take place in order to ensure success of the
program at hand, she advises organizations
to do weekly raffles, where every participant
is automatically entered to win health related
prizes. Things like water bottles, exercise
balls and workout bands in her experience
have made great giveaways. For programs
that have a competition component to them,
such as “most miles logged,” bigger prizes,
such as bikes and Fitbits, have proven to be
very popular prizes.
When Dry Creek JESD does not have an
active wellness participation initiative going
on, our wellness team communicates to em-
ployees via targeted awareness campaigns.
Awareness campaigns include tips, opportu-
nities like a free six-week gym membership,
encouragement, recipes, and best practices
on how to be the healthiest you.
Articles and videos selected cast wide
nets and are applicable whether you are a
seasoned triathlete, or are just becoming in-
terested in ways to make healthier food and
exercise choices. Campaigns are emailed di-
rectly to staff members.
Another thing to consider is hosting an
event. Toto oversees the district’s annual
Health Fair. The Health Fair is tradition-
ally held during the classified employees
professional development day. Employees
get to walk the fair and have the oppor-
tunity to get their fitness levels assessed,
learn about the different health insurance
benefits being offered by the district, and
receive chair massages.
Employees walk away from the fair with
bags filled with healthy fruit and vegetables,
as we ll as recipes provided by local farms.
When not walking the fair, employees are
able to take classes led by industry profes-
sionals, most of which are district service
providers, on topics such as healthy meals
for families on the go, yoga chair stretches,
“laughter is the best medicine,” and how to
be a “bucket filler,” infusing positivity into
relationships.
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School Dis-
trict believes by providing a supportive cul-
ture at work, employees are able to obtain a
healthy work-life balance.
In closing, whether your organization is just
thinking about starting a wellness program,
or has implemented one that you wish were
more successful, keeping things simple is key
to maximizing participation and longevity. By
starting simple, you set the stage for reaching
the largest number of employees.
Being mindful of incorporating healthful
initiatives in the workplace is also a way to
ensure employees are more apt and open to
participate. Once they have a positive expe-
rience, they will be more open to the next
opportunity your wellness team presents.
Providing a supportive work culture is im-
perative for employees to continually de-
velop and fine tune healthy life habits.
Gina Nielsen is communications officer
for Dry Creek Joint Elementary School
District in Roseville. She can be reached at
[email protected].
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Leadership