Volunteer
How do I get started?
Girls on the Run of Nebraska serves some 1,500 girls across the state each year. With a small staff of two part-time people, we rely on an army of committed, can-do volunteers to help us with different aspects of the organization. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved at a variety of different times. Please take a look at our opportunities to determine what works best for your schedule. Click on each heading to learn further about each opportunity. We look forward to getting you involved!
Coaching
New Coach Application Register to Coach Spring 2012
“Coaching GOTR is such an amazing experience that you will not understand until you are a part of it!”
- First-time GOTR-Nebraska Coach
“I have been so blessed by my involvement with GOTR. I look forward to watching these girls as they go on in school, to see them being successful in sports or other activities later in school, and to think that their involvement in GOTR was a starting point for them.”
- 13-time GOTR-Nebraska Coach
General Information
Coaches work directly with girls in third- through sixth-grades, leading them through the Girls on the Run lessons, teaching them healthy habits and training them for the big 3.1 mile event!
- Volunteer coaches must be available during afterschool hours.
- Our programs meet twice a week after school for 60 to 75 minutes. Coaches are expected to attend every session.
- Each site usually has two to four coaches.
- The program is offered twice a year during fall and spring. Fall is limited to a handful of returning sites with experienced coaches; new sites are added every spring.
Coach Duties
- Prepare lesson plans. GOTR-Nebraska provides nearly all the materials for the lessons. Coaches prepare by reading the lessons and familiarizing themselves with the activities.
- Serve as a role model for the girls by being on time, listening attentively, having a positive demeanor and outlook, and leading a healthy lifestyle.
- Encourage and celebrate the girls as they play games and run laps.
- Instruct the girls on proper stretching, running form, hydration, and sports nutrition.
- Mediate disputes among participants in a prompt, respectful manner.
- Administer end-of-season survey to participants at last meeting/practice.
- Keep attendance.
- Attend meetings as necessary.
- Coordinate the end-of-season party. Enlist parents to help you!
- Attend the end-of-season 5K.
- Be your real self with the girls at all times, and above all, have fun with them!
Coach Requirements
- CPR/First Aid training for at least one coach per site.
- One-day GOTR coach training session.
- Background check.
Availability
Girls on the Run of Nebraska sites are located throughout eastern Nebraska and are concentrated in the Lincoln-Omaha metropolitan area, as well as regional hubs in Kearney, Hastings, Norfolk and elsewhere. Each site (school, community center, park) identifies a time that works best for its constituents. We try to place coaches at locations and times most convenient for them. Coaching requires a flexible afternoon schedule because nearly all sites meet between 3 and 4 p.m.
Coach Responsibilities
Pre-season
- Attend a one-time coach-training clinic.
- Become CPR/First Aid certified or maintain certification.
- Pick up coach kit and curriculum binder.
During the season
- Prepare for each session by reading the lesson and reviewing coach equipment.
- Arrive at site at least five to 10 minutes early for each session.
- Attend GOTR team meetings/practices twice a week.
- Read coach notes and respond when appropriate.
- Record attendance at each session.
- Wait until all girls are picked up after each session.
- Conduct end-of-season survey during last team meeting/practice.
- Attend mid-season coach meeting.
- Attend the end of season 5K with your girls.
- Provide a fun end-of-season celebration for the last session.
- Demonstrate a positive encouraging demeanor and a healthy lifestyle.
- Be your wonderful self with the girls at all times and above all have fun with them!
Post-season
- Return coach materials.
5K Day Assistance
Join the fun by helping out at our season-ending celebration! We need help with pre-event planning, set-up, tear-down and everything in between. Lend a hand and watch the girls attain some unexpected – and thoroughly exciting – goals! Please complete the 5K Volunteer Registration Form to get involved.
Other Volunteer Opportunities/Special Projects
We always need help with one-time events. You might want to staff a water station at one of the 5Ks, work a GOTR booth at a local event or expo, help assemble program or 5K materials, or lend your expertise on fundraising, marketing or finance. If you are interested by not sure where you fit in, let us know. We’ll get you into the loop! Complete the application if you have something to offer!
Corporate and Group Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for a way to get your employees engaged in a good cause? We have inspiring opportunities for your team! We are always looking for energetic groups to help on race day for the Girls on the Run 5K, to cheer on our SoleMates charity runners, to be coaches in your community to run with our girls on race day, or help with event staffing and set-up. E-mail us for more information and ideas about how your company or group can become more involved with Girls on the Run of Nebraska.
Sponsorships and Donations
GOTR-Nebraska relies heavily on small-scale corporate contributions to fund its need-based scholarship program and keep regular registration fees down. GOTR-Nebraska is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For more information on making a corporate or private donation, e-mail Amy or call (402) 610-5355.
