Wexler PPT

Summer 2005:Communication Supportfor theNew York Road RunnersFoundation: 

Becky Wexler April 2006 Summer 2005: Communication Support for the New York Road Runners Foundation

What is NYRRF? : 

What is NYRRF? Founded in 1998 as “community service arm” of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) NYRR is the largest running organization in NYC; organizes ING New York City Marathon Mission: Establish running programs for underserved populations of children throughout NYC 7,000+ currently served Primary funders: NYRR, NYC Dept. of Education, Team for Kids Members

NYRRF Program Background: 

NYRRF Program Background Obesity is on the rise in NYC (2003 DHMH study: 43% of K-5 kids obese or overweight) Phys. ed. time is limited (at best) in most NYC public schools student:teacher ratios estimated at 100+ to 1 most elementary students have PE 1-2x/week

NYRRF Program Background: 

NYRRF Program Background Program objectives: “Promote physical health, emotional well-being and personal achievement by establishing community-based running programs.” Urge kids to get in shape now and stay active for life; promote lifelong nutrition habits Focus on health and character, not athletic achievement or competition

Flagship Programs: 

Flagship Programs Running Partners Mileage Club: Teachers/volunteers encourage kids to run and/or walk a minimum of half a mile three to five days a week with a goal of completing one to four “Marathons of Mile” (multiples of the 26.2 marathon distance) during their school years Running can be done at any time in the day--before school, at recess, or after school Kids earn (individual and “team”) incentives along the way

Flagship Programs: 

Flagship Programs Running Partners Mileage Team: More organized after-school running program Kids set goals of running one mile to 10K (6.2 miles) without stopping Ongoing fitness testing Dedicated coaches design fun workouts and relay-style games Team members encouraged to participate in NYRR road races; several meets each year Potential to earn incentives for attendance and distance achieved

NYRRF Athletes in Action: 

NYRRF Athletes in Action

Nutrition Component : 

Nutrition Component UrbanFUEL (Food for Ultimate Energy and Living) offered to NYRRF schools 45 minute classroom-based nutrition workshop designed and delivered by NYU nutrition graduate students Kids given tips on how to make informed nutrition choices at home and at school

Sounds great! So what did I do? : 

Sounds great! So what did I do? Writing Grant proposals Newsletter articles (meet reports, inspirational stories) Fact sheets Editing Newsletters Web site Coaching Curriculum (added public health perspective) Consulting How can NYRRF better market its programs as public health improvement vehicles?

And then there was…: 

And then there was… The Team for Kids Issue

From Youth Running to Adult Running: 

From Youth Running to Adult Running Team for Kids (TFK) is the major fund-raising vehicle for NYRRF Members pledged to raise $1 million during 2005 marathon season in exchange for a NYCM entry 500+ Team Members nationwide Someone needed to communicate with them!

Shifting priorities: 

Shifting priorities Still health promotion related, so it was fine New responsibilities: Create template for weekly online newsletter Solicit, edit and author articles on fund-raising best practices, NYRRF programs, etc. for 18 weeks of newsletters Interview different Team for Kids members for inspirational feature stories Organize and disseminate newsletter (email and Web)

Lessons Learned: 

Lessons Learned Be flexible. Good writers (and people with Web skills) are in high demand. Don’t underestimate your “public health skills.” It’s fun to bring together personal and professional passions. Small non-profits are very different from large ones. When creating new programs, anticipate how you will evaluate your progress/success.

Slide14: 

Thank you… Lydia Delman Adam Krajchir Tara Pontani Cliff Sperber