SRO: Planning for the Future

As some of you may be aware, Students Run Oakland (SRO) is taking our 10th Anniversary season as an opportunity for a closer look at where we have come from, where we are, and where we would like to go as an organization.

A Strategic Planning Initiative led by Board Chair Bridget Harper and Executive Director Spencer Hooper and comprised of staff, volunteers, and students is chartered with examining and positioning SRO to provide increased opportunities to a greater number of students in a more sustainable way. The objective is to develop the organization's road map for the next three years to meet these goals.

To date, with the help of outside experts, we have completed several significant phases of work:

• Planning and goal setting
• Evolving the mission, vision, and values statements
• Completing a comprehensive stakeholder assessment and SWOT analysis
• Summarizing internal and external data to develop core future strategies

During December and January, the team will move into the final initiative stages: writing and socializing the plan. To ensure that the strategic plan is a dynamic and living document, the final phase will be to develop the implementation plan.

We will continue to update you about our progress as the Strategic Planning Committee and our outside consultants wrap up their work this winter. As the implementation plan takes shape, we may be drawing on many of you to assist with its execution.

Together, we will build a stronger organization that continues to train Oakland youth for life, one step at a time.

Volunteer Engagement

Volunteers, By now, you should be starting to get used to our weekend routine. Here are a couple of tips for making the most of your weekend runs:

• Keep engaged with students: Remember to run with and converse with students. That's why we're here! If you find a student running by himself or herself, or even find that you are running by yourself, please alter your pace to pair up with a student.
• Keep engaged with other volunteers: At the start of the runs, check in with your Lead Volunteer and others in your volunteer group. Consider participating in the Thursday Evening Social/Training Run at Lake Merritt as a fun way to get to know other volunteers. Tonight we start at 6pm at the corner of 14th and Oak. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts for more details.
• Keep engaged with marathon training: Remember that although a marathon is mostly mental, physical preparation can make it so much easier. Last week, we emailed out a training calendar to serve as a guide, especially if you are new to marathon training and looking for some additional information on how to help yourself be as prepared as possible to run with students in LA. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts if you did not receive your copy.

Week 4: 4 miles

This weekend we'll run along the SF Bay Trail through Alameda for another four mile long run. Typically this run is not as windy as the Emeryville Marina, but come prepared for anything! It's getting late enough in the year that a sweatshirt or jacket for after the run is a good idea.

Students, there is a Nutrition Clinic with Dr. Michelle Mietus Synder on Thursday this week (Oct 22) at the YMCA. You can browse our Nutrition Resources and look through your Student Handbook for some basic information. Bring your questions to Thursday's clinic!

Volunteers, this weekend we begin the process of splitting everyone up into groups, with Lead Volunteers, Student Support Volunteers, and Students. If you are unable to make this run and don't find out your group, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts. Also, please remember to sign up for this weekend's run on the calendar, where you can also find directions to the run.

Beginning Our Runs Right

Students and Volunteers, congrats on your first two weekend runs! It may seem like a long way now, but in a few short weeks this mileage will be easy for you!

This weekend we'll be at the Emeryville Marina for 2-4 miles. Before the run, SRO's own Becky Austin, MD, will provide a clinic on stretching. Proper stretching during your marathon training will help you increase flexibility and prevent injuries. You can review our handout on injury prevention and stretching, or check your Student Handbook or Volunteer Handbook for some background information. Be sure to bring your questions to Saturday's clinic!

Volunteers, please remember to sign up in advance for this weekend's run on the calendar.

Violence in Our Communities: Message from the Executive Director

In major metropolitan cities, urban communities across the country, inner-city students are being murdered in alarming numbers. As we watch the nightly news and hear about our wars, the economy, and health care, the murders of young people seem to become just statistics. But they are casualties taking place right in our own backyards.

In late August when I visited one of our schools to start recruitment discussions, I entered a somber campus and learned that the school community was mourning the death of one of its students who had just been murdered. Three weeks later, another one of our schools, Oakland Tech, lost a young person; she was murdered on Labor Day. This second senseless death hit even closer to home: she was in SRO's training program last season.

