MSU Extension Champion Active Communities

Here are some approachable ways an organization can identify a need to support physical activity in the community. Think about both the barriers individuals may face and the challenges your setting may have in making movement part of daily routines.

Talk with the people you serve:

Ask participants, residents, or staff if they would like more opportunities to move during the day. Short questions can be included in surveys, registration forms, or casual conversations.

Simple questions can include:

• What makes it hard for you to be physically active right now?

• Are there barriers that make movement difficult, such as cost, transportation, safety, health concerns, or not feeling comfortable or included?

• When would it be easiest for you to move more during the day?

• What types of movement feel safe and comfortable for you?

• What would make it easier to be active in this setting?

Observe your environment:

Notice when people are sitting for long periods or when movement could fit naturally into the schedule. Look for spaces that could be used for walking, stretching, or light strength-building. Consider whether equipment, safe walking areas, or scheduled activity time are available.

Review your policies and practices:

Think about whether your organization’s routines support movement. Are there long meetings without breaks? Limited access to equipment? No scheduled time for activity? Small changes in schedules, expectations, or space can make physical activity easier for everyone.

Community Champion Toolkit

Use the “Identify the Need” guide and worksheet for additional suggested questions, ideas, and examples of how to clarify a specific need, why it matters, and what benefits it could have for staff, volunteers, and clients.

Physical activity changes are more likely to last when supported by more than one person. If possible, start by identifying two to four people who care about wellness and have an influence in your setting. This could include staff, volunteers, residents, or community partners.

This does not need to be a formal committee. A simple “Active Communities Team” can create a shared goal by starting with a short conversation:

• What is the need we are trying to address?

• What is one realistic change we can try?

• How will we communicate the goal and encourage participation?

• Who will help support the change, so it does not rely on one person?

Not every organization has the capacity to form a team right away. If you are leading the change on your own, that is still a strong place to begin. Often one small success helps others see what is possible and builds support over time.

Tip: Keep the first step small. Many teams begin with one quick change that is easy to try and easy for others to support.

Community Champion Toolkit

Use the “Bring People Together” guide and worksheet to help identify people to include in your action team.

Across Michigan, community organizations are increasing physical activity using practical strategies that can last over time. These changes often involve simple adjustments to schedules, equipment, or routines that make movement easier to include in daily activities.

Some organizations add short movement sessions before existing programs at a senior center or community site. Others encourage walking meetings, stretch breaks during long events, or regular walking groups. Small equipment purchases such as resistance bands, balance tools, or portable equipment can help adults feel more comfortable being active.

In worksites or community organizations, leaders may also notice long periods of sitting during meetings or events. Changes such as adding movement breaks, supporting walking routes, or improving access to safe places to be active can help make movement part of the routine. Resources such as Change Lab Solutions’ Walk This Way guide show how workplace and community policies can support physical activity both at the worksite and in the surrounding community.

Example: Building an Active Community at Greenbriar HUD Housing

At Greenbriar HUD Housing in Greenville, Michigan, residents partnered with MSU Extension to create regular opportunities for physical activity as a policy, systems, and environmental change. A walking club was started and became part of the weekly routine, with residents tracking progress and celebrating milestones together.

Over time, interest in health grew across the community. Residents continued walking regularly and later started container gardening, providing another way to stay active through planting, watering, and harvesting.

Why it worked:

This change was successful because it was consistent, community-led, and built into the normal routine rather than offered as a one-time program.

Community Champion Toolkit

Use the “Explore What’s Working” guide and worksheet to guide you through this step and group conversations.

Once you have identified a focus area and are ready to move forward, gathering reliable resources can strengthen your plan and increase confidence. The resources below offer practical tools, messaging support, and sector-based strategies that can be adapted across senior centers, worksites, faith-based organizations, housing communities, and other adult-serving settings.

MSU Extension Get Moving Facilitator Guide

MSU Extension Get Moving User Guide

Get Moving is a ready-to-use adult physical activity curriculum that builds confidence and introduces functional strength and balance movements.

It is especially useful in senior centers, community education settings, and wellness programs where you want a structured but approachable lesson format.

Look for: facilitator guides, discussion prompts, and simple movement activities.

Move Your Way

Move Your Way translates national physical activity guidelines into clear, encouraging messages for adults of all abilities. Materials emphasize that all movement counts and provide simple examples of aerobic, strength, and balance activities.

This resource is helpful for communication and promotion efforts in worksites and community programs.

Look for: customizable posters, graphics, and plain-language guideline explanations.

MSU Extension – Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention

This MSU Extension program helps adults improve balance, strength, and confidence with movement through slow, gentle exercises that can be adapted for different ability levels. Programs like this can help community organizations introduce safe activity options and support changes that make physical activity a regular part of community programming.

MI Moves Coalition

The MI Moves Coalition is leading the development of Michigan’s statewide Physical Activity Plan and bringing together partners across sectors, including public health, transportation, education, worksites, healthcare, and community organizations. MSU Extension staff are actively involved in this planning effort.

Although the plan is currently in development, the MI Moves Coalition website will serve as a central hub for future strategies, collaboration opportunities, funding announcements, and shared resources to support physical activity across Michigan.

Michigan partners are encouraged to visit and stay connected as the plan evolves.

Look for: updates on the Michigan Physical Activity Plan, cross-sector collaboration opportunities, and future grants and implementation resources.

https://mimoves.orghttps://mimoves.org

West Virginia Physical Activity Plan

The West Virginia Physical Activity Plan outlines practical strategies for increasing physical activity across sectors such as worksites, healthcare, and community design.

Even outside the state, it offers useful examples of policy and environmental tactics.

Look for: sector-specific action steps and community-wide strategies.

Kansas City Regional Physical Activity Plan

The Kansas City Regional Physical Activity Plan provides examples of cross-sector collaboration to increase movement opportunities.

It is helpful if your community is exploring built environment improvements or employer-based wellness efforts.

Look for: strategies related to walkability, worksite policies, and regional partnerships.

https://kcphysicalactivityplan.org

Community Champion Toolkit

Use the “Gather Resources” question guide and worksheet to focus your goals and find additional reliable resources to help you implement your change.

After identifying your need, building buy-in, exploring options, and reviewing resources, the next step is to try one manageable change.

Choose a clear focus. For example, a senior center may decide to incorporate a 10-minute balance and strength session before lunch programs. A worksite might commit to adding brief movement breaks during weekly staff meetings. A community organization could launch a weekly walking group and promote it using Move Your Way messaging.

Testing one change for four to six weeks allows you to learn what works before expanding your efforts. Clear ownership, leadership support, and simple communication strategies increase the likelihood that the change will continue.

Community Champion Toolkit

Use the “Make a Plan and Act” guide and worksheet to outline responsibilities, timelines, and communication strategies. Worksheet 5a will provide guidance on writing a policy if a physical activity policy is the direction your action team wishes to take.

After implementing your change, take time to reflect. Consider what worked well, what challenges emerged, and what adjustments would strengthen the effort. Reflection builds momentum and prepares you for expansion.

If the change is working, share it. If adjustments are necessary, share that, too. A short update in a staff meeting, board meeting, coalition gathering, or newsletter can inspire others and build broader support.

Sustainable change occurs when movement becomes part of how an organization operates. Embedding expectations into policy, routines, onboarding, and communication ensures the effort continues beyond the initial launch.

Community Champion Toolkit

Use the “Reflect and Share” worksheet to guide this step and document your progress.