The U.S. National Physical Activity Plan: Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector

While many people would like to be more physically active, they face substantial physical and social barriers in doing so. Supportive environments are essential if people are to have real and sustainable opportunities for daily physical activity.

Volunteer and non-profit organizations have long been recognized as “a source of social cohesion, a laboratory of innovation, and a continually adaptable means of responding to emerging ideas, needs, and communal opportunities.” They have been in the forefront of developing and promoting physical activity recommendations and programs.

The unique characteristics of volunteer and non-profit organizations and their history of involvement in encouraging physically active lifestyles make them well qualified to mobilize public action in pursuit of the following strategies.

STRATEGY 1
Advocate to local, state and national decision makers for policies and system changes identified in the National Physical Activity Plan that promote physical activity.

STRATEGY 2
Convene multi-sector stakeholders at local, state, and national levels in strategic collaborations to advance the goals of the National Physical Activity Plan.

STRATEGY 3
Conduct outreach to non-profit groups’ members, volunteers, and constituents to change their own behaviors and advocate for policy and system changes outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan.