January 2016 | rockfordnetwork.org
Lets Take a Walk!
Kim Millhorn
2015-2016
RNPW President
Now that we’ve celebrated the holidays and
the beginning of a new year, we should be ready
to begin anew and take on new challenges as
an opportunity to improve. So, with our guest
panel at our January meeting, we will learn
some things about improving our physical and
mental health.
I feel that getting outdoors is probably key
to better physical and mental health. Some
people refer to it as “Green Exercise.” Research
shows that the average American spends 87%
of their time in enclosed buildings and 6% of
their time in enclosed vehicles…that’s a total of
93% of your life spent inside!
Just think about the concentration of
pollutants indoors versus outdoors - it’s 2 to 5
times higher indoors. I’m afraid our tendency
for remaining inactive and inside is only getting
worse with our growing addiction to electronic
devices and media. Many of us spend a good
deal of work time on one type of device or
another, but we need to find a balance and put
them aside on occasion.
It’s actually been found that
you can boost your creativity
and ability to solve problems by
getting outside and taking a walk.
It’s been noted that kids with
ADHD improve their focus and
concentration skills by increasing
their outdoor activity. I know it
improves my mood and probably
my self-esteem.
Have you read about
‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ or
SAD? Maybe you call it ‘cabin
fever’ or ‘winter depression’. If you struggle
with that over the colder, darker months, try
getting outside - it can vastly improve your
spirit. In the book Last Child in the Woods, child
advocacy expert, Richard Louv writes about
the “nature deficit disorder.” Maybe if we spent
more time outside with our kids, there would
be happier families and fewer delinquent kids.
For me, there is something inherently
healing about spending time outdoors. For
one thing, your exposure to sunlight will
help increase vitamin D which can help fight
infections like colds and flu. So expose yourself
to some fresh air, get outside and take in some
natural light - see if you aren’t healthier for it.
You could be happier, end up with less pain,
sleep better and generally have a better attitude
about the world around you.
I hope you’ll attend the January 18th
meeting – Renaissance of our Bodies with
Wendy Irwin of Healthy Wellness; Melissa
Burns, Executive Director of Northeast Family
YMCA; Nancy Enke, Owner of N-spired Yoga.
2
rockfordnetworknews rockfordnetwork.org
More Award Winning Members
Epperson is Honored as Female of the Year
Over 40 Females is a national
organization founded by former MORE
magazine editor Judy Goss in 2010. It
was her purpose and passion to create
a community for women to connect,
encourage and inspire each other, and
to provide resources to better women’s
lives both professionally and personally.
Chapters all across the nation provide
women the resources necessary to further their careers, start a
business, create connections, gain financial freedom, enhance their
spirituality, improve health awareness, and gain knowledge about
fashion and beauty. A critical component of Over 40 Females is
providing support to women in transition, both professionally and
personally.
Kelly Epperson was chosen by the
members of the Chicago Chapter as the
2015 Female of the Year for being a model
of what the organization is all about –
connecting, encouraging and inspiring.
Kelly was nominated and voted by the
members for being an inspiration in her
profession and how she leads her personal
life. Some comments from the members
included: Authentic. Impactful and influential. A role model. An
inspiration. Inspiring passion for living with joy and sharing that
joy with others in all that she does. Ever-present, possessing the
rare quality of being truly present, with her heart, with whomever
she is connecting with. Kelly was also honored with another award
created by Chicago Chapter Director Shannon Bednowicz called
the Shining Light.
Velasco wins 2015 Excalibur Award
The Excalibur Award was established by
the Rockford Register Star in 1971 to annually
honor an individual whose outstanding
community service and commitment have
made the Rock River Valley a better place
to live, work and raise families. This year’s
honoree is Kathy Velasco. The following is
an excerpt from the Rockford Register Star’s
Editorial Board published on December 3, 2015:
Our View: Excalibur winner driven to help others
Kathy Velasco has made a real difference in the lives of
thousands of people in the Rock River Valley.
Velasco, president of V2 Marketing Communications and a
volunteer for numerous organizations, on Thursday night won the
Rockford Register Star’s Excalibur Award.
Nominators described her as tireless, passionate, caring, funny,
calm, inspiring, motivating, knowledgeable, confident. We’ll add
devoted — devoted to people who need help.
Velasco’s experience with clinical depression inspired her to get
involved. She was able to deal with her own problems because she
had the advantages of a support system — a good job, insurance,
a supportive family. Recognizing that she had what others didn’t
drove her to provide support for those who can’t get it elsewhere.
