America Walks’ Walking College

An Interactive Distance Education Program for Walkable Community Advocates

Orientation to Program and Application ProcessApril 2, 2015

Presenters

Background of the Walking College

Curriculum and Content

Next Steps

Today’s Agenda

Ian ThomasState & Local

Program Director

Kate KraftNational Coalition

Director

Heidi SimonCommunications &

Public Affairs Manager

BackgroundProgram sponsors:

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Every Body Walk! Collaborative

2014 survey of 532 walking advocacy organizations:- Characteristics and resources (staff, funding)?- Activities (walking/walkability) and achievements?- Support/assistance needed?

America Walks’ response: The Walking College

Walking College Mentors

- Jeanne Anthony, AARP- Anamarie Garces, Urban Health Partnerships- Kim Irwin, Health by Design- Robert Johnson, PedNet Coalition- Wendy Landman, WalkBoston and America Walks

Board- Brighid O'Keane, Alliance for Biking and Walking- Molly O'Reilly, America Walks Board- Robert Ping, WALC Institute- Lisa Quinn, Feet First- Jonathon Stalls, Walk2Connect- Jim Stone, Circulate San Diego

The Walking CollegeFive-month program:

- June-August: Instructional component- September-October: Independent study project - October 28-30: National Walking Summit

Target audiences:- Independent advocates- Community organizations- Professionals in public health, planning, transportation, etc.-Others?

Walking College Fellowships:- Between 20 and 25 to be awarded

Skills DevelopmentHard Skills

SoftSkills

Walkable Communities

Science Behind Walking Benefits

Evaluation of Built Environments

Mastering of Public Policy Process

Project Funding

Communication Skills

Relationship and Trust Building

Finding Diverse Stakeholders

Engagement with Decision Makers

Because technical solutions are known, soft skills (building political support) may be more important

Hard skills needed at a level to be credible, counter nay-sayers

What You Will Learn to Do

• Communicate effectively with multiple audiences

• Recruit and inspire other local advocates, • Establish an effective organizational

structure, fund raise and write winning grant applications,

• Organize and conduct public events, programs, and communication campaigns

Learning

• Engage professionals from multiple fields, • Navigate the structure of local and state government and engage elected officials,• Design and implement effective policy campaigns, • Research, analyze and communicate data to support your mission

Instructional Program (June-August)

• Six study modules• Webinar presentations, online reading

and review assignments• Video-interactive discussion forums with

mentors• Community research and field activities• Writing and presentation assignments

Instructional Program Six Study Modules

• Module #1: Why Walking?• Module #2: Developing Leadership• Module #3: Building a Movement• Module #4: Changing the System• Module #5: Designing for People• Module #6: Next Steps

Independent Study (September/October)

• 8-week “practicum” project• Event, coalition-building, research, etc.• Guidance from mentors to develop

project plan• Report/presentation

National Walking SummitOctober 28-30 Washington DC• Peer networking opportunity• Learn about national best practices• Special sessions for Walking College

Fellows and Mentors• Finalize community "walking action

plan"

What is expected from you?

• Commit at least 5 hours/per week to the program• Complete all assignments and attend all webinar

presentations• Attend and participate in all video-interactive

discussion forums• Complete an independent study project in your home

community• Attend the National Walking Summit in Washington,

D.C.• Develop a "walking action plan" for your community

Work hard and have fun!

Application FormFull Information on the Walking College program and application can be found here on the America Walks website.

Please note the application due date – April 17th by 8pm Eastern.The application questions are available

for download here. Please feel free to download and prepare responses before completing the actual application.

Program CostFull cost of program: $3,500

Walking College Fellows will actually pay:- $100 Walking College registration fee- Personal travel costs to Washington, D.C. for the National Walking Summit

America Walks will provide, free of charge:- Walking Summit registration ($375 value)- Shared-room hotel stay for two nights ($300 value)

Questions

Please contact Ian Thomas (ithomas@americawalks.org) or visit the Walking College website:

http://americawalks.org/walking-college/