Executive Club Newsletter

July 2009

What’s new with UI softball?

Head UI Softball Coach Terri Sullivan

by Ellen Schmidt

Champaign Country Club
Thursday, July 16

11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens

12:15 p.m.: Mtg/Program

Coach Sullivan’s success is no accident. Her enthusiasm for the game rubs off on her players, coaches, fans, support staff, and the softball world. No matter who you are, no matter what setting you’re in, you can’t help but feel some of Sullivan’s love of the game.

As fun to be around as any person, she is as intense and driven when it comes to the game of softball. Whether it be recruiting or preparing for practices or games, her work ethic can’t be topped.

You will certainly enjoy hearing Coach Sullivan speak!

Registrations are due by noon on Monday, July 14. Please indicate if you are bringing a guest. 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. Contact the Treasurer with questions about registration.

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Can ECCC Improve Your Health?

President’s Message

by Hope Wheeler

We have all experienced the stress brought on by impending deadlines and endless to-do lists. For many of us, this pressure occurs on a daily basis and recourse is reserved for the weekends. Although coping sometimes feels impossible, recent research suggests that women in the workforce, (and in social clubs) may have an upper hand.

An article by Gale Berkowitz reveals that decades of research had indicated that when faced with overwhelming stress, people resort to two options: fight or flight; but these tests were mostly on men. A recent UCLA study shows that women, unlike men, combat stress by releasing a unique hormone, oxytocin, which encourages her to gather with other women. This “befriending” causes more oxytocin to be released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect. Estrogen enhances this hormone whereas testosterone seems to reduce it. The bonds created by strong friendships are not only invaluable to our social lives, but to our professional lives as well. Women experience stress relief by simply sharing their problems and concerns with other women and we should capitalize on this fact in the workplace.

The article also states that numerous studies have shown that a strong social life lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol, all three of which are heightened during times of high stress, and may help explain why women consistently outlive men. Naturally, women tend to turn to their friendships to fill emotional voids, heal from grief, and celebrate triumphs. It’s no wonder that friends increase our happiness and even our health.

This “tend and befriend” concept of coping with everyday stressors was developed by Dr. Laura Cousino Klein and Dr. Shelley Taylor. The opportunity for developing friendships with female colleagues and other female professionals should not be overlooked. Embracing other women on the job and using them as an outlet for frustrations will boost confidence, enable productivity, and strengthen the workforce. Social and networking clubs like ECCC can also be just what the doctor ordered! So now you have an even better reason not to miss the bus trip!

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ECCC 2009 Bus Trip - Jersey Boys - October 7

by Jeannette Beck

Join your fellow ECCC members for some shopping or lunch before the last midweek matinee showing of JERSEY BOYS and as always, we will have plenty of food and drinks on the bus.

On October 7 we will depart from the County Market on Glenn Park Drive parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 8:00 p.m. A continental breakfast will be served soon after departure. The bus will make two stops; one in the loop at the Macy’s State Street store and the second stop will be near Water Tower Place on North Michigan Avenue. Lunch is on your own. Snacks and wine will be served on the return trip.

Early registration price will be $ 70 for members until September 1st;
price after September 1st will be $ 80.
Registration opens to ECCC member guests after September 1st.
Registration includes theater ticket, transportation, food and beverages on the bus.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 40 PEOPLE, SO RESERVE YOUR SPOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Here is a link to the show’s website: http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/chicago/

Warning: Authentic New Jersey profane language is used frequently in this show.