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Move More, Eat Better
Help your community take steps toward better
health
Introduction
Background
Program Beginnings
Using This Guide
Creating Your
Program
Step 1: Getting
Started
Step 2: Identifying
Community Resources
Step 3: Setting Your
Objectives
Step 4: Working With the
Media
Step 5: Planning
Activities
Step 6: Measuring Your
Success
Additional
Materials
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Introduction
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Sisters Together: Move More, Eat
Better is a health awareness program that
encourages Black women 18 years and older to
maintain a healthy weight by being more
physically active and eating nutritious foods. It
is a project of the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part
of the National Institutes of Health, through the
Weight-control Information Network (WIN).
Sisters Together programs are run
locally by dedicated individuals or
groups—anyone who sees a need in his or her
community and wants to help can start a
Sisters Together program. This guide and
the resources in the “Additional
Materials” section can help you create a
health awareness program for Black women in your
community that encourages them to be physically
active and make healthier food selections. The
materials are based on the Sisters Together:
Move More, Eat Better pilot program that
took place in Boston from 1994 to 1998. The
“Additional Materials” section
contains useful resources such as:
• CD
• fact sheet
• feedback form
• flyer
• letterhead
• news release
• radio public service announcements
(PSAs)
• reproducible logos
• walking group sign-up form
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Background
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Overweight and obesity are significant health
problems for the Black community, with recent
Government statistics indicating that 77 percent
of U.S. Black women age 20 and older are
overweight, and nearly 50 percent of Black women
are classified as obese. Research indicates that
extra pounds place unnecessary strain on the body
and contribute to a host of medical problems such
as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke,
coronary heart disease, and certain types of
cancer.
Research involving Black women has revealed
that various physical and cultural factors are
potential barriers to healthy eating and being
physically active. In order to help them make
healthier lifestyle choices, it is important to
identify and address these factors with effective
health promotion programs.
This guide is designed to help you create a
health awareness effort in your community that
encourages Black women to become physically
active and make healthier food selections. Anyone
can make positive changes. Whether you are a
health professional, business owner,
cosmetologist, student, retired person, or
homemaker, you can start a Sisters
Together program. By following the steps in
this guide and supplementing your program with
our culturally relevant, age-appropriate
Sisters Together publications, you can
help your community become healthier and well
informed.
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Program Beginnings
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The Sisters Together pilot program
was developed by WIN in partnership with the
Boston Obesity Nutrition Research Center, which
included representatives from the New England
Medical Center, the Harvard School of Public
Health, and the Tufts University School of
Nutrition Science and Policy. A community
nutritionist, a media specialist, and an educator
also contributed to the development of the
program. The following considerations factored
into program development:
Objective: The Sisters
Together program began as a campaign to
increase physical activity and healthful eating
among young Black women in three Boston
communities—Dorchester, Mattapan, and
Roxbury.
Audience: The audience for
the Sisters Together pilot program was
Black women age 18 to 35. The program’s
founders hoped that this group would share the
health messages from Sisters Together
with their friends and families.
Theme: The overall theme for
the pilot program—Sisters Together:
Move More, Eat Better—was developed
with input from Black women who were interviewed
in focus groups. During these meetings, obesity
experts, community nutritionists, and health
center staff tried to gauge the audience’s
knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to
diet and physical activity.
Design: The design for
Sisters Together combines social
marketing with community-building efforts. The
pilot program’s design was comprised of
five phases: design, promotion, demonstration,
transfer, and sustained activity.
Health Communication
Strategy: To effectively attract the
attention of Black women and inform them about
the importance of a healthy lifestyle, the
Sisters Together pilot program conducted
focus groups and interviews with Black women.
Sisters Together then developed
partnerships with local media, health centers,
recreation centers, and other community
organizations. For a summary of the focus group
findings, see “Focus group data pertinent
to the prevention of obesity in African
Americans” in the American Journal of
Medical Sciences, 2001 Nov; 322(5):
286-9.
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Using This Guide
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If you are interested in starting a
Sisters Together program in your
community, this guide is for you. It outlines six
steps to help you plan your program, providing
practical examples of various Sisters
Together activities held nationally and
locally.
The six steps are:
1. Getting
Started
2. Identifying Community
Resources
3. Setting Your
Objectives
4. Working With the
Media
5. Planning Activities
6. Measuring Your
Success
In addition to using this guide, you may
contact WIN for assistance at any time during
your program’s development or
implementation. Our contact information is
located at the end of this guide.