For the last few weeks, I sat to write about this deeply troublesome issue. Out of respect for the families and their privacy, I first decided that perhaps I should not write anything. But as each day progressed, I have become more compelled to voice the sheer anger and sadness I feel with what is going on. All too often when there is tragedy in our communities, it is followed by outrage and the feeling to do something; but as time moves on and the cameras or reporters are gone, the outcry and rallying to act dissipates. I often wonder what then happens to all of the emotions. If we only react during crisis, I am not sure how we will ever prevent them from occurring.

Many of the young people that we serve in SRO have experienced the loss of a friend or classmate by senseless acts of murder. Probably what is most troubling is that they are experiencing these atrocities as part of the realities of life. But we cannot allow ourselves and our youth to accept this as a truth. While I can't figure out how to stop or change it, what I have come to understand is that we must continue to keep a focus on each tragedy. Only by keeping these tragedies in the spotlight will there ever be change. I think more and more of us are realizing this. I applaud Sheilagh Andujar, the principal at Oakland Tech who established a task force of concerned parents, teachers, and citizens to come together to collectively change our young people's realities. I have pledged my support to Sheilagh to be an active member of this effort. I also encourage members of SRO to get involved.

Until we make ending the violence a top priority, more of our students will continue to lose their lives. We are all desperately needed in this fight. Those of you who want to get involved to make a difference, let me hear from you.

- Spencer Hooper, Executive Director

We are meeting here to put an end to this cycle [of violence], to put things back in order and to put the wheel of peace on the right track. The task is very great, but our hopes are greater.
- Hosni Mubarak

Welcome to the 2009-2010 Season!

Students and Volunteers, Welcome to the 2009-2010 season! We are looking forward to another great year of Training for Life, One Step at a Time. We are again targeting the Los Angeles Marathon, Sunday, March 21, 2010. You can view details of our planned training schedule on the calendar page.

Students, We look forward to seeing you at the first practice at the YMCA on Thursday, October 1. If you have any questions about paperwork, physicals, or just getting ready for the season, please contact Student Liaison Naa Dodua.

Volunteers, We look forward to seeing you at the first weekend practice at Lake Merritt on Saturday, October 3, at 8:30am. We'll be meeting at the 1418 Lakeside Drive. If you have not yet returned all of your paperwork, please check the forms page. You should bring your filled-out copies of the Volunteer Contract (pdf) and Volunteer Info Form (pdf), and you should review the Mentor Model before you come. If you have any questions about paperwork or just getting ready for the season, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.

SRO September Newsletter

Message from the Executive Director

In thinking about SRO's 10th anniversary, I have been reflecting on the organization that I have had the privilege to be a part of for eight of its ten years, first as a volunteer and for the last seven years as the Executive Director (ED).

Through this lens as a volunteer and then ED, I have seen and driven a lot of change. In the early days of SRO, eight students ran the Big Sur Marathon. Seven years ago, SRO changed the culminating event to the Los Angeles Marathon. Los Angeles serves many purposes. It is a great course and event for first time marathoners. It is also a good "hook" to attract students to the program: a weekend stay in Los Angeles piques student interest during recruitment, and for those initially less motivated students, it continues to be the incentive until other motivators kick in.

Many of you may have heard me tell a story about the catalyst for SRO's focus to increase our students' exposure to different neighborhoods beyond their own. One Saturday morning as we were heading to San Francisco for a training run, a young man remarked that the bridge was a lot larger than he thought. While only an eight mile journey -- he had never been across the Bay Bridge. Increasing what our students are exposed to expands beyond local geographies. Over the years, we have added programs to more formally expose the students to healthy lifestyles, and to college and career information, so that they have a wider view of what is available to them.

SRO has always offered the program to students for free. However, each student is required to sign a contract (a code of conduct). What we know as adults also rings true for our students: people value those things that they either work or pay for. So, while we don't ask for money, we do ask for a commitment. Students must adhere to attending the trainings, keeping or developing a respectful attitude, and maintaining the required GPA. Over the last few seasons, we have added mandatory tutoring for all students with GPAs under 3.0.

Over the years, we are frequently asked if training for a physically demanding 26.2 mile marathon competes with students' studies. Our response is, not in SRO. The training comes second to academics, which is why our marathon completion times range from 3.5 to more than 7 hours. The marathon has always been a metaphor and tool for instilling the values of goal setting, discipline, sacrifice, and a commitment to excel. While many are from underserved communities, we know that environment does not dictate ability. We expect a lot from our students because ultimately we know that this is what best prepares them for their future. Our tagline most aptly says it: "Training for Life, One Step at a Time."

