Setting up and leading Groups
How to set up your own group
Groups can be set up anywhere, but we tend to work with local partners who are likely to be from one of the following:
- Local Authorities
- Workplaces
- Community Health Initiatives
- Private Health Clubs/Athletics
Leaders work for the organisation as a volunteer or a paid member of staff to lead the weekly jogging group. The main office will keep in touch with the local partner rather than the Jog Leader.
Being a Local Partner
Most Jog Leaders will work with/for a local partner, however some leaders may double up and act as the local partner and launch their own group within an area. If there is a local partner in the area leaders are encouraged to be a part of it. No two groups will do things the same way, however the main functions of a local partner are:
- To promote your local jogging network
- To recruit new jog leaders to deliver the jogging groups
- To be a point of contact for new members of the network in your local area
- To plan and organise the jogging groups, when, where and what level you would like to run.
- To host a road show or similar promotion event
- To retain copies of all membership forms, ensure bss is sent a copy and to give out membership benefits to all new members. See Jog Leader Administration for information here.
Setting up your own Group if there is no established Local Partner
Its quite simple to set up your own group if there is no established local group however there will be a time commitment in the beginning to get it going. Here are the steps to consider:
- Find a suitable central local venue to meet at
- Choose suitable time and level that suits
- Register your group with the jogscotland office to get your unique code
- Advertise your group
- Will you charge your members of not?
- Volunteer leaders sometimes still take payment from members and use this to buy t-shirts or to part fund a trip to an event. However if you are going to pay yourself from the fees you charge the members then you will have to set this accordingly.
Delivery Models
Some Jog Leaders may get paid for leading groups. This is a commercial group where group members are charged for attending the session. A typical amount would be £20 for a 10-week block. This money covers the local administration and pays the leader.
Some leaders work as volunteers but may still charge joggers for attending the session. This money provides funds to train more leaders, to advertise the group and cover any other expenses, e.g. organising a Fun Run at the end of the session or subsidising a social night out.
jogscotland in the workplace typically do not charge group members for the
session as the organisation is supporting the programme as part of a commitment
to staff health.
How to successfully promote your group
A successful jogscotland will be due to a good Jog Leader and first class promotion. There are so many ways of promoting the groups.
- Local publicity of groups
- Newspapers: Local newspapers and magazines will often run a free article if you market the group to them as a health initiative rather than money making venture.
- Leaflet distribution
- Posters
- Road shows
- Word of mouth
- Local media: radio, newspaper, newsletters
It is also good to get out and about to local doctors/dentists waiting rooms etc.,
and try not to limit all promotion to the sports centres. The aim is to attract
people who would not normally think about exercising.
