It’s October, and that means it’s time to spice up your intranet content with some new and relevant topics to engage your employees. Whether you want to honor National Book Month, focus on mental health issues, or share information about Indigenous Peoples Day, this post will give you some ideas.
FireOak’s Favorite Ideas for Intranet Content for October 2024:
- National Book Month
- World Vegetarian Day (October 1)
- World Mental Health Day (October 10)
- Indigenous Peoples Day (October 14)
National Book Month
National Book Month is a time to celebrate reading, literature, and literacy. This month-long celebration in October invites people of all ages to enjoy books, discover new genres, and express their love of reading. By supporting National Book Month at your organization, you can create a culture of learning, innovation, and community. Here are some suggestions for your intranet:
- Feature a “Book of the Week” news post on your intranet.
- Promote a company-wide and/or departmental book club. Include virtual sessions for staff to discuss the selected reading material and share insights.
- Host a trivia event at the end of the month based on selected material(s) and advertise it on your intranet. Offer prizes or incentives for the winners to encourage participation.
World Vegetarian Day (October 1)
World Vegetarian Day is an annual event that takes place on October 1st. It was established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society and endorsed in 1978 by the International Vegetarian Union. This day aims to raise awareness of the health, environmental, and ethical advantages of a vegetarian lifestyle. It also ushers in Vegetarian Awareness Month, encouraging people to try plant-based diets, cut down on meat consumption, and acknowledge the positive effects of vegetarianism on personal health, animal welfare, and the planet. Here are some opportunities to support vegetarianism using your company intranet:
- Recipe sharing: Encourage employees to share their favorite vegetarian recipes and create a dedicated section or offer a weekly recipe spotlight.
- Challenges: Consider a “Meatless Monthly Challenge” for October. Encourage employees to participate in Meatless Mondays and provide recipes and meal ideas to support the challenge.
- Interactive forum or discussion board: Create a space on your intranet where employees can ask questions, share experiences, and provide suggestions for each other regarding vegetarianism.
World Mental Health Day (October 10)
The World Federation for Mental Health established World Mental Health Day in 1992. The aim was to not only increase understanding of mental health problems worldwide but also to encourage actions that help individuals and communities with their mental health needs. Here are some ideas for supporting World Mental Health Day using your company intranet:
- Publish news posts explaining what World Mental Health Day is, its history, and its significance. Include personal stories from employees (with their permission) to foster a sense of connection and relatability.
- Create a mental health information hub on your intranet that provides articles, videos, and other resources for mental health wellness.
- Host a webinar or workshop featuring a mental health professional(s). Topics could include stress management or mindfulness techniques.
- If your organization has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), highlight any available resources that focus on mental health wellness, such as counseling services.
Indigenous Peoples Day (October 14)
Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes and respects Native American peoples, their histories, and cultures. It is celebrated on the second Monday in October in the United States. Indigenous Peoples Day also serves as a different way to celebrate what is traditionally Columbus Day, considering the impacts of colonization on Indigenous groups and highlighting their accomplishments and resilience.
Recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day on your company intranet can help raise awareness, educate employees, and foster an inclusive workplace culture. In addition to providing educational content and/or spotlighting Indigenous employees who choose to share their stories on your intranet, it might be helpful for employees to understand the Indigenous land that they are currently living on, working on, or otherwise using.
Native Land Digital is a valuable tool for territory acknowledgement. It shows the territories, languages, and treaties that correspond to the location entered. By sharing this tool with your employees and acknowledging the territory where your organization is located, you can create a moment of reflection and learning.
Other Ideas
Other ideas to potentially incorporate into your intranet content for November 2024:
- October 1: World Coffee Day
- October 16: International Pronouns Day
- October 24: United Nations Day
- October 29: National Internet Day
- October 31: Halloween
Looking for more ways to enhance your intranet, freshen up an intranet, or build a new intranet? Check out other articles in FireOak’s intranet blog post series and stay tuned for our November Intranet Content post in this series.
