IN THIS ISSUE:

♦ Strategic Planning

♦ 2010 Slate of Recommended Directors

♦ 2009 RRCA Financial Report

♦ National Physical Activity Plan Launch

♦ Resources for RRCA Clubs/Events

♦ And more

RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brent Ayer President

David Cotter Vice President

Dennis Novak Treasurer

Dan Edwards Secretary, At-Large Director

Mark Grandonico Eastern Region Director

Mitchell Garner Central Region Director

Lena Hollmann Southern Region Director David Epstein Western Region Director

Kelly Richards At-Large Director

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION By Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director The popularity of running as a sport and as healthy exercise continues to grow, and as a result the community that delivers running to individuals continues to grow. Take for example the Road Runners Club of America, as an organization we have grown over 30% in membership in the last five years. This growth can be attributed to several factors; the most important one being the current boom in running.

In 2008, the RRCA Board of Directors recognized the importance of developing a meaningful strategic plan for the RRCA to address the growing and evolving nature of running as a sport, industry, and a community. In 2009, the RRCA Strategic Plan was presented to the membership and has proven to be a valuable decision making tool for the organization’s leadership.

Through our experience with the strategic planning process along with the feedback we have received from several members who are embarking on the development of their own strategic plan; we invite our members to consider developing a strategic plan for their organization.

The Mission Statement

To start your strategic planning process, review your mission statement. The mission statement is a formal short written statement outlining the purpose of your organization or company. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a sense of direction, and guide decision-making. It provides the framework or context for your organization’s strategies (C. Hill & G. Jones, Strategic Management. Houghton Mifflin Company).

Most all clubs and events have a basic mission statement that outlines the purpose of their organization. Perhaps your mission statement looks something like this: to promote running as a sport and healthy exercise.

A clear and concise mission statement should be the cornerstone of your organization, however a simple mission statement might not be enough to guide your organization or its leaders over time.

In addition to your mission statement, your organization should consider adopting a vision statement along with a values statement. A mission statement outlines the fundamental purpose of the organization while a vision statement outlines what the organization wants to be. A vision statement is a source of inspiration that provides clear decision-making criteria. The vision should describe why it is important to achieve the mission, and it summarizes the goals outlined in a more detailed strategic plan. Find the RRCA vision and values at www.RRCA.org/about/.

Developing a Strategic Plan You may be asking yourself, so why does my running club or event need a strategic plan in the first place? You may be thinking our mission is simple and…

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INSIDE TRACK Quarterly Newsletter for the Members of the

Road Runners Club of America

SPRING 2010

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Dear RRCA Members,

The completion and adoption of a broad-ranging Strategic Plan in 2009 for the RRCA, spear-headed by David Cotter, has provided much of the structure for current and future efforts for the organization. The past year saw the expansion of the Kids Run The Nation program, the launch of Club Running magazine, a complete over-haul of the website, increased Coaching Certification opportunities, and participation in a private-public policy initiative to develop the National Physical Activity Plan for the United States. These efforts and objectives are directly connected to the strategies outlined in the RRCA Strategic Plan.

Our Regional Directors continued to work towards a full slate of active State Representatives along with the most robust calendar in recent history of RRCA National, Regional and State championship events in 2010.

None of this happens in a vacuum. Outstanding state representatives like Gary Morgan, George Rehmet, and Melodie Thompson, to name a few from the group of dedicate RRCA State Reps, form the back-bone of these efforts.

In addition to supporting existing programming, the board also authorized the creation of four new programs for 2010 as part of our budget approval process: a Certified Race Director training program, a Certified Youth Director training program, an Advocacy Training effort and Tool-kit, and an RRCA: Runner Friendly Community® program. Details about these new programs will be outlined in future issue of Inside Track. Also, there are exciting new sponsorships and club support opportunities nearing fruition. The RRCA board provides direction, but services would not get delivered without a competent staff, and the Board wishes to recognize Jean Knaack, Eve Mills, and Dorothy Commock for their efforts.

Keep Running,

BRENT AYER RRCA President on behalf of the RRCA Board of Directors David Cotter, Vice President Mark Grandonico, Eastern Region Director Dennis Novak, Treasurer Lena Hollmann, Southern Region Director Dan Edwards, Secretary Mitchell Garner, Central Region Director Kelly Richards, At-Large Director David Epstein, Western Region Director

SUPPORT THE KIDS RUN THE NATION FUND

Make a tax-deductible contribution today! 100% of your contribution is granted to deserving youth running programs around the US. These programs are designed to get and keep kids active by teaching running as a positive lifestyle choice.

