SRO Newsletter - March 2009
Message from the Executive Director
I usually get to share this message at the beginning of each New Year, but give the doubling of our training season this year, you are getting it over a month later. As we enter into the second half of our training season it gives us the opportunity to reflect and focus on what we want to improve. For our seasoned volunteers, this message will be familiar, but it serves as a good reminder for all of us.
Our students have signed up for an audacious goal: the completion of a marathon. More importantly, they have signed up to become better students, peers, teammates, and contributors to society by adhering to SRO's code of conduct, which includes achieving or exceeding SRO's GPA (grade point average) requirement.
It would be great if I could say that all have completely committed to the program. Some have committed to all aspects of the program and are well on their way to participate and complete the LA Marathon. For others, the journey is yet to unfold -- some will make it to LA and some will not. As SRO staff and volunteers, we need to stay focused on our goals and SRO's mission statement. In order to best support our students, we need to communicate regularly with the appropriate folks -- students, myself, captains, and student liaison.
The upcoming weeks will be even more challenging. We are much stricter in enforcing all of the requirements as this is the time for everyone to not only become physically but also mentally prepared for the ultimate goal: completion of a marathon. We have better visibility into students' grades and realize that there will be students who are too far below the GPA requirement to meet it. Unfortunately, there will be others who will not be able to overcome the mental barriers. This can be a difficult time for our volunteers and staff as some students who they have gotten attached to will not complete the program. Usually, this is a very small group. This does not mean that we expect less from them -- we will continue to offer support and encouragement while holding them to our expectations.
What is most exciting about the upcoming months is that we also see the greatest growth and transformation. The least athletic students run significant miles. Those who were struggling to meet the GPA requirement make material improvement in their grades; I am very pleased to report that we are already seeing some marked improvement. Some students who had bad attitudes are much more respectful. And the more motivated ones become stronger leaders by helping their peers make it to the finish line. We witness our students successfully complete the big goal they set out to accomplish.
This is also when our volunteers get to witness the fruits of their labor -- students' transformation. I am again invigorated because I know that our collective efforts will produce yet another successful season.
"A gem cannot be polished without friction, not a person perfected without trials" -- unknown
- Spencer Hooper
Kaiser Half Marathon Success!
A little over a month ago, SRO participated in the Kaiser Half Marathon in San Francisco. The race was challenging yet rewarding: the students and volunteers pushed themselves through the sporadically hilly Golden Gate Park, onto the Great Highway with its amazing ocean view, and up a tough incline to the finish line. Finishing the half marathon showed students and volunteers alike that we are all committed to conquering the 26.2 miles that lie ahead in Los Angeles. In fact, the race caused many students to express both renewed hope and increased excitement about the marathon itself.
"For me, the half-marathon was fun, challenging, difficult, painful, relieving, and inspiring. Completing the 13.1 miles allowed me to believe in myself, because I never knew I could run such a long distance. Crossing the finish line was one of the best feelings in the world, because I was able to prove that I could put my mind to something and accomplish it. The race also assured me that if you push yourself, and put your 'mind over body', that anything is achievable. The Kaiser run was a wake-up call -- if I can do a half marathon, the full marathon is certainly within my reach." - Marcus, Grade 11, Oakland Tech
Two New Members of the Board of Directors
We are pleased to introduce you to two new members of SRO's Board of Directors. For many close to SRO, one name will be familiar -- Peter Gertler -- as he has been an active volunteer with SRO and has supported the organization in a variety of ways. The other new board member, Julie Waters, will not be a familiar name, but last season Spencer and one of our existing board members, Mark Alexander, started working with Julie to increase SRO's access to local political officials. Both Peter and Julie have a strong sense of community and a passion for SRO's mission; they will be great additions to the advancement of the organization.
- Bridget Harper, Chair, SRO Board of Directors
Peter Gertler is Vice President and the National Director for Rail and Public Transit with HNTB Corporation based in Oakland, CA. He has over 22 years of professional experience and specializes in large public transit development. A former Senior Manager at the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), he provides a strong record of achievement in both the public sector and private consulting.
