Nominations are now being taken for the 2014 Refreshed Business of the Year (RBY). This year Mower County Statewide Health Improvement Program is joining the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and Mower Refreshed to award two organizations (one under 100 and one over 100 employees) who are striving to create cultures of wellness in the work environment through engaging, equipping and empowering their workforce.

Mower Refreshed is a learning lab, a movement that explores ideas and continually innovates to improve impact on wellness through those ideas developed by community members. RBY 2014 has been not only expanded in the sponsoring partners but in the benefits for organizations being nominated and awarded:

The two 2014 award recipients will receive:

—An artistic glass award to display

—Two complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony courtesy of Mayo Clinic Health Systems – Albert Lea and Austin.

—Professional consultant on ways to expand the current wellness efforts, capitalizing on the organizations strengths.

—Featured articles and stories on their business throughout 2015 on the impact the wellness initiatives are having.

Refreshed Business of the Year Awards were created to inspire all organizations regardless of size and resources, to be intentional about wellness at work, seeking to increase productivity, decrease absenteeism and presenteeism, and decrease health care costs.Impacting the health of the of workforce impacts the wellness of our communities.

Nominations will close Jan. 30, and the awards will be given at the Chambers’ Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Holiday Inn and Austin Conference Center on Feb. 26, 2015. You can pick up a nomination form at the chamber or visit www.MowerRefresehd.org and download the form online.

No effort or initiative is too small to be celebrated and considered for the award. Creating cultures of wellness at work doesn’t necessary take a large wellness program or incentives; it’s about providing environments that fuel individuals to invest in their own health. Share what your organization is doing to fuel wellness at work in Mower County.

Wellness Wednesday tip

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” —Bob Kerrey

In the holiday rush, pause to observe who needs your kindness.