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Action Teams |
Northwest OCWC Action Team
Southwest OCWC Action Team
Northeast OCWC Action Team
Southeast OCWC Action Team
Action Teams are the groups who carry out the strategies of OCWC. They consist of individuals who take on tasks and work to accomplish them.
Action Teams:
- Meet monthly.
- Develop action plans based on local data to improve the health environment of their local community.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of their initiatives.
- All Action Team meetings will be held locally
We need Action Team Members from:
Schools
Healthcare
Local government
Parks and Recreation
City Planning
Agriculture
Segments of the food and business communities
Transportation
To join your local Action Team please contact:
Or call 1-800-764-4111 ext. 5772
(Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, and Spring Lake)
The Northwest Action Team encompasses 7 municipalities in northwest Ottawa County: Grand Haven, Grand Haven Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township, Ferrysburg, Crockery Township and Robinson Township.
Our mission is to make policy and environmental changes that promote increased physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco free living. Building a bike/walking path or fitness trail and implementing a community garden are examples of projects that promote policy and environmental change.
We have a very committed core team of volunteers. However, we are looking to expand the team to include members from all seven municipalities.
We can accomplish this mission of policy and environmental change by working with -decision makers and other stakeholders in each community. Grant money is available for health improvement projects but we need your input!
If you are interested in joining this team or have any questions, please contact Mary Cunningham at 616.847.5332, or mcunningham@noch.org
Happenings:
- Completed the Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (NEAT) for the City of Holland and City of Zeeland
- With the help of grant funds OCWC was able to assist with “Party on the Path” which promoted the Zeeland Northside Pathway (a 1.5 mile non-motorized path), and handed out foldable flyers to participants.
What’s Happening Now:
- Recruiting Action Team members
- Submitted a grant proposal to the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland for a Healthy Workplace program.
- With the help of grant funds working on “Stairwell to Better Health” project, which helps area employers make stairwell improvements to encourage their employees to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Future Plans:
- Complete PAC for Cities of Holland and Zeeland.
- Continue fundraising for OCWC initiatives.
2009 Meeting Dates: Southwest Action Team (SWAT) meets the first Tuesday of each month from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Center for Good Health located at 175 S. Waverly Rd., Holland, MI 49423If you are interested in joining this team or have any questions, please contact Barbara VerCande 616.394.3604, or bvercande@hollandhospital.org
(Allendale & Coopersville)
Happenings:
Events and Projects:
- Pierce Street Non-Motorized Pathway: Received grant funding to construct a ½ mile portion of non-motorized pathway down Pierce Street. The goal is to connect this path to school sidewalks in order to provide a safe way for students to actively get to school.
- Allendale “Back to School and Safety Fair”: Provided health information, pencils, and bookmarks to attendees.
- Farmers’ Markets and Walking Trail Brochure: Created, marketed and distributed 26,000 brochures detailing the Farmer's Markets and Walking Trails at Grand Valley University, Allendale Township and the City of Coopersville.
- Coopersville Community Trail: Constructed a walking trail on the Coopersville Public School Property. A kick-off celebration for the walking trail was held in August, 2007, at the Coopersville East Elementary Open House. Prizes, water, fruit and health information were provided.
- Download Trail and Market Maps: The various trail projects including the above mentioned brochure can be downloaded from this web-site.
- Assessing Health Environments and Policies: Assessing the overall health of our cities and townships will continue on a regular basis. Action plans and new projects are created from these assessments.
Thank you to our funders:
- Funding for the above projects has been provided by the Michigan Department of Community Health, Food Stamp Nutrition Education, Grand Valley State University, Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce, Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce, Coopersville Public Schools, Coopersville City, Ottawa County Health Department, Northern Physical Therapy, Allendale Charter Township, Allendale Community Foundation, Advantage Health Physician Network, Coopersville and Marne Railway.
Join the North-East Action Team! If you are interested in joining this team or have any questions, please contact Kim Kooyers 616.393.5799, or kkooyers@miottawa.org
(Hudsonville & Jenison)
Happenings:
- Georgetown Township is receiving a Silver Level Award from the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports as part of the 2008 Promoting Active Communities Program.
- Recruiting additional Southeast Action Team members
- Helping Bursley Elementary School as they apply for grant funding to provide nutrition education and fresh fruits/vegetables for students.
- Reviewing local data and creating partnerships to help increase residents’ access to healthy food and physical activity.
If you are interested in joining this Action Team, or have any questions, please contact Lisa Uganski at 616.393.5770, or luganski@miottawa.org
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