National Respiratory Care Event Planning Idea Guide

Racing ‘Round The World

2011-06-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Inject some extra fun into National Respiratory Care Week with your own version of the popular TV show Amazing Race. Come up with five challenges for your respiratory care staff to tackle. For example, have them set plastic cups on top of each other in the shape of a pyramid, then fill the cups with water from a pitcher without the cups falling over. Conduct a challenge a day, always in a different location in your facility. Name each of these locations as if it were a country that participants were traveling to, like in the show. Award a prize, such as a “Property Of Respiratory Department” Deluxe Duffel Bag or a “Property Of Respiratory Department” Eco-To-Go Travel Tumbler, each day to the person who completes the challenge fastest.

VIP Status

2011-06-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Make your respiratory therapists feel like VIPs. Recruit volunteers to act as “valets.” Send out an e-mail ahead of time announcing this service and post signs in the parking lots. Allow your respiratory therapists to pull right up to the curb near the front door and leave their cars with the volunteer parking attendants. When they step out of their cars, have the “valets” give each person a “Respiratory Care: Because Every Breath Counts” Mini Organizer With Pen. After the cars are parked, return the keys to their owners with a “Respiratory Care: Because Every Breath Counts” Leatherette Dual Photo Key Tag, attached to each set.

Get Them Guessing

2011-06-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

Recruit someone to take pictures of the backs of people’s heads. Have this “photographer” find employees who work closely with the respiratory care staff. Let the respiratory professionals guess “who’s who” in the photos. To the person with the most correct answers, award a Respiratory Care Automatic Umbrella With Sleeve. It will help keep that person’s head dry and in “picture perfect” condition. Give all participants, including the pictured employees, “Thanks For All You Do!” Contour Grip Water Bottles With Healthy Snacks.

T-rrific Activity

2011-05-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

Supply your team members with “10 Reasons I Love Being A Respiratory Therapist” T-Shirts to proudly wear. Then invite them to an appreciation lunch for National Respiratory Care Week. Let everyone know that the entry ticket to lunch is the shirt. At the end of the event, give each respiratory professional a Respiratory Care Gift Bag Of Appreciation as further thanks.

60 Minutes Of Fame

2011-05-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Give members of your respiratory staff the focused attention they deserve. Celebrate a staff member each day or hour by declaring “[name a person] Day/Hour.” Announce the staff member’s name on the P.A. system and provide some information or anecdote about the person’s background and personality. Present the staff member with a “Property Of Respiratory Care Department” Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt.

Gentle Reminder

2011-05-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

Give your respiratory care professionals a gift that gets them thinking about how much their work matters. Distribute “Respiratory Care: Dedicated To Every Breath You Take” Retractable I.D. Badge Holders. Then establish weekly prize drawings for the entire year until the next National Respiratory Care Week. On a randomly chosen day each week, fill a bowl with the names of people who are wearing their badge holders. Draw a name and give out a prize, such as “Making A Difference In The Lives Of Others” Tote Bag.

Tasty Selection

2011-05-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Arrange for personalized potatoes this National Respiratory Care Week. Set up a baked potato bar in your break room or cafeteria with a variety of toppings, such as low-fat sour cream and cheddar cheese, chives, broccoli, and chili. You might even try shredded BBQ chicken and beef. Give everyone “Respiratory Care: Because Every Breath Counts” 3-Section Plate to put the potatoes on. Serve drinks in Stainless Steel Message Water Bottles.

Breathe Easier

2011-05-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Lung Health Day, October 26 this year, falls within National Respiratory Care Week. Hold a mini health fair which provides information about how to care for your lungs. Also offer free breathing tests. Ask your respiratory therapists to give presentations and answer questions. Outfit them in “Respiratory Care: Because Every Breath Counts” Polo Shirts for the event. Hand out “Respiratory Care: Because Every Breath Counts” Comfort Grip Pens to visitors of the fair.

Drawing With A Spin

2011-05-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Use two-part raffle tickets to pick a prizewinner per day during your appreciation week. Distribute the tickets Monday morning to your staff. Place the items from the Respiratory Care Raffle Pack in a pillowcase. At the end of each day, draw a raffle ticket. Have the lucky ticket holder reach into the pillowcase without looking and pull out a prize. After Friday’s drawing, hand out Scrub-Shaped Sticky Pad Gift Sets to all of your team members.

