May 22, 2011: International News From the Field

22 May: The Miami Dolphins Special Teams is a unique volunteer organization created to enlist and mobilize the ongoing volunteer services of the community with the Miami Dolphins staff, players and alumni. The mission of the Special Teams is "to offer hands-on services to communities and families in need, to partner with existing organizations on worthwhile social, civic and charitable programs, to provide assistance at Miami Dolphins Foundation events, and to support community efforts in times of emergency."

When Miami hosted Super Bowl XLIV in February, several thousand community volunteers were enlisted to help with all the activities (just as happens with all major sporting events around the world. But the Miami Dolphins football team saw an opportunity: harness the enthusiasm of these volunteers and direct it towards other needs. As one press release explains, "In 2009, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale ranked dead last in the nation in percentage of volunteers and volunteer hours per. To combat this problem, the organization created the Special Teams Program, a volunteer group that… to date, has 3,204 volunteers that have logged 43,835 of community service…." There are a range of incentives for fans who give a lot of hours, but any level of service is welcomed.

The Miami Dolphins have hired a full-time Manager of Volunteer Programs who reports that Special Teams will soon branch out beyond the Miami area to organize volunteer projects in cities around the United States that have a concentration of team fans. See their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/MiamiDolphins#!/SpecialTeams.