Executive Club Newsletter

October 2009

Women in Politics!

by Ellen Schmidt

Champaign Country Club
Thursday, October 15, 2009

11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens

12:15 p.m.: Mtg/Program

Don’t miss our October program! Deb Frank Feinin, Sue Grey and Barb Wysocki will discuss the role of women in politics. They will talk about why they decided on the path of public service and will talk about the difference in politics between men and women. Anne Dill will act as moderator for the panel.

If you have any questions you would like answered, please forward them to me. We will be hosting this month’s program as a panel.

Registrations are due by noon on Monday, October 12. 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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President’s Message

Special Days and Months

by Jeannette Beck

I like birthdays – and, really, I like other people’s birthdays more than my own. It provides a good opportunity to renew a relationship, and tell someone you care about them. As of last month, the ECCC monthly newsletter started including members’ birthdays for the current and next month as a regular feature and the final article – don’t worry, the year is not included! I hope it gives you a reason to contact a member that you haven’t seen in a while, or perhaps provide an easy way to make a new contact.

It’s October, the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign is in full swing and the marketing machine is incredible. People everywhere are wearing pink, even the NFL teams are wearing it. In my Jazzercise class, I can get a prize for wearing pink on Tuesdays in October. I learned from the American Cancer Society’s website that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) started as a weeklong campaign in 1985 with two founding members. Today the American Cancer Society is one of many national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies that form the NBCAM Board of Sponsors. The NBCAM program is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of the early detection of breast cancer through a nationwide campaign held in October. During NBCAM, the member organizations of the Board of Sponsors join forces to spread the message that early detection of breast cancer followed by prompt treatment saves lives.

A woman I know who is currently battling breast cancer takes a rather cynical view of the pink campaign and asserts that the marketers are making money off “the cause”. She said she’s bracing for Pinktober and wondering what new thing they’ll plaster with a pink ribbon in attempt to sell it this year. We’re all aware breast cancer exists; now it’s time for a CURE!!! Her comment surprised me at first, but then I realized she’s literally fighting for her life and the possibility of seeing her child grow up. My feelings have changed. Whatever your feelings on the matter, you can support NBCAM or contribute to cancer research in a different way. Be sure to make an appointment for your annual exam and show support for your sisters who have won, lost or are currently battling breast cancer.

In doing a little research on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I became curious about how a cause or group receives their named month, day or week. Thanks to the web, I easily found some information and a very long list of October’s causes. While there are legal holidays for religious and secular events, it seems that to have a special day or month, the organization just needs to declare it, promote it, and hope it catches on. It’s typically used as an opportunity to educate the masses about a cause and raise funds for research and more education, express gratitude to specialized workers, or just have some fun.

You may be surprised to know that in addition to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is (listed in the order provided) Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, American Pharmacist Month, Apple Jack Month, Awareness Month, Clergy Appreciation Month, Computer Learning Month, Cookie Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Eat Country Ham Month, International Drum Month, Lupus Awareness Month, National Diabetes Month, National Pizza Month, National Vegetarian Month, National Popcorn Popping Month, Sarcastic Month, and Seafood Month. There are also designated weekly celebrations listed. Week 1 is Get Organized Week and Customer Service Week, week 2 is Fire Prevention Week and Pet Peeve Week, and week 3 is Pastoral Care Week. The religious holiday for Hindus of Diwali is on the 17th. There also are a multitude of special days this month … a few obscure ones are Name Your Car Day on the 2nd, Moldy Cheese Day on the 9th, National Mincemeat Day on the 26th. And we shouldn’t overlook Columbus Day and Halloween, and the “Hallmark holidays” of Sweetest Day, and Bosses Day in October.

There are clearly many great causes and some, such as Breast Cancer Awareness, that deserve their own special month. Again, if you haven’t made your breast cancer screening appointment already, please “just do it”. And, have a happy birthday!