For all of the change over the last ten years, there are also many things that have remained the same. SRO's original founders were a passionate and dedicated group of Oakland residents. We very much see this same passion and dedication in our more than 50 new and returning volunteers who have signed up for the upcoming season.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect that has remain the same is witnessing the impact of the program on those who stick with it. Each of the students who has experienced crossing the marathon finish line is transformed and leaves the program with a profound understanding and belief that they can achieve great things if they truly commit to them. This lesson can be drawn upon throughout their lives.

In celebration of our tenth year, it is much greater than SRO: it is about our volunteers, community collaborators, parents, and students. Thank you for your continued support and inspiration over the years to make this milestone a reality.

In any business, a tenth anniversary is a significant milestone. If you can survive for 10 years, you're in for the long haul. The fact that we have expanded further illustrates that we're in a cycle of growth. -- Michael Henry


-- Spencer Hooper



Welcome to New Faces

As the season begins, as always, we welcome back familiar faces and look forward to meeting new ones. This season, we welcome two community members into leadership roles with SRO:

Steve Roberts, Volunteer Coordinator, worked with SRO throughout last season. Previously, he has held leadership roles with the AIDS LifeCycle organization. For any and all questions about volunteering with SRO, contact Steve: srovolunteers@comcast.net.

Naa Dodua, Student Liaison, has been the Saint Mary's College High School's Freshman Academic Dean, and a Member of the City of Oakland's Mayor's Task Force, working on Middle School and High School projects). The Student Liaison primarily serves as a student advocate both within SRO and in reaching out to external resources.

Upcoming Season: Volunteer Opportunities

Join us for this season's Volunteer Kickoff Meeting, Saturday, September 12!

If you are interested in volunteering with SRO this year, we would love to have you join us Saturday morning for an introduction to the SRO program and what is stands for, volunteer roles and responsibilities, and our training calendar.

As always, SRO needs volunteer support not only for mentoring and running with our students, but also to assist us with important duties and projects throughout the organization.

A sampling of our volunteer needs includes:

• Administrative - Database Entry and Thank You Letter Support positions available.
• Fundraising - a variety of positions are available as we look to build our fundraising team, including a Friends and Family Campaign Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Corporate Donation Coordinator, In-Kind Donation Coordinator, and Grant Writing Assistance.
• Clinic/Community Service Coordinator - a single position that serves both student and volunteer communities in coordinating clinics, workshops, and community service opportunities with community partners.
• Special Event Support - a variety of positions including bartenders, servers, set-up/tear-down specialists, etc., for a special event in November.
• And, of course, Student Support Volunteers - mentoring, running with, and providing training run support for our students!
  

For more information about the Volunteer Kickoff Meeting or any of the above positions, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.

10th Anniversary Celebration

As many of you know, this season marks SRO's 10th Anniversary!

Over the past decade, Students Run Oakland has reached over 250 students. Learn more about our accomplishments in our new video at www.sroakland.org.

Tremendous Thanks

Special thanks to those sponsors who have already pledged their support for the upcoming season: Downtown Oakland YMCA, helping with after-school practices; Fleet Feet San Francisco and Mizuno, providing running shoe fittings and running apparel for our students; and Clif Bar, providing nutritious goodies for our training runs.

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.

Save the Date - Next Season Kickoff

Save the date!

The Volunteer Kick-off Meeting for the 2009-2010 season will be on Saturday, September 12th.

Location and exact time coming soon. Meanwhile, contact new Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts if you are interested in becoming a volunteer for our upcoming season!

SRO Newsletter - July 2009

Message from the Executive Director

At the end of each season there is always the pride in seeing the transformation of the students who make it to LA and in watching their exuberance as they cross the finish line achieving their goal. There is also the sadness that comes with watching the seniors go off to college and other opportunities, and the knowledge that many of our underclassmen will be pursuing other activies in the upcoming school year and not returning to SRO.

Even though the marathon and our celebration banquet were over a month ago, for many of us it feels as though the season is just ending. This year we had record numbers of volunteers attend our seniors' commencement celebrations. With our extended season, we bonded with the students and the students bonded with SRO on a different and deeper level, perhaps making this end of the season much more bittersweet than others.





