Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper
The following article appeared in SRO’s newsletter. Volunteers and friends of SRO: Please join the list to receive our e-newsletter by filling out the subscription box on the homepage. We will use the newsletter to send out important info throughout the season. If you did not receive the August issue and would like a copy, email sro_newsletter@sbcglobal.net.
Message from Spencer:
In June, SRO was mentioned in the editor's letter of Runner's World. David Wiley, the magazine's editor-in-chief, praised SRO and stated that anyone who cares about the health and well-being of America's young people will wonder why there are not more programs like SRO. I appreciated David's recognition of the good work that we do, so I decided to send him a letter that attempted to answer his question and reflected on what it takes to make a program like SRO work.
My short answer is that programs like SRO of course need funding, but equally important is the need for people who care to give whatever time they can, whenever they can. In writing my response to David, I shared the story of one of our volunteers and how when I met this particular individual, she thought that she was too busy to really make a commitment. She thought that with such limited time, she would not be helpful to the program. Through some negotiating, I convinced her to come out and run with the students -- just to give SRO a couple of hours whenever it was convenient. In those few hours over that intense season, the volunteer made a connection with one of the students and had a positive impact on a young person with a need.
I have learned during my tenure as executive director the true power of volunteerism and all that can be accomplished with those who are passionate, have a sense of community, and share their talents and themselves with those with a need.
SRO is very fortunate to have a community of runners, teachers, parents, donors, and citizens-at-large who care about our mission. As we continue to build SRO, I want to keep a dialogue going amongst us. My hope with the newsletter is certainly to keep you apprised of our progress and successes, but also to engage you in larger issues facing our community, like childhood obesity. I believe that we can also make a difference in turning the tide in these larger societal challenges.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts in our collective dialogue. Please give us your feedback regarding the newsletter and as well as topics you think the extended SRO community would like to hear about and get involved in. Together, we do have the power to change lives one step at a time.
Message from Spencer:
In June, SRO was mentioned in the editor's letter of Runner's World. David Wiley, the magazine's editor-in-chief, praised SRO and stated that anyone who cares about the health and well-being of America's young people will wonder why there are not more programs like SRO. I appreciated David's recognition of the good work that we do, so I decided to send him a letter that attempted to answer his question and reflected on what it takes to make a program like SRO work.
My short answer is that programs like SRO of course need funding, but equally important is the need for people who care to give whatever time they can, whenever they can. In writing my response to David, I shared the story of one of our volunteers and how when I met this particular individual, she thought that she was too busy to really make a commitment. She thought that with such limited time, she would not be helpful to the program. Through some negotiating, I convinced her to come out and run with the students -- just to give SRO a couple of hours whenever it was convenient. In those few hours over that intense season, the volunteer made a connection with one of the students and had a positive impact on a young person with a need.
I have learned during my tenure as executive director the true power of volunteerism and all that can be accomplished with those who are passionate, have a sense of community, and share their talents and themselves with those with a need.
SRO is very fortunate to have a community of runners, teachers, parents, donors, and citizens-at-large who care about our mission. As we continue to build SRO, I want to keep a dialogue going amongst us. My hope with the newsletter is certainly to keep you apprised of our progress and successes, but also to engage you in larger issues facing our community, like childhood obesity. I believe that we can also make a difference in turning the tide in these larger societal challenges.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts in our collective dialogue. Please give us your feedback regarding the newsletter and as well as topics you think the extended SRO community would like to hear about and get involved in. Together, we do have the power to change lives one step at a time.
posted by Unknown at 6:20 AM
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