June 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Karen Paluzzi
(574) 294-6553 ext. 6126

 

 

A Healthier Lifestyle is all in a Day’s Work at INOVA Federal Credit Union

 

Elkhart, IN-INOVA Federal Credit Union has introduced a proactive new wellness program to benefit the credit union staff.  What started as the first step toward change has become a credit-union-wide program that has everyone involved.

 

Realizing he wanted to create a healthy environment for credit union staff, INOVA FCU President & CEO, Dallas Bergl decided to create an official credit union “wellness” program.  In the fall of 2007, he appointed a wellness committee that set goals and started to take steps to launch the program.  Here are some of the ideas they have introduced.

 

• To kick off the wellness program, the wellness committee brought in a guest speaker to the all-employee meeting.  Employees learned how to “get fit while they sit” with exercises that can be performed right at their desks.  This speaker will attend future all-staff meeting to rejuvenate the armchair exercise program.

 

• At staff meetings, employees are encouraged to raise their hands to show if they have lost weight.  In this way, they are recognized for their success.    

 

• Surveys were sent out to all the staff to gather feedback.  As a result of the survey, several changes were made.  A series of educational brown bag lunches was set up.  Topics vary, but for example, the next topic being covered is “Weight Management for Life.”  Employees earn ICUA credit for attending these lunch seminars.  Also, pop and snack vending machines have been removed from credit union offices.  They have been replaced with healthier options such as granola bars and juice.  Posters were placed in the stairwells to encourage staff to use the stairs. For example, one poster reads, “In one minute, a 150 pound person burns approximately 10 calories walking up stairs, and only 1.5 calories riding an elevator.”

 

• Employees are taking action.  Some staff members have started their own incentive program with weekly weigh-ins.  On their lunch hours, credit union staff members can be seen walking along the river walk that surrounds the corporate office.

 

• A logo was created to represent the program and can be used with wellness information.  (See attached.)

 

• Incentives are used whenever possible.  For example, recently when the credit union was raising money for a charitable event, employees could be put in a drawing to gain a day off by reaching $25 in donations AND by walking at least five miles in one month.

 

• Staff members who get the flu shot each year are rewarded with paid time off.  Arrangements are even made to bring health professionals in to give the shot, during working hours, at the credit union.

 

Now and in the future, INOVA Federal Credit Union is striving to create a better, healthier work environment for its staff.

INOVA Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, financial cooperative serving over 33,000 members.  INOVA FCU has twelve branch locations in six states and over 400 select employee groups.

 

 

 

INOVA Federal Credit Union
358 S. Elkhart Ave. Elkhart, IN  46515 • 574-294-6553 • www.inovafcu.org