Touch Of Tinseltown

2009-09-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

Temporarily transport your respiratory care staff to Hollywood. Recreate the Walk Of Fame by taping large paper stars featuring the names of celebrities on the floor. Use scrap cardboard and white paper to make a Hollywood sign. Ask other department managers to dress up as movie stars. Have them welcome your employees at the start of their shifts. Give out “Caring Is Always In Season” Planners, after placing one or two movie passes in each so your team of talented professionals can go watch the real actors and actresses.

Using Their Senses

2009-09-10T10:28:00.002-07:00

By spending an extra few minutes preparing for your event, you can increase the enjoyment. Gather two or three dozen small items from around your facility (paper clip, sticky note, highlighter, etc.). Place them on a tray and cover with a cloth. Give each guest some paper and a pencil. Uncover the tray for 60 seconds, allowing everyone a chance to study the items. Then, with the tray covered, ask participants to write down as many items as they can remember. To the winner of the activity, award a “Great Staff, Great Team” Portfolio or a 3-Section Plate.

Fresh Air

2009-09-10T10:28:00.001-07:00

During this year’s National Respiratory Care Week, bring awareness to the problem of air pollution while also helping the environment. Ask your employees to make a special effort to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions by carpooling, riding a bike or walking to work. Give all of those who carpool “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Auto Travel Kits and those who walk or ride bikes “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Deluxe Backpacks. Encourage workers to continue these earth-friendly practices year round.

Take A Deep Breath

2009-09-10T10:27:00.002-07:00

Celebrate Lung Health Day (October 28, 2009) by offering free lung function and breathing tests at your facility. Advertise for the event at local businesses and on radio stations. Have all respiratory therapists helping with the tests wear “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Long Sleeve T-Shirts. Give everyone who shows up for free testing a “We ™ Our Respiratory Therapists” Recognition Button.

Special Recognition

2009-09-10T10:27:00.001-07:00

Use National Respiratory Care Week 2009 to kick-off your new Respiratory Therapist of the Year program. At least a month in advance, have employees vote for a co-worker who went the extra mile in 2009. Compile the votes and plan a special catered luncheon during Respiratory Care Week. At the meal, give a brief speech and present the Respiratory Therapist of the Year with a “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Deluxe Laser-Engraved Pen With Case and a “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Microfleece Blanket.

Happy Halloween!

2009-09-10T10:26:00.002-07:00

Halloween falls on the last day of National Respiratory Care Week so encourage your respiratory care workers to dress up for a costume contest. Come up with several costume categories such as “Scariest Costume” and “Cutest Costume,” and let employees vote for the outfits they like best. Present costume contest winners with “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Embroidered Hooded Zipper Sweatshirts. Pass out Respiratory Care Message Tumblers to all participants.

Daily Surprise

2009-09-10T10:26:00.001-07:00

If you don’t have much time to recognize employees, hold quick and easy daily drawings for prizes. At the beginning of the week, put all of your employees’ names in a hat. Draw a winner each day and present him or her with a “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” USB Flash Drive Key Chain. At the end of the week, give everyone who didn’t have his or her name drawn a “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Lanyard.

Respiratory Care 101

2009-09-10T10:25:00.004-07:00

Team up with a local university to encourage and educate the next generation of respiratory care professionals. Several months in advance, contact the head of the School of Medicine to arrange a day during National Respiratory Care Week for your employees to meet with medical students. Have all respiratory employees contribute to creating a presentation for students. Ask for volunteers to speak at the university. The day of the event, give all employees “Property Of Respiratory Department” T-Shirts to wear. Also provide staff members attending the event with “Every Breath Counts” Double Duty Calculators to pass out to students.

Smart Start

2009-09-10T10:25:00.003-07:00

Eating a nutritious, low-fat breakfast is a great way to begin the day. Not only can healthy foods make you feel better, but they can also energize you and make you more productive. With this in mind, use National Respiratory Care Week as a way to promote healthy eating habits to your employees. Each morning have a variety of fruits and whole grains available for breakfast. On the first day, have “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Stainless Steel Water Bottles or “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Ceramic Mugs available to put beverages in. Allow staff enough time to enjoy their meal and socialize a little as well.

Quick Quizzes

2009-09-10T10:25:00.001-07:00

Add fun to the daily agenda during National Respiratory Care Week by picking a theme for each day and creating a quiz based on it. For example, Tuesday’s theme could be “Entertainment.” A question on the quiz might be “What TV show has a character who lives on a Pennsylvania beet farm?” (The answer is NBC’s The Office.) Give employees 10 to 15 minutes to complete the quiz, then determine who scored the highest. Prizes for winner(s) could be “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Cooler Bags and “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Comfort Grip Pens.

