Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
Submitted by President Evelyn Boswell
5 Things Geese Can Teach Us
About Teamwork
Officers 2013-2014
President……………… Evelyn Boswell
Phone: 246-8219
President-elect…..…..Ann Faulkner
Phone: 316-1900
[email protected]
Recording Secretary...Kendra
Peterson
Phone: 315-0039
[email protected]
The following is excerpted and re-formatted from a
manuscript editied entitled Lead Like Butler: Six
Principles For Values-Based Leaders, by Kent
Millard and Judith Cebula (Abingdon, 2012). The
book, to be published at the beginning of next fall’s
college basketball campaign, looks at six principles
that have driven the success of the Butler
University Men’s Basketball team. This segment
looks at the value of teamwork.
Every fall thousands of geese fly from Canada to
the southern part of the United States to escape the
bitterly cold Canadian winter. As soon as a flock
of geese take flight from Canadian waters they
quickly form a v-shape flying pattern, with one
rotating goose in the center lead and all the other
geese trailing behind in two close lines.
Wildlife scientists have conducted extensive studies
to determine why geese and other migratory birds
Treasurer……………..…Connie Simmons
Phone: 755-4735 Cell: 316-3463
[email protected]
Corresponding Sec….Patsy Timm
Cell: 214-0206
[email protected]
Board Members
Sharon Costa
Marsha Webb
Carol Burk
Parliamentarian……Sharon Costa
Website: www.mvnbwc.com
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Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
always fly in a distinctive v-formation. They found
some fascinating results:
1. When geese fly together, each goose provides
additional lift and reduces air resistance for the
goose flying behind it. Consequently, by flying
together in a v-formation, scientists estimate that
the whole flock can fly about 70% farther with the
same amount of energy than if each goose flew
alone. Geese have discovered that they can reach
their destination more quickly and with less energy
expended when they fly together in formation.
When people work together harmoniously on
teams, sharing common values and a common
destination, they all arrive at the destination quicker
and easier, because they are lifted up by the energy
and enthusiasm of one another.
2. When a goose drops out of the v-formation it
quickly discovers that it requires a great deal
more effort and energy to fly. Consequently, that
goose will quickly return to the formation to take
advantage of the lifting power that comes from
flying together. Sometimes people playing on
teams will drop out of the group and try to
accomplish goals on their own. However, like the
geese, they usually discover that they miss the
synergy and energy that comes when they are an
active part of a cohesive team moving toward their
destination, and want to return to the group.
3. Geese rotate leadership. When the goose flying
in the front of the formation has to expend the most
energy because it is the first to break up the flow of
air that provides the additional lift for all of the
geese who follow behind the leader. Consequently,
when the lead goose gets tired, it drops out of the
front position and moves to the rear of the
formation, where the resistance is lightest, and
another goose moves to the leadership position.
This rotation of position happens many times in the
course of the long journey to warmer climates.
When a team is functioning well, various members
of the team may take the leadership role for a while
because of a particular expertise or experience.
Consequently, on good teams, everyone has the
opportunity to serve as a leader as well as a
follower.
4. Geese honk at each other. They also frequently
make loud honking sounds as they fly together.
Scientists speculate that this honking is their way of
communicating with each other during their long
flight. Similarly, when working on teams, it is
exceedingly important for each team member to
communicate regularly with all the other team
members. Teams frequently fall apart because of
the lack of adequate communication among the
various members of the team. Perhaps human
teams can learn from flying flocks of geese that
constant communication among members is
exceedingly important in moving effectively
towards a common destination.
5. Geese help each other. Scientists also
discovered that when one goose becomes ill, is shot
or injured, and drops out of the formation, two
other geese will fall out of formation and remain
with the weakened goose. They will stay with and
protect the injured goose from predators until it is
able to fly again or dies. Likewise, human teams
work best when they do more than just work
together, but care for the well being of each other.
March 15th – Ann Faulkner
March 16th – Jean Germann
Page 2
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
Dues Reminder
Patsy Timm – March 26, 2016
Sherry Meadows – April 26, 2016
Dorothy Hamson – April 30, 2016
March Program Focus is on
Relay For Life
Our March program will be presented by
event leadership team members Jessica Clinton,
Jacqueline Withrow and Gayla Hall. The Relay for
Life event is scheduled for Friday, June 10th at the
Mt. Vernon Township High School Track and Field
from 5 pm-11 pm. The Jefferson County Relay for
Life has many fundraising events scheduled for this
year which I am sure the leadership team is excited
to tell you about.
