Wellness Program Committee.

Wellness committees are important in that they develop a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the workplace.

The committee should be composed of a cross-section of staff members representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the organization.

A common mistake is filling the committee with the most health/fitness-conscious individuals  in the business. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a committee. Make certain that your committee members have enough power in the business to run an effective wellness program.

The wellness committee is made up of workers from the workplace. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out.

The committee ought to meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the committee may meet weekly until things get going.

Committee members don’t carry out medical procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential medical information. Wellness experts perform these tasks.

In general, the committee’s duties fall into three areas –  planning, promoting, and helping to run programs.

Planning the programs can include –

• Locating space for activities

• Planning and organizing worksite-wide events like contests

• Assessing reports prepared by the program staff and making recommendations

Promoting the program can include –

• Recruiting employees to participate in screening and health betterment programs

• Encouraging staff members to participate in follow-up counseling

• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the workplace

Assisting to run the program can include –

• Establishing up equipment for various activities

• Helping to conduct worksite-wide activities

• Monitoring all activities and investigating  the performance of the specialist staff

• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow staff members

The size of the wellness committee will be dependent on the size of the organization. Choose members by asking day management to nominate or appoint staff members.

Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and meetings to recruit potential members. Explain the purpose of the committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time commitment.

Recognize your wellness committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a decreased cost. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners.

Print names of committee members on company communications about the wellness program.

Buy special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Develop awards certificates for members.

The following may be used as a guide for committee size –    

• Less than 300 employees   2 to 4

• 300 to 1,000 employees   4 to 6

• 1,000 staff members or more   6 to 12