Open To The Public

2009-09-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

This National Respiratory Care Week, hold an open house and invite the community to see all the good your employees do. Also make this an opportunity to educate people about lung health issues. Use a “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Banner to decorate the inside of your facility for the event. To grab everyone’s attention outside, attach “Respiratory Care: Making A Difference One Breath At A Time” Balloons to a lamppost or tree near the entrance.

Body And Mind

2008-09-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Remind your respiratory professionals that they need to look out for their own wellness, not just that of others. On Monday, prepare fruit smoothies for your respiratory department. On Tuesday, pass out “Attitude Is Everything!” Stress Balls to promote a healthy mental state. On Wednesday, have trays of vegetables available. On Thursday, distribute “Attitude Is Everything!” Stationery Sets. And on Friday, serve whole-grain English muffins with low-fat cream cheese.

Fact Or Fiction?

2008-09-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

“Two Truths And A Lie” has become a popular game for recognition weeks. In this activity, participants turn in three statements about themselves. Two of the statements are true; one is made up. Everyone tries to pick out the untrue statement from each person. Organize this game for your respiratory therapists. Present a “Respiratory Care: Making Life Better With Every Breath” Deluxe Duffle Bag or Deluxe Briefcase Bag to the therapist who identifies the highest number of false statements.

Autumn Activities

2008-09-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Treat your respiratory staff to a fall festival, regardless of whether there’s a traditional fall season in your part of the country. Begin by decorating with fall leaves and colors. Arrange for attendees to roast hot dogs and marshmallows on sticks, either by building a real fire outside or setting up a grill. Serve spiced tea and hot chocolate in Respiratory Care Message Tumblers. Add even more warmth by holding drawings for “Respiratory Care: Making Life Better With Every Breath” Microfleece Blankets.

Meet Your Co-Workers

2008-09-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here’s a National Respiratory Care Week activity that enables your respiratory therapists to meet people in other areas of your facility. Start by taking individual digital pictures of non-respiratory care staff. Make sure no I.D. badges are showing. Print the pictures and evenly distribute them among your therapists. Tell these “contestants” that to receive a prize, they must find the people pictured and get them to autograph their photos. Use Retractable I.D. Badge Holders as prizes that can be proudly worn.

What A Beautiful Baby

2008-09-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Liven up your recognition week by having your respiratory care professionals bring in baby pictures of themselves. Create a bulletin board to display the pictures. Let everyone, including non-respiratory employees, guess who’s who. If you need more photos to make it challenging, ask people in other departments to contribute. Give prizes to the top scorers, one from the respiratory staff and one from other departments. Umbrellas and Satin Touch Travel Tumblers make practical prizes.

Slice Of Gratitude

2008-09-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

As a thank you to your respiratory staff, combine the fun of a pizza party with sensible eating. If your building has cafeteria workers, commission them to make pizzas with whole-grain crusts. Ask for veggies, pineapple or grilled chicken as toppings. Before the party, put a “Great Staff, Great Team” Mini Gift Tote at each place setting. During the event, present everyone with “Great Staff, Great Team” Deluxe Backpacks.

Lifesaving Information

2008-09-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Since National Respiratory Care Week is in October, it makes sense to include breast cancer awareness in your events. Start by ordering educational products, such as bookmarks and shower cards, from www.positivebca.com (Positive Promotions’ NBCAM Website). Hand out “Respiratory Care: Making Life Better With Every Breath” Greeting Cards with notes inside telling about NBCAM. Throughout the week, hold awareness activities. Give “Thanks For Making A Difference” Wood Frames Of Appreciation to people who help you coordinate your programs, participate in a breast cancer walk or donate money during a fundraiser.

International Fare

2008-09-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

Tailor a lunch to the specific tastes of your respiratory care staff. Start by distributing a mini survey asking for each person’s three favorite nationalities of food, for example Mexican, Italian and Chinese. Arrange to have a dish served from at least one of the nationalities on each survey response. At the lunch, encourage attendees to sample foods they may not be familiar with. Then place a variety of gifts, such as T-Shirts, Laser-Engraved Pen And Key Tag Gift Sets and Sticky Pad Portfolios, on the tables. Put everyone’s name in a bowl. Let staff members choose a gift when their names are drawn.

Monetary Motivation

2008-09-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

Encourage participation in National Respiratory Care Week festivities by paying bonuses in play money, which is available in the toy section of stores. Award this money when someone wins a challenge, attends a training seminar, takes part in a game, etc. Then sell raffle tickets that can be purchased with the fake cash. Raffle off “Respiratory Care: Making Life Better With Every Breath” Deluxe Lunch Bags and Desktop Carryalls.