Executive Club Newsletter

February 2009

Athena Award Luncheon

There will be no regular ECCC meeting in February. Members are encouraged to attend the Athena Awards Luncheon on February 19, 2009 at the Champaign Country Club.

This award honors an individual who strives toward the highest level of professional accomplishment - a woman or man who excels in his or her chosen field, has devoted time and energy to the community in meaningful ways and who actively guides or mentors women to become great leaders.

Registration for this event being handled by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. To find out more details or to register, click here.

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Do You Work with Heart?

President’s Message

by Hope Wheeler

February is here, the month that brings us Valentine’s Day. So when thinking of this month’s topic, the word “heart” came to mind. Many leadership books directed at women in the 80s and 90s spoke about women having a natural tendency toward leadership. I recall an author that referred to women being natural leaders because of their innate ability to work in teams. This natural talent may be a part of the equation, but there is much more to it, including “having heart”.

Business has been a place where the heart and its many expressions were discouraged in the past. Some women completely disconnected themselves from these attributes in the workplace because they were being taught that those traits had no purpose or value in business, that they were too feminine. Unfortunately, I believe that as women we are sometimes guilty of negatively judging our natural, feminine skills and, as a result, we at times leave them at home. The truth is that we need to embrace these traits in business in order to be fully successful. You can’t just engage the head and forget the heart!

An article by Laura Lopez, a former Coca-Cola executive, stated “Today, companies and businesses are looking for long-term sustainable results and innovative solutions. They can’t achieve this without engaged people. Engagement is an emotional issue, not an intellectual one. You can go to work with your head, but it isn’t until your heart is engaged that you can bring about superior and sustainable results. Effective leadership requires passion, creativity and innovation, and you can’t do that without an engaged heart.”

I believe that if we embrace ourselves more fully and start to unapologetically bring our full selves to work, our business relationships will flourish. Showing emotion is no longer a sign of weakness, it opens a window to who we truly are - and the truth is that people do business with those they like. If your staff and your clients do not relate to you, it’s nearly impossible to build trust and long-term relationships, especially in today’s globally competitive and ever-changing market.

So think about heart this Valentine’s month. Today’s leaders have such a balancing act between the management demands of the business and the leadership demands of the people around us every day. We may have been leaning toward the business side of the equation with a hands off approach; but to achieve sustainable results, businesses need some heart! And it starts with executives like us.

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Bring a Guest for Free in March

Jennifer Roscoe on the Changing Role of Women in Media

by Ellen Schmidt

GUEST DAY! Please feel free to bring a guest free of charge to Executive club for the march meeting.

Thursday, March 19 Champaign Country Club

11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens

12:15 p.m.: Mtg/Program

The thrill of live television and the chance to make a difference are two of 3 News Anchor Jennifer Roscoe’s favorite things about working in the news media. "I love the adrenaline rush of a breaking news story and can’t imagine sitting behind a desk everyday doing the same thing. This job is exciting because there’s always a different story to cover."

Since 1993, Jennifer has covered hundreds of stories - from raging fires to county fairs to everything in between. She currently anchors 3 News at 5, 6 and 10. Jennifer first came to WCIA as an intern, while attending the University of Illinois. She majored in Broadcast Journalism and graduated with honors.

(taken from Illinoishomepage.net)

Registrations are due by noon on Monday, March 16 Please indicate if you are bringing a guest. Contact the Treasurer with questions about registration. Register online now!

*Remember, there will be a $5 late fee for reservations received after the Monday Noon deadline. Attendees with late or no reservations will be permitted to attend as seating is available.

Pre-register online and send a check for $15 to ECCC, P.O. Box 61, Champaign, IL 61824-0061 OR pre-register online and pay on day of luncheon.

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New Facebook Group for Executive Club

by Jeannette Beck

If you enjoy spending time (or should I say wasting time?) on Facebook, join the new FB group for Executive Club of Champaign County. It was established in mid-December as an experiment and a few ECCC Facebookers have already found it and joined. This is intended to provide an opportunity for social interaction on the web for ECCC members. You will be able to post discussion items, photos, and promote events to your ECCC colleagues. The plan is simply to let it become what it wants to be for the ECCC members who use it. If you’re not already on Facebook and curious about it, go to Facebook.com. Registration is free and easy.

ECCC does not endorse Facebook and this medium will not replace our established website and newsletter communications.

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January Speaker Summary

Beautiful Faces

by Ellen Schmidt

Dr. Ron Russo, board certified facial plastic surgeon was our January speaker.

At the Rejuvenis Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, patients have many choices for achieving and maintaining a more youthful appearance. Dr. Russo, whose practice focuses mainly on faces and skin, and the staff at Rejuvenis can help you determine what your needs are and the most comfortable way that you can achieve those results.

Dr. Russo shared a number of pictures of “beautiful” faces that had been enhanced with both non-surgical and surgical procedures.

One of the newest discoveries in the non-surgical cosmetic procedure world is the finding that an eye drop used on cataract patients contains a component that allows for hair growth. This new product will be released in the near future and contains a component that when applied carefully on the eyelid will allow for eyelash growth.

The membership received information of different procedures and free samples of eye cream and sunscreen. Kathy Reeves won a $165 gift certificate for a hydrafacial.

If you have any questions for Dr. Russo and his staff, please direct your call to either April or Valerie at their office. www.rejuvenisbeauty.com

I encourage and welcome your program ideas. I also appreciate any feedback about what you liked or disliked about programs that have been presented. Please feel free to drop me an email at programs@executiveclubcc.org

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Treasurer’s Report

by Deb Reardanz

EXECUTIVE CLUB OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
INCOME STATEMENT
For Four Months Ended January 31
2009
		Month of	Year To Date
		January	January 31,
		2009	2009	Annual Budget
INCOME
	Membership Dues	255.00	7,350.00	8,500.00
	Club Luncheon Reimbursements	615.00	4,380.00	10,200.00
	Board Luncheon Reimbursements	73.97	391.47	1,200.00
	Bus Trip	-	440.00	4,000.00
	Forums/Events	120.00	120.00	500.00
	Interest - Checking Account	2.48	10.83	30.00

	Total Income	1,066.45	12,692.30	24,430.00

EXPENSES
	Bus Trip	-	1,037.96	5,000.00
	Forums/Events	-	-	2,000.00
	Insurance	-	-	325.00
	Networking-Social Events	328.59	328.59	500.00
	Lunches - Board	83.00	278.72	1,500.00
	Lunches - Club	1,034.61	3,772.23	11,500.00
	Membership	-	-	200.00
	Miscellaneous	-	-	200.00
	Operations	-	16.80	200.00
	Speaker Donations	100.00	300.00	1,200.00
	Stamps	-	84.00	150.00
	Stationary	-	-	250.00
	Web Page	180.00	180.00	1,500.00

	Total Expenses	1,726.20	5,998.30	24,525.00


	Net Change in Unrestricted Assets	(659.75)	6,694.00	(95.00)

	Beginning Net Assets		10,214.12

	Ending Net Assets		16,908.12



EXECUTIVE CLUB OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
BALANCE SHEET

ASSETS
	First Federal - Checking		$ 16,858.12
	Petty Cash		50.00

	Total Assets		$ 16,908.12

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
	Unrestricted Net Assets		16,908.12

	Total Liabilities and Net Assets		$ 16,908.12
			-