1.8 Brebeuf - lamaster

Thread: Personal

Subgroup: Individual

Foci: All

Program Title: Wellness Committee

Contact Person/Office:

School : Jen LaMaster, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (jlamaster@brebeuf.org)

Program Description: In 2010, Brebeuf Jesuit opened a new, multistoried Wellness Center. Soon after, Connor Benefits (our insurance broker) spoke with our HR Director about beginning a pilot wellness program at the school (a “well” staff is a cheaper to insure staff). Connor Benefits offered a Wellness Coordinator at no charge for 2010-11 to help Brebeuf start a committee. The voluntary committee has now grown to 10 faculty and staff members. For 2011-12, the Wellness Committee has sponsored Pilates Classes, Weight Watchers program, Yoga Class, Final Exam Massages, and healthy eating and hydration challenges. They are forming a Race for the Cure Team and plan other activities for summer. Second semester 2012, Connor Benefits has sponsored a personal trainer on site at no cost to the school. All school challenges on weight loss, exercise and hydration encourage healthy habits. Smoking cessation classes are also available.

Program participation has grown over the 2 years. The November Challenge “300 Minutes in 30 Days” saw participation at 42 faculty and staff for a total of 21,545 minutes of exercise reported.

Rationale:

The program was designed to encourage healthy living in light of having a state-of-the-art facility on school grounds. And to help lower insurance costs *

Leadership:

Wellness Coordinator from Connor Benefits helped get the program off the group. Now leadership currently from Business Office (Letha Kessler) and Media Center (Virginia Voight) as well as a committee of 8 others. Leadership is self-selected.

Implementation:

The program has grown from a small group surveying the community on needs to multiple classes, wellness challenges and a personal trainer on grounds. The Wellness Coordinator from Connor Benefits was a huge help getting the program off the ground. Forming a local Wellness Committee to develop programing and challenges is critical for ownership and assessing community needs. Now people look forward to the next challenge!

Processes and Resources:

Connor Benefits helped get the ball rolling with ideas for activities and how to encourage participation. Having a new Wellness Center (First floor locker rooms, second floor weights, third floor cardio) helped with facilities.

Finances:

Any cost is covered by the individual (for example: Pilates is $5 per class). This year, Connor Benefits is supporting the personal trainer – 2012-13 the trainer will be funded by personal contributions of the participants as the exercise classes and Weight Watchers group is currently done. Facilities and use of the equipment is free. Cost of small drawing incentives is covered from Business Office funds.

Rewards:

Wellness is a considerable focus of our core value “A Caring and Diverse Community”. Having a physically and mentally healthy faculty and staff is key.

Committee often sponsors contests with small prizes offered (t-shirt, free class, mug)

Time: (When/Length)

Facilities completed in 2010

Connor Benefits approaches Human Resources in 2010-11 for partnership

Committee formed August 2010

Surveys of needs and interests Fall 2010

Exercise classes formed Spring 2011 (continue through summer) to present

Massages began Second Semester Exams 2011

Weight Watchers group formed January 2012

Personal Trainer began January 2012

Location/Space:

Wellness Center

Large classrooms in building for meetings

Accountability/Assessment:

Wellness Committee

Honor System for participants

Assessment done via partnership of HR and Connor Benefits via participation counts and surveys.