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EHP FYI
Newsletter from Employee Health Promotions
March Edition 2023
What is Sense of Community and Why is it Important?
This concept was developed by McMillan & Chavis. They state that a sense of community can be broken down conceptually into four elements:
Membership - it defines who is in the community and who is out. It shows that people value the sense of belonging which comes with being identified as a member.
Influence - the notion that “my voice counts.” When you speak, others listen and often act on your advice.
Fulfillment of needs - people belong to communities to satisfy one or more needs. In a community of practice, a common need is to get better at one’s job or profession.
Emotional connection - it includes shared history and shared participation and identification with that history, and a deeply felt connection between members. It is the most nebulous aspect of the Sense of Community, but still very important.
Why is a Sense of Community important?
A key characteristic of successful communities (successful meaning active, engaged communities that people want to visit, and where members contribute on a regular basis) is a sense of community. A sense of community is essential for a successful, ongoing, sustainable community.
- This was taken from a larger article and is part of the WBG Communities of Practice Toolkit licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
What is the Red Cross?
Humanity
The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors—in its international and national capacity—to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence
The Red Cross is independent. The national societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with Red Cross principles.
Voluntary Service
The Red Cross is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
Unity
There can be only one Red Cross society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.
Universality
The Red Cross is a worldwide institution in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other.
Mission
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Vision
The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that...
- all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;
- our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;
- everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;
- all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
- in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
-go to redcross.org to find out more
Resources For Every Employee
Employee Health Promotions is made possible through a partnership with South Central Service Coop. It is the promotion of health and wellness activities for employees of Mankato Area Public Schools. This work influences the physical, mental, economic and social well-being of employees and in turn the health of their families and our community.
ALL YEAR: Watch for EHP FYI in your email each month, where we will highlight need to know and good to know information for your health and wellness.
NOW: Get to know your EHP Site Representative, learn what activities they have planned for your building and join in!
ALL YEAR: Visit the Employee Benefits page for details on resources available to you.
WATCH FOR: Free Fitness Classes with Tia.
ALL YEAR: Virtual Learning Academy content to explore, engage and understand personal wellness. CEU's available. Yes, you read that correctly - CEU's and wellness benefits!
COMING SOON: INDOOR WALKING TRAILS IN EVERY SCHOOL!
10K-A-Day is Here!
This year we will be walking along the coast of Southern California Baja Sur, Mexico. We will begin our trek in La Paz and end in Cabo San Lucas! Each week I will send out information about our destination for the week.
How do I participate? You will track your steps (from your phone, smartwatch, or estimates from this step conversion chart) or your minutes of exercise each day on your site's Google Sheet. Your Employee Health Promotion Site Representative will be sending out information regarding your site's Google Sheet. If you are not sure who your site representative is please check this list.
How many days do I need to track to be eligible for prizes? Track activity (steps or exercise minutes) on 20 total days and you will be included in your site's participation numbers as well as eligible for prizes.
What can I win? The top three sites with the most participation (percentage of staff) will get a healthy snack basket in their staff lounge, the top three steppers and top three exercisers across the district will earn a goodie bag of healthy snacks and small prizes, and 50 randomly selected participants across the district will receive a healthy snacks goodie bag.