When planning Walk to School activities, build a coalition of stakeholders from your school, community, and local government. Be ready with specific requests for participants and explain why Walk to School activities are important. Having a diverse group of stakeholders will help you to overcome the barriers you may encounter. The following list is a good place to get started when looking for stakeholders in your community.
From Your School
- Principal and other administrators
- Parents or guardians
- Teachers
- School nurse
- School district transportation director
- School improvement team or site council member
- School crossing guards
From Your Local Government
- Mayors
- City Council Members
- County Commissioners/Supervisors
- State Legislators
- School Board Members
- Transit Board members
Professionals and Citizens from Your Community
- City Manager or County Administrative Officer
- City and/or County Traffic Engineers and Planners
- State Department of Transportation Planners, Area Engineers, Traffic Safety Specialists
- Metropolitan Planning Organization Staff
- Transit Agency Planners
- Air Quality District officials
- School Principal and teachers
- Law enforcement Representatives
- Health Professionals
- Fire/EMS Professionals
- Local safety coalitions (e.g. local MADD Chapter, local Safe Kids Coalition, AAA, etc)
- Business leaders/organizations (e.g. Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants
- Assoc., Insurance association/companies)
- Community Foundations
- Educators/School officials and PTA representatives
- Youth groups/Community-service groups/ recreation organizations
- Local activist groups (e.g. environmental groups, walking or bicycling groups, disabled community activists, transit riders group, etc.)
- Health care providers
- Art commissions
- Senior citizen organizations/agencies
- College/University officials
- Students/school children especially for a Safe Routes to School workshop
- Transit Riders
- Neighborhood residents from the study area
From Your Local Media Outlets
- Local Newspaper Reporter
- Local Television Station Reporter
- Local Radio Reporter
- Cable Television Crew to record and replay entire event locally
- Student Newspapers/Newsletters
Remember, appointed members of any local or regional Boards/Commissions related to Community Planning, Transportation, Education, Parks, Health, etc. are also important participants.
For more information, visit: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/getting_started.cfm
