Anyone else think Girls on the Run is a rip-off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughters' school has a "Kids on the Run" program. I always assumed it was affiliated with Girls on the Run, is this incorrect?

Not sure, but it sounds "politically correct." Like these people who think somehow that doing something inclusive for girls is somehow exclusive for boys. So, they try to assert male privilege. Which is really shocking, if you think about it.

[Anonymous]

I don't think Kids on the Run is part of the program. Girls on the Run operates under that name and as Girls on Track (the middle school version).

OP, I felt like it was a lot of money the first season we did it and then I started coaching this year and it opened my eyes to where the money goes. They have to develop the curriculum, keep an office open and staffed and put on a race. Montgomery County has never turned away a participant because they couldn't pay so your fee is subsidizing that. They provide you with a t-shirt, water bottle, medals, and snacks for your child at every meeting. As a coach, I am reimbursed for the snacks I purchase. When you start figuring it all up, the $160 fee doesn't seem that unreasonable to me.

[Anonymous]

rip off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughters' school has a "Kids on the Run" program. I always assumed it was affiliated with Girls on the Run, is this incorrect?

Not sure, but it sounds "politically correct." Like these people who think somehow that doing something inclusive for girls is somehow exclusive for boys. So, they try to assert male privilege. Which is really shocking, if you think about it.

So, if I wanted to start a club at my school called "Corre la Raza!" to encourage Latinos to run, do you think that wouldn't be excluding non-Latinos?

[Anonymous]

They do have a paid staff. I'm not sure what they do that keeps them busy full time. It's unclear what part of the contributions and payments they receive are used for scholarships. I thought that was the whole reason the fee was so high, to supplement families who couldn't afford it. I don't have a problem with that, but their outreach to kids who need financial aid seems very lacking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughters' school has a "Kids on the Run" program. I always assumed it was affiliated with Girls on the Run, is this incorrect?

Not sure, but it sounds "politically correct." Like these people who think somehow that doing something inclusive for girls is somehow exclusive for boys. So, they try to assert male privilege. Which is really shocking, if you think about it.

So, if I wanted to start a club at my school called "Corre la Raza!" to encourage Latinos to run, do you think that wouldn't be excluding non-Latinos?

I'm not aware of a historical bias against supporting Latinos in sports. Perhaps you could enlighten me?

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear there is another program, but I agree with the PP - any school that has a girls-only activity should be required to offer similar opportunities to boys. My son's MoCo elementary has almost no afterschool sports... One of the only exceptions is GOTR. That is lovely for girls (who btw are already the beneficiaries of a system that is stacked toward girls in the early years), but unfair to boys. I suspect if someone tried to organize an activity that was off limits to girls, it would never be permitted to operate in public schools.

Look, I started a chapter of girls on the run at my kid's school. The program exists because of the parent volunteers, and it isn't put on by the school. Some schools have girls scouts on site, and some schools have boy scouts on site. These schools aren' putting the programs on, but merely offering space for those programs to exist. Instead of feeling sorry for yourselves because nobody put together a program for your son, get out there are start your own program for your son. I volunteered over 5 hours a week for after school activities for my kid and other people's kids last year. These programs happen when a core of dedicated people make it happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do have a paid staff. I'm not sure what they do that keeps them busy full time. It's unclear what part of the contributions and payments they receive are used for scholarships. I thought that was the whole reason the fee was so high, to supplement families who couldn't afford it. I don't have a problem with that, but their outreach to kids who need financial aid seems very lacking.

Actually, it's incredibly clear if you look at the 990s that they file with the IRS and have voluntarily posted to Guidestar. These documents provide very clear data regarding the amount of money put towards scholarships each year, the amount of money involved in organizing and executing races that involve literally thousands and thousands of participants, the amount of money paid for licensing the copyrighted curriculum from International headquarters, the amount of money paid to staff to run the programs including training coaches, background checks and CPR training for coaches, etc...

I think the websites of all three local programs list the schools where they currently exist - you can identify how many Title I schools. That plus the financial data regarding scholarships which are available to economically disadvantaged students at all schools, not just Title I, gives you an example of that outreach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My question is why is there only Girls on the Run and no Boys on the Run or Kids on the Run? Now our schools has a class for Girls interested in math and science careers. Why this specific focus on girls? All the studies I read say that boys have the most health issues growing up and fall the most behind in schools, but the only segregated programs I see cater to girls instead. Not that it is a bad program, but I don't see the need for all this segregation or at least would like to see a balance. Where are the classes or opportunities to help boys get interested in teaching, learn to cook, learning drawing, dancing, etc.?

There absolutely is a boys' program that is like Girls on the Run. It's called "Let them Run." You should ask about organizing it at your school.

Girls have historically been led towards the humanities while boys are led towards math and sciences. Remember the whole uproar about the Barbie that wasn't good at math? It wasn't a one-time issue. I can't even believe that you have to question why there are specific programs that focus on engaging girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard some inner city schools have started 'Gentlemen's Clubs' to help upper elementary into high school boys deal with body issues and also grow up to respect each other, women, and behave well in society. Not sure if there is a more suburban type of club available around here, but I think a lot of boys could benefit from focusing on these skills. Perhaps a club could be geared around sports, or not. Luckily we do have an active boy scouts program which does help with some of these skills.