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Creating Your
Program
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Step 1: Getting
Started
In
the pilot program, focus group discussions among
Black women confirmed that they are more
accepting of higher weight and are generally
satisfied with their bodies. These discussions
also revealed a need for healthy food preparation
skills and markets that provide high quality
food, especially fresh and frozen produce.
Obtaining this information early on allowed the
program coordinators to tailor the activities and
events to meet the needs of the
participants.
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LEARN ABOUT YOUR AUDIENCE AND YOUR
COMMUNITY.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO
REACH? Gathering Background
Information
The primary audience for Sisters
Together programs is Black women age 18 and
older, but you may tailor your program based on
your community’s needs. For example, the
pilot program’s intended audience was Black
women age 18 through 35. However, you may find
that mature Black women in your community would
benefit the most from the kind of information and
activities Sisters Together provides.
This program is flexible enough to target Black
women of all ages, communities, and demographics.
Research indicates that a community’s
lack of access to healthy foods and places to
exercise may be interwoven with other health,
social, and economic issues. When you develop
your program’s core messages and
activities, consider how the community as a whole
may affect peoples’ health-related
attitudes and choices. Then, determine the
area(s) of greatest need. The following questions
may help you gather relevant information:
- What are the attitudes, perceptions,
beliefs, and overall knowledge of Black women
in the community regarding nutrition and
physical activity?
- What do Black women in the community
already know about overweight, obesity, and
their health risks?
- What types of health services and
information are available in the
community?
- What opportunities for physical activity do
Black women have in the community?
- Where can Black women find healthy foods in
the community?
- Who are the respected leaders in the
community?
- What is the sociodemographic makeup of the
community?
Sociodemographic
Information
Basic sociodemographic information will help you
learn more about the audience you intend to help.
This information may include age, gender, income
level, race, ethnicity, language, educational
level, occupation, place of residence, family
structure, and lifestyle data. This information
is actually easy to find. For help accessing this
type of information, try contacting the U.S.
Census Bureau (www.census.gov), local
colleges and universities, or government offices
such as the state and local departments of
health, education, social services, and
recreation.
Community Input
It is also important to gather information from a
representative sample of community residents
about their physical activity- and
nutrition-related behaviors, knowledge,
attitudes, and beliefs. This information can be
collected through personal interviews, focus
groups, telephone surveys, hand-delivered
questionnaires, or mail questionnaires; by
hosting informal meetings in local salons,
churches, and other neighborhood locations; and
by attending meetings of other neighborhood
organizations.
ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY
When designing a Sisters Together
program in your community, ask yourself the
following questions: Does your community already
have nutrition- and physical activity-related
programs in place? What type of program would
achieve the highest rates of participation in
your community? For example, would a
church-based, neighborhood-based, or community
center-based program be most effective?
Determining what resources are available to you
and setting your program objectives will help
shape your plan.
Community leaders can be a valuable resource
in learning more about your community. Contact
leaders who are trusted and well respected and
ask for their input on the best ways to reach
your audience. In addition, community leaders
will help spread the word about your program and
help you locate additional resources. Black
health care providers, religious leaders, and
business owners may also be able to provide
helpful feedback.
SELECTING YOUR AUDIENCE
Once you have a clear understanding of your
community’s needs, you can begin focusing
your efforts. You can use the sociodemographic
information, community input, and community
leaders’ feedback to determine the best
venue for your program. For example, you may
decide to base your program in a community
center, church, or neighborhood.
Community Center
A community center can be a great resource when
starting a Sisters Together program.
Community center-based programs are usually
created when there is a great need for
information in the community and when the
initiative is estimated to draw a steady
following. Recreation centers, such as the YWCA
or the YMCA, will often lend you their space for
group meetings or exercise classes. It is
important to become familiar with community
organizations and public programs providing food
assistance and nutrition education, such as the
Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC), Head
Start, and the Food Stamp Program. Check out
local sororities, community health centers, and
social services to learn about the services they
provide. These groups may serve as valuable
resources when you start your community
center-based program.
