Girls on the Run is a volunteer-powered organization!
Do you have a sincere interest in leading a healthy life? Do you have an interest in the issues facing girls today? Do you want to commit to the positive development of young girls? Do you wish that a program that prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living had been available when you were growing up? Join tens of thousands of women nationwide who have already committed to the mission of Girls on the Run and make a difference today.
Ways to make a difference:
Volunteer as a Coach
Enjoy the chance to get outside, laugh, jump, cheer, and most importantly, help girls realize their full potential! Coaches commit to 10-20 practices over the course of the 10-week season (Fall 2018 will run September 3rd through our 5k in mid-November). A mandatory coaches' training will provide you with all the supplies and information you need to have a great experience! Coaches need to prepare, organize and supervise two weekly lessons, cheer on your girls, and understand and believe in the mission of GOTR. Interested in coaching? Learn more here or head right to our coaches application!
Join a Committee
Help assist with planning many of the fun things that make Girls on the Run so fantastic! We have opportunities to serve on our Development Committee securing corporate sponsorships, our SoleMates committee encouraging adult charity runners, our LUNAFEST Committee planning our signature spring film festival and silent auction, and of course, our Fall and Spring 5k Planning Committees. Email [email protected] for more information.
Join SoleMates
Run a race and raise money for Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa while meeting your own fitness goals! All funds raised stay in Johnson, Linn, Buchanan, Jefferson, Iowa, and Washington Counties to allow more girls to participate in Girls on the Run. More info here.
Be a Running Buddy
Running Buddies support and celebrate a girl and her accomplishments by joining her for the Spring season practice 5k (one afternoon or early evening in April; the day varies by school) and the final 5k on May 5th in Cedar Rapids. Running Buddies must register for the Spring 5k--register here. (Note that fee waivers are available if you are unable to pay the 5k registration fee; contact [email protected] to request one.) If you would like us to assign you a girl to run with, you must be female, age 18+, and submit a background check.
Attend our 8th Annual LUNAFEST
Join us for a night of fun, food, and thought-provoking films! LUNAFEST is a traveling festival of award-winning, short, independent films, by, for and about women. Join us in Spring 2018 aan amazing night! Our reception and silent auction begin at 6:00 PM and films will be screened at 7:00 PM. All proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa. More information will be available for our 2019 LUNAFEST soon!
Volunteer on Race Day
Our spring Girls on the Run 5k needs a lot of volunteers to make the magic happen! We need many enthusiastic volunteers that day to help with food, course management, parking, and more! More info will be soon about our Fall 2018 5k.
Serve on the Board
We are looking for dedicated individuals to serve on the GOTR of Eastern Iowa Board of Directors. Please join us in empowering young girls in our communities to be joyful, healthy and confident! Board terms are 1 year for the first year, then 2 years in length for the next two terms, with the opportunity for renewal. Board members are required to act as liaison to at least one GOTR committee, be ambassadors in the community, to regularly attend meetings and events, and assist with fundraising.
We’re looking for candidates with the following qualifications:
- Passion for the Girls on the Run mission, vision and core values
- Ability to contribute time including in-person meetings, web-based communications, and volunteer hours in support of GOTR events
- Connections to the local community
- Experience in at least one of the following areas: financial management and/or budgeting, strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, previous board leadership
Submit an application, or for more information, please contact GOTR Board Chair, Kelly Sittig, at [email protected].
Sponsor a Girl
Our actual cost per girl is $150, and we anticipate awarding more than $90,000 in scholarships in 2018 so that all girls can participate regardless of their family's ability to pay. Will you join us?
Spread the Word
Building awareness of our program helps families who will benefit from Girls on the Run hear about it in the first place! Wear your t-shirt proudly, run races in your shirt, get a GOTR sticker for your car…spread the word!
