SERVICES

Starting a Running Club - RRCA does not limit new clubs from forming in an area that already has an established club, however interested parties are always encouraged to work with an established club to determine if a new club is feasible or necessary. RRCA provides services, benefits and programs to support grassroots (locally organized) clubs and events. Running clubs generally start small and form around some type of community, whether it is workplace, university, neighborhood or faith-based group. When a group run starts seeing more than 10 runners participating, this is the point to consider forming a more formalized running club to protect each other from potential liability exposure. RRCA offers its club members affordable general liability insurance, which covers all club activities including group runs, races, social events, meetings, etc. Clubs may also be organized as youth running programs, Cross Country clubs, or serve additional functions with the goal of promoting running as a healthy lifestyle choice and a sport. To establish a club, reach out to key individuals in the community who are interested in promoting the running club, such as local high school cross country coaches, employees of local running stores, and the city recreation department. If starting a running club from scratch, solicit preliminary feedback from people about what they are looking for in a club.

Managing a Club - The RRCA provides many educational resources about best practices in managing a running club and events. The Officers, Directors, and employees of a running club owe a duty of loyalty to the organization they serve, which requires that in serving their organization they act, not in their personal interests or in the interests of others, but rather solely in the interests of the organization. Clubs are encouraged to develop and adopt a code of conduct or an ethics policy to guide board and club members. Members taking advantage of the RRCA nonprofit group exemption status should take extra care to ensure that they adopt similar policies to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Nonprofit Status - The advantages of nonprofit tax-exempt status are:

• No federal income tax on related business income
• Contributions to your club are tax deductible for the donor
• Non-reimbursed expenses incurred by your board of trustees are deductible on their personal income tax returns
• Postage rates may be lower
• Able to apply for government and private grants
• Greater commitments from sponsors/civic and public groups

RRCA member clubs and events can obtain federal tax-exempt status without applying individually for tax exemption, and without additional cost.