Written by Val Sayah, Centre for Organizational Learning
Algonquin employees celebrated Canada's Healthy Workplace from October 26-30, 2009 with 225 registrants in just over 20 workshops and events. Activities were organized according to four wellness themes: 1) Nutrition & Well-being 2) Stress and Mental Wellness 3) Physical Fitness and 4) Personal Safety & Sustainability.
Workshops and events were hosted by both internal and external leaders including Sun Life Financial, Algonquin’s Counselling Services, Hampton Wellness Centre, and Algonquin’s Fitness Zone. Various fitness workshops were scheduled including an aerobics boot camp, deskercize, yoga, volley ball, and an introduction to belly dance. Great connections were made via participation in a 3-6 km walk and run challenge at all three Algonquin campuses. The Ottawa Wellness Community was invited to set up their booths at our Community Wellness Fair with participants including the Cancer society (including Ovarian), Arthritis society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Distress Centre, Algonquin’s Food & Beverage Healthy Food Choices, Health Services Outreach, Shepell*fgi (Algonquin’s Employee Assistance Program providers). College wellness partners kindly contributed prizes that were awarded to participants during these workshops/events.
A Wellness website was maintained during this week and featured the registration system, staff wellness stories, a picture gallery, and a list of wellness resources (Visit the Wellness 2009 Photo Gallery).
Check out the wellness inspirational section of our website where colleagues have share their challenges and triumphs through motivational wellness stories. (Read Staff Wellness Stories).
We would like to encourage staff to continue to make walking a regular part of their working day and to take advantage of the internal and external campus walk routes provided in the Fitness & Exercise section of our Wellness website (View Campus Walk Routes).
We remind you to download your log and to start counting your steps towards entry in to our Walk Hall of Fame. Check out our recent inductees into Algonquin’s Walk Hall of Fame (Algonquin's Walk Hall of Fame).