Friends of Shape Up RI,

I am writing to you with some important news about organizational changes at Shape Up RI.

As of this week, the Shape Up RI program is now wholly-owned and operated by ShapeUp Inc., a health technology company that I co-founded six years ago. During a challenging economic time for non-profit organizations, this change ensures that the Shape Up RI program will survive as a valuable and affordable community resource for the thousands of individuals, families, and companies who depend on it each year to help them get or stay healthy. I will continue to lead this important campaign, and I am unbelievably excited about the future of Shape Up RI.

ShapeUp Inc.’s significant financial and human resources will allow the Shape Up RI program to expand and improve in substantial ways. New enhancements that are being made to the program for 2013 include:

  • Extended Programming 12-months of healthy activities and challenges, including three eight-week fitness competitions
  • Lower Price Just $25 for the entire year, including a digital pedometer
  • Enhanced Platform New user interface, social features, nutrition programs, and wireless device and mobile capabilities
  • Healthy Events Due to popular demand, we’re bringing back our packed annual calendar of free, local, healthy events.
  • Incentives & Rewards We’re giving away fun incentives and healthy rewards through weekly raffles for active participation.
  • Online Coaching Opportunities to sign up for extra support and motivation from trained and certified fitness coaches
  • Employer Tools More robust marketing materials and reporting tools for our employer clients
  • Larger Staff Our team of over 60 employees will support the development, promotion, and management of the program.

I want to take this opportunity to thank a few important people who helped to build this program, which has had such a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of Rhode Islanders. Ray Rickman, who co-created the program with me back in 2005, was instrumental in its growth and success. He continues his non-profit and business consulting work through his firm, Rickman Group. Colin Murphy, RN, MBA, who served as a consultant and the Executive Director for Shape Up RI for the past five years, will return full-time to his communications and business consulting practice, Providence Design, to continue serving local and national clients. Jenna Lafayette, who has served as the program’s Associate Director for the past four years, will continue to work with me to lead the program in her new capacity as Director of Shape Up RI.

I also want to thank all of you for the incredible guidance, support, and encouragement that you have given to me, personally, and to the organization as a whole over the years. It was improbable from the beginning that this simple idea for bringing people together in pursuit of healthy living would morph into a statewide campaign that has helped tens of thousands of people to improve their health. The only reason it has achieved this goal is because you lent your voices, your passion, and your dedication to it. All of us at Shape Up RI are immensely grateful for everything you have done.

Stay tuned, as we’ll soon be sharing more details about the new and improved Shape Up RI for 2013. I look forward to continuing to work together with all of you over the coming months and years as we strive to grow and sustain our movement for a healthier Rhode Island.

Yours in Health,

Rajiv Kumar, M.D.
Founder & CEO