RRCA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

SUPPORT THE ROADS SCHOLAR FUND

Since 1996, the RRCA has awarded over $300,000 in grants through the Roads Scholar program to assist American post-collegiate runners who show great promise to develop into national and world-class road running athletes. Make a tax-deductible contribution today! 100% of your contribution is granted to developing elite runners that are recent college graduates

RRCA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209 Write Road Scholars in the memo line.

All members of the RRCA in good standing as of April 20, 2010, are welcome to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Membership. Participation in the 2010 RRCA National Convention is not required in order to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Membership. The meeting will take place on April 23, 2010 starting at 4:30 PM Eastern at the Lakeland Center at 701 West Lime Street, Lakeland, FL 33815-4534. REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The RRCA Bylaws, Article VIII, Section B.1.b.3, stipulate that in advance of the Annual Meeting of the RRCA Membership, the Nominating Committee shall present to the RRCA national office a slate of recommended candidates, one individual for each position up for election. The Nominating Committee of Irv Newman (chair), Elizabeth Unilawski, Don Kardong, Mel Williams, and Sue Brown-Nickerson has completed its deliberations and the slate of recommended candidates proposed by the Committee is:

President: Brent Ayer Brent has been active in the sport of running for over 35 years. He served on the RRCA Board of Directors from 1987 to 1990 as Treasurer and again from 2004 to 2008 as Eastern Region Director. He was also on the Kids Run the Nation Grant Selection Committee in 2007 and was given a special President’s Award for Service in 1991 and again in 2006. In 2007 he interviewed all living RRCA presidents for the 50th Anniversary report. Brent was elected to his first term as RRCA President in 2008. He was a founding member of the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club while still in college in 1975. He was their club president from 2000-2003. Brent is an RRCA Certified coach, and he holds USATF Level I & Level II coaching certifications. He launched the Hood College Cross Country program and Track & Field program. He has been recognized as

a Maryland AAU Track Outstanding Coach in 2004 and as the Hood College Coach of the Year in 2005. Brent holds an MBA and serves as Finance Administrator to seven different members of the United States House of Representatives where he has worked for over 29 years. He and his wife Mary Catherine and their three teenage children reside in Frederick, Maryland.

Vice President: David Cotter David Cotter is a California native and forty-seven year resident of South Lake Tahoe, California. He has been running since 1990 and his passion is running the trails of the High Sierra within the Lake Tahoe Basin and the trails of Hawaii. David is the President of both the Tahoe Mountain Milers (Lake Tahoe) and Sagebrush Stompers (Carson City, Nevada) Running Club. David was appointed as the RRCA Nevada State Rep in 1998 and as the RRCA Northern California State Rep in 2002. In 2004 he served as the Convention Director for the RRCA National Convention and was awarded as the 2003 RRCA State Rep of the Year. He is the race director for a variety of running events at

Lake Tahoe including the Tahoe Rim Trail 50K/50M/100M Endurance Runs, which has served as the RRCA National Ultra Championship for several years. David was elected to his first term as RRCA Vice President in 2008. David has served on numerous RRCA committees including chairing the Strategic Planning Task Force and the Executive Director Performance Review Committee. He organized the first State Reps Silent Auction at the 2007 RRCA National Convention.

2010 SLATE OF RRCA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

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Treasurer: Dennis Novak Dennis has been a certified public accountant for over thirty-five years and retired from practice in 2004. Dennis was appointed as the RRCA Treasurer in 2005 and was elected in 2006 and 2008. As a member of the Badgerland Striders since 1978, he has served in several leadership roles including the Treasurer and President positions. He is currently the Chair of their Finance Committee. He was a race director for eleven years for an 800 participant race in his community. Dennis has completed ten marathons and two ultras in his thirty years of running. Dennis has been a long time supporter of the RRCA National Convention by attending thirteen out of the past fifteen conventions and he was on the organizing committee of the 2007 RRCA Convention hosted by the Alpine Striders of Lake Zurich. In addition, Dennis was the RRCA State Rep for Wisconsin. He has also been a

