Progress

We have had some great progress with the 4 Foundation this past week.  

From a legal standpoint…Our lawyer is reviewing our Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation so we can turn them into the state.  He has been a tremendous help through this process.   If there is anything we cannot understand, he is willing to look over it and explain to us how to address the issue.   We also have our handy dandy book, “Non-Profits for Dummies”.  We called the Secretary of State to reserve our non-profit corporation name, The 4 Foundation.  This was easier than we anticipated; they check their database, we fill out a couple forms with our information, purpose, etc., we send a check to the state and another check to expedite the process.   

Some things we are continuously working on-

·         Board of directors
·         Executive director
·         Mission Statement
·         Business Plan
·         Valid and unique cause
·         Location of operation
·         On-going fundraising ideas
·         Partnerships w/ established non-profits, community leaders and potential corporate sponsors
·         Highly qualified staff
·         Researched programs and in-demand services

From an educational standpoint… Jessica and I are registered for a Non-Profit seminar coming up on Thursday.  This one focuses on effective communication and improving your ability to have meaningful interactions with board members, co-workers and volunteers.   I’ve found valuable information on Simplenonprofit.org, which we continue to read in order to stay up to date.  

And now the fun stuff… We’ve had several great meetings and received constructive feedback.  I have not posted our pamphlet, but we are continuing to improve and update it.  The pamphlet was my first Photoshop project so it started off quite elementary.  Thank goodness for John, our co-worker, who has helped me improve the pamphlet when I don’t understand what the heck I am doing.  For the time being, our purpose for the pamphlet is to use it as a communication and informational platform.  Jessica and I found that when we are asked about the foundation we could talk for hours about what we have done, what we hope to accomplish, and our experience this far, but we had nothing tangible to give to those who wanted more information.  The pamphlet provides people with our purpose, our background, our future plans, and some feedback from our kids. 

          Jessica and I are learning as much as we can.  If you have any wisdom you would like to impart on us please feel free to email or call me.   It can be anything from non-profit experience, advertising/marketing experience, contacts, or just wanting to get to know more about what we have done and to help us get the word out about The 4 Foundation.

"Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence"

Each morning when the kids come in for camp, we start off the day by reading the Sports Psychology book "Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence", by Gary Mack with David Casstevens.  The sport psychology consultant, Gary Mack, has worked with some of the top professional sports teams in the country.  His inspirational book shares lessons on building "mental muscle" and improving attitude and performance in an athletic setting.  

Below is an excerpt from "Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence":

"The Four D's"

Motivation gets your going.  Discipline keeps you going.

                            --Jim Ryan

The only discipline that lasts is self- discipline.

                            -- Bum Phillips

Several years ago, a Phoenix-area school district conducted a survey of its high school athletes.  The results confirmed growing rumors and suspicions.  Of the students at three high schools who responded to the survey, more than 20 percent said they knew teammates or other athletes who were using steroids.  

The Paradise Valley district took quick action.  The district instituted random drug tests of its high school athletes.  The program made national news and sparked lively debate.  

Some people outside the district told administrators that drug testing would put our athletes at a competitive disadvantage.  "That logic is strange, to say the least.  If our athletes have healthy minds and bodies, and know they're going to compete fairly, I think that's an enormous advantage for us." 

The school district asked me develop a program to educate coaches and athletes about drugs and offer strategies to improve performance without the use of drugs, especially steroids.  

Learning how to use one's mind can be as potent as any performance-enhancing drug.  

I developed a mental skills training program for drug-free athletes called "The Naturals."  The night I outlined the program at a meeting with hundreds of high school athletes and their parents I brought along two cardinal players, Garth Jax and Ron Wolfley.  

Someone said that people who have no fear either are in mental institutions or on special teams.  Wolfley played on special teams for the Cardinals.  As a player he was fearless and thought and the most quotable player in the locker room.  

When I introduced Wolfley to the crowd his message carried the same energy and passion with which he played the game.  Ron spoke of a former NFL player he knew who took steroids and had become gravely ill.  "I've seen steroids, and I'm telling you, I don't use any of that stuff," Wolfley proclaimed.  "The only drugs I use are the four D's...I don't have to buy them on the street corner.  They don't cost me anything." 

DESIRE: "Want" power is as important as will power when it comes to accomplishing your goals.  What's your wish? What do you long for? What's your dream? How badly do you want it?

DEDICATION: Dedication is turning desire into action, which requires lasting commitment.  Football coach Lou Holtz said, "If you don't make a total commitment to whatever you are doing, then you start to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking."  

DETERMINATION: Everyone wants to be successful, but those who achieve success are steeled by an unwavering resolve.  They are self-motivated-- the kind of motivation that fueled and sustained Jack Nicklaus early in his pro career as he beat golf balls for an hour, then another, on the practice range until it was almost dark. 

DISCIPLINE: It means doing what you have to do when you need to do it, whether you want to or not. Self- discipline-- the only kind that lasts-- is action oriented.  It doesn't procrastinate, and it doesn't make excuses.  "Setting a goal is not the main thing, " said Tom Landry, the former Dallas Cowboys coach who is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  "It's deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.  The key is disciple." 

Once you have your dream and direction, it is desire, dedication, determination, and disciple that keep you going  Ask yourself this: Are you walking your talk?  

Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence. Casstevens, David and Mack, Gary.  The        McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 

Each "Mind Gym" anecdote is followed with a group discussion and an individual activity pertinent to  the lesson of the day.  

4 Foundation Camp Video! Summer 2012

As a thank you to the LGR Foundation, we filmed a short video of our Summer 2012 camp.  This video will give you a glimpse of what this camp is all about!

Getting Started!

My co-worker, Jessica Vaiana and I are in the process of creating a non-profit foundation.  We have a passion for helping children and for fitness.  While we started off unsure of exactly how we could make our vision a reality, we have learned and grown each day.  From working with the kids, to creating the educational programs, learning the legal aspects of creating a foundation, grant-writing seminars…the list could go on, it has been a wonderful experience so far.   After our camp this summer, we were able to focus on getting the foundation rolling.  We truly believe in our cause and we know that we have the knowledge, the passion and the support to change kid’s lives.  We are fortunate to have family, friends, and co-workers that support our cause and are enthusiastic about providing us with help in any area they are knowledgeable about. 

Jessica and I would like to share our journey in creating the 4 Foundation.  This has been a learning process and we welcome any suggestions, advice, or questions.  

In the past we have partnered with other non-profits in order to receive grants and implement our programs.  In 2010 we partnered with Communities in Schools and the Boys and Girls Club.  Our goal was to expose students to a new exercise experience and promote confidence and success.  The camp consisted of 40 campers.  

In 2011, we partnered with the same non-profits and had 100 kids.  Our goal that summer was to connect physical and emotional fitness.  The camp consisted of rigorous physical activity, a healthy Jason’s Deli lunch, empowerment sessions covering topics such as drug and alcohol abuse, nutrition, self-esteem, careers, bullying, community service and goal setting.  We provided each camper with continuing education materials.   

This past summer we expanded our program to 385 kids and partnered with Neighborhood Longhorns.  Our goal evolved to improving health and confidence through elite performance training.  We added topics to our empowerment sessions such as social media.  Each camper was provided with individualized folders containing all program materials and workout DVDs. 

Our vision is to continue expanding our program through year-round training, mentoring, educational panels, individualized attention and athletic sponsorships.  We hope to continue educating Austin’s youth about self-empowerment, motivation, self-confidence, good nutrition and dedication through physical fitness.