"As a volunteer, I look forward to my Saturday morning training runs, hanging and bonding with the students, and of course the ultimate prize of the marathon experience. Now as a Board member, I look forward to contributing to SRO's mission and organizational growth and development." - Peter Gertler
Julie Waters has interned at the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee and was awarded a fellowship at the American Heart Association (AHA) where she worked throughout the Bay Area to create public policies that would ensure better health outcomes for residents. She received the prestigious Cornelius Hopper Diversity Award from the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP), designed to help keep minorities and those from underserved backgrounds in sciences. Julie currently continues her research at UCSF in health disparities and directs a program in West Contra Costa County focused on reducing liquor store concentration in marginalized communities.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in an organization that I strongly believe in. SRO not only offers lessons in running, but also lessons for life. I am thrilled to be a part of those efforts and can't wait to create a positive change in the lives of the students we serve." - Julie Waters
Student Liaison Helping Students Reach Academic Goals
Student Liaison Michelle Deiro has been collaborating with teachers, parents, volunteers, and students to ensure that each student has the personal and academic support need to sustain their training and their commitment to the program in order to complete the marathon.
As part of their obligation with Students Run Oakland, students sign a contract committing themselves to our rigorous training schedule and to a 2.5 grade point average. To help students achieve their acamedic goals, Michelle has organized tutoring. This provides students with individualized help in order to improve their grades, and also helps them obtain extra credit in some of their classes. The tutoring as so far been quite successful: after reviewing the first semester grades, we are happy to report that the number of students requiring tutoring is declining.
Our seniors have been hard at work applying for college, which included an SRO application workshop to complete their personal statements. A few have already received acceptance letters!
In the coming months, students will also have opportunities to do community service, and apply for internships at the businesses of SRO volunteers.
Tremendous Thanks
Each year SRO receives terrific support from local and not so local organizations.
Special thanks to Pamakid Runners, who assisted with entry fees to the Kaiser Half-Marathon, and to ClifBar, for their generous donation of nutritious snacks for our training runs.
Thanks also to recent donors The Firedoll Foundation, The Gilmore Foundation, and The Olympic Club. SRO would not be possible without your generous 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.
I usually get to share this message at the beginning of each New Year, but give the doubling of our training season this year, you are getting it over a month later. As we enter into the second half of our training season it gives us the opportunity to reflect and focus on what we want to improve. For our seasoned volunteers, this message will be familiar, but it serves as a good reminder for all of us.
Our students have signed up for an audacious goal: the completion of a marathon. More importantly, they have signed up to become better students, peers, teammates, and contributors to society by adhering to SRO's code of conduct, which includes achieving or exceeding SRO's GPA (grade point average) requirement.
It would be great if I could say that all have completely committed to the program. Some have committed to all aspects of the program and are well on their way to participate and complete the LA Marathon. For others, the journey is yet to unfold -- some will make it to LA and some will not. As SRO staff and volunteers, we need to stay focused on our goals and SRO's mission statement. In order to best support our students, we need to communicate regularly with the appropriate folks -- students, myself, captains, and student liaison.
The upcoming weeks will be even more challenging. We are much stricter in enforcing all of the requirements as this is the time for everyone to not only become physically but also mentally prepared for the ultimate goal: completion of a marathon. We have better visibility into students' grades and realize that there will be students who are too far below the GPA requirement to meet it. Unfortunately, there will be others who will not be able to overcome the mental barriers. This can be a difficult time for our volunteers and staff as some students who they have gotten attached to will not complete the program. Usually, this is a very small group. This does not mean that we expect less from them -- we will continue to offer support and encouragement while holding them to our expectations.
What is most exciting about the upcoming months is that we also see the greatest growth and transformation. The least athletic students run significant miles. Those who were struggling to meet the GPA requirement make material improvement in their grades; I am very pleased to report that we are already seeing some marked improvement. Some students who had bad attitudes are much more respectful. And the more motivated ones become stronger leaders by helping their peers make it to the finish line. We witness our students successfully complete the big goal they set out to accomplish.
This is also when our volunteers get to witness the fruits of their labor -- students' transformation. I am again invigorated because I know that our collective efforts will produce yet another successful season.
