Things You'll Need:
- Paper/computer to make flyers
- Organization skills
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Step 1
Depending on the size of club you wish to form, you can use word of mouth and/or advertise. Chances are you have at least one friend or acquaintance who would be interested in joining. And chances are that person also knows a potential member. Ask around; spread the word in your family and social circles. You may get enough members simply through this type of word of mouth.
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Step 2
You can also print flyers advertising your walking club. Make sure the flyers indicate your contact information or clear instructions about how to join. Go to a busy walking location such as a park, boardwalk, mall-any place you know of where people commonly go to walk. Pass out your flyers and be ready to speak to potential members about the details. You can also ask local businesses to display your flyers. Many places have community bulletin boards. Tack up a flyer. Some other good places to leave flyers would include sporting goods stores, gyms, health food stores and weight loss centers.
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Step 3
When your members sign up, be sure to get a secondary phone number and email address. In case of last minute schedule changes and such, it is important to have the ability to notify every member.
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Step 4
Since you are organizing this club, it would be a good idea for you to print up lists of things members may need to optimize their walking experience. This list should include the basics like a good pair of walking shoes, comfortable cotton attire and a water bottle with carrying belt. Note that these are not requirements, but suggestions.
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Step 5
You will need a place and time to meet with your fellow walkers. Try and select a location well suited for walking, most towns have several options. Decide how many times a week you will walk, where and at what time. Not every member will be available at all times, so setting up a varied schedule should allow everyone the opportunity to participate at some point.
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Step 6
As your walking club grows, you may need assistance managing it. Assign co-coordinators to help you with scheduling in the case of rain dates, location changes, and the planning of special events. If you will be collecting money from members for any reason, a treasurer is a good idea as well.
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Step 7
Walking is free, so if you plan to collect money from your members, be sure to have a designated purpose for that money and let the members know what they will be paying for. Small monthly dues collected in exchange for you supplying the bottled water, for example, would be acceptable. Members may also be willing to pay for things like t-shirts imprinted with your club name, pedometers and trips to special locations for a hike or even a walking weekend away some place. However, all members may not be willing or able to pay for or attend special events, so a treasurer to collect individually for such expenses would be in order.
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Step 8
Set goals for your walking club. Start out with small distances and gradually increase. Perhaps even focus on a future walk for charity and work toward walking several miles over time.
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Step 9
Walking is low impact and moderately easy. Walking with friends or making new friends as you walk is good for your social life. Walking is also a great source of stress relief, so let your club be about having fun and gaining the health benefits. Don't let it become something that feels like work and decreases the level of enjoyment you should be reaping from it.
