Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

UC Davis Health New Employee Welcome’s Return Onsite is a Success

After five years as a virtual program, the New Employee Welcome (NEW) for UC Davis Health employees has returned onsite. This biweekly event’s return to the Sacramento campus was made possible by a dedicated project team of stakeholders from across the organization who collaborated for more than six months.

Will Peters, program lead, facilitates the session.
Will Peters, program lead, facilitates the session.

Since its return, NEW has welcomed over 450 new employees across five sessions. The program begins at 8:30 AM with a hearty breakfast and an optional Union Orientation, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour main presentation. The agenda features speakers from Health Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Experience, Parking and Transportation, Benefits, and Learning and Organizational Development. Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Post-event surveys show that 80% of participants would recommend NEW to a colleague, and 90% felt the event helped them develop a sense of belonging. One participant noted the event was informative and appreciated the food and gifts, while another expressed gratitude for the effort put into making their first day a great one. 

New emplolyees connect and network ahead of the session.
New employees network and connect ahead of the session.

“The success of this event is a testament to the collaboration of many contributors—including the MIND Institute building staff, the Learning and Organizational Development team, Employee Ambassadors, and the presenters and Resource Fair participants who support the event every other Monday,” says program lead Will Peters. Their dedication to bringing NEW back onsite has made the event a warm and welcoming introduction to the UC Davis Health community and has helped employees feel a true sense of belonging. 

Primary Category

Learning & Development

Tags

learning