member of the RRCA Audit Committee since 2005. Dennis graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a major in accounting. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Easter Region Director: Mark Grandonico Mark served in the Coast Guard for over twenty years and was decorated for his accomplishments. He is currently a Health Care Compliance Specialist and Auditor for the largest hospital system in Maine. Mark holds a bachelors degree from Regents College in New York. He is a member of the Maine Track Club where he has served as a board member-at-large, vice president, and Mark was elected president in 2005. During his tenure as the Maine Track Club president, Mark has been noted for his organizational, communication, fund-raising and recruiting skill. Under his guidance, the Maine Track Club has donated over $350,000 to local charities and schools in Maine and to the RRCA Kids Run the Nation fund. Additionally, Mark recently helped establish the MidCoast Triathlon

club and serves as their Membership Director. Mark was the RRCA Maine State Representative from 2006-2008 and a member of the RRCA Audit Committee for two years. Mark was elected to his first term as Eastern Region Director for the RRCA in 2008. Mark has also been a race director for over eight years and is a member of the Beach to Beacon 10k organizing committee. He has two children, and he has completed hundreds of races of all lengths including 30 marathons.

Central Region Director: Mitchell Garner Mitch is very active with the Ann Arbor Track Club, where he serves as president and is on his club’s executive committee of the board. He is also a committee member of two mid-sized races in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run and the Burns Park Run, where he has worked to promote positive role models for children by having them meet exemplary Olympic athletes. Mitch has attended the RRCA Conventions since 2005. In 2008, Mitch was elected RRCA Central Region Director. During his term, the number of RRCA state and regional championship events has increased in the Central region. Mitch has worked with the RRCA Board on two projects: a study of state laws governing medical

volunteers and a registry designed to match elite athletes and running-related events. In 2009, he represented the RRCA at the United States Track and Field Association Annual Meeting. In 2009, Mitch became a certified USATF official. Mitch is an attorney with the law firm of Allotta, Farley & Widman Co., L.P.A. He graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in economics. He received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, where he was a law review editor. Mitch credits his wife Ellen and daughter Kasia for putting up with his fanaticism about running.

2010 SLATE OF RRCA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

The following outlines the financial performance of the RRCA over the last three years.

YEAR ASSETS LIABILITIES NET WORTH

2007 $993,191 $480,075 $513,116

2008 $1,159,144 $629,415 $529,729

2009 $1,210,791 $489,570 $721,221*

YEAR REVENUE EXPENSES NET PROFIT

2007 $1,106,751 $1,071,430 $35,321

2008 $1,107,042 $1,090,429 $16,613

2009 $1,487,661 $1,296,169 $191,492**

* Of the $721,221 in net worth as of 2009, $10,000 is permanently restricted, $181,370 is Board designated reserve fund, and $176,083 is temporarily restricted for future use. ** Of the $191,492 in net profit, $107,615 is from unrealized gains in the investment account.

2009 FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE RRCA

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STRATEGIC PLANNING CONTINUED

straightforward, to host running events and/or training programs. This might not be enough of a framework to guide your leaders in the decision making process today and in the future. Today, many running clubs and events are finding their organizations at the forefront of fitness promotion in their communities. Promoting running as a healthy lifelong activity is an important element in addressing the inactivity crisis in the United States. Many events that started as low-key club races have grown into major community events. Many running clubs are emerging to become important civic organizations as well. These examples highlight why strategic planning is important for an organization.

Strategic planning is the process of defining an organization’s strategy or direction and making decisions on allocating resources such as money and people to pursue the strategy. There are several techniques that can be utilized to develop a strategic plan, and the Internet has a great deal of information that can help guide organizations to determine what is the best approach for them.

The following outlines the strategic planning process for the RRCA. Our experience can be used as a guide for organizations interested in engaging in a planning process for their organization. There are many experts that provide consulting services to organizations wanting to develop strategic plans. The RRCA found a dedicated group of individuals coupled with robust discussion and some Internet resources enabled the organization to develop a meaningful strategic plan without the added expense of a consultant.

