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Best Buddies Georgia Buddy Beat! - February 2026

Best Buddies Georgia Buddy Beat! - February 2026

Your one-stop shop for all things happening with Best Buddies in Georgia schools.

Doug Peters
February 06, 2026

Leading with Heart: Building Belonging Together 💌🤝

Dear Best Buddies in Georgia Schools Crew,

Happy February! This month is often framed around hearts and the holiday season, but in our community, it is really about something deeper: Showing up for one another, creating spaces where everyone belongs, and choosing inclusion on what feels like ordinary school days.

As we move into the heart of the school year, I’m thinking about the quiet ways you are changing lives: A student who finally feels like they have a place to sit at lunch, a buddy pair who is starting to build their own traditions and communication styles, an officer team that keeps showing up even when schedules are packed and attention is spread across multiple places. Those everyday moments matter more than you know.

February is also a key “reset and recharge” moment for our chapters. Back to Best Buddies gives us a chance to pause, reconnect as leaders, and make intentional plans for the spring. With Friendship Walk, Buddy Ball, end-of-year celebrations, and Chapter President selection on the horizon, your willingness to lean in at this midpoint of the year is what keeps our movement strong.

My hope for you this month is simple: That you’ll make a little room for both reflection and joy. Celebrate what your chapter has already built! Check in on the students who might be quieter on the edges. Try one small new idea that helps someone feel more included. Those small decisions add up to the culture you are creating in your school.

Thank you for leading with patience, creativity, and heart. I am grateful to walk alongside you in this work. Again, I’m only a call, text, email, or Zoom away if you need support or a thinking partner as you plan the months ahead. Let’s go, Team BBGA!

With great appreciation,

Doug Peters
Deputy Director, Programs
Best Buddies in Georgia

🏈 Hats Off & Halftime Huddles: Back to Best Buddies 2026 🎩

Super Bowl Football GIF by Alanna Flowers

Gif by alannaflowers on Giphy

In the spirit of Super Bowl LX, February is our midseason huddle. Think of Back to Best Buddies (B2BB) as your chapter’s halftime: We step off the field for a minute, regroup as a team, tip our craziest hats, and walk back in with a stronger game plan for friendship and inclusion.

These sessions are required for all school chapters (elementary, middle, high school, and college) and are designed for Faculty Advisors and Student Leaders to attend together. You’ll revisit the mission, sharpen your strategy, and leave ready to finish the year strong 🎩🏈.

🟨 Effingham County: Springing into Inclusion in Pajamas 👕

📍 Sand Hill Elementary School – Effingham County
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Show up cozy, stay focused! In Effingham, we’ll:

Reset roles and responsibilities for the semester
Plan inclusive events that get your whole school in the game
Get your chapter ready for Friendship Walk, Buddy Ball, and beyond

💻 Back to Best Buddies – Virtual “Watch Party”

Can’t make it in person? No problem, you can still join the huddle.

💻 Virtual Back to Best Buddies
📅 Thursday, February 26, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM ET

🔗 Join on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83650208137?pwd=uyRFk8kH2Euo72eiaDjaCDs8NEAq1A.1

Meeting ID: 836 5020 8137
Passcode: 407673

Attend live or via recording, and your chapter still gets credit for this required training. If you’re unsure which option fits your team best, reach out anytime:

📧 [email protected]

Think of Back to Best Buddies as your halftime huddle: A moment to regroup, adjust the playbook, and head into the rest of the year confident and aligned. We’re excited to learn from you, cheer you on, and keep building this movement together. 💪

💌 February Focus: Refresh, Reconnect, and Move Forward

February is a good moment to pause, breathe, and gently realign your chapter for the rest of the year! Think of it as a midyear check-in: Not about doing more, but about making sure what you’re already doing feels clear, doable, and meaningful.

Here are a few focused steps for this month:

🧩 February To-Do List

✅ Attend Back to Best Buddies 2026
Make sure your chapter is represented at one of the Back to Best Buddies sessions (Atlanta, Effingham County, or Virtual). Decide who will go and how they’ll share what they learned with the rest of your chapter.

✅ Submit 2026–2027 Chapter President & Faculty Advisor Applications
Chapter President and Faculty Advisor Annual Registration is now LIVE for the 2026–2027 school year.

All CP and FA applicants should apply at www.bestbuddies.org/lead
Deadline: April 1st
You can share the official flyer with your community here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MPL2rYwni0TbvNTizP7CQD2uqYuUmIfb/view?usp=sharing

✅ Reconnect With Your Officer Team
Hold a short planning meeting to talk about:

What went well in the fall
What felt challenging
2–3 priorities for the spring (Friendship Walk, Buddy Ball, year-end celebration, etc.)

