Take Action! California 5 a Day—Be Active! Worksite Program: Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator

The Program Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of Take Action!. Responsibilities include chairing the Planning Committee, communicating with management about the program, recruiting Planning Committee members, and assigning tasks. In a large company, it may be necessary to recruit additional Program Coordinators to share some of the program management responsibilities. A good Program Coordinator will be able to implement the following steps for program success:

• Impress participants with the thought that making changes for a healthy lifestyle is easier for people when they enjoy the process. Be creative! Adopt the program to fit the organization's culture and, most importantly, make it fun!
• Spread the word and get employees excited about the program. Use all of the employer's available assets (time, staff, space, and budget) to appropriately and effectively encourage participants.
• Involve employees in leadership roles to generate enthusiasm for the program throughout the organization and to tap into the creativity and talent of many employees.
• Establish a Planning Committee to assist in the smooth implementation of the program.
• Recruit effective Team Captains to champion the Take Action! program and support participants on a daily basis.
• Create Teams that emphasize managerial support and ensure that every person in the organization has the opportunity to take part.
• Utilize incentives—events and prizes—to generate enthusiasm and reward progress. A kickoff event and closing celebration will bring employees together, underscoring the camaraderie generated by Take Action!. Prizes, strategically awarded over the program's 10 weeks, will recognize participant achievements.
• Collect information in an accurate and timely fashion. Team Captains will track participant progress and goal achievement and report data to the Program Coordinator at the 5-week midpoint and 10-week endpoint. The coordinator will compile the data for participants and management.
• Communicate regularly with management, providing updated information about program planning, recruitment, special events, employee participation, and accomplished goals.