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January 2008**
 * ALBERTA DISTANCE LEARNING CENTRE WELLNESS INITIATIVE

Wellness is a combination of physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. It is the result of an interactive process of becoming aware of, and actively engaging in practicing healthy choices to live balanced lifestyles. Wellness is the optimal state of individuals and groups.

All employees will be divided into 8 teams, which will be identified by colour (e.g. Red team, Blue team, etc). Each team has a captain, who is a member of the Wellness Committee. Pedometers will be distributed to each employee. Team members will monthly report their pedometer readings to their team captain, who will record the readings in a spreadsheet. Team totals will be graphed, and distributed monthly to all staff. Since this program is to promote workplace wellness, eligible pedometer readings must be earned during work hours.
 * THE PLAN**

Bi-Weekly, two challenges will be issued to staff via e-mail. (see below) Suggestions will be solicited from employees. (Send to :Wellness Suggestion Box" conference set up). As these challenges are completed, team-members will e-mail their Team Captain for tracking. The Wellness Committee will meet monthly to select the challenges for the following month.


 * ALL PERSONAL SCORES ARE CONFIDENTIAL: ONLY TEAM SCORES WILL BE SHARED**

e.g. Walk minimum 15 minutes daily during break times, participate in Anita's Pilates class, complete stretching exercises twice daily.
 * Physical challenge**

e.g. invite a co-worker to join you for lunch; be intentional in taking time to listen and empathize with co-worker; participate in various theme days (fuzzy slipper day/pyjama day); take coffee and lunch breaks every day this week; read and share an inspirational message with a co-worker; Random Acts of Kindness.
 * Mental/Emotional/Spiritual Challenge**

Completion of bi-weekly challenges adds 10,000 bonus points to the individual's score. To create an element of surprise, each team's accumulation of bonus points, and the resulting effect on their overall standing is only made public 4 times per year at the organization-wide wellness hour.

As bi-weekly challenges are completed, team members e-mail their team captain, who is responsible for updating team scores.

Four times per year, staff will congregate for purpose of social interaction and celebration. Bonus points will be added to pedometer scores prior to these events, and the new team standings, including bonus points, will be released. Regional Centres will video-conference to take part. Each centre will plan their own "wellness hour". In Barrhead, four planning groups will be created from the eight, by combining two teams together. These 4 groups will each take a turn at hosting.
 * Wellness Gatherings**

Last week in May, or 1st week of June, a year-end celebration will be planned, the final standings revealed, and the "winner" crowned. What this event will look like, TBA.
 * Year-End Celebration**