RRCA New State Rep – First Steps
This document will assist you as you transition into your new role as RRCA State Rep. The very first step is to make sure we have your personal email address, your photo, a short bio, and your shirt size. We will use this information to set-up your profile on the RRCA website. If you have any questions, please call me and I will assist you. My contact information is shown at the bottom of this document. I will also follow up with you in a few days. Welcome to the RRCA Family!
RRCA.org email:
Each State Rep is assigned an rrca.org email address that is [your state]@rrca.org. All we need is a personal email address where we can have all rrca.org forwarded. We ask that you only use your RRCA.org email address to promote the programs and services of the RRCA. Please refrain from using this email address if you work within the running industry as a supplier or race director. Your rrca.org email is the one that will be posted on the RRCA website for members to us to contact you.
A State Rep’s Most Important Tool – the RRCA Website:
The RRCA website at www.rrca.org will be your most important up-to-date source of information. In the masthead of the site you will find our primary links for Find a Club (listing of clubs), Find an Event (should include all RRCA insured events), Find a Coach (RRCA Certified Coaches in good standing), and more.
Below the masthead you will find the primary navigation links, which contain detailed sub-navigations once in the section. The site also contains the Resources For sections. Click on the images to accesses these sections designed for club leaders, race directors, coaches, and runners.
The following links will be very helpful to you as you get started:
State Rep Private page - http://www.rrca.org/state-rep-committee/. This private section will give you access to such files as the State Rep Handbook, a state rep newsletter template, and much more.
The “Membership” page – http://www.rrca.org/membership/ - will provide you with all the information necessary for a club or event to join the RRCA. Make sure to familiarize yourself with this information.
The “Programs” page - http://www.rrca.org/programs/ - will provide you with a summary of the programs that the RRCA offers. Here you will find information on bidding information for championship races (a State Reps primary duty), coaching certification classes, Kids Run the Nation program, Runner Friendly Community, and more.
The “Services” page - http://www.rrca.org/services/ - will provide you with important information about the insurance program, nonprofit status, additional insured certificates, and more.
These are just a few important links on the RRCA website. I recommend that you become familiar with the RRCA website as a first step and visit it on a weekly basis. It will help familiarize you with the organization as a whole and all the programs and services we offer. The National Office also posts weekly news items that keep us up-to-date on current events.
Informational Packet from the National Office:
You will receive a package from the National Office containing materials to help you in your role as State Rep. This packet will include a sample of our print newsletter Inside Track, a copy of Club Running magazine, a We Run the Nation sticker, a Runner Friendly Business sticker, and a state reps shirt, and more. You will also receive an MS Excel list of the clubs and events in your state. Once you receive this list, we encourage you to reach out the local members and introduce yourself.
RRCA National Convention:
We hope that you will plan to attend the upcoming RRCA Convention. We schedule a State Rep Meeting/Training Session prior to the start of the convention on Thursday. We ask all State Reps be on hand for this session. As a State Rep, your convention registration fee, meal package, and hotel costs (less personal incidentals) is complimentary. The RRCA will provide a travel stipend based on the success of the State Rep’s Silent Auction. The stipend ranges from $100 to $200 depending on the success of the auction.
In preparation for each year’s convention, you will be expected to submit a report outlining your goals for the coming year and reporting on your RRCA activities for the year. Your report will be published in the RRCA Annual Report that is distributed at the convention and posted on the RRCA website. This report is requested whether you are able or unable to attend the convention.
While your Regional Director and the National Office are your primary resources for RRCA information, Outstanding State Reps such as George Rehmet (California – Coastal Region), John Devitt (Montana State Rep), and Gary Morgan (Michigan State are always available to assist in any way possible. These are all seasoned State Reps, and they are always willing to pass on some wisdom of how to do the State Rep job.
Email is our primary method of communication in the State Rep network. You will receive a monthly email from the National Office about information on how to implement programs and services at the state level. It is import to read these emails and respond as requested. Be sure to visit the RRCA homepage on a weekly basis to read the news as most of it pertains to new program opportunities and services to share with the members in your state. You will also receive a copy of the monthly Keeping Pace email that goes out to all of our club and event leaders. Review this closely as often times information in Keeping Pace will be further outlined in the State Reps email.
I realize that this is quite a bit of information. Please do not hesitate to contact with me with any questions you may have. I will follow up with you in a week or two with a phone call. Again, welcome to the State Rep Family.
Best Regards,
Jean Knaack – RRCA, Executive Director