Special Election for President-Elect
Deemed Necessary
Due to the recent resignation of Ann
Faulkner from the position of President for the
2016-17 year and after consultation with
Parliamentarian, Sharon Costa, it has been
determined that a special election must be held for
Ann’s replacement. Since we will need someone to
move forward into the President’s position, as
determined by the Bylaws, Sharon recommends
that a President-Elect be elected at this time with
the understanding that at the beginning of the next
year that person will move into the President’s
position. Ann has agreed to continue her duties and
help President Evelyn Boswell with necessary
tasks, as needed, for the remainder of this year.
The new President-Elect will then work with Ann
and Evelyn to learn what duties lie ahead.
Sharon has agreed to take names of anyone
who wishes to be nominated to fill the PresidentElect’s position since we do not have an official
nominating committee. If you would be interested
in filing this position and becoming next year’s
President please let Sharon know at 214-7390. The
floor will be opened for nominations at the meeting
also.
March’s Community Project will be a
donation to Relay for Life since they will
be presenting our program. In April we
will return to our “Promoting Literacy”
project with a donation to McClellan
School Library
Revised Bylaws Accepted by State
The Revised Bylaws for the Mt. Vernon BWC have
been submitted and accepted by the IFBWC.
New membership directories and copies of the
bylaws books are available now. If you have not
received yours please let me, Carol Burk, know.
Page 3
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
February’s Treasurer’s Report
Beginning Balance February 1, 2016
$6,093.22
Deposits:
Brag Box
50/50
Donation for Opdyke-Belle Rive School
Harvest Fest Ad Book
Rada Knives
Dues – Evelyn Boswell & Carol Burk
Cookbooks
Auction
18.00
0.00
45.00
0.00
0.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
$163.00
Scholarship Applications Are Available
March 30th Deadline
Guidelines for Wilma Harpole business scholarship
and Dora E. Brydon scholarship for students
planning to obtain a degree in a health related
profession.
Expenditures:
Ck # 4915 - Jeff Co Chamber Dues
Ck # 4392 – Opdyke-Belle Rive Library
Donation
Ck # 4393 – Lana Brookman (G & L
Embroidery – shirts
Ck # 4394 – Carol Burk – Bylaws $15.65 &
Forum Expense $98.66
-135.00
-45.00
-379.00
-114.31
Returned Check & Fees
-0.00
Total Disbursements for the month
-$673.31
Ending Balance March 4, 2016
$5,582.91
Beginning Balance
February 1, 2016
Total Deposits
$6,093.22
Total Disbursements
-673.31
Ending Balance
March 4, 2016
Guidelines for Ellen Ashton New Opportunities
Scholarship
163.00
$5,582.91
Page 4
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
Mt. Vernon Business Women’s Club
Minutes
From February 8, 2016
The meeting was called to order by President-elect
Ann Faulkner, in the absence of President Evelyn
Boswell. Evelyn was home recuperating from
recent surgery. Ann introduced Marcus Holland
from Crossroads Community Hospital, who gave a
program on marketing, especially for a small group.
He gave a very interesting program about ideas we
could use to gain new members and fund raising
ways we could possibly use to make more money
for our scholarship fund.
Reports:
Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the January 11,
2016 meeting were presented and Sherry Meadows
moved to accept the minutes as submitted. The
motion was seconded by Carol Burk and minutes
were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Connie Simmons
was absent due to the illness of her mother. Copies
of her report were handed out to be read and the
report was filed for audit.
Corresponding Secretary’s Report: Patsy Timm
reported that we had received an invoice from the
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in the
amount of $135.00. Several members of the club
proceeded to discuss what the chamber does for our
club. A decision was made for President –elect Ann
to call the Chamber office and discuss this matter.
Programs: President-elect Ann said that she was
working on programs for March and April but
nothing was definite yet.
The Community Project was a donation to the Belle
Rive Grade School Library.
Other Reports:
The handbooks have been finished and handed out
to the members present. The by-laws part of the
book has been separated due the massive amount of
changes and will be put into a separate booklet.
The Scholarship committee will meet this week. It
was discussed and voted upon to change the
wording on the applications. They will now say all
Illinois accredited colleges and the grade point
average has been lowered to 3.0. This will help get
more students an opportunity to apply.
