We challenge you and/or your workplace to join in the 2nd annual BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge – an event where you can get healthier and “go green” while commuting to and from work.
What’s the BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge?
Commuter challenges have been taking place all over the United States, but in 2009 the BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge was the first to take place in Northeast Wisconsin – including Green Bay, the Fox Cities and Appleton.
The BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge was event developed to encourage BayCare Clinic employees to use alternative methods to gas-using vehicles when traveling to and from work. Our commuter challenge motivation was simple: To start a healthier lifestyle evolution, and along with that, help reduce greenhouse emissions.
As a society, we have tremendous dependence on motorized transportation that conveniently takes us to our destinations. We believe that incorporating lifestyle changes, like finding ways to exercise while traveling to-and-from work, helps create a healthier workforce. A healthier workforce, in turn, helps to reduce healthcare costs.
With the growth of cars commuting, there has been a rapid rise in pollution, which contributes to the greenhouse effect. Each time a person commutes using an alternative method to a gas-using vehicle, there is a measurable contribution in helping the environment. And with the rising price of gas, why not put a bit of money back in your pocket?
Time Frame:
The 2nd annual BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge begins Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day), and ends Saturday, October 23 (Make a Difference Day).
BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge Rules/Guidelines:
- Before taking part in the BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge, you must fill out and send this waiver Waiver- Commuter Challenge to: Human Resource Department, BayCare Clinic, 164 North Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54303.
- You must be commuting to and from work.
- The commute must be done using a non-motorized method of transportation (running, walking, skating, biking, skateboarding, etc.)
- Mileage tracking is kept on an honor system. You may use the mileage tracking sheet we have developed for the BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge by clicking here: Mileage Tracking. Once the form opens, save it in your own files. Type in your commuter information directly onto the form, and it will automatically sum up the mileage amounts as they are added. Additional commuter benefit information will also sum up, such as CO2 pollution quantities saved. If you have problems with the form, please feel free to email commuterchallenge@baycare.net or by calling 920-490-9046, ext. 1244. All tracking sheets must be turned in by Friday, October 29, 2010, by email (commuterchallenge@baycare.net).
- You do not need to commute the entire distance to and from work! If you have a far commute, consider finding an area where you can park your car during the day, and commute the rest of the way to work. Here are some tools we have shared with our own employees: Brown County Park & Rides and Brown County Bicycle Map. Whether you commit to commuting a few miles or a few blocks is totally up to you.
Benefit Calculations:
Using the final commuter mileage turned in, we will share the combined information of our efforts with all participants. This information will be on our website at the conclusion of the event. Some information shared will be: total commuter miles, gas dollars, CO2 pounds of pollution saved, and calories burned.
BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge Rewards:
BayCare Clinic employees have the opportunity to win prizes if they participate in the commuter challenge. Consider working with your own organization to develop prizes/incentives to increase involvement.
Making it Happen!
Our goal is to enable BayCare Clinic employees to incorporate daily exercise into their lives and participation in the commuter challenge will help them do that. We understand that there may be obstacles to that; to that end, BayCare Clinic has offered resources to its employees to help assist in the creation of solutions.
If you are interested in participating, we encourage you to utilize your workplace resources to solve problems that may arise.
Final results of the 2009 BayCare Clinic Commuter Challenge