✅ Host a chapter event
Plan a simple, fun event to bring members back together after break. This could be:

A Valentine or kindness-themed hangout
A game night, craft event, or movie meetup
A low-pressure social where buddies can reconnect

✅ Register for the Friendship Walk
Make sure your school is officially signed up for the Atlanta or Coastal Georgia Friendship Walk.

Choose a Team Captain
Set a team goal
Share your registration link with families and staff

✅ Host a Walk Kickoff
Build excitement about the Friendship Walk on campus:

Announce your team at a meeting or over morning announcements
Show a video or slideshow from past Walks
Use your Friendship Walk Promo Kit to decorate, post flyers, and promote

✅ Check In With Buddy Pairs and Members
Encourage buddy pairs and members to reconnect after winter break by:

Sending a quick message
Meeting for lunch, a walk, or a short hangout
Inviting someone who has been quieter back into the mix

✅ Map Out Your Spring Calendar
Even if details are tentative, start placing your:

Chapter meetings
Events and service projects
Friendship Walk, Buddy Ball, End of the Year Party /End plans
into BB360. It’s fine to update as things evolve, having a draft is better than starting from scratch later.

✅ Stay Connected With Your Best Buddies Staff
Let us know how things are going:

Complete your Monthly Chapter Check-In Form
Reach out by email, phone, text, or GroupMe if you need ideas, troubleshooting, or encouragement

✅ Share in the Work With Point Leaders
Identify students who can help lead on key areas, such as:

Friendship Walk team and fundraising
Buddy Ball attendance and promotion
BBLC interest and fundraising

You don’t have to do everything at once. Small, steady steps in February will set your chapter up for a spring full of strong friendships, clear plans, and meaningful moments.

🌟 2026–2027 Chapter President & Faculty Advisor Applications Are LIVE!

Leadership applications for the 2026–2027 school year are officially open for Chapter Presidents (CPs) and Faculty Advisors (FAs)! Thank you in advance for helping us identify and support the next wave of Best Buddies leaders in Georgia.

To strengthen chapter leadership and align with Best Buddies International Standards of Excellence, all Chapter President candidates are required to complete a joint interview with Best Buddies staff and chapter leadership.

Faculty Advisors: Applications do not roll over from year to year. Please submit your renewal at 👉 www.bestbuddies.org/lead before June.
Middle School Chapters: The chapter president interview requirement does not apply to middle schools. Advisors will continue to oversee selection for their schools, and Doug is always happy to support if you would like guidance.

📅 Key Deadlines & Action Steps

1️⃣ Promote the Opportunity
Use the flyer shared with you (also available in your recruitment folder) to spread the word to interested student leaders.

2️⃣ Submit Applications by April 1
All Chapter President and Faculty Advisor candidates must apply at:
👉 www.bestbuddies.org/lead

3️⃣ Interview Process (April–May)
On Tuesday, April 2, Doug will share a list of all applicants with chapter leadership and begin scheduling one-hour interviews via Calendly.

We’ll use a mix of in-person and virtual interviews based on location and schedules, with the goal of making the process accessible and meaningful for everyone.
When feasible, Doug will meet with candidates on campus; when that isn’t possible, we’ll host a virtual interview instead.
To help us reach as many candidates as possible, please try to schedule all of your chapter’s interviews on the same day. To schedule a virtual joint interview according to your schedule, please visit www.calendly.com/bbgaprograms.

4️⃣ Final Selections by June 1
Chapter Presidents will be selected through a shared decision between Best Buddies staff and chapter leadership and then confirmed in BB360.

📁 Support & Resources

Recruitment Folders: Your shared Google Drive recruitment folder will be sent and updated by the end of the month with chapter-specific recruitment messages to help you promote the role.
Mandatory Training: All selected Chapter Presidents are required to attend Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July.

If you have any questions or want to talk through your chapter’s leadership plan, please reach out. Your partnership makes this process meaningful and successful every year. We appreciate you!

👟 BBGA Friendship Walk 2026: Toolkit, Contests, & Big Goals

It’s officially Friendship Walk season in Georgia, and we’re gearing up for our biggest year yet of friendship, fundraising, and inclusion!