On a personal level, many of you know that my daughter Alex (SRO alumna) also graduated from high school this June. What I don't often share is that while I am excited for her to start the next phase of her life, I'm not quite ready to send her off and not have her here in Oakland with me. She too is excited about college and at the same time, not ready to leave. Her transition is bittersweet for both of us.

I suppose what makes transitions such meaningful milestones is exactly this dichotomy of feelings and emotions -- this deep desire to soar and reach new heights and the equally forceful desire to keep things the same, to remain comfortable. In speaking to some of our long-standing volunteers, community collaborators, and donors, here too, I see this dichotomy. While we are planning to move the organization to the next level, we also hang on to the past.

As I've had the opportunity to spend more time with SRO's seniors and prepare for Alex heading off to college, this experience further crystallized for me the instrumental role SRO can play in students' lives. We have only scratched the surface, there are tremendous opportunities we can fill; from helping students navigate exit exams and college entrance applications, to securing financial aid, to providing reassurance during this pivotal life transition.

SRO is also at a transformative crossroads. Last year we formed a strategic planning committee with the charter to build a three year plan to serve as SRO's road map to advance the organization. We want to become an even stronger non-profit organization with more comprehensive support so that we can better serve students. We want to expand the programs and services to the students where you can see the greatest transformations, students that some people refer to as "the difficult ones." I am pleased to say that we are making real strides in completing our strategic plan.

We will spend the balance of the summer achieving a major organizational milestone, the completion of our strategic plan and preparing for our 10th Anniverary Celebration. I will be callling on many of you in a variety of roles, from planning and implementing to helping spread the word. Being up close and personal to so many transitions this year, one thing I know for sure is that SRO's tranistion to the next level will also be filled with the dichotomy of emotion and will be bittersweet for many. We will be tasked with the challenge of how to grow and advance, but yet hang onto those things that make us special, and keep us true to our mission.

The new and exciting juxtaposed with the familiar and comfortable can transform each other to a greater and better whole -- that is both our challenge and our opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who made this unique season such a success and thank you in advance for what I know you will do to make our future an outstanding success!

"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
Max De Pree

- Spencer Hooper


Los Angeles Marathon Success

Congratulations to the 2008-2009 SRO student athletes!!

Every student who started the marathon successfully completed it. Our finishing times were helped by unseasonably cool weather and terrific crowd support. Volunteer support throughout the course -- running, cycling, and helping at the finish line -- made the day go quickly. Thanks especially to those volunteers who were running their first marathon! We hope you'll join us again next year.




Tremendous Thanks

Our 2008-2009 season could not have been successful without the support of you, our community.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have provided grants, services, and in-kind contributions. We would especially like to thank The Barrios Trust, Children's Hospital, Clif Bar, Mizuno, Oakland Unified School District, Saucony Run for Good, Stewardship Council, Team Up for Youth, and YMCA of Oakland for their ongoing support.

Thank you especially to our friends, family, community members who contributed their time and expertise throughout the season. As a community-based organization, our volunteers and grassroots support are invaluable. We couldn't have done it without you, and as we look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary Season, we hope to continue to have your support!

SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.


Upcoming Events
Want to stay in touch with SRO? There are plenty of ways to keep up with us in the off-season...
July. Join us for the Fleet Feet San Francisco Sunset Run benefitting SRO. On Thursday, July 16, at 6:30pm at Marina Green in San Francisco, our friends at Fleet Feet are hosting a 5 Mile Social Run ($10 registration) with all proceeds going directly to SRO.

August. Check our website for updates, our first Volunteer Meeting of the season will be held this month. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.

Save the Date. Stay tuned for details of our 10th Anniversary Celebration! The tentative date is November 7th. More information will be available shortly on our website.

Yes We Did!

Students and Volunteers, Congratulations on another terrific season! Our trip to the City of Angeles was an unqualified success. 31 students and at least that many volunteers traveled with us, and every runner who started out on Monday morning finished the Los Angeles Marathon. With cooler than average temperatures and an extra couple of months of training under our belts, our finishing times were quick and everyone seemed to be feeling good for our tour of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach the next day.

Students Run Oakland Friends, Family, and Community, Thank you so much for your support throughout the season. We couldn't have done it without you. Check back this summer, we'll be posting updates periodically as we plan our 10th Anniversary Season!