Girls on the Run - Update

Today I was asked about the status of Girls on the Run of Austin. Well, here's an update:

• We successfully raised the $6000 we needed to get started (yay! and thanks!)
• We sent 2 people to North Carolina for official training
• I am currently storyboarding our website, which Dionn has offered to help us build (thanks!)
• I just wrote about 6 volunteer job descriptions (overviews are listed below)
• We have filed for our 501(c)(3)
• I am preparing the tax receipts now, so you will get them soon (I promise)
• We are assembling lists of potential volunteers, hosting some meetings, and will begin a more formal push for recruitment soon
• We are secured for Sanchez Elementary and have one more in the works...more on that later
• We will be training all the assistant coaches probably in late August (5 hour mandatory training)

So, a lot of people have asked how they can help. Here's a list of the various committees we are assembling now:

Community Outreach/Public Relations - Responsibilities include identify locations for marketing and program promotion, distributing materials, speak at PTA meetings, solicit support/volunteers from training groups, identify and secure corporate sponsors. Also responsible for identifying community fundraising opportunities.

Grant Writing – Responsibilities include researching available grants, preparing and submitting proposals.

Head Coaching/Assistant Coaching – After completing a satisfactory background check and attending a mandatory 5 hours of training, coaches deliver the curriculum twice per week for the duration of the 12-week program. Training is held approximately one month before the start of the school semester. Must maintain a positive attitude and foster a supportive environment for the girls at all times. Must be CPR and First Aid certified. If the total number of available coaching staff is high, the weekly time commitment may be less. Coaches must be available on a regular basis from 3:00pm-5:30pm weekdays, as the sessions start at approximately 3:30pm. Men are welcome!

Running Buddies – Parents, family members, guardians or friends who complete the 5K race with a girl in our program. Must be available on race day.

Sole Mates – A running buddy who is under the age of 18. Must be available on race day.

Event Planning – Working with the Community Outreach/PR committee, event planners identify and/or organize a 5K race, negotiate and secure discounts, order t-shirts, identify potential race sponsors, and generate fundraising ideas.

If none of that sounds interesting, and you want to just keep doing what you normally do, you can still help!

Team Tiara – Run for the girls and for YOU! Team Tiara is the charity running “leg” of GOTR and uses the power of running to make a difference for our girls. Teams or individuals (men and women) pursue individual goals such as running a marathon or completing a triathlon while raising money to support participants in GOTR. Runners are asked to raise a minimum of $262. To sign up for Team Tiara in support of GOTR of Austin. Participants of Team Tiara pay a non-refundable registration fee of $26. This amount does not go toward the fundraising goal of $262. You can register at anytime by visiting http://girlsontherun.org/teamtiara.html. We'll have info on our own website, when it is up and running.