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:
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.
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!
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.
posted by Unknown at 9:49 AM
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