1. ACTIVATE AMERICA, HEALTH SEEKERS AND LISTEN FIRST
YMCA BUFFALO NIAGARA
AUGUST 20, 2010
Activate America is the Y’s response to the growing health crisis in America. It is an initiative that focuses on new ways to better support our members.
Part of Activate America is understanding “Health Seekers.” Health Seekers are those who want to adopt healthier lifestyle habits, but struggle to do so. The “start/stop” population.
One of the ways we can better support health seekers is by strengthening relationships with members and we can do that using the skills we have learned in “Listen First.”
Today we are going to take a look at the attributes of health seekers and practice what we have learned during listen first.

2. ACTIVATE AMERICA WE MUST DELIBERATELY STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS
WITH MEMBERS
Activate America- national initiative developing new ways to help members meet their goals.
Where did Activate America and the term health seeker come from?
We know that….
More than 2/3 of the US adult population are obese or overweight
Today is the first generation of children expected to not outlive their parents
Only 15% of the Adult Population engages in regular physical activity
Estimated 25 million Americans have Type II Diabetes
1 in 4 Americans are considered “pre-diabetic” or at high risk for developing diabetes
Cost of treating diabetes exceeds 200 billion a year
8.1% of New Yorkers have been diagnosed with diabetes
Estimated % in NYS with pre-diabetes
The Y has a rich history as an organization dedicated to Healthy Living. By listening to our members and understanding our member’s needs we can examine our current practices to improve how we support members efforts for healthy living.

3. 2000 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States
The next few slides illustrate the increase obesity from Watch how the number of blue states start to disappear and how many states turn red.

4. 2001 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

5. 2002 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

6. 2003 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

7. 2004 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

8. 2005 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

9. 2006 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

10. 2007 Obesity Trends - Adults in the United States

11. UNDERSTANDING HEALTH SEEKERS
The majority of our members are health seekers. Many health seekers feel intimidated when they step into a Y. Most people need someone to point them in the right direction when it comes to beginning an exercise program. They also need encouragement and support.
Play Video

12. UNDERSTANDING HEALTH SEEKERS
Continuous attempts to sustain pattern of health habits, but have been unsuccessful
Limited factual knowledge on the components of a healthy lifestyle
Cannot describe what would make the next attempt more successful than the first
More concerned with wellbeing and health than physical appearance
Require feedback, coaching, and support

13. SUPPORTING HEALTH SEEKERS USING LISTEN FIRST
Reflect
Summarize
Ask Permission
Offer Options
Affirm

14. SUPPORTING HEALTH SEEKERS USING LISTEN FIRST
Video Demonstration
Ask open ended questions
What are their goals
What has worked what has not
Follow up and provide continuous support
Engage members in groups
Facilitate relationship building
Play Video-Listen First Demonstration
The following clip demonstrates an example of an initial interview with a member. This interview process is designed to take the place of a traditional tour and sell. The staff member uses open ended questions to find out what the member hopes to accomplish, learn how the Y can best support them, and create “buy in” from the member.

15. SUPPORTING HEALTH SEEKERS USING LISTEN FIRST PRACTICE
Activity-
Choose one of the two activities. Explain the activity and have staff pair up and practice.

16. SUMMARY
Listen First
Creates positive work environment by improving relationships
Allows us to help members with their efforts and have greater success
Improves member retention
Helps open the door to new program opportunities