FJMC

Wellness

During our 2007 convention I challenged the the FJMC and each of you, our members to make a commitment to improving our health during the coming years. One result of this challenge is a new initiative by the FJMC to encourage each club to incorporate wellness programming into their activities. Indeed the overall goal is to make wellness an integral MISSION of the Men’s Club and for your club to be the advocate for health and wellness for the men in your community. Each month we will be sending along information as to how your club can take part in this exciting new area. As always, the best ideas come from you, your club and your community. Please send along YOUR tips, programs, success stories so that we can share them with others. And be sure to join us in Philadelphia for our convention in July when wellness programming will, for the first time, take center stage. Email ideas, tips and comments to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Second, each club that achieves 3600 miles (prorated for smaller clubs) will be recognized at the convention. Mileage is the total of miles walked by all participating members. One mile is earned for each 15 minutes of walking. For those who do other cardio workouts in a health club, ride bikes, etc they will earn 2 mile for each 15 minutes of activity (except for walking) allowing them to participate as well.

Welcome to the FJMC Wellness Initiative

A Wellness Challenge by the FJMC Foundation for Jewish Life The FJMC Foundation for Jewish Life is concerned about the health and wellness of our members. Indeed, while women’s health issues are front-page news every day, somehow men’s health is rarely discussed. To symbolize this support for Men’s Health, the FJMC Foundation is sponsoring a challenge to our clubs to “Walk to the FJMC Convention”. Don’t Talk the Talk… Walk the Walk!

The Program:

1. Clubs must register to participate. 10 men must participate for a club to qualify (or 10% of membership for clubs of less than 100 men). Men do NOT need to attend the convention to participate in this program. Beginning on February 1, 2009 (World Wide Wrap Day) club members will record their “mileage” (see #2). It will be the responsibility of the clubs to maintain mileage records.
2. Each club that achieves 3600 miles (prorated for smaller clubs) will be recognized at the convention. Mileage is the total of miles walked by all participating members. One mile is earned for each 15 minutes of walking. For those who do other cardio workouts in a health club, ride bikes, etc they will earn 2 mile for each 15 minutes of activity (except for walking) allowing them to participate as well.
3. Clubs with the largest mileage per participant will receive special recognition
4. A final symbolic “walk to the convention” will be held during the convention.

NEW! Wellness Torch Award

Torch Award will be awarded for clubs with wellness programs. Criteria for excellence include:

1. Clear definition of goals and documentation of completeness and achievement of these goals (it would be important here to have a measurable goal and evidence that the results were in fact measured, this “metric” should be usable by other clubs in their programs (see #5)
2. Extent to which Wellness program involved a wide range of members. What is its value in club building?
3. Did the program enhance the club’s reputation in the community in promoting and enhancing wellness of its members? Does the program enhance the image of the FJMC, region and/or your club?
4. Is the program usable by other clubs? Are materials transferable?
5. Extent to which program involved other aspects of synagogue life-school, women’s groups, professionals?
6. Publicity materials

What Can the Region Do to Help?

• Identify and encourage clubs to participate
• Facilitate training (bring in FJMC consultants) to provide tools for clubs to succeed
• Develop some region-wide programming-Regional walks/runs/bike rides/golf tournaments/tennis tournaments (can be fundraisers at the same time)
• Make wellness programming a selling point to attend convention

Wellness Tip of the Month

Need a little spring in your step? If your walking or exercise routine could use some variation, try some of these fun ideas to get moving:

• Buy a book-on-tape or DVD, or check one out from your local library.
• If you have an mp3 player, download news programs, books, and other special features on the internet.
• Take your dog with you, or go with a friend. Company and conversation help energize you and make time pass more quickly.