RRCA Strategic Plan Methodology

A positive start to the RRCA strategic planning process was a clear consensus from the Board of Directors that there was an immediate need to develop a strategic plan. If organizations are struggling with consensus, reviewing duties of the Board may help start the discussion about developing a strategic plan. Consider reviewing the information Managing Your Club on the RRCA website with your Board: http://www.rrca.org/club-directors/manage-your-club/. Once you have consensus to move forward, do not require the full board to do all of the “heavy lifting.” The RRCA Board developed a Strategic Planning Task Force. Members with a variety of skills and backgrounds along with key-stakeholders, staff, and board members were appointed to the Strategic Planning Task Force. By developing a task force, you can engage people that have the necessary skills needed to develop a realistic strategic plan for your organization.

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STRATEGIC PLANNING CONTINUED

To start the process, the RRCA Strategic Planning Task Force agreed to a 360-degree analysis of the organization starting with priority rankings from the Board of Directors all the way down to a survey of our household members. The Task Force outlined the organization’s constituents (or membership base) and used this outline to determine how best to survey the end users of our programs and services. We also used this list to help guide us through discussions about designing programs and services that meet the needs of our constituents.

The Task Force conducted two surveys in 2008 to collect important baseline data about the organization, and to re-affirm or change assumptions developed from the last membership survey conducted in 2006. The first survey was designed for the club and event members of the organization, and the second survey was designed to collect data from our household membership (members of running clubs).

Following the surveys, the Task Force members each completed a SWOT analysis about the RRCA. The members each outlined their perceived Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the organization. The results of the SWOT analysis were compiled by the Task Force Chair and reviewed during a conference call along with the results from the membership surveys. The information gathered from these activities helped outline clear strategic planning items for the Task Force to address.

To further review and outline strategies, sub-groups within the Task Force were assigned the responsibilities of developing recommendations for specific topics. For example, three members of the task force were tasked with developing a plan for addressing the organization’s growth. This small group developed several strategies and reported back to the Task Force. Assigning specific strategies to small groups helped keep the process manageable for the Task Force as a whole.

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Join us for the 52nd Annual RRCA Convention April 22-25, 2010 in

Lakeland, FL All RRCA Convention attendees will receive special pricing on Walt Disney World tickets. The tickets will be good from the date of purchase through December 31, 2010. Register for the RRCA Convention today to access this great attendee benefit.

A highly educational series of topics will be offered including Lobbying and Advocacy Training for Nonprofit Clubs and Events, Risk Management, Injury Prevention, Growing Your Club, Managing Race Growth, and much more.

Join us for our social networking events (luncheons, receptions and dinners) that include engaging speakers such as Bill Rodgers, Patt Williams, and Keith Brantly.

For complete RRCA Convention details and to register today visit www.RRCAConvention.org.

As the Strategic Planning Task Force found during their discussions, strategic planning and operational planning tend to overlap. As part of your organization’s strategic planning process, it is important for your task force members to understand, from the outset, what a strategic plan is and what it is not. Strategic planning and operational planning involve two different types of thinking. Strategic plans are fundamental, directional, and over-arching, the primary focus of the organization to best achieve its mission. Operational planning addresses the day-to-day implementation of programs and services that support the strategic direction or plan for the organization.

As the RRCA Task Force found, the members had a tendency during discussions to focus on specific operational topics and ideas. So it was very important for the Chair of the Task Force to direct these specific ideas into the overarching strategies. For example, a discussion on a specific operational idea, race director certification, evolved into the bigger picture strategy “to be the leading authority and resource for the establishment of new grassroots running organizations and training and education programs for runners, running coaches, race directors, and other special interests that emerge as priorities as the sport evolves” (Point 3 from the RRCA 10 Point Strategic Direction Over the Next 10 Years). This highlights two important points from lessons learned by the RRCA: your strategic planning task force chair needs to have a solid understanding of strategic planning, and that person must have the ability to move discussions from operational planning to strategic planning.

Drafting the Strategic Plan

After surveys, discussions, etc., etc. the next important step in developing the Strategic Plan was actually drafting the final plan. Compiling and condensing several months of research and discussion was an important next step in the process. To finalize the discussion processes, the Task Force agreed on the most important strategic points over a period of time, which we outlined as ten strategies over ten years.

Throughout the work of the Task Force, a member was appointed to keep notes from conference calls and maintained a “working document” that outlined key points from the surveys, the results from SWOT analysis, sub-group recommendations, important discussion points and the final strategic points to outline. This “working document” evolved into the framework for drafting the final strategic plan.

