Becoming a Well City
The Well City USA initiative is directly linked to WELCOA's local Council movement. WELCOA's local Councils provide the necessary infrastructure and leadership for the successful completion of Well City initiatives, and are able to guide and direct the process using the beliefs, vision, mission and focus shared by both WELCOA and each local Council.

Requirements for becoming a local Council (and thereby beginning a Well City project) are outlined below. Click here for specific details on local Council and Well City affiliation.

WELCOA & Local Council Shared Beliefs, Vision, Mission, and Focus
WELCOA and its local Councils commit to the following shared beliefs, vision, mission, and focus.

Our Collective Beliefs:
  • A healthy workforce is essential to America's continued growth and prosperity.

  • Healthcare costs are an issue of significant concern.

  • Much of the illness in the U.S. is directly preventable.

  • The workplace is an ideal setting to address health and well-being.

  • Workplace wellness programs can transform corporate culture and change lives.


    • Our Collective Vision:
  • If every workplace would offer its employees a structured health promotion program?
  • If every community would make preventive care a priority?

  • If every employee had access to reliable health information?

    America would be a healthier place.
    Creating such an America is the vision of the Wellness Councils of America.

    Our Collective Mission:
    Our mission is to enable employers to link health promotion objectives to business outcomes.

    Our Collective Focus:
    Specifically, WELCOA and your locally affiliated Wellness Council concentrates its workplace wellness efforts in four strategic areas:

    1. Cultivating and retaining corporate membership;
    2. Educating and training employers in Well Workplace University;
    3. Recognizing Well Workplaces;
    4. Promoting WELCOA products and health information.

    In addition to sharing with WELCOA the above outlined beliefs, vision, mission, and focus, to be considered for affiliation as a local Council and as a new Well City project, local Councils must commit to the following business structure.

    Local Council Business Structure
    To be considered for affiliation with WELCOA as a new local Council or Well City project, each potential new council must:

  • Operate as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

  • Engage an active Board of Directors

  • Maintain independent finances

  • Employ qualified personnel

  • Establish a guiding set of bylaws

  • Develop an annual operating plan

  • Ensure its own financial accountability

  • Serve a defined geographical territory

  • Maintain confidentiality


    • Please Note
    Invitations to become a local Council are by invitation only. Applications will be accepted by WELCOA two times per year—January 1st and July 1st.