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Moment of Truth About Our Fitness State...continued
How To Address the the Deconditioned Fitness Masses
In every community there are many worthwhile organizations that already have 501c3 not-for-profit status. These organizations have the ability to write crisp, concise Grants that can make funding for programs designed to serve these at risk populations available fairly quickly. Recently I spoke with Erindita Abel from the Chicano Federation in San Diego, CA (www.chicanofederation.org), and she advised that trying to create a separate 501c3 is not advisable and may actually close doors that may already be open and waiting.
Her suggestion was well taken. This may be trying to reinvent the wheel and other established community groups may be seeking the same Grant monies. It may be an organization who could have partnered with you in the quest for these worthwhile funds. In a strategic partnering relationship you both could have realized the financial benefits and been able to better serve the needs of the community.
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The key becomes proactively seeking strategic partnerships with open-minded existing community organizations. A great place to start your research is on the Internet. Before you begin, decide which at-risk populations that you want to appeal to. Is it children (the state of obesity in children is more than alarming). Is it the aging? Is it minority groups (minority groups have a disproportionate rate of catastrophic illness and premature death due to lifestyle factors)? Once you have good feel for the local opportunities for the group (s) that you wish to serve a business plan can be created. The business plan must be flexible because you will get a real education as you begin to explore these new waters.
The Internet is a Tremendous Resource to Source Programs Addressing Obesity
The Internet is not the only means of identifying potential groups and partnering relationships, but it is a tremendous resource. Through any Search Engine (Yahoo, Google, etc.) thought provoking information can be ascertained. For example, if community childhood obesity programs is the direction that you wish to go, simply go to the Search Engine and enter, "San Diego (obviously you enter your locality) children's obesity programs". This should bring up a list of existing or past programs. From these website links you can gather tremendous information and begin to enhance your original idea and avoid creating programs that may clash with existing programs in your community.
As you begin to develop a strategic plan. Think about what will appeal to individuals who have either never been to a wellness/health facility before or who have been and failed to meet their goals and may have a reluctance to return. As mentioned earlier, memberships will not work well. The next best thing is a program. As I met with Maurice Wilson, Director of Employment and Training at The Urban League in San Diego, CA ( www.sdul.org),
he pointed out that even a "program" is not as effective as a "Campaign". His well-taken point was that "programs" are perceived as having a finite life cycle, whereas a "Campaign" is perceived as more ongoing.
As you develop your campaign, it may be multi-tasked and include several at-risk populations. This approach also enables you to create strategic community partnerships with several organizations. The campaign then becomes much more news worthy.
As you develop your business plan, create a Community Advisory Board to be made up of high profile community individuals who have served the populations that you wish to help and contact as many related groups and agencies as you can to meet and discuss ideas.
If You Are Serious, Agencies Will Help
Again, recently in San Diego I spoke with Jeanette Diaz from The San Diego American Indian Health Center (www.sdaihc.com) and she was very supportive of initiatives that The Center could partner up with to make the grass roots efforts to educate and motivate the minorities that they serve more impactive. Health and Wellness Centers have tremendous capabilities to serve the deconditioned population.
The needs are already there. The answers are ready to be discovered. In speaking to Paula Kettula, Services Supervisor for The San Diego Choice Program (serves socially at risk youth and their families) several ideas were discussed. The most important factor is to hear what the particular groups needs are and then think creatively how you can assist them. Most have Grant writers and can help find available funds to pay for the program ideas that you create that are directly related to serving their needs.
What About Involving Politicians In Obesity Programs?
Absolutely! In speaking to Shirley Horton ( www.hortonforassembly.com), two-term mayor (Chula Vista, CA - 2nd largest city in San Diego County) and State of California Assembly candidate in the 78th District, she is very interested in discussing community-based initiatives that relate to the state of poor health. Shirley is not alone in that sentiment. In speaking to U. S. Congress candidate, Maria Guadalupe Garcia (www.garciaforcongress.com), she is also interested in discussing new initiatives designed to reach out to at risk individuals.
Can OUr School Systems Also Address the Obesity Issue?
This is one of the best sources! In Knoxville, TN, Scott Bacon, Supervisor of Business Partnerships for the Knox County School System is determined to effect positive health related changes to the students that the District serves. In fact, Scott is so determined that he agreed to serve on the Advisory Council for The Wellness Wakeup Challenge, a National community based health initiative.
What About Nationally Recognized Athletic Programs?
Absolutely. Carolyn Wares, Director of Marketing and Promotions for the tremendously successful University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers Sports Programs agrees that now is the time for dynamic, well thought out community based initiatives, especially targeting children. Carolyn, as did Scott Bacon felt so strongly that she also agreed to serve on the Advisory Council for The Wellness Wakeup Challenge (www.knoxvilletennessee.com/HealthandMedical ).
"This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!"
What To Avoid Along The Way
While the above is a funny story, what makes it so funny is that everyone can relate to it from past, but hopefully not current working environments. People just get disorganized and 
time passes quickly without enough positive action. In your business plan to fight these national health issues, include a time line for all components and be certain to have regular meetings to track progress. Record all information for Executive Management Team analysis and make effective modifications as they become obvious.
There could be no louder cry for help in this crisis and the cry could not come from more credible sources. It's time to get involved and make a difference in the lives of the at risk individuals who do not the way to better health. It's time to stand for something and not fall for anything! This is THE MOMENT of TRUTH.
About Geoff Hampton
Go to about the Geoff Hampton and read his other columns.
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