Church
Partnering with churches can be one of the most
effective ways to increase health awareness in
Black communities, since it is a well-established
tradition for many Black churches to support
community service. Before beginning the program,
it is important to get the pastor’s or
church leader’s support. It is also
important to establish trust, credibility, and
open communication with church members. You can
do this by requesting an informational meeting or
gathering with church members, becoming active in
church events, or volunteering in community
programs hosted by the church. Find out if the
church has a health or wellness ministry in
place. You may be able to contact the director of
the ministry for ways to collaborate, such as
participating in health fairs, using space in the
church for meetings, recruiting during church
announcements, or getting in touch with other
ministries.
Neighborhood
Is there a need in your immediate neighborhood
for a Sisters Together program? If so,
you may find that starting a neighborhood-based
program is the best option for you.
Neighborhood-based programs can be more
personalized and usually do not require many
resources to get started. Find out if there is a
local school with a track that you could use for
walking groups and other exercise events. Try
holding your Sisters Together meetings
and events in places such as laundromats, day
care centers, health centers, markets,
restaurants, gyms, dance studios, parks, and
playgrounds. You could also alternate hosting
Sisters Together events in your home and
in the homes of other participants.
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Step 2: Identifying Community
Resources
National
Example
To spread the word about Sisters Together
across the nation, Sisters Together
conducted a holiday radio promotion in 10
cities with sizable Black radio
stations.
Success Story Local
Partnership
The Greensboro, NC, YWCA partnered with
physicians from the University of North Carolina
at Greensboro for their 12-week Sisters
Together walking program. Participants
underwent pre- and post-walk body weight
assessments and attended educational seminars on
diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol,
healthy food choices, and general
nutrition.
Success Story National
Partnership
In October 2001, Sisters Together
successfully kicked off its National Walk and
Health Fair with the help of several key
partnerships. Over 300 women and their families
participated in a 1.8 mile walk around the
historic U Street corridor in Washington, DC.
Nationally known fitness expert Donna Richardson
led the participants through a warm-up, the walk,
and a post-walk cool-down. Partners such as the
Kennedy Center and the athletic women’s
apparel company Moving Comfort provided giveaways
and door prizes for the event. Local hair salons,
food markets, and the police department also
donated their time and services to the
kickoff.
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FIND OUT HOW YOUR COMMUNITY CAN
HELP.
WHAT RESOURCES AND PARTNERS CAN YOU TURN
TO?
Partnering with individuals and groups in your
community is a great way to increase
participation and exposure, as well as to
encourage members to take ownership. Partners can
help ensure success by adding insight, resources,
and volunteers to your Sisters Together
events. To find out what others are doing in your
community to promote healthy eating and physical
activity, take note of posters, advertisements,
and PSAs that convey healthy messages.
Along with other organizations and individuals
already identified in this guide, potential
partners could include:
- local and national businesses and
corporations (for sponsorship opportunities or
incentive donations such as water bottles,
visors, gift certificates, coupons, or
nonperishable food items)
- food markets/supermarkets
- media outlets (such as television and radio
stations, daily newspapers, and local and
national magazines)
- retail stores
- neighborhood associations and housing
authorities
- libraries
- bookstores and newsstands
HOW TO SELECT PARTNERS
Begin by creating a list of individuals and
organizations with the most potential for support
or involvement in your program.
Choose individuals and groups that:
- Use messages that are similar to those of
the Sisters Together program.
- Address women’s issues and
concerns.
- Have access to and credibility with Black
women in your community.
- Are interested in and committed to
improving the health of Black women.
- Can make a significant contribution.
HOW TO APPROACH POTENTIAL
PARTNERS
Once you have prioritized the individuals or
groups you would like to approach, determine how
you would like them to support your Sisters
Together program. Match your program needs
with their interests and develop a list of key
selling points that clearly describe “what
is in it for them.” It may be helpful and
less intimidating to make the initial contact
through a personal friend or acquaintance.
Contacting organizations with which you already
have an existing relationship gives you a chance
to rehearse your pitch. Also, having partners who
are already on board can lend credibility to your
cause when you approach new organizations. The
following steps may help you enlist a
partner:
- Write or call your contact and explain that
you would like to discuss a potential
partnership opportunity that might be of
interest to them. Describe the goals and
potential benefits of your program. Request a
meeting to discuss the possibility
further.
- Have a “pitch” or notes ready
when you approach potential partners. You can
start your conversation with information about
the health benefits of healthy eating and
regular physical activity, and the health risks
of being overweight and inactive.
- Give them a copy of the fact sheet included
in this guide for information about the
program. You can also use the Sisters
Together letterhead for the letters you
send.
- Suggest specific short-term activities in
which they may serve as a partner. Make sure
the roles are realistic and consistent with the
organization’s resources.
- Be prepared to offer something in return,
such as credit lines on materials, visibility
for their logo, media attention, or
awards.
- Ask for a commitment, but be aware that
that they will probably need time to review
your request.
- Follow up immediately after your meeting
with a thank-you letter that reiterates your
interest in establishing a partnership.
Encourage them to contact you if they have
questions.
- Once you have solidified your partnership,
try to identify one person with whom you will
communicate.
- Create a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The MOU should highlight the short- and
long-term elements of your partnership. It
should be reviewed and updated at least once a
year.
- Update your partners regularly and use
their feedback to refine your program. Their
advice can help you attract new members and
determine where to promote your events.
- Do not forget to say thank you with
letters, certificates, or public recognition of
the individual’s or group’s
contribution.
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Step 3: Setting Your
Objectives
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DEFINE GOALS THAT WILL GUIDE YOUR
EFFORTS.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
Having a few well-defined objectives will keep
your Sisters Together program messages
simple and easy to convey, which can improve the
effect you have on your community. Try to select
realistic goals. For example, the objectives of
the national kickoff were:
- To encourage the development of Sisters
Together programs.
- To continue to increase awareness of the
benefits of healthy eating and increased
physical activity.
- To continue to provide Black women with
information that would help them eat healthier
and become more physically active.
You can use these objectives as a guide and
change them to meet your community’s needs.
For example, if another group in your community
is already involved in promoting physical
activity, you could focus on increasing awareness
about the benefits of healthy eating or
collaborate with this group.
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Step 4: Working With the
Media
National
Example
Essence magazine helped spread the word about
Sisters Together by mentioning the national
kickoff in its calendar of events and by
publishing the Sisters Together toll-free
number and website link in an article concerning
weight control.
National Media
Placement
The Sisters Together national kickoff in
Washington, DC, received local coverage from
radio stations, cable TV news blasts, public
transit advertisements, and local newspaper
articles. Sisters Together also received
national exposure through articles in Essence,
Heart and Soul, and O magazines.
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SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SISTERS
TOGETHER.
HOW CAN YOU GET MEDIA
ATTENTION?
An effective way to promote your Sisters
Together program may be to use media sources
that Black women rely on for their daily news and
entertainment. If you do not already have a list
of newspapers, local city magazines, and
television and radio stations that reach Black
women, the following tips can help you create
one:
- Determine if an up-to-date media list for
your local area already exists.
- Check with community partners and members
to see if they have a list of influential
personalities, reporters, stations, and print
media they will share with you. Make sure the
list is less than 6 months old.
- If you do not have access to an existing
list, begin by looking in your local phone book
for media organizations or borrowing a
“Media Yellow Book” from your local
library.
- It will be helpful to create a list that
includes the name, title, telephone and fax
numbers, and street and email addresses of
reporters who cover health and wellness issues
so you can send materials directly to them.
Reporters who cover general community news are
also useful contacts.
- You may wish to include information about
deadlines and the best method and time for
contacting reporters.
- Research the media organizations on your
list. Focus on media outlets that reach Black
women first, and then branch out to various
general interest outlets.
- Send a steady stream of news and
information about Sisters Together and
ask them to cover a special event, such as a
walk or food festival. This not only helps
reinforce the visibility of your program, but
also raises awareness about issues that the
program addresses.
When you send materials to the people on your
media list, remember to:
- Allow several days for the materials to
arrive.
- Make a follow-up phone call to the contacts
to make sure they have received the materials,
to answer any questions, and to restate the
value of the program.
- Send a note of thanks for every story that
appears.
MAKING CONTACTS
Whenever possible, deliver your materials
personally or arrange a face-to-face meeting.
Emphasize the importance of encouraging Black
women to improve their health by becoming
physically active and eating healthier. Explain
that Black women who are overweight are at risk
of developing diabetes and coronary heart
disease. In addition, mention all the community
partners involved in Sisters Together to
let the media know how widespread your program
is. Be sure to leave your card or name and
telephone number.
