Message from Executive Director Spencer Hooper
A couple of days ago I replied to an email from one of our volunteers regarding alternative approaches to the Los Angeles Marathon date change. After seeing some of the early responses to our survey on moving forward, and how vastly different the perspectives of volunteers versus students, I thought that it might be beneficial to share a slightly abbreviated version of my reply along with feedback from a very passionate student to the entire volunteer team.
What prompted me to share my email is that many volunteers appear to be responding with what they viewed was in the best interest of the students. Most illuminating for me is that there seems to be much to do in bridging our understanding of what the students expect from us and the program.
My email response to an SRO Volunteer.......
As we address the challenges of preparing for the 2009 Los Angeles Marathon - two date changes since the start of our training season - I thought that it might be worthwhile to provide greater context regarding our strategy and mission, and to center us in a better understanding of the approach and key decisions that shape the foundation for the season.
SRO’s mission is to prepare young people from underserved communities to meet daily life challenges and teach them that they can reach goals regardless of their circumstances. It is not by happenstance that we use a marathon as our vehicle. Running a marathon requires significant discipline, training, commitment, and sacrifice. Inherent in preparing for a marathon are the goals that we hope to impart.
We have learned that one of the most significant things that we can do is to increase students’ exposure to what life has to offer. Weekend runs are intentionally planned for different communities across the Bay Area so that students see far beyond their own neighborhoods. We fly to Los Angeles, which for many of the students is their first plane ride. Through the season, we expose them to different industries, and professions to broaden their understanding of careers to explore. Ultimately we want them to have a limitless view of what is possible for them if they put their minds to it.
Our selection of Los Angeles is very deliberate. Well beyond being a recruitment hook, it is exposure for the students. We want them to know that there are big rewards for big efforts. Additionally, the Los Angeles Marathon is rated as a great first-time marathon. The course is flat and the community is actively engaged, providing support throughout the 26.2 miles. Many of the local marathons like Big Sur and Napa, while scenic, are difficult courses, usually with set time limits, and very little community support to give encouragement along the way.
SRO is not for everyone. It is a big challenge – one that many shy away from. For the students who sign up for SRO and stick with it, there is a spark ignited. Even those who continue to come back and sometimes complain, show that they ultimately want to be pushed and held accountable. For the students, the goal is much more than collecting t-shirts and medals. It's about achieving what initially seems to be an insurmountable goal and knowing that they can do this in other areas of their lives. SRO is about that transformation.
This dilemma posed by the LA Marathon is also very symbolic. If we back away from a challenge and take the easier road – what is the message that we are sending to our students?
It was important to let the organization (students, staff and volunteers) make the decision for this season. We recently disseminated a survey to gather opinions about our next steps. It is my belief that the group’s decision will be to fulfill SRO’s strategic intent and complete the goal that was set forth -- the full marathon in LA.
One of our first students to weigh in on the survey sent the following response. This student epitomizes what SRO is all about. Hopefully it will help provide insight as to why we must continue to have high expectations of all our students.
Survey response from a student...
I think we need to do both runs to make SRO a good reputation of keeping their promise of L.A marathon. If we don't and we just do the half marathon we would be walking home with hardly anything to be proud of. I signed up for a complete marathon no matter what day it will be on. This is only another challenge and I believe yes we can do it. We are ready for a new challenge. This is just like what coach Alphonzo has always said, "Its mind over matter, if you don't mind it don't matter". I have been with this program once and it already turned my life around. It taught me not to give up at all and keep trying until the end. So please fulfill another one of my dreams and give me another run for my life. If we are going to do the marathon at late May, we should lower the days of practice for the weekdays, so students can do their homework. I believe students need to get their GPA up as well. If we don't have a good GPA we wouldn't be able to go anyways. Since the marathon is already delayed, our training should lower to keep up with our grades.
What prompted me to share my email is that many volunteers appear to be responding with what they viewed was in the best interest of the students. Most illuminating for me is that there seems to be much to do in bridging our understanding of what the students expect from us and the program.
My email response to an SRO Volunteer.......
As we address the challenges of preparing for the 2009 Los Angeles Marathon - two date changes since the start of our training season - I thought that it might be worthwhile to provide greater context regarding our strategy and mission, and to center us in a better understanding of the approach and key decisions that shape the foundation for the season.
SRO’s mission is to prepare young people from underserved communities to meet daily life challenges and teach them that they can reach goals regardless of their circumstances. It is not by happenstance that we use a marathon as our vehicle. Running a marathon requires significant discipline, training, commitment, and sacrifice. Inherent in preparing for a marathon are the goals that we hope to impart.
We have learned that one of the most significant things that we can do is to increase students’ exposure to what life has to offer. Weekend runs are intentionally planned for different communities across the Bay Area so that students see far beyond their own neighborhoods. We fly to Los Angeles, which for many of the students is their first plane ride. Through the season, we expose them to different industries, and professions to broaden their understanding of careers to explore. Ultimately we want them to have a limitless view of what is possible for them if they put their minds to it.
Our selection of Los Angeles is very deliberate. Well beyond being a recruitment hook, it is exposure for the students. We want them to know that there are big rewards for big efforts. Additionally, the Los Angeles Marathon is rated as a great first-time marathon. The course is flat and the community is actively engaged, providing support throughout the 26.2 miles. Many of the local marathons like Big Sur and Napa, while scenic, are difficult courses, usually with set time limits, and very little community support to give encouragement along the way.
SRO is not for everyone. It is a big challenge – one that many shy away from. For the students who sign up for SRO and stick with it, there is a spark ignited. Even those who continue to come back and sometimes complain, show that they ultimately want to be pushed and held accountable. For the students, the goal is much more than collecting t-shirts and medals. It's about achieving what initially seems to be an insurmountable goal and knowing that they can do this in other areas of their lives. SRO is about that transformation.
This dilemma posed by the LA Marathon is also very symbolic. If we back away from a challenge and take the easier road – what is the message that we are sending to our students?
It was important to let the organization (students, staff and volunteers) make the decision for this season. We recently disseminated a survey to gather opinions about our next steps. It is my belief that the group’s decision will be to fulfill SRO’s strategic intent and complete the goal that was set forth -- the full marathon in LA.
One of our first students to weigh in on the survey sent the following response. This student epitomizes what SRO is all about. Hopefully it will help provide insight as to why we must continue to have high expectations of all our students.
Survey response from a student...
I think we need to do both runs to make SRO a good reputation of keeping their promise of L.A marathon. If we don't and we just do the half marathon we would be walking home with hardly anything to be proud of. I signed up for a complete marathon no matter what day it will be on. This is only another challenge and I believe yes we can do it. We are ready for a new challenge. This is just like what coach Alphonzo has always said, "Its mind over matter, if you don't mind it don't matter". I have been with this program once and it already turned my life around. It taught me not to give up at all and keep trying until the end. So please fulfill another one of my dreams and give me another run for my life. If we are going to do the marathon at late May, we should lower the days of practice for the weekdays, so students can do their homework. I believe students need to get their GPA up as well. If we don't have a good GPA we wouldn't be able to go anyways. Since the marathon is already delayed, our training should lower to keep up with our grades.
posted by Unknown at 3:57 PM
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