"How can I volunteer?" is one of the questions we hear most often at GOTR Manhattan. We'd love to answer that question here and invite you to join our team! While Coaches work directly with the girls on a weekly basis over 12-week spring and fall seasons and Running Buddies encourage and support the girls through their end-of-season 5k events, we accomplish our behind-the-scenes work through our 6 volunteer committees explained below. If you are interested in joining one of our committees, please email the Committee Leader directly.

• Outreach
• Race Planning
• Program Support
• Special Events
• Communications
• Development

Requirements for Volunteers :

• Commitment to the mission of GOTR. 

• Reliable, honest and positive outlook on life. 

• Interest in the issues facing young women today. 

• Desire to get involved in a nonprofit organization and help create public awareness.

COACHING
GOTRM Coach Director: Kristy Zoshak

Girls on the Run is recruiting enthusiastic
and dedicated volunteer coaches!

Inspire a Girl.  Coach this Spring!  Girls on the Run will provide you with materials and program curriculum, and will train you to be an inspiring and impactful coach. 

All coaches are required to attend Coach Training and submit to a background check.  Trainings will be held in late February.  Click here for application:  Coach Application

Practices are scheduled two non-consecutive days each week for 1hr 15mins at a time.  Prep time takes about two to three hours per week.

You do not need to be a runner or a competitive athlete to be a successful coach.  You will serve as a role model for girls by showing up prepared and on time, listening attentively, and by having a positive demeanor and outlook by leading a healthy lifestyle!  You will encourage the girls and coach them on proper stretching, explore emotional issues faced by girls their age, and discuss the importance of nutrition and physical activity (don't worry, this will all be covered in coach training!).

OUTREACH
Committee Leader: Meighan Rogers Driscoll

This committee is charged with program growth and expansion. It will identify and approach new venues for GOTRM programs, and develop materials and strategies for participant recruitment. It will also work closely with the Executive Director to secure a home base for GOTRM.

Goals and Requirements:

• Identify and secure space for program delivery
• Expand program to additional schools within Manhattan
• Establish additional weekend programs
• Make contacts in the community; answer inquiries

Time Commitment: 

Some outreach will occur individually, with approximately monthly meetings

RACE DAY!
Committee Leader: Holly Carmichael

We are actively beginning to plan for the Spring 2010 GOTRM race.  The race will be held at Asphalt Green on the morning of June 6, 2010.  We have a number of volunteer needs to ensure that this event is successful.  Please contact Holly immediately if you are interested in offering your time and expertise.

RACE PLANNING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

**Please note, only women are currently allowed to be running buddies.  However, we appreciate the help of both men and women in all other race-day volunteer roles.

Associate Race Directors (2)

Assist the Race Director with all pre-race, race-day and post-race activities.
Attend 1-2 pre-race meetings
Ensure that all race-day volunteers understand their roles and are situated on the course properly.
*GOTRM is required to conduct a background check on all of our key race-day volunteers.

Race Course Set-Up and Clean-Up Managers (2)

On race day, arrives early to place signage and direct volunteers to correct positions.
On race day, ensures that all signage and trash is removed from the course after the race has finished.
*GOTRM is required to conduct a background check on all of our key race-day volunteers.

Race Transportation (2)

Help transport all materials from the GOTRM storage unit to the race site on June 5.
Help get volunteers to various locations along the race course on race day, June 6.
Help transport all materials from the race site back to the GOTRM storage unit after the race on June 6.
*We are desparately in need of volunteers with cars/trucks/vans/etc and/or those who are willing/able to drive a uhual.

Entertainment Manager (1)

Identify and secure race-day entertainment.
Liaise with race-day VIPs
*GOTRM is required to conduct a background check on all of our key race-day volunteers.

Head Cheerleader (1)

Identify cheering squads for race day
Ensure that cheering squads have proper signage, understand their role, and are positioned appropriately on the race course.
*GOTRM is required to conduct a background check on all of our key race-day volunteers.

Race-Day Volunteers (40)

General help on race day.
Check in volunteers, manage food and beverage tables, manage bag check process, hand out goody bags to the runners, etc.
*GOTRM is required to conduct a background check on all of our key race-day volunteers.

RUNNING BUDDIES!!! (About 300 volunteers) 

The next race will be held at Asphalt Green on June 6, 2010 (Time TBD, in the morning).  Currently, we only accept female running buddies.  The exception to this rule is fathers and legal guardians who would like to run with their daughter(s).  Running buddies complete the 5K race with a girl who is enrolled in our program.  It is expected that running buddies will encourage the girls throughout the race in positive and meaningful ways, and have the ability to walk or run a 5K on pace with the girls. 

