Setting your group on the path to a lifetime of fitness begins with good planning. Here are a few suggestions for getting your program off to a good start.

Make your case.
Introducing a group within a community organization (such as a youth program or rec center) begins at the top. Talk to the leaders about the importance of staying active. Their support will set the tone for everyone else to follow. Learn more about the benefits of the program.

Get others involved.
The best fitness program for your group is one where everybody has a say. Invite members to form a fitness committee to get the President's Challenge up and running. The committee will ask other members for ideas, promote the program, and act as a liaison to your organization's leaders.

Set a date.
Decide when you want to launch the President's Challenge in your organization. Two natural tie-ins are National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May or as a New Year's resolution. Whenever you decide to begin, make sure you think through how you want to introduce the program.

Put out the word.
There are all kinds of ways you can let people know about the program - meetings, e-mails, posters, bulletins, mailers, you name it. The idea is to get everyone excited about the President's Challenge and keep them involved.

Recognize participants.
Exactly how you encourage people to take part in the President's Challenge is up to you. You can order official President's Challenge awards and merchandise, post the names of award winners, or throw a party for everyone who joins or completes the program.