"A gem cannot be polished without friction, not a person perfected without trials" -- unknown
- Spencer Hooper
Kaiser Half Marathon Success!
A little over a month ago, SRO participated in the Kaiser Half Marathon in San Francisco. The race was challenging yet rewarding: the students and volunteers pushed themselves through the sporadically hilly Golden Gate Park, onto the Great Highway with its amazing ocean view, and up a tough incline to the finish line. Finishing the half marathon showed students and volunteers alike that we are all committed to conquering the 26.2 miles that lie ahead in Los Angeles. In fact, the race caused many students to express both renewed hope and increased excitement about the marathon itself.
"For me, the half-marathon was fun, challenging, difficult, painful, relieving, and inspiring. Completing the 13.1 miles allowed me to believe in myself, because I never knew I could run such a long distance. Crossing the finish line was one of the best feelings in the world, because I was able to prove that I could put my mind to something and accomplish it. The race also assured me that if you push yourself, and put your 'mind over body', that anything is achievable. The Kaiser run was a wake-up call -- if I can do a half marathon, the full marathon is certainly within my reach." - Marcus, Grade 11, Oakland Tech
Two New Members of the Board of Directors
We are pleased to introduce you to two new members of SRO's Board of Directors. For many close to SRO, one name will be familiar -- Peter Gertler -- as he has been an active volunteer with SRO and has supported the organization in a variety of ways. The other new board member, Julie Waters, will not be a familiar name, but last season Spencer and one of our existing board members, Mark Alexander, started working with Julie to increase SRO's access to local political officials. Both Peter and Julie have a strong sense of community and a passion for SRO's mission; they will be great additions to the advancement of the organization.
- Bridget Harper, Chair, SRO Board of Directors
Peter Gertler is Vice President and the National Director for Rail and Public Transit with HNTB Corporation based in Oakland, CA. He has over 22 years of professional experience and specializes in large public transit development. A former Senior Manager at the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), he provides a strong record of achievement in both the public sector and private consulting.
"As a volunteer, I look forward to my Saturday morning training runs, hanging and bonding with the students, and of course the ultimate prize of the marathon experience. Now as a Board member, I look forward to contributing to SRO's mission and organizational growth and development." - Peter Gertler
Julie Waters has interned at the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee and was awarded a fellowship at the American Heart Association (AHA) where she worked throughout the Bay Area to create public policies that would ensure better health outcomes for residents. She received the prestigious Cornelius Hopper Diversity Award from the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP), designed to help keep minorities and those from underserved backgrounds in sciences. Julie currently continues her research at UCSF in health disparities and directs a program in West Contra Costa County focused on reducing liquor store concentration in marginalized communities.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in an organization that I strongly believe in. SRO not only offers lessons in running, but also lessons for life. I am thrilled to be a part of those efforts and can't wait to create a positive change in the lives of the students we serve." - Julie Waters
Student Liaison Helping Students Reach Academic Goals
Student Liaison Michelle Deiro has been collaborating with teachers, parents, volunteers, and students to ensure that each student has the personal and academic support need to sustain their training and their commitment to the program in order to complete the marathon.
As part of their obligation with Students Run Oakland, students sign a contract committing themselves to our rigorous training schedule and to a 2.5 grade point average. To help students achieve their acamedic goals, Michelle has organized tutoring. This provides students with individualized help in order to improve their grades, and also helps them obtain extra credit in some of their classes. The tutoring as so far been quite successful: after reviewing the first semester grades, we are happy to report that the number of students requiring tutoring is declining.
Our seniors have been hard at work applying for college, which included an SRO application workshop to complete their personal statements. A few have already received acceptance letters!
In the coming months, students will also have opportunities to do community service, and apply for internships at the businesses of SRO volunteers.
Tremendous Thanks
Each year SRO receives terrific support from local and not so local organizations.
Special thanks to Pamakid Runners, who assisted with entry fees to the Kaiser Half-Marathon, and to ClifBar, for their generous donation of nutritious snacks for our training runs.
Thanks also to recent donors The Firedoll Foundation, The Gilmore Foundation, and The Olympic Club. SRO would not be possible without your generous 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.
posted by Unknown at 7:57 PM
<< Home