Again, a small sub-group was appointed to develop the first draft of the plan. To help frame the outline for the plan, available online resources such as strategic plan templates were utilized. We found the following resource to be very helpful with our efforts in guiding the process and drafting the final docunent: www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/str_plan/str_plan.htm. RRCA members are welcome to utilize the RRCA Strategic Plan document as a framework for developing written plans for your organization. You can find our plan posted online at www.rrca.org/about/governance/.

While the goal of a strategic plan is to outline the overarching organizational direction over a period of time, the Task Force also believed it was important to include some recommendations for operational improvements or short-term operating objectives that can be achieved over a three to five year period. The recommended operating objectives outlined in the RRCA Strategic Plan are not all inclusive of objectives the RRCA should be doing over the next few years, but they do highlight specific priorities for the organization to pursue that support the overall strategic direction for the organization.

As part of drafting your strategic plan, be sure that the strategies you adopt have a basis in reality. Even the loftiest of goals should have clear short to medium term objectives that help support the larger strategic goal. This will help root the strategy in reality while allowing the organization to stretch to achieve the strategy.

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GATORADE PURCHASE PROGRAM The RRCA has partnered with Gatorade to bring our members a discounted purchase program for Gatorade products. This is a great cost savings opportunity for RRCA members that do not qualify for the Gatorade Sponsorship program with the RRCA. Products available through the purchase program include:

• Gatorade Thirst Quencher lemon-lime powder in 14-51 oz. cased - $86.00/case • 8 oz. cups - $79.50 per case • 7-gallon coolers - $54/unit

The above prices are for 2010 only and do not include shipping costs. Any RRCA member event interested in utilizing the purchase program must contact the RRCA no less than 45-days in advance of their event to obtain an official purchase order form. The order must also be placed within 45-days of the event. To obtain a purchase order, you must email Gatoradepurchase@rrca.org to request the purchase order form. You must include your name and the name of your club or event in the email so we can verify RRCA membership. The purchase order will be emailed to you. You may use it for additional events, but you may not transfer the purchase order to non-RRCA members. Do not email purchase requests to the RRCA. You must follow the ordering instructions on the purchase form you receive from the RRCA.

RRCA WEBSITE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR EVENTS RRCA Website Ads Events can purchase advertising space on RRCA.org for one month, six months or a one-year period of time. General Rates

• $100 / month • $500 / 6 months • $900 / 12 months

RRCA Nonprofit Club & Nonprofit Event Member Rates

• $50 / month • $300 / 6 months • $600 / 12 months

*Prepaid per rotation slot, up to 2 unique banners. Your ad must be 234 x 60 IMU (half banner) in size. Emai your web ad to advertising@rrca.org for placement on our website. Ads will be placed in rotation on each page of the RRCA website after payment is received. Pay online at www.rrca.org/about/sponsors-and-partners/. The RRCA has the right to refuse any website ads it deems inappropriate for our website, and payment for refused ads will be refunded. Have your event advertisement seen on our homepage directly above our most visited section, the RRCA News, and rotated on all pages of the RRCA website. This is a great opportunity to announce opening dates for event registration, promote your event’s charity partners, and be seen by many thousands of monthly visitors to www.RRCA.org.

RESOURCES FOR CLUB & EVENT DIRECTORS

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Implementing the Strategic Plan

Once the strategic plan is drafted and thoroughly reviewed by your task force, your board of directors should plan to meet to review the final draft of the plan. At this phase, the plan should only need minor changes or or language adjustments before the board approves the final strategic plan document. Once the strategic plan is adopted by the board, it should be shared with the membership, and thus and the process of implementing the plan begins.

A strategic plan needs to be a living document that is used regularly and not something that is filed on the proverbial shelf and forgotten about with the changing of the guard. Each year your board of directors or organizational leaders needs to review your strategic plan and outline annual operating plans that support your strategic objectives. Documenting and approving annual objectives that are tied to an annual operating budget is an important element of implementing the strategic plan. The annual objectives and budget should reflect the priorities of the organization and clearly outline new programs and/or enhanced programmatic improvements. This annual exercise will help the organization achieve your desired long-term strategic direction.

