Give Back Program 2011 Give Back Form At the Greater Framingham Running Club as a result of years of prudent budgeting and spending, club activities and expenses were being satisfactorily funded and a sufficient reserve established. It was now time to give back. Using its reserves, the Treasurer created a program that reduced reserves in a structured way and that gave back to the community, promoted volunteerism and running activities for its members. The “Give Back Program” was born. Since the program’s inception in 2010 the club has donated approximately six thousand dollars. How it works: As part of the club’s annual budget process, funds in excess of its cash balance requirements are set aside for the “Give Back Program”. With the program, members earn points for every club event they volunteer to support or activity they help to organize. This encourages volunteerism, the life blood of any volunteer organization. Since we are runners, a competitive element inevitably creeps in! Runners also earn points for participating in club Grand Prix Races, thus promoting running and camaraderie among its members. Once a year, members tally up the volunteer points they have earned and are given options as to how to allocate them back. They may use their points in a number of ways, including as a donation to fellow club members running the Boston Marathon for charities and having the club pay a race fee for up to two charity races - in the case of the latter, the club will pay the fee by making one large donation directly to the race’s charity. Members can also set aside some points as a small discount towards club apparel or their membership fee. In addition to individual members giving back, the club also gives back to charities and other agencies that support local running activities. Please see the Give Back FAQ for more information. This program has allowed the members of the Greater Framingham Running Club to enjoy their running, while at the same time giving something back to the local community and supporting numerous worthwhile causes.