Finally, be sure to track media coverage and do
not forget to let your media contacts know about
your Sisters Together program’s
successes. Media is a great promotional tool. By
getting the word out about successful events, you
may be able to make new community partners as
well as further promote Sisters Together
messages.
PREPARING NEWS RELEASES AND MEDIA
ADVISORIES News releases and media
advisories are common publicity tools you can use
to promote your Sisters Together
activities and messages. The media is interested
in reporting new information, so present your
information in a timely and interesting way, or
try linking your story with one that is already
receiving wide coverage. Focus on your
program’s activities and use the letterhead
samples and logo included in this guide to make
your news releases look professional—media
organizations receive many submissions each week,
so it is important to make your advisory
eye-catching. Send advisories 3 to 4 days before
your event and send a news release the day your
activities begin. Make follow-up calls to see if
reporters need more information and encourage
them to attend. A sample news release can be
found in the “Additional Materials”
section of this guide.
PREPARING PSAS
A PSA is a great way to promote your Sisters
Together messages along with your
program’s related activities and events.
PSAs are noncommercial advertisements that
educate the public about a specific issue or
cause. Broadcast PSAs are often aired free of
charge in 10-, 15-, 30-, or 60-second lengths.
You may want to find a sponsor to cover the costs
of producing PSAs. “Radio
readers”—scripts that disc jockeys
read live on air or record for
broadcast—are also inexpensive and equally
effective tools. Be sure to include a
“pitch memo” when sending your PSAs.
Sample PSAs can be found in the
“Additional Materials” section of
this guide. Because media outlets place
these announcements free of charge, it is
difficult to control when or where your PSAs will
run. If your program can afford paid advertising,
you may want to explore this strategy.
PREPARING FACT SHEETS AND
FLYERS Fact sheets and flyers are
effective ways to promote your Sisters
Together program. They are also easy to
create. Your fact sheet might include these three
components:
- Explanation of the purpose and audience of Sisters Together.
- Description of your Sisters Together program’s activities.
- Information on how readers can find out more about your program.
You can create your own flyers and post them
on bulletin boards throughout your community. You
can also distribute them through partner
organizations and at meetings. A sample fact
sheet and flyer are included in this
guide.
PREPARING A MEDIA KIT A
media kit will provide your media contacts with
information about your Sisters Together
program as well as any activities you have
planned. This information may encourage media
outlets to promote your events.
What to Consider Including in Your
Media Kit
- Sisters Together fact sheet
(two-page maximum)*
- Biographical sketch of program
leader(s)
- Current news release*
- PSA (if distributed to
radio/television)*
- Black-and-white photographs of your
Sisters Together events or members
- Sisters Together brochures*
- List of upcoming program activities
- Contact name and number
*Samples of these items are included in
this guide.
You do not need elaborate packaging for your
media kit. You can place the items in a
double-pocket folder and customize it with the
Sisters Together logo included in this
guide, or you can create your own logo. Make sure
you include a place for your contact information.
Reproducible Sisters Together logos
can be found in the “Additional
Materials” section of this guide.
You should make your kit available at all
Sisters Together events receiving media
coverage. You should also distribute the kit with
PSAs to television and radio stations in advance
of on-air presentations. Do not forget to update
the kit yearly or whenever major changes occur in
your Sisters Together program.
PREPARING A SPOKESPERSON
Once you begin contacting the media, some
organizations may request interviews. Interviews
offer you an opportunity to talk about your
activities and promote participation. The
following tips will help you in the interview
process:
- Prepare thoroughly for an interview.
- Organize key message points and practice
answering questions using the materials that
you prepared for your media kit.
- Be prepared to make simple, direct,
easy-to-understand statements. Get back to
interviewers promptly with any promised
information.
- Send a note thanking the media outlet for
the opportunity to talk about the Sisters
Together program.
CREATING A MEDIA
PARTNERSHIP
If your Sisters Together program has
developed a positive relationship with a media
organization, you might want to consider
broadening it into a media partnership. Media
partners can offer high levels of exposure and
increase interest in your program. There are many
ways you can include national and local
television, radio, newspaper, and magazine
outlets in your program. Consider pitching one of
the following ideas:
Spokespersons: A television
or radio station might provide a media
personality to participate in your events.
Community Activities: A media
outlet might sponsor your event by offering free
publicity, its own information booth, or setting
up a “live remote” or report from the
event.
