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Get Moving America: May is Fitness
Month
Join the Presidential Fitness Partners
in May
Mark the month of May on your calendar
and join us in celebration.
Since 1983, May has been observed
as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Individuals
and organizations everywhere have joined in the fun
to promote awareness of the value of physical activity
in the pursuit of happier, healthier, more productive
lives. To further this vital mission, the President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reached out in
1994 to both public and private organizations to form
the Presidential Fitness Partners in May. By working
together in this partnership, our individual health
and fitness messages will achieve increased public resonance.
Let's move Americans to move themselves
in a healthier way this month (and throughout the year).
Here are some tips for reaching out during National
Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
HOW TO GET STARTED
One agency in your area such as a
school, company, recreation department, or club should
assume leadership and pull together representatives
from other local agencies to help. A series of planning
and organizing meetings should be held to discuss responsibilities.
Committees such as publicity, program development, fund-raising,
etc., should be selected. Keep them small and efficient.
A lot of work is required to stage a successful fitness
month celebration; therefore, everyone selected must
be willing to devote time and make a commitment.
FINANCING THE CELEBRATION
It has been demonstrated that a two-
or three-day program can be staged effectively with
little cost. The effort would certainly he helped if
each cooperating agency would provide some financing
for preliminary planning purposes. Additional funds
may be solicited from local businesses.
The following guidelines may make
a fund-raising solicitation more productive.
- Develop an itemized budget plan with full explanation.
- Select/appoint a committee of no more than three
people to execute the fund solicitation plan.
- Select a list of companies to be solicited from
the local telephone business directory.
- Contact these businesses early. Ask each to contribute
an equal percentage of the total budget.
- Establish and maintain a bank account and expense
ledger for these funds.
- Offer some type of benefit to each contributor,
such as recognition in the official program and in
public advertisements.
THE PLAN
National Physical Fitness and Sports
Month event plan should include the following elements:
- Begin planning far enough in advance.
- Get early commitments on location and space, particularly
in areas such as shopping malls.
- Decide which activities will be included.
- Develope a schedule of events.
- Obtain official proclamations from the governor
and/or the mayor or appropriate officials.
- Solicit the assistance of as many local organizations
as possible.
- Form committees and delegate responsibilities.
- Solicit sponsorship and financial support from local
business and industry.
- Include the media in all planning and provide frequent
and continuous information on progress. Work closely
with the media and try to get as much publicity as
possible.
SUGGESTED EVENTS
Community agencies have sponsored
a variety of fitness events that have proven successful
including:
- Fitness/Health Fair A special celebration
with participating groups such as the local medical
association, heart association, chamber of commerce,
business and industry, educational institutions, or
clubs. It may be conducted at local malls, in shopping
centers, schools, or designated recreation centers.
- Fitness Festival An organized series
of fitness activities involving school, recreation,
business and industry, and/or other sports and fitness
agencies. Outstanding fitness activities may be highlighted
or new fitness programs introduced to the public,
that can then be carried out on a long-term basis.
- Fitness Talks/Lectures/Film Showings/ Television
Create increased awareness of and participation
in local fitness activities by inviting national/state
experts, local physicians, health officials, and fitness
professionals to participate in talk and lecture programs,
film discussions, and/or television shows.
- Distance/Fun Runs/Fitness Walks Many
agencies and groups promote such events as part of
their regular fitness programs, and these may be tied
into Fitness Month. Assistance may be available from
local running clubs or such groups as the National
Road Runners of America. It is extremely important,
however, that necessary precautions for emergency
care be observed in planning and conducting distance
runs.
- Social Events Include community fun
days, combinations of multiple events, proclamation
-signing or reading ceremonies by the governor, mayor,
etc., at the end or beginning of an event. This can
be done by calling a press conference and inviting
medical personnel to cover the initial day or the
opening of each agency's celebration.
- Sports For All Day Agencies/organizations
may wish to schedule a series of sports events, tournaments,
and other athletic activities highlighting their participation
in the celebration.
- Fitness/Sports Testing Assistance
should be enlisted from local medical groups, universities,
and/or fitness/sports experts.
- Other Suggestions Take this opportunity
to launch your community's Presidential Sports Award
Program or assist your school and others who conduct
the President's Challenge Youth Physical Fitness Awards
Program (top achievers are eligible for the Presidential
Physical Fitness Award). Aspects of the program may
include a focus on youth fitness, employee fitness,
fitness for special populations, and events of special
emphasis such as 10K runs, volksmarches, walking tours,
fitness assessment, and sporting events.
PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY
A promotion and publicity program
are key elements for maximizing participation. Involve
the media (television, radio, newspaper) early because
they may provide assistance and follow-up.
A fitness or wellness committee may
be established to handle this aspect. A face-to-face
meeting will help to establish a good relationship.
Make initial media contact at least
two months in advance. The more help you will need,
the earlier the media should be contacted.
An early discussion of plans with
representatives from the media must be followed by a
complete schedule of activities. Local weeklies may
want to print the entire schedule of events, with times,
locations, and phone numbers to contact for additional
information.
The Sample Proclamation you'll use
is as follows: Whereas, The President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports has designated the month of May (date)
and (year) as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month;
and created the Presidential Fitness Partners in May;
Whereas, National Physical Fitness
and Sports Month is our country's observance of fitness
and sports. Many agencies have initiated programs designed
to improve our quality of life. As partners, we can
better help one another communicate the common message
of improved health through physical activity more effectively;
and
Whereas, National Physical Fitness
and Sports Month is a time when we can do something
special to direct deserved national attention to the
benefits of physical activity. Now, therefore, I (name)
(governor) or (mayor) of the (name of city or state),
do hereby proclaim the month of May (date) and (year)
as "Physical Fitness and Sports Month" in
(city) or (state) and urge our community to promote
physical activity in recognition of this month.
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