The board should re-examine the strategic plan at intervals of three, five and 10 years. At the 3-year mark, this is a good time to assess progress and determine if any of the strategic objectives are still relevant, are still realistic, or need improvements. Your organization should ensure a governance structure that can adapt to change as leaders come and go while remaining focused on the strategic direction adopted for the organization.

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NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

Since 1971, the RRCA has honored dedicated individuals for their outstanding service to the RRCA and the sport of distance running. We are delighted to announce the 2009 National Running Award recipients, and we thank the selection panel volunteers for their time. The National Running Award recipients will be honored at the upcoming RRCA National Banquet and Running Awards Ceremony on April 24, 2010, in Lakeland, Florida. Information about the event can be found at www.RRCAConvention.org. For more information on each award category and to learn how to nominate a deserving individual from your organization in 2010, visit www.rrca.org/services/awards. RRCA DISTANCE RUNNING HALL OF FAME

Inductees: Colleen De Reuck and Libby Hickman

Selection Panel: Jim Oaks, Chair, Amby Burfoot, Jacqueline Hansen, Joe Henderson, Don Kardong, John Parker, Lisa Rainsberger, Steve Shostrom, Ken Young, Kim Jones, and Bill Rodgers

OUTSTANDING CLUB PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR IN HONOR OF SCOTT HAMILTON

David Purinton - Huntsville Track Club - Huntsville, AL

Selection Committee: Brent Ayer, Libby Jones, and Mark Grandonico

BROWNING ROSS SPIRIT OF THE RRCA AWARD

Deborah D. "Debbie" Magilke - Yellowstone Rim Runners - Billings, MT

Selection Committee: David Epstein, Gary Corbitt, and Dan Edwards

RRCA OUTSTANDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR IN HONOR OF AL BECKEN

George Rehmet – State Representative for California (Coastal Region)

Selection Committee: Brent Ayer, Dan Edwards, and Kelly Richards

ROAD RUNNERS OF THE YEAR

Open Male – Meb Keflezighi – Mammoth Track Club - Mammoth Lakes, CA

Open Female – Amy Yoder Begley – Nike Oregon Project, Beaverton, OR

Male Master – Jon Williams – Gold Coast Runners, Miami, FL

Female Master – Joan Benoit Samuelson

Selection Committee: Mitchell Garner, Jeff Horowitz, Frank Shorter, and Larry Eder

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NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

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EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS IN HONOR OF JERRY LITTLE

• Small Club Newsletter: “Runners Hi!” – Editor, Ed Hardee - Amelia Island Runners - Fernandina Beach, FL

• Large Club Newsletter: “The Running Account” – Editor, Esther Dill - North Carolina Running Club - Raleigh, NC

• E-Newsletter: “Sooner Soundings” - Editor, Marlyss Bird - Pamakid Runners - San Francisco, CA

• Club Writer of the Year: Mark Lucas, Cornbelt Running Club - Bettendorf, IA

• Journalism Excellence: Roger Robinson, Running Times Magazine

Selection Panel: Marlene Atwood, Lisa Herbert, and Susan Zevin

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR IN HONOR OF ROD STEELE

Diane Perriello - Summit Athletic Running Club - Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Selection Panel: George Rehmet, Nancy Hobbs, and Bee McLeod

OUTSTANDING YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR IN HONOR OF KURT STEINER

Ron Beasley - Ann Arbor Track Club (AATC) – Ann Arbor, MI

Selection Committee: Dan Kesterson, Eve Mills, and Lena Hollmann

OUTSTANDING BEGINNING RUNNING PROGRAM AWARD

Women R un/Walk Memphis led by Terri Clarke and DJ Watson Memphis Runners Track Club, Memphis, TN

Selection Panel: Lena Hollmann, Tony Flesch, and Simone Adair

RRCA ROAD RACE OF THE YEAR

The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon hosted by the Pamakid Runners, San Francisco, CA

Selection Committee: Mark Grandonico, Libby Jones, and John Devitt

OUTSTANDING CLUB WEBSITE AWARDS: Each year one award is given to a small club (250 and fewer members) and one to a large club (over 250 members) from the nominations received. Then an overall website winner is chosen from the two finalists.

Overall Winner: Chattahoochee Road Runners (small club winner) www.crrclub.com, Chattahoochee, GA

Honorable mention: Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers (large club winner) www.runnersandwalkers.com, Grapevine, TX

Selection Panel: Chuck Bartlet, Chris Burch, Michael Bowen, and Charles Cline

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Here’s an opportunity to energize your organization and your community!