USING THE MEDIA TO PROMOTE YOUR
EFFORTS
You can use the following media to publicize your
program:
Television and Radio
Stations
- national and local news and talk shows
- broadcast editorials
- call-in shows
- public affairs and health programs
- public access cable TV
National and Local Newspapers (Weekly
and Daily)
- feature articles
- health sections and supplements
- food sections
- editorials
- print ads
- partners’ ads—try to place the
Sisters Together message and logo or
event announcement in your partners’ ads
(such as a grocery store ad)
- calendar of events
- public affairs listings
National and Local or Regional
Magazines
- regular columns or features
- partners’ ads (see above)
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Step 5: Planning
Activities
Local Publicity
Story
“The community health planner at the
Lexington-Fayette County (Kentucky) Health
Department contacted the columnist for the
Lexington Herald-Leader about a Sisters
Together: Move More, Eat Better health
conference being sponsored at a local church.
Over 200 women attended various workshops on
topics such as obesity and diabetes and enjoyed a
nutritious lunch designed by a dietitian.”
– Mark Johnson, Lexington County Health
Department
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DECIDE ON YOUR CORE ACTIVITIES AND
EVENTS.
WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR AUDIENCE AND
MESSAGE?
Activities and events can generate interest
and increase awareness for your Sisters
Together program. They can also establish an
identity and reinforce program messages, so you
should plan activities that support your
program’s objectives. For example, a
wellness walk would fit within your program goals
better than hosting a bake sale.
When planning activities, choose events
that:
- Address the current needs and interests of
the Black women in your community.
- Fit in with your program
objectives—to increase awareness of the
benefits of healthy eating and increased
physical activity, and to provide information
that can lead to healthy lifestyle
changes.
- Tie in your partners’ activities and
meet with their approval.
- Do not require more time and resources than
you and your partners are willing or able to
contribute.
To make sure that your Sisters
Together program activities meet the needs
of your community and are well received, try
using the following suggestions from focus groups
and research:
- Research has found that Black women are not
physically active because they are not familiar
with practical, convenient, and enjoyable forms
of exercise that could be performed routinely.
You can form walking groups and dance
classes using the information included in this
guide.
- Research has found that Black women are
more likely to respond to programs that
encourage physical activity versus exercise and
that focus on short-term outcomes. Black women
who participated in focus groups associated
healthy eating and increased physical activity
with benefits such as having more energy,
relieving stress, feeling better about
themselves, living longer, and looking good.
You may want to stress these benefits
in your program messages and materials. The
Sisters Together publications featured
on the CD highlight these
benefits.
- Research has found that Black women
recognize the importance of limiting the fat,
cholesterol, sodium, and sugar in their diets,
but need information on how to do this without
sacrificing the flavor of their meals.
To give women “how to”
information, you can hold cooking
demonstrations and give out healthy recipes to
women in your community. Check with the
outpatient dietitian in your local hospital to
see if he or she will conduct a cooking
demonstration or if he or she has healthy
recipes that you can distribute to your
Sisters Together program
participants.
DEVELOPING PROMOTIONAL
MATERIALS
People love souvenirs, so consider creating
Sisters Together giveaway items for your
program participants and sponsors. Promotional
items can help spark interest in your program and
give it exposure. Some popular giveaway items
include refrigerator magnets, T-shirts, key
chains, and water bottles. If your program has an
exhibit booth, a poster or banner can provide
added visibility as well as make your booth easy
to find. Consider creating a portable poster or
banner to display at all of your Sisters
Together program events. Try to keep
participants and partners updated on your
Sisters Together program. If you keep a
list of the names and addresses of everyone who
has attended your events, you can send them a
postcard or newsletter to update them on future
activities. An easy way to build up your mailing
list is to bring a sign-up sheet to all of your
events.
PLANNING A KICKOFF EVENT
A great way to create excitement for your
Sisters Together program is to hold a
kickoff event. You can work with your partners to
plan an event that will increase awareness of
your Sisters Together program and its
messages among the Black women in your community.
Some successful Sisters Together events
have included the creation of walking groups,
dance classes, aerobics classes, and cooking
demonstrations, as well as the creation of a
fitness calendar.
You can promote your kickoff event by:
- Distributing flyers throughout your
community.
- Hanging posters in local stores, community
centers, libraries, and schools.
