ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

1. HOW WILL I DO IT?  The task of organizing and conducting a Civilian Health Promotion Program should not seem so ominous when you consider you will have a lot of help and support at your disposal, and you will do it one step at a time. The purpose of this section of the Guide is to identify the supporters and their roles, and break the program into manageable steps for your implementation. The Program Coordinator's Guide is meant to offer a wide range of options to choose from in implementing your program. The Participant's Guide is frequently referred to for examples; however, the Participant Guide is specifically geared to participants, and may not correspond directly to the Program Coordinator's Guide.

2. WHERE WILL I GET SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE? Your help and support will come from three sources:

a. If applicable, your Commander. The Commander of your organization already supports the program, or else you would not be reading this as the Commander's Program Coordinator! Continuously encourage your Commander's active involvement throughout the program by keeping it "visible" within the command. Ways to keep it visible include: initial formal announcement of the program with a memo from the Commander to the command, followed by detailed guidance in a memo of instruction or other directive document; periodic memos or messages of encouragement or satisfaction during the program; frequent updates and comments on the program during staff meetings; "pep talks" during Commander's Calls.

b. The supervisory chain. Military and civilian Supervisors are absolutely critical to the success of the program. Each Supervisor should be responsible for negotiating a signed "contract" with each participating participant, documenting times, locations, and specific exercise plans. Be watchful for work sections under a single Supervisor in which there are no program participants; It might indicate that the Supervisor is inadvertently or purposely discouraging participation. (This is another reason the Commander should make expectations of support very clear). Supervisors should also be responsible for fulfilling most of the requirements for active monitoring of the program. They can do this by monitoring departure and arrival times for program exercise periods and classes, and occasionally visiting the exercise site. Supervisors should also allow periodic amendment of specific exercise plans to accommodate participant needs or desires, and negotiated amendment of exercise times consistent with workplace needs and participant desires.

c. Other resources. See page 38 for a list of offices and organizations that will gladly advise and actively assist you throughout the planning and implementation of the program, including providing classes and printed materials.

3. WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC THINGS I MUST DO? The Program Coordinator's Checklist is a sequential list of steps to help you in planning and conducting your Civilian Health Promotion Program.