BALTIMORE—Twice a year inside the Special Olympics Maryland headquarters, an esteemed group called the Athlete Congress meets to discuss the relevant issues surrounding the organization’s athletes.

Take a look around the conference-room table though, and you will notice a pleasant surprise. The individuals making decisions on behalf of the athletes aren't board members or senior staff members. They are Special Olympics Maryland athletes themselves, serving as a voice of representation for their fellow teammates.

Every year since 1996, on the first week of April and November, approximately 30 athlete delegates converge on the SOMD office for a semiannual session called the Athlete Congress. At the meetings, athletes provide guidance to SOMD’s top officials on issues of importance to them. One to two athletes from each county program are represented, and the group is headed by a chairman and a vice chairman, each of which serve two-year terms.

Delegates learn about the legislative process and discuss primary areas of interest to SOMD. Statements are developed that provide the delegates points of emphasis to share with their peers, and then feedback is solicited from the field. Then the athletes get down to business, voting on the issues that have real significance to them.

In years past, the panel has pushed for and instituted significant changes, including healthier meals at competitions, having accessible awards stands at Winter Games, changing the terminology from ‘mentally retarded’ to ‘intellectual disability’ inside the organization, and enhanced sportsmanship training for athletes, coaches and officials.

“Athlete Congress is one of my favorite activities in all of Special Olympics,” said Susan Holland, who organizes the meetings and has a daughter, Desiree, on the Congress. “You see a totally different side of the athletes than what you see when they are training or competing. To see these athletes attend the meetings and formulate opinions on the direction of Special Olympics is exciting.”

The first SOMD Athlete Congress was convened in 1996, and was in response to a similar program created by Special Olympics North Carolina. Since that time, Maryland’s AC program has operated for 15 consecutive years—making it the longest-such running program in the world.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, the AC convened for its usual fall session. At the meeting, which lasted from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and included complimentary breakfast and lunch, athletes discussed action steps to help spread the word about the Special Olympics movement.

Included in their discussion was leadership building (recruiting fellow athletes by e-mailing them, sending them letters and phoning them about the benefits and fun of Special Olympics); connecting with fans (engaging with fans through social media and creating flyers about upcoming competitions); and building communities (spreading the word about Unified Sports through venues such as work, school and church).

“It’s enjoyable to be with other delegates and discuss their ideas,” said Ben Collins, a Montgomery County athlete who has twice served as chairman for the AC. “It’s our voice being heard. That makes me feel good.”

Kegan Zimmerman, 24, an athlete from St. Mary’s County, was elected as vice chairman at the last gathering. He hopes to use his new position in an effort to combat bullying. He said he was bullied in school growing up, and wants to notify other athletes of methods to prevent it, such as taking immediate action by telling a counselor, coach or a guardian.

There are a variety of ways an athlete can serve on the Congress: primarily through a head of delegation’s referral or by simply expressing interest to join the committee. Athletes must also have a means of transportation to the meetings.

Throughout the process, the AC has been fortunate to have terrific support from local groups and individuals, said Susan Holland. The Center for Technology in Education at the Johns Hopkins University is a key partner for the program. The group provides voting clickers and other technology to help facilitate the meetings. Financial support is also provided by the Maryland State Department of Education.

And just this spring, the AC implemented a new mentor program. Athletes can bring a mentor (it must be a non-family member) to the meetings with them. The mentors provide guidance at the meetings, and then assist afterward in implementing the athlete’s takeaway plans—primarily spreading the importance of Special Olympics to their respective communities.

“This is something that the athletes look forward to all year-round,” said Holland. “They don’t have to put on bathing suits. They don’t have to put on sports gear. They just sit down and start talking. And that’s a great thing for our organization.”