Communities in Motion: Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis has conducted walking meetings for city employees to meet and walk with the mayor and council members since January 2005. While the meetings are primarily designed for members of city government, the public is welcome to join the walks. The walks allow the mayor and council to lead by example by incorporating exercise into their daily activities.

The initiative to get employees moving through walking meetings came out of the Steps to a Healthier Minneapolis program which is part of Steps to a Healthier US, a nationwide project funded by the CDC. The meetings are organized by the city Health Department in collaboration with the Human Resources Department. They are advertised through all staff emails, flyers in municipal buildings, and announcements at city council meetings.

The participants walk about 1 – 1½ miles and talk to each other and the mayor and council members. The events are usually linked to a particular theme. For example, during Public Health Week, participants were encouraged to wear tennis shoes to the meeting as part of “Take Your Shoes for a Walk Day.” The mayor and council members talked about public health and their desire for city employees and residents to be active. Later, during a walk to a farmers’ market, discussion highlighted the linkages between health, physical activity and food choices issues. The routes are planned so as to visit places that may be of general interest, expose people to the built environment and be aesthetically pleasing for a walk.

Results
Minneapolis does not evaluate the outcomes of the walking meetings separately as these meetings are considered a support for other ongoing active living projects. However, participation in the meetings is tracked and steady turnout has been considered a sign of success. Five events were conducted during the first year of the program and events are continuing in 2006. While all city employees are encouraged to attend, participants usually come from the main municipal complex. The meeting conducted during public health week drew 52 employees, the farmers’ market trip had 28, and another walking meeting had 37. Some of the meetings, such as the one linked to the “Take Your Shoes for a Walk Day” theme, have been covered by local media affiliates. Leading by example with this meeting, the city promotes walking.

Lessons Learned
Participants are drawn largely due to the mayor and council members, who tend to be local celebrities in the city. The use of themed events has also facilitated publicity and participation. Certain publicity gimmicks also extend awareness beyond those who attend the meetings. With a twist on the well-known “I voted” stickers, participants at one meeting were given “I waked” stickers shaped like tennis shoes.

Due to the busy schedules of elected officials, coordinating meeting times convenient for both council members and other employees can be challenging. Weather can also pose a problem for outdoor meetings. In cold weather, the meetings have been conducted in the skyway that connects all of downtown Minneapolis.

Strengths

• Physical activity is fit into the work day and civic activities of public officials, employees, and citizens
• The informal setting of walking meetings enhances rapport amongst participants
• Municipal employees provide a pool of participants available at the same time and place
• The opportunity to meet the mayor and other elected officials serves to draw participants
• Coordination by municipal departments such as the Health and Human Resource Departments provide stability and continuity for the initiative

Innovative Ideas

• One single event can promote physical activity, civic participation, and outreach to citizens
• Different neighborhoods within a municipality are given the opportunity to showcase their communities and voice their concerns with visual reinforcement
• City employees explore areas of their city together
• Along the theme of “I voted” stickers, walking meeting participants wore “I walked” stickers shaped like tennis shoes

Implementation

• Bear in mind that walking meetings are “big idea” meetings and not detail oriented meetings
• Be mindful of the number, ability and interests of potential participants
• Determine the location, date and time of the meeting, considering walkability and weather conditions
• For large groups, designate leaders, assistants and note-takers
• Schedule stops along the route or split into smaller groups to facilitate discussions
• Send out the agenda ahead of time to inform your meeting team of the discussion topics to ensure everyone is prepared
• Encourage group members be prepared with walking shoes, water bottles and other essentials such as umbrellas
• Walk at a comfortable pace where all members of the group can speak without being out of breath
• Consider the purchase of pedometers to log the number of steps taken during walking meetings. Walking challenges amongst co-workers may increase interest in and the number of walking meetings
• Gather verbal feedback or use simple questionnaires for evaluation purposes

Resources
www.feetfirst.info/research
The resource and publications page of the Seattle, WA based pedestrian advocacy group provides numerous resources to promote walking, including The Power of Walking Meetings

Contacts
Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support
250 South 4th Street, Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: (612) 673-3815
Fax: (612) 673-3866

References
Arlington, VA County Board. Walking Town Meetings for 2006. [Official County Web site]. Retrieved May 15, 2006 from: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CountyBoard/townmeetings/CountyBoardTownmeetingsMain.aspx
Center for Health Improvement. (2005). Walking Meetings Energize Body and Mind. [Checklist for Successful Walking Meetings]. Sacramento, CA: Center for Health Improvement. Retrieved May 15, 2006 from: http://www.chipolicy.org/pdf/5678.Walking%20Final%20After%20Public%20HW.pdf
Kitchell, M. & Stewart, J. Feet First. (2004). The Power of Walking Meetings. Seattle, WA: Feet First.
Neighborhood Hosts Walking Town Meeting with County Board. (2004, Fall). Tara-Leeway Heights Community News. 10(3): 1. Retrieved May 15, 2006 from: http://www.taraleeway.org/cmsweb/download.php?id=887723,69,3