Executive Club Newsletter

November 2009

Lovin’ yourself with laughter!

by Ellen Schmidt

Champaign Country Club
Thursday, November 19, 2009

11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens12:15 p.m.: Mtg/Program

Don’t miss our November program! Debra Joy Hart will talk about lovin’ yourself with laughter! As Debra navigates in the business world she has had to learn and apply compassion and love for herself and others. She has learned to use therapeutic humor to keep herself emotionally flexible and she strengthens her immune system with heart healthy laughter.

The program will include specific laughter exercises and their benefits for the mind, body and spirit.

Registrations are due by noon on Monday, November 16. 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

Social Networking

by Jeannette Beck

The use of social networking sites by adults has increased dramatically in recent years. Most people I know are users of at least one social networking website. There are plenty of sites on the internet for about any group and/or topic. Wikipedia lists over 150 active social networking websites and a handful of defunct ones. There are even rating services for sites that declare top sites based on number of users, monthly visits and features. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that Facebook holds the top spot, but you may be surprised to know that ECCC has a Facebook Group.

The first recognizable social network site launched in 1997. These websites, originally called Online Communities, were first embraced by young people. Social networking sites, aka SNSs, have become pervasive. The share of adult internet users who have a profile on an online social network site has more than quadrupled in the past four years; from 8% to 35% according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project’s December 2008 tracking survey. Twitter or other status update service usage has increased from 11% to 18% of internet users since December. The report also states that most adults, like teens, are using online social networks to connect with people they already know. Many users maintain multiple profiles on different sites.

The Wall Street Journal had an article recently on the seemingly constant texting of young people referred to as hyper socializing and asks … “How much work can ‘hyper-socializing’ students or employees really accomplish if they are holding multiple conversations with friends or obsessively checking Facebook?” There is no clear answer provided, but there are strong feelings and evidence on both sides of the question. One study shows that this translates to a 1.5% loss of total employee productivity. Another study shows that the level of communication is increased which benefits the organization in other ways.

Last time the ECCC Board discussed updates to its website, the notion came up to add functionality for members to post their own announcements and communicate with each other, like Facebook. So, instead of paying the programmer to make an ECCC SNS, we added an ECCC Group on Facebook. We haven’t really promoted it and, as a result, there isn’t much going on there. Members who want to start using the Facebook group to communicate with fellow ECCC members should just request to join the group. We’ve intended to let this forum be whatever it wants to become.

The social networking sites seem to be here to stay. As a relatively late adopter, I have accounts with Linked In, Plaxo, Always Illinois, Twitter, Facebook, a cooking forum, and MySpace. I haven’t Tweeted yet. I scan the e-mail digests from Linked In, Always Illinois, and Plaxo. I can’t remember the last time I went on the MySpace site. I like to see what’s going on with people I know on the cooking forum and on Facebook so I look there a few times a day, sometimes when I really should be doing something productive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Adults-and-Social-Network-Websites.aspx

http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html

The Greatest Generation (of Networkers), by Jeffrey Zaslo, WSJ online edition 11/4/09

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Executive Club Dues

by Jennifer Greene

Yes, it is already November, and yes, we realize that club dues have not yet been mailed. The Executive Club board is a few weeks behind in getting due notices sent out. We appreciate your patience. Please look for your notice to arrive at your home address shortly. As a reminder-please make sure that your home address is updated under your member profile on the ECCC site.

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Holiday Decorating Workshop

Make your own holiday centerpiece to take home

by Kathy Reeves

Social & Networking Event Dec. 3rd, 6-8 p.m. at Jeannie Vansickle’s house, we are holding a holiday centerpiece/decoration workshop with hot cider, wine and cheese. Join Executive Club members in this networking opportunity. Please sign up early to help us in ordering materials. Cost is $30 per person and you will take centerpiece/decorations home with you! Directions to Jeannie’s will be sent to participants.

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No Frills Holiday Shopping Bus Trip

Sign-up now to complete your holiday shopping

by Kathy Reeves

Shopping Trip to Premium Outlets in Aurora

On Saturday, December 5^th, Executive Club has reserved a Monticello Bus to take you and your guests to Premium Outlets in Aurora. Get your holiday shopping done at 120 shops, including Giorgio Armani, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Coach, Gap Outlet, Ralph Lauren Polo and many others. Check out the website for Premium Outlets:

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=63

The bus will leave from the Country Fair shopping center lot- near County Market (and former Hobby Lobby lot) at 8am on Saturday Dec. 5th, and return by 9pm. The cost for members and guests is $30, which will cover the fee for the bus, as well as some snacks. No meals will be provided, however, there is a food court at the mall.

Register for this day of fun under "Members Only" on the ECCC website: www.executiveclubcc.org. Please register early to assure adequate participation to fill the bus.

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Names in the News

Submit information on our members being recognized in the community

by Jennifer Greene

Executive Club would like to start recognizing our members who are definitely worthy of recognition! If you read, see or hear about one of our members being recognized for a professional or personal achievement, please consider submitting the information for our monthly newsletter.

Information can be emailed to Jennifer Greene at jennifer.greene@carle.com.

This month we would like to recognize achievements by two of our members.

Roaa Al-Heeti was named to "Forty under 40" by The Central Illinois Business Magazine. We apologize that Roaa was left off of last month’s recognition.  Roaa joined Executive Club in 2008 and is an attorney with Nally, Bauer, Feinen & Mann, P.C.

Do Good Consulting was recently named Small Business of the Year by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.   Laura Huth, a new member of our club, is president and chief executive officer of this firm, which provides consulting services to nonprofit groups and small businesses in East Central Illinois.

Congratulations to Roaa and Laura!

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Women in Politics

by Ellen Schmidt

Deb Frank Feinen – Champaign City Council

Sue Grey – Unit #4 School Board

Barb Wysocki – County Board

Our October Speaker forum featured three local women in politics. Deb Frank Feinin, Sue Grey and Barb Wysocki discussed the role of women in politics. They shared their journey and why they decided to take on the added responsibility of public service in addition to their jobs and family life. Anne Dill was the moderator for the panel.

Because the time ran short on this very interesting topic I asked the women to offer their tips to someone wanting to get into public service.

Deb Frank Feinen - Champaign has Boards and Commissions which we appoint citizens to serve on, this is a good way to get familiar with the process and meet the people involved. On the campaign side I would pick a candidate you want to help and do that you will learn a lot if you work on a local campaign and get a feel for whether or not you are interested in doing it for yourself.

Barb Wysocki - My suggestion would be to define an area you’re interested in and start attending/observing a few meetings. Get familiar with the issues, the major players, the dynamics of the interactions. Offer to serve on special committees or do special projects. Gage the time commitment.

Sue Grey - I echo what Barb and Deb have said, get involved at a level that you can learn some inner workings of the institution. Talk with existing board members as well as those who no longer serve. Be willing to spend some time reading up on current issues, as well as some historical issues.

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November & December Birthdays

by Jeannette Beck

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

December Birthdays

02 Christine M. Breen

09 Willie Hansen

10 Jan Simon

12 Nancy Mella-Oliver

15 Cheryl Mitchell

17 Kate Brown

17 Janice (Jan) Buerkett

23 Marilynne Davis

28 Anita Pride

31 Christine Martin

31 Carolyn M. Pribble

31 Cindy Schmitt

31 Laura Wilhelm-Barr