- Inviting the media.
- Participating in other local festivals and
special events. Other venues can be great places
to distribute your Sisters Together
materials and create buzz about your pending
event.
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Step 6: Measuring Your
Success
Success Story
Local Kickoff
In Kentucky, the Lexington-Fayette County Health
Department’s Sisters Together
program was launched on September 25, 2005 at
the “Body and Soul Fest” health fair,
during Lexington’s “Roots &
Heritage Festival.” Women attended seminars
on nutritional cooking and eating and received
church fans imprinted with information about free
or inexpensive walking and exercise classes in
the Lexington area. This Sisters Together
initiative received media coverage in the
Lexington Herald-Leader twice in 2005. The
program’s organizers are planning to create
walking clubs.
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MONITOR YOUR EFFORTS.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS YOUR
PROGRAM?
Evaluating your program will allow you to
identify minor problems and make adjustments
before major ones develop. Program evaluation can
help you find more effective ways to publicize
your Sisters Together activities,
identify materials that best serve your
community, repeat successful activities, and
eliminate activities that were not well
received.
LOOKING AT YOUR
OBJECTIVES
Assessing whether you are meeting your objectives
will help keep your Sisters Together
program on track. For example, the Sisters
Together national kickoff conducted talks
with participants to determine:
- Whether the women who attended found the
Sisters Together materials and
demonstrations useful.
- The number of participants who enjoyed the
event.
- Whether the women would attend similar
events in the future.
- What changes they would make to future
events.
Other ways you can measure the success of your
program include estimating how many participants
you have, the attendance at your events, and the
number of Sisters Together publications
you distribute.
KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR
PARTICIPANTS
It is helpful to track participation at your
Sisters Together events. This tells you
how appealing your events were to the members of
your community, and can help you decide whether
to hold similar activities in the future.
The following questions can help you measure
the success of your Sisters Together
events:
- How many women attend your events?
- How many walking groups are set up?
- How many people stop by your exhibit at
other organizations’ festivals?
- How many Sisters Together
publications you have distributed?
- Is participation increasing or
decreasing?
A feedback form is a great way to find out
what participants thought of your Sisters
Together program events. You can use the
information you gather to plan future activities.
It is best to keep feedback forms simple and to
the point, so try to include only multiple choice
questions. A bounce-back card that participants
can detach and return to you with comments is
another great way to solicit participant
feedback. A sample feedback form is included
in this guide.
KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR SISTERS TOGETHER
MATERIALS
Monitoring the distribution of your materials is
also important. Keeping track of when, where, and
how much you distribute will help you plan future
Sisters Together events. For example, if
you gave away all of your flyers at a weekend
event and only a few at a weekday event, that
might tell you that weekends are a better time to
distribute materials. If you have your own
Sisters Together phone number, it is
also a good idea to record how many calls were
received, and what type of information and
materials were sent out in response to those
calls.
LISTENING TO YOUR
PARTNERS
Your partners can provide valuable feedback on
your Sisters Together program. Ask for
their comments on your program, events, and
activities, and inquire about their involvement
in the program. Some questions you may want to
ask your partners include:
- What is working well?
- Which areas need to be improved?
- How can improvements be made?
- What are you willing to do next?
REVISING YOUR OBJECTIVES
You may find that you need to revise your
objectives after you have launched your
Sisters Together program. The needs of
your community may change over time, and part of
having a successful program is being able to
adjust and respond to your community’s
needs.
SHARING YOUR SUCCESS
Finally, it is important to share your
program’s successes with your partners, the
community, and other relevant parties. Writing
and speaking about your program’s
achievements is a good way to make your partners,
Black women, and potential participants aware of
Sisters Together and its messages.
Highlighting your accomplishments further
promotes better health for Black women.
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Additional Materials
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The materials included in this section are
(.pdf) samples. They are intended as guides for
you to use when creating items for your own
Sisters Together program. Each sample is
also available in modifiable form on the CD
included with this program guide.
The following materials are not mentioned in
the program guide, but may be useful to your
Sisters Together program.
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Weight-control Information Network
1 WIN Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3665
Phone: (202) 828–1025
Toll-free number:
1–877–946–4627
Fax: (202) 828–1028
Email: win@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.win.niddk.nih.gov
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
NIH Publication No. 07-3329
May 1999
Updated May 2007
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