Jean Knaack
Executive Director – Road Runners Club of America
Which of the 8 Sectors are you involved in and why did you choose that particular sector?
Our organization will be significantly involved in the Parks, Recreation, Fitness and Sports segment and more specifically Strategy One, because that is what our organization is all about. Through the RRCA our goal is to promote programs and provide easy access to affordable physical activity opportunities where people work, learn, live, play and worship. The RRCA will also be very involved with the Volunteer and Nonprofit segment. As the parent organization to over 1200 nonprofit running clubs and events that engage thousands of volunteers and millions of physical activity enthusiasts, we believe we can have a positive impact in promoting the goals of the National Physical Activity Plan. As a full-time working mother of two school aged children, I completely understand the challenges of balancing work, family life, and physical activity. As the leader of the Road Runners Club of America, I firmly believe that physical activity needs to be a top priority for individuals in order to have a positive work-life balance for themselves and their families.
What's most exciting to you about the U.S. having a National Physical Activity Plan?
Leaders from a broad sector of organizations including government agencies, private industry, nonprofit organizations, and academics developed the National Physical Activity Plan. Each leader was able to bring a unique perspective to the Plan that enabled the Coordinating Committee to outline real world solutions to get America moving. The Plan outlines ways for everyone to get involved from public policy formation to information sharing to local opportunities for increased physical activity for everyone. I am also very excited that there is an implementation strategy for the Plan to ensure measurable outcomes can be achieved as a result of the National Physical Activity Plan. It is not just a document that will live on the Internet; it will be a guiding force for action.
What will success of the NPAP look like to you in 3 years, 5 years? 10 years?
In 3 Years: Industry and government will be a leading voice for encouraging everyone in America get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Not only that, they will develop policies that enable people to get their needed physical activity within their daily schedule. Financial support and recognition for physical activity outlets outlined in the Parks, Recreation, Fitness and Sports segment should increase. Physical activity classes in the school setting should become a daily requirement.
In 5 Years: The NPAP will have household recognition and be a guiding force in community infrastructure development. I would hope to see broad sector policies that make increased physical activity a reality for all. I would like to see increased financial support and media recognition for organizations that provide services that result in physical activity outlets for individuals. It is one thing to talk about a problem, but resources must be invested in activities designed to get people moving.
In 10 Years: The inactivity epidemic is curbed, the obesity rates fall, more money is invested in active transport and environments are built to increase physical activity, not limit it. All communities and people in the US embrace and promote a culture of healthy, active living.