NEW BUSINESS
We have received all the information for the
necessary paperwork from the Mayor, except for
her photograph. Amanda is going to call her and set
up an appointment for the photo, so that we may
submit the application.
New Officers: The slate for new officers for the
coming year was presented to all members and
voted upon. They are President Ann Faulkner,
President –elect Kendra Peterson, Treasurer Connie
Simmons, Corresponding Secretary Patsy Timm
and Recording Secretary Marsha Webb.
Page 5
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
Announcements:
Equal Pay Day is 04/12/2016 in Chicago. Members
interested in attending should plan on taking the
train for Centralia to Chicago. Contact Carol Burk
for more information.
5. Received a Scholarship application from
Casey Powell-Mt. Vernon High School.
6. Received a Scholarship application from
Jordan Portner-Mt. Vernon High School
There were no birthdays and no 50/50 drawing.
Carol Burke made a motion to adjourn and Sherry
Meadows seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha Webb, Acting Recording Secretary
It’s Once Again CONVENTION TIME
Mt. Vernon Business Women’s Club
Corresponding Secretary’s Report
March 7, 2016
1. Visa Business Card Application
2. Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
2016 Member Plaque
3. Brochure from Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. If
you want to participate in the Market Days
there is a workshop on April 8 from 2 pm to
5 pm. An application is enclosed if you
would like to have a booth starting in May
through September on the 1st Saturday of
each month. The basic vendor booth is $20
per month and food vendor is $30 per
month. Can pay in full or monthly. You
also can rent 8’ tables. Application
enclosed.
4. Received a Scholarship application from
Arianna Reiss-Mt. Vernon High School.
Illinois Federation of
Business Women's
Clubs, Inc.
95th Annual State Convention





Start April 22, 2016
9:00 AM
End April 24, 2016
1:00 PM
Location Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham,
101 Trade Center Dr, Champaign, IL
61820
Registration
Base fee:
REGISTRATION: IFBW Member - Electronic
Convention Packet (no late fees) – $80.00 (USD)
DOES NOT INCLUDE MEALS
Page 6
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette

REGISTRATION: IFBW
Member/Student - Electronic
Convention Packet (no late fees) –
$60.00 (USD)
DOES NOT INCLUDE MEALS

Special Registration: Cecilia M Howard
Recipient Only – Variable
Registration is for CMH Recipients and
guest only. NO VOTING PRIVILEGES

Special Registration: Outstanding
Working Woman of IL/Installation
Guest Only – Variable
Outstanding Working Woman of
IL/Installation Guest Only

Visitor Registration: Packet Convention
(no late fees) – $100.00 (USD)
DOES NOT INCLUDE MEALS
95th Annual State Convention
April 22-24, 2016
Call to Convention
On behalf of your 2015-2016 leadership team of
the Illinois Federation of Business Women’s Clubs,
Inc., the State President officially issues the call to
the 95th Annual State Convention beginning at
6:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Hawthorn
Inn and Suites, Champaign, IL.
Pursuant to Article XIX of the Federation Bylaws,
any member in good standing who has paid the full
registration fee may attend the annual state
convention and vote (Section 2).
The purpose of the State Convention is to receive
reports of the officers and chairs for the preceding
year; act upon recommendations, resolutions and
other business presented to the convention; elect
officers for the ensuing term; adopt a budget;
consider and adopt a State Legislative Platform and
elect a Chair of Nominations.
You are encouraged to learn more about our State
Federation, renew acquaintances, make new
friends, recognize Celia M. Howard recipients and
honor the Outstanding Working Women of Illinois
awardees.
Members are invited to attend the Speak-off
Competitions Friday morning at 9:00 am. The
Board of Directors will conduct the Pre-Convention
Board meeting on Friday, April 22nd starting at
1:00 pm. Individual members and LO’s will be
acknowledged for their achievements at the
award/recognition ceremony Friday evening. A
networking reception for the State Officers and
Outstanding Working Women of Illinois award
winners will follow the installation ceremony
Saturday evening.
Additionally, this year we will be hosting a preconvention event for those members who arrive in
Champaign Thursday night for Friday morning’s
speak-off or who just want to start the fun and
fellowship early.
Please join me and the Board of Directors in
making our annual convention a memorable one.
