Start a Team

Start a Team

Ready to inspire the next generation to be joyful, healthy and confident? Explore this page to learn how you can start a team at a nearby school or community facility.

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Checklist

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  • Starting a team refers to offering the program to a group of 3rd - 8th grade girls at a location or site near you. This team will be part of Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan Council.
  • First check to see if there is an existing team at your desired location in your community.
  • Designate a Site Liaison to serve as the program location contact (see the responsibilities of a site liaison below).
  • Review the Site Recruitment Packet, which has information about our program and what it takes to start a team at your desired location.
  • Complete a Start a Team Application.
  • Recruit two to four volunteer coaches, who must attend and complete GOTR coach training (both online and in-person compenents required).
  • The location must provide a safe, dedicated outdoor and indoor space, where the program can facilitate the team at the dates/times determined for the season.
  • Identify a consistent practice schedule (same days/times each week) based on the program offered at your location. *Site Liaisons and Coaches set this with the site*
  • Teams consist of up to 15 girls, per two coaches. You can have more than one team at your site! We want all girls to be involved with Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole! 
  • Gain support from location administrators, such as a school principal or director of the community center. 
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Two Girls on the Run participants in yellow shirts run while holding hands and smiling

Site Liaison Responsibilities

As a Site Liaison you are the "Feet on the ground" at your site! 

  • Acts as the main contact at the site for Girls on the Run families/participants and Girls on the Run council staff before and throughout the program. 
  • Aids in team member recruitment efforts by distributing marketing materials (provided by Girls on the Run) and spreading the word about Girls on the Run throughout the site community and via email using provided digital templates. This helps ensure there is a full team for each season at this location.
  • Offers support to families who need assistance with registration.
  • Helps identify two to four coaches from the community for each team*.

*If you cannot secure coaches, we will work with you to identify coaches from our volunteer pool.

 As you can see the Site Liaison is the main contact for the "pre-season" and somewhat of an adminstrative role for the programs your site host. These tasks look like helping with getting permission to use space in the building, promoting the program to your community and communicating any site specific needs with our council staff. I

Register to be a Site Liaison today: REGISTER HERE

 

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Whether you are new to Girls on the Run or a long-time supporter who is ready to advance our mission and vision, we value your interest in learning more about how to start a team.

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