent most of your fashion options for the week. However there are a whole host of other considerations, but you should be able to pack fairly light. Here are some absolute musts, and some recommendations:

• A pair of jeans and/or long pants for casual wear
• (1) pair of LONG khaki or tan pants for the two team parties (this is a MUST, so please do not forget!)
• (1) pair of khaki or tan shorts (optional); we have a daytime event on 18 June and shorts will likely be more comfortable than pants, however they are NOT mandatory
• Underwear
• A couple of t-shirts, or casual shirts; Torch Run program shirts are great
• Running shoes; we recommend having two pair; if we hit any rain, running in soggy shoes is no fun!
• Leisure shoes
• Sunglasses (referred to from hereon out as Sunnies); a couple of quick Team rules on sunnies: you are welcome to wear them during the runs, BUT when you are carrying the Torch, or when we're on the stage at a celebration NO sunnies; pictures are always better without sunnies
• Sunscreen & lip balm
• Vaseline; primarily for the men for use on nipples (chaffing is the worst!); or small Band-Aids
• Socks; although we will provide you with running socks, we realize some are particular about socks; if you bring your own socks, they must be BLACK, have no logos, and be low cut
• Passport and local government ID (driver license)
• Prescription medication; must be in container as packaged by the pharmacy
• Toiletries; most Sheraton properties now have wall-mounted shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, however, it is better to be prepared with travel-size options just in case
• Small container or package of laundry detergent; there are a couple of clothing items that may be worn more than once; fortunately, we are not changing hotels and doing light laundry in the sink should be easy
• Dress uniform, uniform shoes/boots, and cover (hat) for Opening Ceremonies; If you do not wear a uniform in your duties, you will wear the Final Leg black polo and khaki pants for the Opening Ceremonies; ABSOLUTELY NO GUNS, WEAPONS, OR HANDCUFFS!

POWER PLUGS

Germany utilizes the two-prong power plug as pictured below, and can be purchased with a built-in USB port for phone or accessory charging. These can be purchased on Amazon, but are also available at stores such as Walmart.

CELL PHONE USAGE

Check with your cell phone service provider to determine what international calling/messaging plans are available. As an example, both AT&T and Verizon have a plan that is $10 US per day WHEN THE PHONE IS USED, and is essentially an extension of whatever usage and data plan you have at home. 

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?

This is a completely individual decision. Virtually all of your needs will be taken care of, so cash is only needed if you wish to use it for snacks or souvenirs. As an example, when Greg and I traveled to Berlin three weeks ago, I took about €180 and came home with change. Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard & American Express) are widely accepted. Check with your credit card company on any fees that may be charged when the card is used in euro denominations. 

WHAT DO I DO ONCE I LAND IN BERLIN?

Once you gather your luggage and clear German customs, you'll proceed into the arrival terminal where our friendly Logistics Team will be there to greet you and direct you to your chariot, which will whisk you to the hotel. They'll be easy to spot in their Final Leg gear.

When you arrive at the hotel, another group of Logistics folks will provide you with your room keys and direct you to the Final Leg Command Post where you will check in with Greg, Scott and I to pick up your uniform kit (for our European & Asia members) and get additional direction.

I know you have questions (Amber?)!

See everyone soon!!

COVID-19 Guidance

COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR THE WORLD GAMES

The CEO of Special Olympics International, Mary Davis published fresh guidance concerning COVID-19 and its impact on the upcoming World Games yesterday.

She said:

As we approach the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, I want to take a moment to recognize the tremendous efforts and hard work put in by every member of our team to prepare for this incredible event. The amount of dedication, time, and resources that you have all invested into making these games a reality, is truly remarkable.

However, I also want to acknowledge the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for us to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and Special Olympics International (SOI) both share the objective of creating an environment with an acceptably low risk of virus transmission. We want to provide an enjoyable experience for all delegations and other stakeholder groups while delivering a successful event.

Considering this, COVID-19 will be treated like any other contagious disease during the Berlin 2023 Games. As acting responsibly is the key to success, we strongly recommend that everyone attending the games is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and avails themselves of any available vaccine booster. Regular testing is also highly recommended throughout the games, even though there will be no mandatory testing in place.

