ADVOCATE. EDUCATE. PROMOTE. CONNECT.

First, a big Thank You to all of our members and sponsors that participated in December at our Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall! We are so blessed to have such an amazing group!

Thanks to all for a very positive start to 2023 at our productive meeting on the 4th! We discussed a new meeting format and many ideas for future events, including a breakfast/workshop series, perhaps once a quarter.

Another idea was having each committee member give a short presentation when the meeting is located at their business location. The 2023 Planning Document has spaces to sign up for this great idea.

To keep the meeting to an hour, we ask if you can submit any committee updates before the meeting (see button below), so that these will be on our agenda and we can be more efficient and give time to hear our fellow committee members share.

Of course, you can always email Mary with any updates, technical questions, info, etc! We always love to talk to you, if you need anything! (203-235-7901)

View and collaborate on our 2023 Planning Document (Google Sheet) to sign up for:

• Monthly meeting location & short 10-15 min presentation at our Council meeting
• Health & Wellness content to be viewed (with your logo) on website, social media, email marketing (I put in 4 opportunities a month, but we will see how much info we receive and we can adjust going forward)

Thank you for participating in this! As it is a google doc, any changes made are saved automatically so please be careful when editing! Thank you! It may ask you to sign into Google to view/edit the sheet, so again, if you need help, just reach out!

We'd like to keep up our monthly walk and want to know your availability! Fill out the form below or just email us to let us know. Here's to a happy and healthy 2023!

Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Midstate Chamber Office

Health & Wellness Council Meeting Notes

• In attendance: Kirby Shields, Lea Crown, Linda Craig, Gretchen Rossi, Rhea Highsmith, Jim Russo, Linda Ivey, Cindy Voytovich Staff: Rosanne Ford, Mary Headd
• Holiday Health & Wellness Expo Report: 12.10.22
• 14 vendors, new location in the mall, a little more separated
• The good: passport raffle idea seemed to work and initiate conversation at booths, traffic seemed good at the holiday time of year, raffle winners were very appreciative, and crowd comments were that the event was very informative and well done. At least 100 unique visitors.
• The constructive: perhaps a different mall location (by Boscov’s) would work better, or maybe a different location altogether (although we get the mall for free). Would we change it up maybe at the Christmas in the Village or the Yule Fest, Hubbard Park (outside)? Having two healthcare providers present was a bit challenging at times.
• Monthly Meeting Location Request – Mary will send out a survey to see when people could host our upcoming meetings. Kirby can host for March.
• Holiday Stroll Report- We had news coverage at the stroll on the 28^th and a few members attended. We’d like to do this monthly if there is interest at different locations. Mary will send a survey to gauge interest and if there is a best time/day of the month for this to happen.
• New programming- monthly speaker at our meetings from the group- Mary will send out a form for sign-ups. If we can send out our individual committee updates ahead of time, this can be posted on the committee webpage and also put on meeting agendas to save time.
• New programming- quarterly breakfast or talk from an industry person about health-related topics. Castle Craig Adult Learners meet every day M-F 1-2 pm to listen to presentations- they are well attended. Maybe work with that group? We could even maybe team up with another council member to do a joint talk?
• New programming- monthly (or weekly) health tip that we can incorporate on our website, email marketing, and through social media.
•  Info Sharing from Council- We are in a COVID-19 High Status area and it is recommended (no mandate) that masks are in use. The flu is also very prevalent in the area. Plans are being made for a new or revitalized senior center in Meriden. Wren lab is closed for covid testing. Hartford Healthcare is offering it.
• Chamber Updates
• Marissa Cardona is putting together a Career Fair for students at Platt High School on February 23^rd at 5 pm. To be involved you can contact her at marissa.cardona@meridenk12.org
• Next Meeting- February 1^st, 2023
• Please fill out the Google Sheet to sign up for a monthly location/speaker for our upcoming meetings and also to vote on the stroll project and if you’d like to participate, what your availability is. Thank you!