How long has your team been working as a collaborative Buckeye Wellness Innovator group?
Two to four years
Approximately how many people are in your department, unit, building, or college?
We have approximately 130 staff members that report to this building, with at least half currently working from home. There will be additional units moving up to this building within the next year so this number will increase.
Regarding your department or unit's wellness efforts, which of the nine dimensions of wellness has your team addressed?
- Physical
- Emotional
- Intellectual
- Environmental
- Social
- Creative
Describe one successful activity that your team has planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
Most recently, which covers the social, creative and physical dimensions, Polaris BWI’s held a building walking challenge this past March 2021 called The Polaris March Madness Walking Challenge. 8 participants signed up to be captains who then participated in a draft to select 3 additional teammates and come up with a team name. Participants were asked to report their average range of daily steps. This allowed us to give them a rating between 1-4 based on their typical steps. The captains selected a teammate in each of the assigned tiers. Each team had to meet a total score of 10 to ensure all teams were overall rated the same. That way no team had a stacked team of walkers and all teams had a mostly fair distribution of step level. The challenge went on for the month of March with the top team winning a prize. Additionally, each individual who signed up for the challenge, whether they were on a team or just participated individually, received 250 YP4H points if they met the average step goal of 8,000 steps per day. With this challenge, we saw increased participation from the building and participants increased their daily activity as well. Roughly 75% of participants met the 8k step daily goal. Most recently, which covers the social, creative and physical dimensions, Polaris BWI’s held a building walking challenge this past March 2021 called The Polaris March Madness Walking Challenge. 8 participants signed up to be captains who then participated in a draft to select 3 additional teammates and come up with a team name. Participants were asked to report their average range of daily steps. This allowed us to give them a rating between 1-4 based on their typical steps. The captains selected a teammate in each of the assigned tiers. Each team had to meet a total score of 10 to ensure all teams were overall rated the same. That way no team had a stacked team of walkers and all teams had mostly fair distribution of step level. The challenge went on for the month of March with the top team winning a prize. Additionally, each individual who signed up for the challenge, whether they were on a team or just participated individually, received 250 YP4H points if they met the average step goal of 8,000 steps per day. With this challenge, we saw increased participation from the building and participants increased their daily activity as well. Roughly 75% of participants met the 8k step day goal.
Describe another successful activity that your team planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
In October of 2019, Polaris BWI's put on a smaller version of the campus Amazing Race which covered all nine dimensions of wellness. Participants made their way around the perimeter of the building, stopping at nine stations, each representing one of the dimensions. There was an activity at each station that teams had to complete. Participants were able to choose their own teams. The top two teams won prizes. It was a huge success and we received raving reviews. We hope to do something like this again in the future.
If your team has kept track of participation rates for your activities, what is your approximate number or attendees?
The average is roughly 30 people, but it can range between 15 - 40 depending on the event/activity.
Describe how a manager or supervisor in your unit/department/building/college has shown support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team.
Jason Garee and Jason Bacher, Managers of two different groups in the building, have participated in many activities that we have put on. They allow us to make announcements in staff meetings and they allow time for planning and encourage participation from other staff.
What has your lead administrator/dean/vice president/department chair specifically done to show support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team?
Mindy Pifher, Director of Laboratory Operations for the James labs has participated in wellness events we have put on. She purchased a bulletin board for us to promote wellness and support our efforts in engaging and growing the wellness culture in the building. She has also responded and forwarded emails to help people cope with the pandemic.
Laura Monovich, Director over Jason Bacher, consistently supports Jason in whatever decisions he makes to enhance the wellness culture of the building.
Please share how your team has overcome barriers to engaging your colleagues and/or students in your wellness efforts.
Our most pressing barrier has been remote workers. With the majority of our building working from home, we've had to come up with ideas that would include them. This is how we came up with the March Madness walking challenge. It encouraged those at home to stay active while still feeling connected to the building. We also made the challenge flexible for those that just wanted to participate and get YP4H points, but not compete in the draft for a prize. We send out information on lunch and learn webinars that can be accessed flexibly from anywhere.
Other barriers we've tried to overcome include making our events and activities versatile enough to fit the wants/needs of staff (i.e., incorporating an array of different types of activities to ensure everyone has the chance to participate). Examples include open house type events with broader time ranges that make it flexible on when people can participate).
If you could accomplish anything as a Buckeye Wellness Innovator team, what would your dream be?
We would LOVE to have a wellness retreat at a spa, or a resort, or cruise ship per se to allow relaxation, recharge and regroup, with team building activities and inside wellness intel. You said dream big, so :)
Polaris Innovation Centre
How long has your team been working as a collaborative Buckeye Wellness Innovator group?
