2012 Lions Strides Walk in dear old DDC

It is early May and I have done nothing to set up a Lions Strides Walk. I suppose I could get really busy and arrange one but I would have to do so without help from the Dodge City Lions Club. Without their help, this Strides Walk simply can not happen. Three years ago, I thought I had a Strides Walk wired and had two young Lions join my team. They joined my team simply to tell me that I wasn't ready for a Strides Walk and to forget it.

So, it is May and the Strides Walk isn't until October/November and it is already too late to try for one. Damn, but it hurts to  say that!

This is the "Top Ten Tips For Organizing A Strides Walk":

Here are the items:


1) Select your Organizing Committee: Since this is a Lions event, I would need Lions from my club. That would be difficult as the two members (who also shut be down) are the two young enough to be energetic. Still, I think I could get Lions to help. Perhaps I could get members of the Kiwanis and even the Knights of Columbus. I don't believe I could get out of town Lions to help. Maybe I could get the members of the ADA "Walk To STOP Diabetes" to help?

2) Hold your first meeting. Establish a regular schedule for STRIDES meetings. First, I must get a team together. I am beginning to have much more respect for "Community Organizers". 

3) Identify community contacts from among committee members. This can include
potential sponsors, media supporters, entertainers, poster distributors, and groups
of participants. I have some ideas for this but definitely need the help of fellow Lions and my wife's coworkers...

4) Set the event date and start time Some time in late October or early November

5) Establish a route The city owned gym/health centre (Sheridan Centre) has a nice track. We also have the high school football field, which has a track and and meeting room under the bleachers. There is a parking low between the Civic Center and the Guard Armoury; both facilities might be used if their management would give us access free. The Sheridan Centre would...

6) Seek official approval from town, parks, and other departments This could take some doing. Fortunately, my wife and I have known a member of the City Commissioner for years and the manager of the Sheridan Centre is very approachable. However, the City government is talking about giving the management of Sheridan Centre to the YMCA and there is no way of knowing if they would let us use "their" building for free. (They should as the city tax payers will still be paying for the upkeep of the Sheridan Centre!)

7) Organize local sponsor solicitation for giveaways, food and beverages Something that I need help with and something that killed my last attempt. 

8) Approach the media (radio, television, print) for publicity and possible sponsorship See the answer to question 7...

9) Inform and invite local health care professionals, officials and celebrities for support
and presence on event day We could try getting the help of several local MDs, including one who is well known publicly.  We do have a diabetes specialist at the local medical clinic but I get the feeling she is very much uninterested in doing something public.

10) Visit site and route to determine volunteer needs,  placement of equipment, and and
potential concerns   This is an end game event...


We would have to charge an entrance fee for two reasons:

1. People who have paid to participate in something generally take it a lot more seriously and
2. Why should Lions pay for STRIDES pins for possible no-shows?

I wonder if a STRIDES Walk could be combined with an ADA "Walk to STOP Diabetes" Walk? The nearest ADA office and thus, the nearest "Walk To STOP Diabetes" is about 160 miles away. I don't have a lot of hope for help from them. None the less, the Wichita Kansas Lions might be interested in getting involved?