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Strategies 71

• Communities are approached using many of the recommended steps in
the Active Living by Design program (Active Living by Design, 2008).
Communities are initially invited to submit a proposal to host a one-day
“Moving Together” symposium. They receive a CAN$5,000 grant for
facilities, meals, and other expenses. SIM provides expert speakers and a
facilitator. To be eligible, communities must ensure that the mayor (and
at least one other councilor), senior community officials, senior health
officials, and influential community members are in the room for at least
one hour first thing in the morning. SIM works with the organizers to
prepare an agenda. At the symposium, a motivational speaker talks about
the issue and the need to make changes to the community environment.
A representative from Active Living by Design from Minnesota then talks
about how it works in his or her community, which is followed by a
community discussion about the next steps. Although decision makers
are only expected to listen to the speakers, at least 50% of them will
typically stay for the day once they hear the speaker in the morning.
• Community school councils are charged with an accountability framework
for schools. SIM is offering to work with them to determine what schools
should be accountable for over the coming years and ensure physical
activity is not omitted (i.e., committing to the goal of a minimum of 30
minutes of physical activity every day per student). This goal is accom-
plished through a combination of physical education, physical activity
breaks/programs, intramural activities, sports programs, and special events.

The following are sample calls to action aimed at various stakeholders and de-
cision makers in order to address product, price, place, and promotion issues re-
garding physical activity (for more, see www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca). These
calls to action are based on varying degrees of evidence (see Brownson, Haire-
Joshu, & Luke, 2006; Gordon, McDermott, Stead, & Angus, 2006; Lagarde &
LeBlanc, 2008):
• Community setting:
•Product:
• Start a running/walking, biking, in-line skating, or dance club.
• Search for unused space and turn it into a group activity area.
• Offer secure bicycle racks so people can bike around the community.
• Coordinate physical activity challenges to coincide with local and
major sporting events.
•Price:
• Offer incentives for distance parking.
• Offer activities and programs based on people’s skills.