Establish a Wellness Program Committee.

A vital first step in organizing your corporation’s wellness program is the formation of a wellness committee. the focus of the wellness committee is to plan, promote, and implement the program.

The committee establishes continuity, motivation, and broad ownership of the program as well as provides an great automobile for communication.

So who ought to be on the committee? Consider appointing the following individuals /departments to your committee -

• Top management within your corporation

• Union representatives

• Human resources (HR)  department

• Employee assistance program

• Information technology

• Communications

• Health and safety department

• Workers interested in wellness

Building a successful wellness program requires staff time as well as money. Some bigger organizations may spend 20 hours per week for three to six months preparing all the steps before launching a wellness program.

Anywhere from 4 to 10 individuals  meeting monthly is equivalent to a wellness committee. A mission statement for the committee should be created by the second meeting. This way, everyone knows what the committee is working toward.

Download sample minutes from a local worksite. (WORD DOC -  http - //www.ibx.com/pdfs/custom/worksite_wellness/corporation_tools/walking_works_minutes.doc)

Once a wellness program has been established, the committee’s size and meeting schedule may change. Still, no fewer than 4 members should meet at least quarterly so the group - and the wellness program - does not fade away.