Great idea, worst name ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They do have a paid staff. I'm not sure what they do that keeps them busy full time. It's unclear what part of the contributions and payments they receive are used for scholarships. I thought that was the whole reason the fee was so high, to supplement families who couldn't afford it. I don't have a problem with that, but their outreach to kids who need financial aid seems very lacking.

Actually, it's incredibly clear if you look at the 990s that they file with the IRS and have voluntarily posted to Guidestar. These documents provide very clear data regarding the amount of money put towards scholarships each year, the amount of money involved in organizing and executing races that involve literally thousands and thousands of participants, the amount of money paid for licensing the copyrighted curriculum from International headquarters, the amount of money paid to staff to run the programs including training coaches, background checks and CPR training for coaches, etc...

I think the websites of all three local programs list the schools where they currently exist - you can identify how many Title I schools. That plus the financial data regarding scholarships which are available to economically disadvantaged students at all schools, not just Title I, gives you an example of that outreach.

How do you know the organization voluntarily uploaded their 990? The IRS posts 990s to guidestar. I've never posted my organization's 990 there and yet it appears there by magic every year. I do see the curriculum cost of just over $9 grand. Not much toward curriculum given all they are taking in. GOTR is too expensive in my opinion given that all coaches are volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They do have a paid staff. I'm not sure what they do that keeps them busy full time. It's unclear what part of the contributions and payments they receive are used for scholarships. I thought that was the whole reason the fee was so high, to supplement families who couldn't afford it. I don't have a problem with that, but their outreach to kids who need financial aid seems very lacking.

Actually, it's incredibly clear if you look at the 990s that they file with the IRS and have voluntarily posted to Guidestar. These documents provide very clear data regarding the amount of money put towards scholarships each year, the amount of money involved in organizing and executing races that involve literally thousands and thousands of participants, the amount of money paid for licensing the copyrighted curriculum from International headquarters, the amount of money paid to staff to run the programs including training coaches, background checks and CPR training for coaches, etc...

I think the websites of all three local programs list the schools where they currently exist - you can identify how many Title I schools. That plus the financial data regarding scholarships which are available to economically disadvantaged students at all schools, not just Title I, gives you an example of that outreach.

How do you know the organization voluntarily uploaded their 990? The IRS posts 990s to guidestar. I've never posted my organization's 990 there and yet it appears there by magic every year. I do see the curriculum cost of just over $9 grand. Not much toward curriculum given all they are taking in. GOTR is too expensive in my opinion given that all coaches are volunteers.

PP again. I checked out the 990 and do not see where they disclose the value of scholarships provided. Perhaps you can give us the figure and tell us where on the 990 it was located. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Just reviewed the 990s of MoCo, DC and NoVA. Only NoVA specifically line-itemed information about their scholarships without just rolling it into their overall program costs. In addition to the IRS-provided 990s, both MoCo and NoVa voluntarily supplied their own copies as well so GuideStar is not solely providing IRS data.

I'm not good at adding graphics to DCUM, but according to NoVA's 990 "NOVA GOTR provided 756 scholarships totaling $86,041 in the fall and 736 scholarships totaling $85.802 in the spring to its participants." Additionally, "GOTR International donated 105 pairs of shoes in the fall and 165 pairs of shoes in the spring to GOTR NOVA participants directly" through its sponsorship by New Balance Shoes.

No question in my mind that if you are truly interested, and not just interested in slamming a nonprofit on DCUM, that if you called the MoCo or DC offices they would be able to provide you with the specifics you are seeking. You may still believe it's too expensive, and I can't dissuade you from that. However, if you truly are interested in the financials of what it takes to put on this program, include the tens of thousands of dollars involved in putting on a road race, I'd encourage you to read these documents. It's a great program. Only you can decide if it's worth $165 for your daughter.

[Anonymous]

22:33, you started out well but then felt the need to start attacking another poster, which is unnecessary. It really is okay that people ask these questions. Non profit organizations pay no taxes and are granted their non profit status to serve a particular group. It's fine for people to want to know whether they are really doing that. For the record, I read the documents, but as you yourself acknowledge, two of the local organizations do not include scholarship information. I personally have all respect for GOTR coaches, so if that's why you're being defensive, there is no need. I do feel that the DC and MOCO chapters should be more transparent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:22:33, you started out well but then felt the need to start attacking another poster, which is unnecessary. It really is okay that people ask these questions. Non profit organizations pay no taxes and are granted their non profit status to serve a particular group. It's fine for people to want to know whether they are really doing that. For the record, I read the documents, but as you yourself acknowledge, two of the local organizations do not include scholarship information. I personally have all respect for GOTR coaches, so if that's why you're being defensive, there is no need. I do feel that the DC and MOCO chapters should be more transparent.

You're right, and I actually felt badly last night after posting. I don't know if it was one or more posters who kept repeating "I don't know where the money goes", and they'd been given an answer of where to look yet continued to claim they didn't know. The Guidestar page clearly states which 990 is provided by the IRS and which is provided by the nonprofit, so again the claims as to "where is it" seemed specious and instead simply meanness from someone who really didn't want to look.

I absolutely 1,000% agree with you that information should be public to see how nonprofits spend their money, and I look into organizations before I donate to them or participate in them. I was simply frustrated by what seemed to be someone who really didn't want to know and instead was simply bent on criticizing what I believe to be a great organization.