The National Health and Fitness Alliance (NHFA) is recruiting 435 volunteers from within the U.S. fitness industry to advocate for the industry to their congressional representatives, according to The Atlantic Club COO Kevin McHugh. McHugh and NHFA board member and administrator Tom Richards are leading the recruitment effort as part of their roles with NHFA.
The goal is to secure all volunteers by June 1.
The non-partisan initiative is titled Project 435 because there are 435 U.S. congressional districts. The NHFA is recruiting 435 individuals—one located in each of the 435 Congressional districts—to be part of the NHFA grassroots efforts and to be a political activist in contact monthly with their Congress member and their chief of staff to promote that exercise is essential and is a critical part of the healthcare continuum, McHugh said.
The NHFA wants to unite all sectors of the health and wellness industry in this effort so that instead of disparate voices, the industry speaks with members of Congress with one voice and one message. That means anyone in the fitness industry is invited to participate whether or not they are members of IHRSA. Volunteers can come from commercial clubs, studios, medical wellness centers, YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers, university rec centers, parks and rec facilities, equipment manufacturers, American Council on Exercise, IDEA or other sectors of the industry.
The advocacy is meant to be long-term and not just related to the COVID-19 pandemic, McHugh said.
The group will work with state alliances that were formed in about 17 states during the pandemic, helping those alliances build on their state efforts.
The NHFA will support the volunteers with educational materials and training about how to build relationships with their representative. The NHFA will keep advocates updated monthly on their efforts and will send the advocates monthly communication that can be personalized for their congress member and their chief of staff.
The future of the fitness is based on the long-term relationships that the health and fitness industry build with 435 members of the House of Representatives as well as with senators, according to McHugh.
To apply to be an advocate for your district, click here.
For questions, you can email McHugh at [email protected].