1. Status Update: Year Four

2. What Is A Community Read Local event in which the whole community participates by reading the same book Small discussion groups are then formed to stimulate dialogue and the exchange of ideas Purpose of a CR is to generate awareness while creating a space for discussion Benefits include enhancing community involvement, fostering the exchange of ideas, and instilling a sense of appreciation for both the entertaining and educational aspects of reading

3. Similar concept, but much grander scale Tied into a theme, instead of a book Three months (Fall) series of programs (film, art, music, food, physical activity, education) Building community alliance, collaboration, and partnership Multi-year collaboration between libraries & coalitions of Dexter, Grass Lake, Stockbridge, Manchester and Chelsea to advance the four Wellness Foundation Aims, with focus on different aim each year Community-driven

4. Goals Create a culture of wellness in all five healthy towns Engage people emotionally and intellectually to improve the quality of life in the community Promote awareness of Wellness Foundation, Community Coalitions, plus health and wellness issues Start a conversation about what a well community looks like Enhance community involvement to create a more healthy Chelsea Increase number of residents who participate in physical activities, who report eating healthier diet, take advantage of opportunities that already exist in our communities to connect, and choose a healthier, drug and alcohol-free lifestyle

5. Blue Zones by Dan Buettner Copies of books made available throughout the community at local cafes, doctor’s offices, downtown shops, community gathering places, and the Chelsea District Library Share the book with your family, friends and book club! Read it and pass it on. Over 500 copies distributed locally Programs included, a Skype appearance by Dan Buettner (over 200 residents participated), Passport to Wellness Challenge, “Biggest Loser” contestant appearance, wellness coaching, guiding good choices for young people (SRSLY), book discussion groups, etc. Resource listing and supplemental reading and research http://5hcommunityread.wordpress.com/2011-community-read/ 2011

6. 2012 In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan We estimate that nearly 6200 people were served by the 2012 5H Community Read Project. 500 copies of “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan were distributed in Chelsea, and another 1000 copies in the communities of Grass Lake, Stockbridge, Manchester, and Dexter. We estimated that each book was read by or passed on to at least three people, and project that about 4500 read the book in all five communities Over 600 people attended the programs in Chelsea, while over 1600 attended the 70+ programs that were facilitated by all five healthy communities Key programs included: Cooking & healthy eating demos with community partners (CCK, local chefs, schools, hospital); film series, farm tours, book discussions, healthy restaurant week, author Robin Mather (Feast Nearby)

7. 2013 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson Over 500 copies of “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson were distributed in Chelsea. 2000 copies t/o all five towns We estimated that each book was read by or passed on to at least three people, and project about 1500 read the book in our community About 750 people attended the programs that were developed and facilitated for Chelsea residents. Key programs include: Picture book walk, Everybody Move More, Lockout at Eddy Discovery Center, Big 400 Display in library lobby In addition, the library distributed several hundred trail maps and brochures to promote the recreational opportunities that exist in Chelsea. We received nearly 2000 “unique” hits on our community read website, which provided a digital resource guide to the area’s recreational sites Don’t have data from other communities tabulated yet

8. Progress, Obstacles, Data We’re reaching people Kick off Event this year reached 400 people! Forming new partnerships, not just with libraries Increase Community Awareness of Opportunities for Physical Activity and Exercise Promote literacy and love of reading First initiative to connect all five communities and advance the aims of the Foundation with our strategic approach Community-driven (reading materials, programs, projects) Broad network of community leaders to help with buy-in, planning, and community outreach

9. Progress, Obstacles, Data Determining a scientifically sound way to measure who is reading the Community Read Book Working with Palmer Morrel Samuels on survey in 2014 Time Working with a committee of volunteers, even a small committee of interested people, is time consuming, from program idea generation, planning, task identification, volunteer solicitation, checklist creation, progress reporting, re-assignment & re-definition of tasks, etc. But worth it! Funding ambiguity Challenging when working with five different communities as the Foundation’s and the local coalition’s methods evolve

10. Progress, Obstacles, Data Continued confusion about role/scope/direction of Wellness Foundation and role of community coalition Lack of healthy food choices in local grocers and restaurants Healthy cooking Surveys indicate that people believe they lack time and resources, despite desire to make improvements Despite abundance of local resources, there is still a tremendous lack of awareness about opportunities Waterloo recreation area especially so. Opportunity to connect with Big 400 Greater need for collaboration and resource sharing Spirit of collaboration is strong, but much redundancy Measuring behavior change How are we going to know if we are making a difference?

11. 2014 Connect with Others aim Timeline: January (Oversight Committee) February (Local committees form & meet) March (Select book) April/May/June (program planning) July (Marketing) September (launch) Fall 2014

12. Questions