🎒 Start Here: 2026 BBGA Friendship Walk Toolkit
Everything you need to promote the Walk at your school is in one place:
👉 2026 BBGA Friendship Walk Toolkit

Inside you’ll find:

Personalized social media graphics (search your school name)
Printable posters for hallways and common areas
Simple fundraising ideas and the SAB Fundraising Toolkit
A Friendship Walk Coordinator Guide + Walker/Team Captain tools to stay organized
Re-usable templates to advertise and promote Friendship Walk

📍 BBGA Friendship Walk Dates – Atlanta & Coastal Georgia

BBGA Atlanta Friendship Walk
📍 Chamblee Charter High School, North DeKalb Stadium
3688 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
📅 Sunday, April 26, 2026 – 1:00 PM
🕐 Check-in 1:00 PM | Opening 2:00 PM | Walk 2:30 PM
🔗 https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/atlanta/

BBGA Coastal Georgia Friendship Walk
📍 Josh Riddick Stadium at the Clarence E. Morgan Complex
1750 GA-21 S, Springfield, GA 31329
📅 Sunday, May 3, 2026
🕐 Check-in 1:45 PM | Opening 2:30 PM | Walk 3:00 PM
🔗 https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/coastalgeorgia/

🎁 Fundraising Incentives & Team Goals

Raise funds as a school team and unlock fun incentives along the way, including:

Shoutout pack & personalized banner
“Doug Delivers” snack drop and spirit kit
BBLC registration and Falcons tickets
VIP Walk perks and a mini “Inclusion Revolution” pep rally

🏆 Top Fundraising Chapter will:

Design the official BBLC 2026 T-shirt
Receive an end-of-year party
Be the official host of Leadership Training Day 2026
And yes… earn the chance to pie Doug in the face at Friendship Walk 🥧

📸 Friendship Walk Photo Contest

Help us show Georgia what inclusion looks like!

How it works:
1️⃣ Email your best Friendship Walk photo (any year)

To: [email protected] and [email protected]
Include your school name and year
2️⃣ Once approved, post and tag us:
IG: @bestbuddiesga
FB: Best Buddies Georgia / @bestbuddiesgeorgia
3️⃣ Optional: Turn your photo into a flyer and hang it around school 👀

✅ Photo must be:

From a Best Buddies in Georgia Friendship Walk
Clear, well-lit, and school-appropriate
Original file (no screenshots, no filters or edits)

🏅 Prize: Special recognition + a chance to be featured on BBGA social media.

🧭 Pro Tip: Choose a Friendship Walk Captain

Pick a Friendship Walk Captain (or small team) to:

Lead team registration and promotion
Coordinate simple fundraisers
Track your chapter’s progress toward its goal

Every step and every dollar helps us open more chapters, train more leaders, and create more spaces where students with and without IDD can thrive together.

🌍 Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2026: Dream Big, Start Small

The countdown to the 2026 Best Buddies Leadership Conference is officially on, and now is the perfect time to start picturing who from your school will be representing Team Georgia in Indiana!

📅 July 17–20, 2026
📍 Indiana University – Bloomington

Here are a few easy steps you can take this month to get things moving:

1️⃣ Spot Your Future Delegates
Think about the students and adults who are already showing up with heart and consistency:

Chapter Presidents, Faculty Advisors, and Student Officers
Ambassadors and emerging leaders who are finding their voice
Peer buddies who live the mission every day

Start an interest list now so you’re not in a rush around July!

2️⃣ Start a “Send Us to BBLC” Fund
Choose one simple February/March idea to begin building a BBLC pot:

Hot chocolate, coffee, or tea cart before school
“Kindness Grams” or Valentine-style notes with candy
St. Patrick’s Day treats
Spirit day or dress-down day with a $1–$2 suggested donation
Restaurant give-back night with a local favorite restaurant using GroupRaise

Small, consistent efforts add up quickly.

3️⃣ Tell the Story Behind the Trip
Share with families, staff, and administrators that BBLC is:

Leadership training for your students
Inspiration and new programming ideas for your chapter
A chance for your school to be part of a global inclusion movement

👉 Learn more: www.bestbuddies.org/bblc

Reminder: BBLC attendance is required for all high school and college chapters. If you’re feeling uncertain about cost, travel, or logistics, please reach out. We can work together on a realistic plan that fits your school’s situation. Also, this is a kind reminder to send completed course screenshots for the Coca-Cola Future’s Academy!

🪩 Buddy Ball 2026: Sneaker Ball Night at Cedar Grove 👟

Gif by thegifys on Giphy

Get ready to trade dress shoes for your freshest kicks, BBGA X Cedar Grove Buddy Ball 2026 is almost here!

