Join Our Team

This officer position, integral to achieving the mission of this organization, will be responsible for organizing a 5K race at the end of each semester which brings together our running programs and their associated communities in an event which removes the financial barrier to competition for our athletes. At least 75% of revenue from other participants will go directly to the schools hosting each of our running programs. This position will allow one to showcase strong organizational, networking, and communications skills to build this event from the ground up, as the ROI's biyearly 5K is a new installment in the organization. The race director will additionally work closely with the treasurer, corporate relations liaison, and head coaches, while exhibiting leadership skills in coordinating their own race committee.

​As a member of the ROI fundraising committee, you will be responsible for helping plan and organize fun events to raise funds for children's running shoes, athletic wear, and race entrance fees. Specifically, we are partnered with Graham Elementary and Middle School along with North Columbus Preparatory Academy and a new elementary school program on the way, and we donate items to the kids who participate in our after-school programs. Some of our events include fundraising at OSU basketball games and hosting grill sales on High Street! Not only is this an incredibly fun, community-oriented, and fulfilling position, but this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to display their organizational skills and philanthropic values, with participation in events counting as volunteer hours.

Assistant coaches are the backbone of The Running Outreach Initiative. They provide the resources necessary to manage a large group of students, ensuring their safety and encouraging them in their performances, and they facilitate the team culture. They take an active role in each practice, which could include setting up cones, pacing a group of runners, encouraging runners, forming groups for games (and participating in them or aiding in their administration), keeping track of times on a stopwatch, engaging in conversation with team members, and including shy team members in social interactions. Though no prior running experience is required, assistant coaches should expect to be participating in some physical activity, albeit often light. Not only is this an incredibly fulfilling role, but it is also a great source of volunteering hours with a uniquely involved role in serving underprivileged populations.

For those interested in taking a smaller role than the race director in organizing our end-of-season races, this is the perfect position! This committee will work under the race director completing a wide variety of communication- and organization-intensive tasks associated with building a timed 5K event from the ground up. They can additionally gain volunteer hours by attending and volunteering at our race each season!

As a newer organization looking to get our name out there, ensure strong turnout to each of our fundraisers, and recruit new members, our marketing team is incredibly important to our success! This committee will aid the marketing chair by running the Instagram and/or website, creating flyers for events, attending fundraising and/or social events to take pictures (simultaneously gaining volunteer hours if applicable), and/or attending a few running practices to compile pictures of the athletes to give them at the end of each season. Committee members may choose to specialize in one or several of these task areas based on their preference/expertise. Based on what they choose, this position can allow them to showcase their graphic design, organizational, photography, and persuasive writing skills, along with their dedication to serving underprivileged populations.