Over the past few years UDS has taken small steps to encourage employees to examine their health and adopt changes to promote healthier living. Each year UDS offers annual flu shots, last year we developed the Wellness Day and we supported a Weight Watcher group this Spring.

These efforts are not just driven by healthcare costs, but by true concern for our employees.

In the past several months our HR Director has been reading and attending meetings with other organizations to learn more about ways to try to tackle healthcare costs that continue to rise. Based on shared information, it has become apparent that organizations must lead the way for their employees by promoting ways to develop and maintain healthier lifestyles.

UPDATE:(8/07) The Executive Management Team has appointed a newly formed Wellness Committee that will have their first meeting in early September 2007. More information will be announced about the committee after this meeting however they will have opportunities to impact the wellness of our entire organization.

PURPOSE: The United Disabilities Services (UDS) Wellness Committee develops, coordinates and evaluates the organization's training and educational activities related to Wellness Programs. The Wellness Programs are designed to promote healthy lifestyles for the organization's employees.

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. The committee should be represented by supervisors and staff from various programs and support staff and off-site locations where possible, meet on a monthly basis, take and maintain minutes of each meeting.
2. Solicit wellness ideas and suggestions from the organization' employees.
3. Coordinate the UDS Wellness Program schedule and publish the Wellness Program Booklet annually.
4. Arrange for presentations and speakers for Lunch & Learn sessions.
5. Coordinate and document wellness activities received by the organization's employees.
6. Develop, administer and review evaluations of wellness activities provided.
7. Validate and approve completion of Wellness Program activities for incentives.
8. Report on the activities and accomplishments of the Committee to the Board of Directors and Management.
9. Market the wellness activities to the organization's employees.
10. Establish budget guidelines for wellness activities that are reasonable and within the agency's ability to fund.

MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS:
1. Each member is elected for a 2-year term. There are no term limits, subject to approval of the Senior Leadership team for each 2-year term served.
2. Attendance is required. If you are unable to attend please notify the Chairperson.
3. All committee members are expected to take an active role, complete projects as assigned, report back to department co-workers on appropriate information and solicit suggestions from co-workers to be brought back to the Committee.
4. All committee members are expected to maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues and decisions that are not yet ready for public announcement in order to support the organizational viewpoint for the overall benefit of the agency.
5. All agenda items should be submitted to the Chairperson at least one week prior to the meeting. The Secretary will distribute the agenda and previous month's minutes one week prior to the meeting.
6. The Chairperson is responsible for preparing the agenda and distributing to committee members including those who are not present.
7. Any resignations to the Committee must be submitted in writing to the Chairperson.

WRAP-UP WELLNESS DAY 2007

Meet your Wellness Committee
Alison Messner, Service Coordinator in Williamsport
Andy Raybuck, VP Human Resources
Connie Guare, AIDP Payroll Coordinator
Lori Getz, Assistant to Community Integrated Programs
MaryAnn McMullen, Director Healthcare Services
Megan Echterling, AC Service Coordinator
Michelle Grove, CSPPPD Service Coordinator
Susan Briggs, Finance Department

Our goal is to help employees with an interest in healthy eating and physical activity
find encouragement and support in the workplace. (9/07)

Continue to read your company newsletter, The Connection and
surf the UDS website for where and when Wellness will hit next!

Employee Wellness Survey