This year’s statewide Best Buddies in Georgia Buddy Ball: Sneaker Ball will be hosted by Team Cedar Grove High School, and we would love to have your chapter there for a night of music, movement, and inclusion.

📍 Cedar Grove High School
📅 Saturday, March 21, 2026
🕕 6:00 p.m.

Buddy Ball is a semi-formal dance where:

Everyone is welcome
Your sneakers are the star of the outfit
The focus is on joy, connection, and celebrating the friendships you’ve built this year

To help your chapter make the most of the night, consider:

👟 Pick a Chapter “Look”
Choose a fun unifying element: matching colors, beads, hats, glow sticks, bow ties, or friendship bracelets. It makes group photos pop and helps your students feel like a team.

🚗 Plan Ahead for Rides & Support
Talk early about transportation and chaperones so students with and without IDD can attend safely and comfortably.

🎉 Frame Buddy Ball as a Celebration
Position Buddy Ball as a reward for everything your chapter has done this year: Friendship Walk fundraising, match events, meetings, and all the behind-the-scenes leadership that rarely gets seen.

Our hope is for Buddy Ball to become a Best Buddies in Georgia tradition, rotating between host schools each year. If your chapter is interested in hosting in the future, feel free to reach out so we can start exploring what that could look like!

🎂February Birthday Shoutouts 🎉

Gif by deadlyie on Giphy

Let’s celebrate the amazing members of our BBGA family with February birthdays:

🎈 February 1 – Stephanie Rodriguez
🎈 February 6 – Jerrica Green
🎈 February 7 – Francesca Rissland
🎈 February 9 – Abigail Crerie
🎈 February 13 – Deidre Stewart
🎈 February 14 – Ivory Brown
🎈 February 14 – Philip Bemiss
🎈 February 14 – Shaney Malloy
🎈 February 19 – Laura Stroer
🎈 February 23 – Vanessa McIver
🎈 February 26 – Amy Nakoneczie

We’re grateful for the kindness, leadership, and energy each of you brings to Best Buddies in Georgia. We appreciate you!

✨ February Focus: Growing Leaders & Keeping the Momentum Strong

animation i think i can GIF by joeyahlbum

Gif by joeyahlbum on Giphy

Giphy

As we move deeper into second semester, this is a great time to think about who’s leading now, who will lead next, and how to keep your chapter’s energy going through spring.

Here are a few simple, practical ideas you can try this month:

👑 Start “Passing the Torch” Conversations

Many of our Chapter Presidents and officers are thinking about next year already. Use February to:

Ask current leaders: “If you graduated tomorrow, what would you want the next team to know?”
Invite 2–3 younger or newer members to shadow officer roles during a meeting or event.
Start an informal “Future Leaders” list of students who show up, participate, and care about inclusion.
Encourage them to apply and interview to become Chapter President for the 2026-2027 school year!

📓 Capture Your Chapter’s “Playbook”

Help your future leaders by documenting what works:

Keep a simple shared doc or notebook with:
- Go-to event ideas
- Contact info for key partners (teachers, community orgs, vendors)
- Tips for Friendship Walk, Buddy Ball, and recruitment
After an event, take 5 minutes as officers to answer:
- What should we repeat?
- What should we tweak next time?

Small notes now = less stress later.

💬 Check the Temperature of Your Chapter

Use February as a “how are we really doing?” moment:

Ask members for quick feedback at the end of a meeting:
- “What’s one thing you’ve liked about Best Buddies so far?”
- “What’s one thing you’d like to see us do this spring?”
Notice who hasn’t been around lately and personally invite them back to a meeting, hangout, or event.

A short text or hallway invite can pull someone back into the community.

🤝 Support Buddy Pairs Through the Midyear Slump

Schedules get busy this time of year. Encourage buddy pairs to:

Put one simple plan per month on the calendar (lunch, a walk, a game, or a quick check-in).
Share one “win” at your next meeting (something small that made them smile).

Consistency matters more than big, complicated plans.

🧩 Remember: You’re Not Doing This Alone

Lean on your officer team, delegate where you can.
Reach out to your Best Buddies staff contact (Hey look, it’s me, (Doug) who wrote this very sentence 😄) when you need ideas, troubleshooting, or just someone to think things through with.

The choices you make this month set the tone for Friendship Walk, Chapter President Selection, Buddy Ball, and year-end celebrations. Keep it simple, sustainable, and centered on connection!