Employee biometrics (pre and post "know your numbers" screening)
Funds raised with your local partners to support your community
Success measures associated with your collective community project(s)
Welcome to GROWVEMBER!
Growing facial hair has become something men like to do in November (I know... what the heck is that about?), This isn't always a frivolous endeavor. And it doesn't ever have to be!
Aligned with our community inspired vision, Grow Your Own Way takes guidance from individual communities to identify currently unmet needs in those communities as they pertain to men's health and male cancers. The intention is that each site's fundraising activities are defined by the community and funnel directly back to that participating community, responding to their own unique self-defined needs as they relate to men’s health and male cancers.
What is unique about this approach is all participants, both individually and organizationally, can tangibly witness and/or experience the benefit of their efforts first hand. That, in and of itself, has very obvious benefits to mental health and well-being alongside the program's overall health benefits.
How it Works
Perform informal community needs assessment(s) to identify pressing need(s).*
Establish a formal (legal) partnership - a clear understanding of what the funds you'll be raising are for and a relevant budgetary process.
Plan organizational or individual wellness goals (build more muscle? learn to meditate? chose healthier food options? etc.), objectives, programs, activities, and incentives.
Create organizational or individual crowdfunding page using a tool like Givebutter.
Tell your friends and family what you are getting ready to do - and spread the word on social media and beyond.
*Fundraising for community screening events is another popular option (in partnership with local health resources), though it is recommended to explore the quality of the screening prior to engagement. The goal of healthcare providers shouldn't be just to treat you when you’re sick, but to ideally keep you from getting sick in the first place. Health fairs and community screening events can provide an opportunity for those who don’t or can’t make regular doctor visits for regular screenings and to learn about other preventive health services, but many are driven by fee-for-service motives (although they might seem genuine on the surface), providing little or no benefit to the community. Cancer care can be expensive, even for those with "good health insurance." You may also want to consider holding a fundraiser for a man in need of follow-up care.
Ready to Grow?
Secrets to Growing Some Stuff on Your Face That Might Make You the Envy of All
A Healthy Beard (or stache) and a Healthy You Go Hand and Hand (this is your competitive edge).
Muscle elevates testosterone, which can boost beard growth and improve other indicators of a man's overall health.
Try some activities that keep stress at bay; cortisol (the stress hormone) can hamper the growth of a healthy looking beard.
There are lots of fun simulator apps where you can upload images to test drive your new look before diving in. Keep in mind, a good barber can help with achieving the look you're after. In visiting the barber shop and sharing information about the need you are working to address, you will leave not only looking better, but most assuredly feeling better.
Wellness apps can also be helpful in working toward your GROWVEMBER wellness goals.
Just search your favorite app store to find a few that might work for you!
Group/Team Building Activities
While apps can be fun, so can group activities. Consider reaching out to local resources for things like onsite morning Tai Chi practice, healthy cooking workshops, training for group competitions and activities, or hosting online, in-person, or hybrid health education session(s) for your crew.