Share the excitement of a national initiative to get America healthy and active. On May 3, 2010, the National Physical Activity Plan will kick off with a signature launch event in Washington, D.C., and the RRCA will be in attendance. RRCA members are invited to join the launch efforts by letting lawmakers, the media and the public know about this important Plan. What can we do? Local officials are the key to making the changes that can help ensure opportunities for all Americans to be more active. We’ll capitalize on national publicity at the Washington, D.C., launch, while communities around the nation are letting local officials know about the Plan and how it can be used to create a long-term vision for community health. Create immediate awareness about this necessary roadmap for improved well-being through proclamations on the Plan (see below). After the Plan is released on May 3, you can enhance your involvement by examining which tactics from the Plan you can easily implement in your community. You can immediately take action on and before May 3 by:

Asking your local governor, state legislator and mayor to issue proclamations based on this sample language, designating May 3 as Physical Activity Day. Contact information for elected officials is available online.

Sending this letter to your local elected officials informing them about the Plan and offering to be their conduit to the Plan

Distributing this letter to the editor to your local media outlets to garner press and public awareness of the Plan

Why participate? By securing proclamations celebrating the National Plan, you can tap into the momentum of a comprehensive national initiative. Look for extensive media coverage as people living in every part of the United States get active the way that fits their lifestyle and needs. This convergence of national attention and local action will help elected officials see the importance of the strategies and tactics outlined in the Plan. The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA), of which the RRCA is a member, is overseeing implementation of the National Physical Activity Plan. Implementation will take many years, but the launch is our chance to grab policymakers’ attention. The benefits of physical activity and exercise are bountiful and well documented. What’s the Plan? The National Physical Activity Plan is a comprehensive set of strategies, including policies, practices and initiatives, aimed at increasing physical activity in the population level. The goal of this multi-sector, public/private partnership is to produce a marked and progressive increase in the percentage of Americans who meet physical activity guidelines throughout life. Results will include improved health and well-being; increased productivity; reduction of health disparities; and lowered rates of disease, disability, and premature death attributable to sedentary lifestyles. Experts from many fields, including RRCA Executive Director Jean Knaack, have contributed to developing the Plan. The Plan will focus on eight key areas, including public health, business and industry, education, health care, mass media, parks/recreation/sports, transportation/urban design/community planning, and volunteer/nonprofit organizations. Full details are available online at www.physicalactivityplan.org.

NATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAN TO LAUNCH MAY 3, 2010

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The National Physical Activity Plan will: • Make a compelling and urgent case for increasing physical activity in the American population, in order to

improve health and reduce the massive toll of disease and health problems attributable to sedentary lifestyles, from diabetes to cardiovascular illnesses to obesity

• Provide a clear roadmap for actions that support short- and long-term progress in increasing Americans’ physical activity

• Develop strategies for increasing physical activity in all population subgroups and reducing disparities across subgroups

• Create a sustained and resourced social movement that provides for ongoing coordination, partnerships, capacity building and evaluation

• Develop new and innovative strategies for promoting physical activity • Undergo periodic evaluation to assess achievements in increasing physical activity Who’s involved in the Plan? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Prevention Research Center at the University of South Carolina are providing the organizational infrastructure for writing the Plan. Implementation of the Plan will be coordinated by the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity with an emphasis on organizational implementation, tracking results, policy advocacy, and a national cause marketing campaign to engage the masses. Organizational partners, including the RRCA, collaborators, sponsors and affiliates represent a wide spectrum of nonprofit, corporate, and philanthropic organizations contributing to the Plan’s development and implementation. The National Physical Activity Plan is a proud strategic partner with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign. Implementation of the Plan will increase physical activity in the U.S. population and will thereby reduce the prevalence of obesity and its co-morbidities as well as enhance the health of people of all shapes and sizes. As such the Plan is closely aligned with the goals of Let’s Move. The National Physical Activity Plan complements the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008). The Guidelines provide scientifically founded recommendations regarding the types and amounts of physical activity needed for health benefits including prevention of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, functional disability and depression. The National Plan presents a framework for the changes that our society must make to enable all Americans to meet the Physical Activity Guidelines. The National Physical Activity Plan supports Healthy People 2020. The National Plan was developed in close communication with the team that developed the physical activity objectives in HP2020. Implementation of the National Plan will directly support attainment of those objectives by providing a comprehensive set of policies, practices and initiatives aimed at supporting physically active lifestyles. Everyone is invited to participate. Launching the National Physical Activity Plan involves cities, towns, schools, colleges, companies, faith communities, civic groups, public agencies, service clubs, running clubs, and more. INTERESTED? See www.physicalactivityplan.org/launch to learn more about how your community or organization can join in. Get on board now to make sure you get future announcements and tool kit information.

NATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAN

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Dear RRCA Members,

After implementing the RRCA Strategic Plan at the 2009 RRCA Convention, we have had several members contact us seeking assistance with developing a plan for their organization. It is our hope that the article in this issue of Inside Track will inspire you to embark on the process of developing a strategic plan as well. I have found the RRCA Plan a very helpful decision making tool.

In addition to this publication, one short-term objective that we believe supports point three in our 10 Point Strategic Direction is the launch of the RRCA website, which includes the Resources For: Club Directors, Event Directors, Coaches and Runners. In these sections you will find information about managing your club, guidelines for safe events, and more.

A recent question posed to the National Office is whether the RRCA insurance program covers child-care at events. The quick and simple answer is no. This is beyond the scope of coverage of the RRCA general liability policy. However, this should not be confused with managing youth running programs and youth races that are covered through the RRCA insurance program. Child-care at events, where a parent signs over the care of their child to another individual while the parent runs the race, is highly discouraged as a service provided by RRCA insured events. Many local agencies have very specific regulations that govern child-care activities and no club or event should engage in child-care services without being familiar with local regulations. The RRCA recommends instead of providing child-care, that members partner with local child-care providers that are already licensed and properly insured to provide care for event participants’ child(ren).

Happy Running,

VOTING ASSIGNMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP The bylaws of the RRCA allow for the assignment of a proxy vote for member clubs and events. If an RRCA member club or event is not sending their official voting representative (president, director, or owner) to the Annual Meeting of the Membership, then the voting rights of that club or event may be assigned to another authorized representative (proxy holder) attending the meeting in person. In accordance with the RRCA bylaws, individuals gathering proxies can only solicit or receive proxies from clubs located within the state in which the individual resides. The individual must also be a member of an RRCA club organized within the state in which the individual resides. If an individual resides in more than one state, he or she shall be deemed to reside in the state where he or she maintains his or her principal or primary residence. To assign voting rights to a qualified proxy on behalf of a club or event member, the authorized representative must complete the Official 2010 Voting Rights Assignment to Recognized Proxy Holder Form. Each Appointed Proxy Holder must complete and submit the Membership and Residence Certification for Proxy Holders Form in accordance with the instructions on the forms. The forms and instructions can be found on the RRCA website at www.rrca.org/about/governance/. The form is the first link under Governing Documents heading.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE

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Find back issues of Inside Track online at www.rrca.org/publications/inside-track/

ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209 703-525-3890 www.RRCA.org

WE RUN THE NATION!

INSIDE TRACK

HELP US UPDATE THE RRCA BRAND IMAGE As part of the new RRCA website, we also simplified the RRCA logo and created a new RRCA member icon for your website. We kindly ask our members to post the revised RRCA logo on your website along with the revised RRCA member icon that can be posted on your website. You can find these items on the RRCA Branding page on our website (www.rrca.org/services/branding/). We appreciate your assistance in helping us update our national brand image. When printing items (race shirts, fliers, banners, etc) please be sure to use the current RRCA logo (at right). Why post the RRCA logo on your website or print it on your materials? The RRCA logo lets members know that your organization’s activities are adequately insured, and that your club and event leaders have agreed to follow basic safety guidelines issued by the RRCA. Our guidelines outline basic safety conduct of club and event activities such as group training runs and races. You can find these guidelines at www.RRCA.org/education-advocacy/. **RRCA News Syndication Code Updated** The RRCA News Syndication by our members has been a major driving force of traffic to our website. We encourage our members to work with their local webmasters to update club websites with the NEW RRCA News syndication code. The NEW code to embed the RRCA News on your website is found at www.RRCA.org/services/news/syndication/.