• Show up on race day prepared to support a program participant during the race by running alongside her.
• Potentially attend a training/information session prior to race day.
• Be prepared to offer your time and assistance in ANY way needed on race-day.  At times, we have more volunteers than program participants.  IF this occurs, we will set up a cheering section at the mid-point of the race course and would appreciate you being open to supporting the girls by serving as a cheerleader!  

PROGRAM SUPPORT
Committee Leader: Nicole Travis

This much appreciated committee puts together all lesson plan materials. We create “coaches’ boxes” that have all the materials that the coaches will need for each lesson. We need help buying, copying, cutting, pasting and more to get these boxes ready. In addition, you will attend the coaches’ pre-season planning meeting to help explain the materials to the coaches.

Goals:
• To put together the coaches’ boxes – materials for the coaches to use during lessons.
• To help coordinate distribution and explanation of boxes to coaches.

Time Commitment:
• Curriculum meetings (two meetings per season – 2 to 3 hours per meeting)
• Extra time for individual assignments

Requirements:
• Creative and detail oriented!
• Organized and willing to help shop, copy, cut, paste and collate.
• Desire to learn about the GOTR lesson plans.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Committee Leader: Open Position

This team is charged with planning, staffing and executing a variety of activities throughout the year, such as informational open houses, fundraisers and volunteer spirit events. This group will also identify community opportunities for GOTR participation as a local, direct-service nonprofit. This team may also be asked for advice and assistance in coordinating the The New Balance Girls on the Run 5K races.

Goals:
• To plan, staff and deliver two events in 2010.
• To plan, staff and deliver at least one informational open house.
• To identify opportunities in Manhattan for GOTR to participate in the community and serve as nonprofit beneficiary.

Time Commitment:
• Committee meetings (monthly or every other month)
• Special events
• Extra time for individual assignments

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COMMUNICATIONS
Committee Leader: Abigail Cuffey

The committee will help produce several printed and electronic pieces throughout the year, including an email newsletter update, brochures and other collateral material and website content. Committee members are responsible for generating ideas and communicating with other GOTR Manhattan committees to help get the word out. In addition, members will proofread all written materials, secure competitive quotes for printing, generate in-kind donations where needed and create target lists for distribution. This is a new committee that needs help and energy to get the GOTR message out!

Goals:
• To increase awareness of GOTR Manhattan.
• To create and distribute quarterly enewsletter/update.
• To develop brochures and other marketing collateral.
• To help customize materials for specific GOTR sites as needed.
• To create a media strategy and execute it.
• To secure competitive and in-kind printing and design services.
 
Time Commitment:
• Four to five planning meetings (1–2 hours each)
• Four e-newsletters per year
• Time for independent projects

Requirements:
• Excellent writing skills.
• Design and/or technical skills.
• Public relations experience or connections to local media a PLUS.
• Ability to deliver projects on time.
• Creative and passionate about GOTR mission!

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We rely heavily on donations to support our programming. As a member of this committee you will help identify potential donors/foundations/grant-makers, initiate and maintain relationships with individuals and foundations and write grant proposals for funding. If you like to write and are up for a rewarding challenge, this group is for you. You will gain valuable nonprofit experience while helping Girls on the Run Manhattan.

Goals:
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Treasurer to develop the organization’s fundraising goals and strategies.
• Plan and implement fundraising strategies targeting private foundations and individual donors to support organizational budget.
• Create a fundraising calendar.
• Research, write and submit grant proposals to appropriate sources of funding.
• Manage donor records and gift recognition.
• Develop and implement the annual direct mail campaign.
• Manage current and prospect donor database management.
• Develop major donor strategies  
• Work with Directors on completing and submitting reports to funders.

Time Commitment:
• Quarterly meetings (1 – 2 hours each)
• Individual time spent achieving goals set above.

Requirements:
• Knowledge of, or desire to learn about, grant writing process.
• Strong desire to gain broad overview of nonprofit world.
• Genuine commitment to GOTR mission
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to research sources of funds and communicate the value of GOTR Manhattan.
• Willingness to contact potential donors/grant-makers via phone to explain mission, clarify grant application requirements and/or verify appropriateness of application.
• Detail oriented and able to follow grant directions to the letter.


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