Kathy Clark-Eller,
IFBWC State President, 2015-2016
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Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
Outstanding Working Woman of Illinois
Application Submitted
Mayor, Mary Jane Chesley agreed to be our
candidate to the Outstanding Working Woman of
Illinois competition for 2016. Mary Jane has
served her community for many years and has been
a positive influence and excellent example for all
working women in our area. Good luck, Mayor
Chesley.
Forum beginning at 6:30. Twelve of the eighteen
Mt. Vernon BWC members participated. A big
thank you goes out to everyone who helped. We
especially thank, Sherry Meadows, Legislative
Chairman who made all the arrangements,
contacted the candidates and made sure everything
went as planned. (Pictures are an addendum to the
Gazette.
Mt. Vernon BWC to
Get New Website!!
It was decided at the February Board
meeting and General Membership meeting that we
should investigate the possibility of establishing an
entirely new website due to all the complications of
administration of our old site and the confusion of
changing bank names which payment was to be
taken from.
Delayed 2016 Candidates Forum Held
Even though Mt. Vernon was a little
overwhelmed by a sudden snow storm and bad
weather the BWC 2016 Candidates Forum was able
to be rescheduled and was deemed a success. 14
Candidates and 2 resident representatives speaking
on the 1% Sales Tax Increase were in attendance.
The event proceeded in a timely organized manner
with a meet-and-greet beginning at 5:30 and the
Andrew Burk of Digital Gateway Web
Hosting attended the March 7th Board Meeting
presenting information on establishment of a new
website. The cost of the website is $2.99 per
month with a $9.99 charge for establishing a web
address. A motion was made and carried to have
Andy proceed with a website design. As of
yesterday, I was notified that the site of
www.mvnbwc.com had been secured and the input
of design and information was in process. Andy
will be training administrators in the near future to
perform the day-to-day editing and updating as
Page 8
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
needed. If you would be interested in becoming an
administrator please let President Boswell know.
There will be no limit to the members who can post
and update our site.
Shirt Payment Reminded
Just a reminder---if you have not paid the
Club back for your shirt, please do so. Connie has
a listing of who has not paid. The shirt order
turned out beautifully with 15 of our 18 members
ordering new gold sweatshirts or polos. We really
looked sharp at the candidates forum and I hope
you will wear your shirt at other times to encourage
inquiries from other regarding membership.
Isn’t it nice to have some good news for a
change.
Please remember though there are always
members with situations and problems we are
unaware of. Keeping each other in our thoughts
and prayers are what sisters do. If you know of
any of our members in particular who need help or
pray in some way please let me know so I can
inform our Local.
Project Literacy – Opdyke-Belle Rive
School
IN OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS
President Evelyn Boswell has had her
surgery at Barnes Hospital to have a mass
removed. She was progressing well; however an
unexpected problem with her her incision needing
reclosed came up creating pain and problems. As
of Board Meeting Evelyn was doing much better.
Please keep her in your prayers for continued
healing.
Another positive note to our Local comes by
way of Patsy Timm who had a tendon in her hip
clipped to help with a very prolonged pain in her
hip and leg. She reports that the procedure
worked and she is feeling much better.
I recently presented our “Project Literacy” donation
check to Opdyke-Belle Rive School Librarian
Janice Bushue. 7th Grade boys receiving the check
and giving hugs in return as pictured left to right,
Tyler Gregory, Dylan Harkins (Librarian Bushue),
Chase Sledge (Carol Burk, BWC) Austin Capps
and Travis Adams.
Page 9
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
MARCH IS WOMAN’S HISTORY MONTH
History making 1st Ladies
As America learns of the death of Nancy Reagan at the age of 94 I want to post one of my favorite pictures from the
pages of history. L-R) Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, Pat Nixon, and Lady Bird Johnson
Page 10
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
2016 CANDIDATES FORUM
WELCOME TO THE BUSINESS WOMEN’S CLUB 2016 CANDIDATES FORUM
Page 11
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
WELCOME TABLE WITH MARSHA WEBB & KENDRA PETERSON
Page 12
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
CHAIRMAN SHERRY MEADOWS WITH SUPPORTING MEMBERS
WE’RE READY
Page 13
Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
WHERE THERE IS BWC – THERE IS FOOD
OFFICIAL TIME KEEPER - SHARON COSTA
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Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
ALWAYS TIME TO RELAX AND REVIEW
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Mt. Vernon
Business Women’s Club
Editor Carol Burk
March, 2016 Gazette
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