The Shift from Wellness Committees to Well-being Champions

The landscape of workplace wellness is evolving, and organizations are starting to recognize the need for a more dynamic and engaging approach to employee well-being.

If you’re subscribed to this publication, you likely already know this. There are, however, a few legacy structures that many companies have in place that need to be updated to reflect this evolution.

Today’s publication focuses on the shift from wellness committees to well-being champions programs.

We cover this shift in part in our eBook: Designing an Engaging Well-being Program That Gets Results.

This eBook is a great foundation for many of the most common challenges well-being program administrators face. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to download it here.

Our team also spends a great deal of time with each of our clients on building and running their well-being champions network. We don’t charge extra - it’s a part of our full-service approach to Enterprise Well-being.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we work with our clients, schedule a demo by clicking here.

When it comes to this shift we’re referring to, both aim to enhance employee health. However, they differ significantly in structure, purpose, and effectiveness.

In this edition, we explore these differences and offer insights into how you can implement a successful well-being champions program.

Understanding the Distinction

Wellness committees have long been a staple in many organizations. Typically composed of a group of employees from the same location, these committees meet a few times a year to discuss potential wellness initiatives.

While this model can foster a sense of community, it often falls short in terms of sustained engagement and impact.

Members may feel disconnected from the broader goals of the organization, and the sporadic nature of meetings can lead to a lack of momentum.

In contrast, a well-being champions program is designed to empower motivated employees who are already engaged with the organization's wellness initiatives.

These champions are strategically placed throughout various locations and are responsible for generating awareness and enthusiasm for well-being programs year-round.

Unlike traditional wellness committee members, champions are not simply passive participants; they are proactive advocates who collaborate, share ideas, and celebrate successes.

Designing an Effective Champion Program

There is no one-size-fits-all model for a well-being champions program.

Each organization has unique needs, and the program should be tailored accordingly.

Key elements to consider include the size of the champions group, overall goals, and structure. Organizations may choose to have generalists, specialists, or a combination, depending on their specific wellness objectives.

When selecting champions, it is crucial to consider the ideal profile for your organization. Look for enthusiastic participants who demonstrate high levels of engagement with existing wellness initiatives.

Strong communication skills are essential, as these individuals will act as liaisons between the corporate office and their respective teams.

Additionally, consider incorporating accomplished organizers or planners among the champions, depending on your program goals. A robust recruitment strategy should balance proactive volunteers with strategically targeted recruitment to ensure a diverse group of champions.

Recruiting specialists may also prove to be impactful for your champions program. Look around for individuals excited about teaching others specific skills or practices. These people may have a certification or background in a topic area or may just be very passionate about helping others learn more.

Individuals who have a story of how they learned healthy habits and implemented them successfully are also invaluable resources to utilize during specific programming campaigns or events.

To entice potential champions, develop an invitation and communication strategy that highlights the benefits of participation.

Emphasize the opportunity to contribute to a positive workplace culture and the chance to enhance employee well-being. This group of people should have both responsibilities as well as privileges. Equally weighting the two will encourage full participation and ensure your champions stay passionate about your program.

Benefits of Embracing Well-being Champions

Transitioning from wellness committees to well-being champions can lead to several positive outcomes for your program, including:

Increased Engagement: Well-being champions foster a sense of community and ownership among employees, leading to higher participation in wellness initiatives. Champions also generate more awareness as they are more strategically placed and equipped to be health promotion advocates.

Sustained Momentum: Champions maintain year-round enthusiasm for health programs, creating a culture of well-being that extends beyond sporadic committee meetings. Their passion for well-being will also continue to bring new, innovative ideas to your planning sessions.

Tailored Advocacy: A customized champions program allows you to address your unique wellness goals and challenges, ensuring that initiatives are relevant and effective. Champions are excellent gatherers of feedback and keep a much more accurate pulse on the thoughts of the organization than a small well-being admin team can.

Implications for the well-being administrator:

• A well-being champions program is a more dynamic and engaging alternative to traditional wellness committees.

• Customization of the champions program strategy is essential to meet the unique needs of your organization.

• Effective identification and recruitment of champions can significantly enhance program success and employee engagement.

If you like this content, share it with other well-being administrators.

We’re committed to discussing challenges common to well-being leaders and presenting practical solutions that increase the wisdom of all well-being professionals.