Everyone attending the World Games is encouraged to take a test before travelling to Berlin as well as during their stay in Berlin. To prevent an outbreak, it is necessary to test as soon as COVID-like symptoms occur and inform possible contact-persons. Volunteers and the workforce will also have access to Test-Kits if needed (upon request / credential pick-up). In addition, COVID-19 Test-Kits are widely available to purchase all over Berlin, so everyone in need of a Test-Kit may visit a drugstore or local pharmacy (costs: €1-2 per Test-Kit).

Masks are recommended whenever they will add to individuals’ feeling of safety, especially when distancing is not possible, and sanitizer stations will be available throughout the games. We advise all participants to follow basic hygiene recommendations, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding physical contact.

We kindly request that you disseminate this guidance to sponsors, volunteers, and individuals traveling to the Games. Their involvement is integral to the success of the Games, and we want to ensure they are informed and prepared.

We are doing everything possible to keep everyone safe, and we encourage everyone to take their health seriously.

So - to summarise:

• COVID-19 will be treated like any other contagious disease during the World Games
• It is strongly recommended that everyone attending the games be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• Everyone attending the games is encouraged to take a COVID-19 Test before travelling to Berlin as well as during their stay.
• Masks are recommended whenever they will add to the individual's feeling of safety.
• All participants should follow basic hygiene recommendations, such as washing hands regularly etc.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU

The advice provided by Mary Davis is clearly aimed at a wide audience - competitors, officials, spectators and of course the Final Leg team.  Nothing in the advice is mandatory - we have reached a point where the responsibility to act in your own best interests lies with you. 

I would ask that you consider bringing a couple of COVID tests with you so that you have easy access to a test that you are familiar with in the event that you begin to experience COVID or FLU like symptoms.  Please bring a mask with you - just in case you feel the need to wear one at any time during the course of the event.

If you are feeling unwell at any time during your stay in Berlin, please tell your Team Leader.

In the case that you don't bring tests or masks, we will be able to source them for you in the event that they are required.

Stay well and healthy

 

Submitting Donation Checks

 

How to submit personal checks for your Final Leg Fundraising

A few questions have been asked about what to do if a donor wants to make a payment to you by check.

Kami Delameter has prepared a cheat sheet to walk you through the process.  You'll find a link to a PDF version of that document below.

Her instructions are as follows:

1. Collect all checks to mail at one time
2. Ensure all checks are made out to Special Olympics
3. Fill out the Check Submission Form with the relevant details 
4. Email a copy of the form to Kami (kdelameter@specialolympics.org)
5. Mail the completed Check Submission Form and checks to Special Olympics Finance at the address shown in the Information Sheet.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE CHECKS WITH YOU TO BERLIN - MAIL THEM TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Click on the buttons below to download the Check Information Sheet and the Check Submission Form

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Kami.

 

How many miles

How Many Miles Did You Run Today?

Just a very friendly and not so subtle reminder to make sure you are piling up the miles. All of us want you to thoroughly enjoy every moment you're in Germany, and one of the best ways to do that is to ensure your are physically prepared. Your goal when you land in Berlin is to be able to sustain a 10-minute per mile pace for at least three miles. If you accomplish that goal, the running in Germany will be a piece of cake and you will be able to smile, breathe, take in the sights and participate in the cadences.

Keep on runnin'!

 

 Update on the Final Leg Fundraiser

It occurred to me today that there was a vital piece of information that I had neglected to include in the Final Leg Fundraising Information Package.

Yes - what to do if someone wants to give you a check (shouldn't that be spelled 'cheque'?).

It seems that there is no facility available on the fundraising platform to 'make a donation by check'  The only method of payment available is by debit or credit card.

The most important thing to remember is NOT to turn the person away because you can't lodge the check on-line through the system.  Take possession of the check and then contact Final Leg team member Kami Delameter - her day job is Senior Manager, LETR with Special Olympics International. 

Kami will guide you through the process of where to send the check, how it should be made out etc and ensure that your fundraising account is credited with that donation.

Kami can be contacted at:  kdelameter@specialolympics.org

Scott

Using Social Media

 USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE THE FINAL LEG

As we get close to the start of the Final Leg, it's time to start thinking about what can be done to promote your involvement in the 2023 LETR Final Leg in Berlin.

The obvious 'new-age' way to tell your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to Berlin is through Social Media.

To help maximise the impact that your social posts have, Final Leg team member (and social media wizard) Shawn Byrne has prepared a 'hint sheet' for all of you to use when creating your social posts for the event.

In addition, he has also created two Facebook and Twitter friendly images that you can incorporate into one or more of your posts

There is a downloadable zip file containing all three images shown in this post on the Team Portal.

