Fall 2011 Coaches Training Overview Summary

1. Fall 2011 Coaches Training Overview Summary

2. The Big Picture • Girls on the Run was founded in 1996 by Molly Barker. • We provide girls an opportunity to experience life “outside the girl box” in a safe and supportive environment. • Girls on the Run prepares young girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. • We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

3. Core Values We strive to … • Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making. • Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness. • Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions. • Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health. • Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent. • Stand up for ourselves and others.

4. Girls on the Run is a Prevention Program • Fewer adolescent pregnancies • Fewer eating disordered girls • Less depression and suicide • Fewer substance/alcohol abuse problems • Fewer confrontations with juvenile justice system

5. Fantini and Weinstein Research • Successful teenagers: • Have a firm sense of SELF • Possess TEAM building skills • Contribute to their COMMUNITY • Curriculum is built around these concepts • Develop the “whole person” • Social • Emotional • Physical • Mental

6. Girls on the Run International • 170+ councils across North America • St. Louis is the 3rd largest! • 294,000+ girls have participated in the program Girls on the Run St. Louis • Started with 20 girls in 2002, now serve 5,000 a year • More than 170 schools in the St. Louis region have participated in GOTR • Territory includes 19 counties in MO and IL • Anticipate Fall 2011 to be our largest season yet (or very close to it!)

7. Mission To positively impact girls across the St. Louis community through our unique program that combines health and wellness education with a goal oriented running program. Our goal is prepare and educate girls for a lifetime of self respect and healthy living during their critical years of development (ages 8-14). The program is designed to empower young girls to believe in themselves and embrace their full potential as they become young adults. We are a non-profit organization supported by the generous members of the St. Louis community.

8. Program • Girls on the Run and Girls on Track curriculum • Spring and Fall Seasons • 10 week season • Two practices per week • One hour and 15 minutes or 90 minutes per practice • Community service project • 5k event • Banquet

9. Teams • 8-17 girls • Must have at least 8 to have a team • Schools may have multiple teams IF there are enough coaches and space is available • Need at least 2 coaches per team at every practice

10. Coaching Roles • Site liaison • Link between site, coaches and GOTR • Takes lead on marketing • Common to also serve as a head coach • Head coach • Manage coaching staff • Prepare and lead lessons • Commit to 1 or 2 practices/week • Maximum of 2 per team

11. Coaching Roles • Assistant Coach • Assist with lesson instruction and planning of program events and celebrations • Commit to one or two practices/week • Practice Partner • Want to be involved, but can’t commit to regularly attend practice • Support at practice 5k and on race day

12. Coaching Requirements • Sign-up ONLINE to coach each season. Before Aug. 26 for the fall 2011 season. • Volunteer paperwork (background check, non-compete, health information) part of online sign-up • Attend coaches training • Optional for Practice Partners, mandatory for all others • CPR certification (at least one adult at each practice, usually head coach) • On your own • Fax a copy of your card to our office

13. Coach Duties • Work with the Girls on the Run staff • Be prepared for lessons with materials • Communicate with parents • Serve as a role model • Encourage and cheer • Wait for all girls to be picked up • Attend practice 5k, GOTR’s 5K event, community service project, banquet • HAVE FUN!

14. Site Visits • Girls on the Run staff aim to visit as many sites as possible during the season • Especially new sites and sites that only participate in one season per year • It’s not meant to be an “inspection” • Opportunity to get to know you better, answer questions and participate in a lesson with your team

15. Our goal is for each girl to: • Have a stronger sense of identity • Learn to stand up for herself in a healthy manner • Give and receive support in a peer group • Develop an improved body image • Understand their importance in the community • Complete a 5K run/walk event

16. It works! • Academic evaluation conducted by Dr. Rita DeBate found that GOTR curricula improves: • Self-esteem • Body size satisfaction • Physical activity behaviors • Some schools will be asked to participate in a local survey. Coaches will administer pre- and post-evaluations to help us measure our outcomes. Details to come!

17. It works! • We encourage girls to value who they truly are and to celebrate their unique individuality. • “It’s what’s inside that matters.” • “Now that I’ve done this, I can do anything!” • GOTR is FUN!

18. Coaches Corner • Girls on the Run St. Louis website • www.girlsontherunstlouis.org • Username = gotrstl • Password = superstar