Two to four years
Approximately how many people are in your department, unit, building, or college?
We have approximately 130 staff members that report to this building, with at least half currently working from home. There will be additional units moving up to this building within the next year so this number will increase.
Regarding your department or unit's wellness efforts, which of the nine dimensions of wellness has your team addressed?
- Physical
- Emotional
- Intellectual
- Environmental
- Social
- Creative
Describe one successful activity that your team has planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
Most recently, which covers the social, creative and physical dimensions, Polaris BWI’s held a building walking challenge this past March 2021 called The Polaris March Madness Walking Challenge. 8 participants signed up to be captains who then participated in a draft to select 3 additional teammates and come up with a team name. Participants were asked to report their average range of daily steps. This allowed us to give them a rating between 1-4 based on their typical steps. The captains selected a teammate in each of the assigned tiers. Each team had to meet a total score of 10 to ensure all teams were overall rated the same. That way no team had a stacked team of walkers and all teams had a mostly fair distribution of step level. The challenge went on for the month of March with the top team winning a prize. Additionally, each individual who signed up for the challenge, whether they were on a team or just participated individually, received 250 YP4H points if they met the average step goal of 8,000 steps per day. With this challenge, we saw increased participation from the building and participants increased their daily activity as well. Roughly 75% of participants met the 8k step daily goal. Most recently, which covers the social, creative and physical dimensions, Polaris BWI’s held a building walking challenge this past March 2021 called The Polaris March Madness Walking Challenge. 8 participants signed up to be captains who then participated in a draft to select 3 additional teammates and come up with a team name. Participants were asked to report their average range of daily steps. This allowed us to give them a rating between 1-4 based on their typical steps. The captains selected a teammate in each of the assigned tiers. Each team had to meet a total score of 10 to ensure all teams were overall rated the same. That way no team had a stacked team of walkers and all teams had mostly fair distribution of step level. The challenge went on for the month of March with the top team winning a prize. Additionally, each individual who signed up for the challenge, whether they were on a team or just participated individually, received 250 YP4H points if they met the average step goal of 8,000 steps per day. With this challenge, we saw increased participation from the building and participants increased their daily activity as well. Roughly 75% of participants met the 8k step day goal.
Describe another successful activity that your team planned around the nine dimensions of wellness.
In October of 2019, Polaris BWI's put on a smaller version of the campus Amazing Race which covered all nine dimensions of wellness. Participants made their way around the perimeter of the building, stopping at nine stations, each representing one of the dimensions. There was an activity at each station that teams had to complete. Participants were able to choose their own teams. The top two teams won prizes. It was a huge success and we received raving reviews. We hope to do something like this again in the future.
If your team has kept track of participation rates for your activities, what is your approximate number or attendees?
The average is roughly 30 people, but it can range between 15 - 40 depending on the event/activity.
Describe how a manager or supervisor in your unit/department/building/college has shown support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team.
Jason Garee and Jason Bacher, Managers of two different groups in the building, have participated in many activities that we have put on. They allow us to make announcements in staff meetings and they allow time for planning and encourage participation from other staff.
What has your lead administrator/dean/vice president/department chair specifically done to show support for your Buckeye Wellness Innovator team?
Mindy Pifher, Director of Laboratory Operations for the James labs has participated in wellness events we have put on. She purchased a bulletin board for us to promote wellness and support our efforts in engaging and growing the wellness culture in the building. She has also responded and forwarded emails to help people cope with the pandemic.
Laura Monovich, Director over Jason Bacher, consistently supports Jason in whatever decisions he makes to enhance the wellness culture of the building.
Please share how your team has overcome barriers to engaging your colleagues and/or students in your wellness efforts.
Our most pressing barrier has been remote workers. With the majority of our building working from home, we've had to come up with ideas that would include them. This is how we came up with the March Madness walking challenge. It encouraged those at home to stay active while still feeling connected to the building. We also made the challenge flexible for those that just wanted to participate and get YP4H points, but not compete in the draft for a prize. We send out information on lunch and learn webinars that can be accessed flexibly from anywhere.
Other barriers we've tried to overcome include making our events and activities versatile enough to fit the wants/needs of staff (i.e., incorporating an array of different types of activities to ensure everyone has the chance to participate). Examples include open house type events with broader time ranges that make it flexible on when people can participate).
If you could accomplish anything as a Buckeye Wellness Innovator team, what would your dream be?
We would LOVE to have a wellness retreat at a spa, or a resort, or cruise ship per se to allow relaxation, recharge and regroup, with team building activities and inside wellness intel. You said dream big, so :)