Or you can CLICK HERE to download the zip file.

Thanks to Shawn Byrne for his work on these images.

Hope they are of some help

Scott

Final Leg Team Portal

 THE FINAL LEG TEAM PORTAL HAS BEEN UPDATED

For the past twelve months or so, there has been a section in the LETR website which has been dedicated to providing access to team members to register for the event.

We kept the page open a lot longer than expected or intended - primarily because of a number of withdrawals from the teams meaning that we had to leave the site open for their replacements.

With just under 60 days to go, we're probably not going to get any one else registering - so over the past weekend, I took a scalpel to the page and changed it's focus.

The Final Leg Team Portal is now a repository of information that you as team members need access to - mostly, it is information that has been sent out to you by email or through these blog posts, but now they are all in one place, so that if you want to check up on information about travel, accommodation, uniforms etc, it is up on the Portal.

If you go looking for something and can't find it on the Portal, please send me a message and I'll ensure it goes up.

Just in case you haven't been to the Portal in a while, here are a few hints about how to get there:

Go to the LETR website - www.letr.org

Click on the LETR FINAL LEG link on the main page

Slide down to the bottom of the page and click on this button (I only put it there today)

Remember that there is a 4 digit PIN Code to get into the Portal - 1834

Stroll through the page and see what's there.

If you have any issues getting to the page or with the content, please let me know.

Scott

 

FINAL LEG UNIFORM UPDATE

WHAT DOES THE UNIFORM KIT CONTAIN?

The 2023 LETR Final Leg Uniform Kit will contain the following items:

• Backpack
• Baseball Cap
• Lightweight Zippered Jacket
• 4 x Augusta 'Nexgen' Wicking T-Shirts
• 2 x Polo Shirts
• 2 x Running Shorts (Team Leaders, Torch Runners & Athletes)
• 4 pairs socks

There are four running days - you will have a t-shirt for each of those days.  The polos will be worn at the team dinners.

WHEN & HOW DO I RECEIVE MY UNIFORM KIT?

We expect that the uniform kit will be ready for distribution in around 4 - 6 weeks.

If you live in Canada or the USA, Wills Enterprises will be shipping the  Uniform Kit directly to you.  We need all Canada & US based team members to complete the 'Final Leg Shipping Details' form, supplying us with your shipping address.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SHIPPING FORM (CANADA & US ONLY)

If you live anywhere else, we will be shipping the Uniform Kit directly to Berlin where it will be waiting for you.

Please note that the socks will not be shipped with the Uniform Kit - you can collect them in Berlin.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO TAKE?

We have two planned dinners during the event.  The first (Welcome Dinner) will be held on Tuesday, 13 June and the second (Team Recognition Dinner) will be held on Sunday, 18 June.

Please bring a pair of khaki pants (see below) to wear with the team polo shirt for these events.

There will be further information provided about personal items that team members need to consider taking to Berlin.

Google Translate options

HOW TO READ THE BLOG POSTS IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

It might come as a surprise to some of you, but there are 23 members of the Final Leg Team who do not speak English as their primary language.  That's over 20% of the team speaking one of 11 languages other than English.

The breakdown is as follows:

• German (10)
• Estonian (2)
• Greek (2)
• Mandarin Chinese (2)
• Cantonese (1)
• Czech (1)
• Dutch (1)
• Icelandic (1)
• Italian (1)
• Korean (1)
• Latvian (1)

It is also the case that almost all of the 23 team members speak English as a second language.

In an effort to assist those team members, we have included a Google Translate button at the top of the page just under the Blog Header image.

No promises here about the strict accuracy of the translations, but we hope it might be easier for those team members to read the posts in their own language.

Hope this assists

Are you out there?

 

ARE YOU OUT THERE READING THIS?

We announced that we would be communicating and passing on relevant information about the Final Leg event through this Blog a week or so ago.  What we don't know is how many of you are accessing and reading the Blog Posts - not that there have been many published to date.

The purpose of this Blog Post is to identify who is on-line and who is not.  We'll then be able to reach out to those who haven't yet visited the site to gently prod them into doing so.

So - if you've already taken the time to read this far into this post - please do one more thing - click on the link below and fill in the survey - all we need is your Name, Role and Team and whether or not you like the Blog concept.

It will only take a minute to complete and it will save you getting a follow up email from your Team Leader.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE BLOG SURVEY