Intro to Movember
- What is Movember? Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.
- What do guys do for Movember? Men participate by shaving clean on November 1st and then growing a mustache throughout the month. It’s a conversation starter that raises awareness and encourages donations to Movember charities.
- Where is Movember celebrated? Movember is a global movement, with campaigns and events taking place in over 20 countries worldwide.
- Which countries do Movember? Movember is most popular in countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and across Europe.
- What is the female version of Movember? Women who participate in Movember (called Mo Sistas) are dedicated to supporting the men in their lives by promoting the importance of men’s health. Mo Sistas sign up, start a team, commit to MOVE, and fundraise – they do everything Mo Bros do, they just don’t grow a Mo!
- Is there a color for Movember? Yes, the official color of Movember is teal.
5 ideas to celebrate Movember at work
1. Step Up for Movember:
This Movember, get your team moving and grooving for men’s health! As you probably already know, physical activity has proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Movember provides a fantastic opportunity to build healthier habits together as a team.
Here’s how to get started with a Movember step challenge using Reaction Club:
- Create Your Challenge: It’s easy! Use the Reaction Club admin dashboard to set up a Movember-themed step challenge in minutes.
- Set a Team Goal: Decide on a collective step target that will motivate everyone to get moving.
- Get Everyone Involved: Invite your colleagues to join the challenge and download the Reaction Club app.
- Track Your Progress: The app makes it easy to monitor your team’s progress and cheer each other on with leaderboards and team chat.
- Donate Your Steps: Want to take it a step further? Reaction Club can replace the rewards on your team’s app with donations to the Movember charity. That means every step your team takes translates into a contribution to men’s health!
Why a Step Challenge is Perfect for Movember:
- Inclusive: Everyone can participate, regardless of their fitness level.
- Flexible: People can join from anywhere, making it ideal for remote teams or those with employees in different locations.
- Scalable: Works great for both small and large teams.
- Easy to Manage: Reaction Club handles all the tracking and reporting, so you can focus on having fun and supporting a great cause.
All your team needs is a smartphone and the Reaction Club app, and they’ll be ready to step up for Movember!
2. Grow a Mo-ustache Event:
Get ready to embrace the ‘stache! A classic Movember activity, growing a mustache is a fun and visible way to raise awareness for men’s health. Here’s how to make it a truly engaging event at your workplace:
- Shave-Down Day: Kick off Movember with a bang! Organize a company-wide “shave-down” event on November 1st. Encourage everyone to start the month with a clean-shaven face, ready to cultivate their Mo.
- Mo Bro of the Month: Add some friendly competition to the mix. At the end of November, host a contest for the “Best Mo in Show” or the “Most Creative Mustache.” Award a fun prize to the winner, like a gift certificate to a local barber or a “Mo Bro of the Month” trophy.
- Mustache-Themed Treats: Keep the Movember spirit alive with some delicious treats. Bring in mustache-shaped cookies, cupcakes, or even a cake decorated with a giant mustache. It’s a fun way to keep the conversation going and show your support for the cause.
- Movember Photo Booth: Set up a fun photo booth with props like fake mustaches, hats, and signs. Encourage employees to take pictures and share them on social media with your company’s Movember hashtag.
- “Guess the Mo” Contest: Create a bulletin board with baby pictures of employees and have everyone guess who’s who based on their adorable baby mustaches (or lack thereof!).
Why a “Grow a Mo-ustache” Event Works:
- Visible Support: It’s a visual reminder of Movember and its mission.
- Conversation Starter: Mustaches are natural conversation starters, providing opportunities to discuss men’s health.
- Team Building: It creates a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
- Lighthearted Fun: It injects some humor and lightheartedness into the workplace.
3. Host a Movember Lunch & Learn:
Make lunchtime educational and engaging! A Movember Lunch & Learn is a fantastic way to raise awareness about men’s health issues in a comfortable and informative setting. Here’s how to make yours a success:
- Invite an Expert: Reach out to a local doctor, mental health professional, or men’s health specialist. Ask them to speak about relevant topics like prostate and testicular cancer, mental health challenges, or the importance of early detection and preventative care.
- Open the Floor for Discussion: Encourage employees to ask questions and share their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. This can help break down stigma and encourage open conversations about men’s health.
- Provide Resources: Make sure to have brochures, pamphlets, or online resources available with further information about men’s health topics. You can also include contact information for local health organizations or support groups.
- Cater a Healthy Lunch: Keep the focus on well-being by providing a healthy and delicious lunch for attendees. Think fresh salads, nutritious wraps, or fruit platters.
- Make it Interactive: Consider incorporating interactive elements like a quiz on men’s health facts or a short video presentation to keep the session engaging.
Why a Movember Lunch & Learn is a Great Idea:
- Raises Awareness: It provides valuable information about men’s health issues in an accessible format.
- Reduces Stigma: It encourages open conversations and normalizes discussions about men’s health.
- Empowers Employees: It equips employees with knowledge to make informed decisions about their health.
- Builds Community: It creates a sense of shared concern and support within the workplace.
4. Movember Score Prediction Game:
Tap into the excitement of sports and friendly competition with a Movember score prediction game! This is a fantastic way to engage your entire workplace, even those who aren’t die-hard sports fans.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose Your Sport: Select a sport with ongoing matches throughout November – football (soccer), rugby, American football, basketball, etc.
- Set Up a Leaderboard: Create a simple leaderboard (physical or digital) to track points.
- Make Your Predictions: Each week, employees predict the scores of upcoming matches.
- Award Points: Award points for correct scores, close guesses, or even bonus points for predicting upsets.
- Redeem for Donations: Employees can redeem their accumulated points for donations to your workplace’s Movember fundraising page.
5. Movember-Themed Fundraisers:
Get creative and have some fun while raising funds for a great cause! Movember-themed fundraisers are a fantastic way to engage your employees and generate excitement for men’s health. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Bake Sale with a Twist: Host a bake sale featuring mustache-themed treats. Think cookies, cupcakes, and brownies decorated with mustaches, or even a “Guess the Mo” cake where people can guess which employee the mustache on the cake belongs to.
- Movember Raffle: Organize a raffle with exciting prizes donated by local businesses or employees. Sell raffle tickets throughout the month, with all proceeds going to Movember.
- Casual Friday for a Cause: Allow employees to dress casually on Fridays throughout November in exchange for a small donation to Movember.
- Movember Auction: Gather unique items or experiences to auction off, such as a signed sports memorabilia, a weekend getaway, or even a “shave-down” by the CEO at the end of the month.
- “Pin the Mo on the Celebrity” Contest: Create a fun game where employees try to pin a paper mustache on a poster of a celebrity. Charge a small fee to participate, with all proceeds going to Movember.
By joining the Movember movement, you’re contributing to a cause that makes a real difference in the lives of men.
For more information about Movember and how to get involved, please visit: www.movember.com