Sources: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/october.htm, http://www.cancer.org

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New Member Profile

Vicki J. Mayes

by Jennifer Greene

Vicki Mayes joins us as the newest member of ECCC! Vicki is the Executive Director of the Urbana Park District, where she oversees 22 parks and recreation facilities, in addition to 600 acres of park land that host over 1,000,000 visitors per year. Vicki was born in Indianapolis and hold both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Indiana University. Her stress reliever is walking and she lists her grandchildren as her special interest. The best advice she has ever received? “To develop friendships with five leaders in different areas of your community that will help you keep pace with your community.”

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Congratulations to our Forty Under 40 Award winner

by Jennifer Greene

Congratulations are in order to our members that were recently named to the “Forty Under 40” by The Central Illinois Business magazine. A special mention goes to ECCC member Laura Frerichs, who was honored as “Woman of the Year.” Other members nominated include Deb Reardanz, Stephanie Record, Rhiannon Clifton, Jennifer Greene, Sarah Zehr, and soon-to-be new member Laura Wetherell.

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It is that time of the Year!

Annual dues to be mailed soon

by Jennifer Greene

Just a reminder that annual ECCC dues will be mailed soon! All notices will be mailed to your home address. Please remember to make sure that your home mailing address is correct under your member profile on the ECCC website.

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Ida Kay Miller Author

by Ellen Schmidt

Our September Speaker was local author Kay Miller, writing as Taylor Nash. Kay has resided in Champaign for over 40 years and works at Cozad Asset Management part-time. In addition to writing, she’s an accomplished cake instructor and decorator, avid golfer, loves to travel to tropical destinations, and is a doting grandmother.

Kay talked of love, loss, entrepreneurship and dreams. Her dream began nearly eight years ago with the loving support of her late husband, Bill.

Kay shared her story of how she put together her business plan and how she went about writing her novel. She traveled the path of self publishing and although the burden stands squarely on her shoulders she chose it because of ownership and control over what would happen to her novel.

Joining ‘Romance Writers of America’ helped her connect with other writers. Romance novelist, Terri Valentine served as one of her instructors and she also read over her first novel, “Uncharted Depths.”

Kay’s second book is a romance suspense story with a bit of paranormal activity. “The Apparitions is being polished and will be available in the spring of 2010. Her third novel, “Illusive Memories,” is under construction.

Kay advises aspiring writers to dream big. The best part of her success is meeting new people and realizing her dream.

One of our lucky members was the recipient of autographed copies of “Uncharted Depths,” and Kay’s first book which was a cookbook, “Ida Kay’s Favorites.” All Executive Club members were offered an exclusive offer of her novel and cookbook for $20. If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like to have a copy, please email programs@executiveclubcc.org

For more information on Kay please access her website at http://www.taylornash.com/.

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October & November Member Birthdays

by Jeannette Beck

October Birthdays

02 Vanessa Faurie

02 Kathryn (Kathy) Reeves

05 Laura Frerichs
07 Cindy Schmitt

08 Cynthia Coleman

11 Betty L. Hembrough

12 Cheryl Berger

13 Jane A. Hays

15 Marilyn L. Whittaker

20 Nancy Weimer

21 Dena Bagger

21 Jerri Wilkerson

24 Barbara Mann

24 Vicki Mayes

25 Amani Fouad Ayad

26 Pamela Hulten

27 Alaina Kanfer

28 Deborah Secor Kurz

November Birthdays

03 Amy Randolph

07 Jeannette G. Beck

09 Beverly Friese

11 Carol Wakefield

13 Mary Leonard-Cravens

13 Traci E. Nally

15 Jacqueline Gladin

16 Jane F. Adams

16 Elizabeth Tyler

17 Patricia Januszki

17 Deborah Owen

20 Darcy Sementi

21 Barbara S Hundley

27 Sherry Helfer

27 Kay Machula

27 Leslie J. Vermillion

27 Barbara Wilson

28 Mary Schmitz

28 Svetlana Sowers

28 Shirley Witte

29 Kathie Spegal

30 Fran M. Demaris

30 Joan M. Dixon

30 Linda (Lyn) E. Jones

30 Georganne S. Marty

30 Marcy McAnally

30 Cheryle Turner