“How can we not be there when they’re looking for help?”
she said.
More than 18 community organizations have benefited
because of Velasco’s drive to help others, most notably Family
Counseling Services, an agency that provides mental and
behavioral health counseling to clients on a sliding fee scale.
A nominator said, “Her efforts on behalf of multiple local
organizations have served tens of thousands of members of our
community in many different capacities, the impact of which
will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.”
(continued on page 3)
Rockford Network of Professional Women Board of Directors 2015-2016
President
Kim Millhorn - [email protected]
Communications
Kathy Velasco - [email protected]
Public Relations
Lindsey Gregg - [email protected]
Vice President
Karen Keller - [email protected]
History
Robin Mann - [email protected]
Secretary
Tiffany Staman - [email protected]
Events
Greta Spencer - [email protected]
Reservations Co-Chairs
Cheryl Schmidt [email protected]
Mariah Anast - [email protected]
Treasurer
Jocelyn Hare - [email protected]
Membership Co-Chairs
Dolores Ford - [email protected]
Holly Friel - [email protected]
Appointments
Kay King - [email protected]
Awards Co-Chairs
Tonya Thayer - [email protected]
Janet Nordquist - [email protected]
Policy
Barb Giolitto - [email protected]
Program Co-Chairs
Diane James - [email protected]
Deanna Watts - [email protected]
Scholarship
Nicole Potter - [email protected]
Past President
Jan Bowman - [email protected]
rockfordnetworknews rockfordnetwork.org
3
Velasco does not lament what can’t be done — she steps up to
make sure things DO get done.
Imagine how much better the community would be if more
people had even a quarter of the impact that Velasco has.
It’s people like Velasco who are key to transforming Rockford.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of every community, but in a community
such as Rockford, where the needs are so great, they are even more
valuable.
Excelsior Finalists Supported by RNPW Members
The Excelsior Award was established by the Rockford Register
Star in 1979 to honor an organization or institution whose work
has a positive effect on life in the Rock River Valley. The winning
organization receives a plaque and check for $500.
This year’s five finalists for the Excelsior Award include the
Rockford Rotary Club which counts many RNPW members on
the Club roster, as well as the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford,
which is presented by Executive Director Tiffany Staman on our
RNPW membership.
This year’s Excelsior Winner was the Rock River Valley Food
Pantry. RNPW member Lori Wallace is a Food Pantry Board
Member and supporter. From their nomination:
The Rock River Valley Pantry affected the lives of more than 24,300
individuals during the last fiscal year. The two distribution sites are
located in neighborhoods identified as having the greatest need. The
food distributed is nutritious and meets USDA recommendations for
the correct amount of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and protein.
As an emergency food pantry, they provide up to three to four
days’ worth of food. Additionally, the Pantry partners with many
groups and agencies to provide food to individuals that may not be
able to come to a pantry for assistance.
Their impact can be measured in the meals provided. During the
last fiscal year, the Pantry provided food for 745,000 meals. They
distributed more than 1.2 million pounds of food, including food
rescued from local grocery stores, donated, picked from their garden,
issued by the state or purchased with monetary donations. While
food is the focus, the Pantry also opened their lobby to agencies
that can help people with GED information, employment training
and opportunities, mail-order prescriptions, health insurance and
nutritious cooking demonstrations.
It’s been a busy month for RNPW members! Congratulations
to them all!
Non-Profit Board Opening
The Jeremiah Development organization has a board
opening for the 2016-2017 year. For more information contact
Kay King, Appointments Chair or visit their website at www.
jeremiahdevelopment.org.
Loosen up!
If you’ve tried traditional physical therapy or massage
therapy, medications or even surgery to address recurring
pain without relief–it’s time to look pain in the fascia!
Effective for:
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic&Acute
Pain
• Back&Neck
Pain
• TMJ
• Headaches
• Scoliosis
• CarpalTunnel
• DiscProblems
• Arthritis
• Women’sHealth
Issues
• Incontinence
• Whiplash
Marla Monge
• SportsInjuries
LMT,NCTMB
Gosia Zasadny
PT
Most Insurance and Medicare Accepted
Brynwood Myofascial Therapy, LLC
6072BrynwoodDr.,Suite102
815904-6163
www.brynwoodmyofascial.com
Renaissance of
Our Bodies
Monday | January 18, 2016 | 11:30 am
Forest Hills Country Club
5135 Forest Hills Rd. | Rockford, IL
Cost is $18/person, $20 for walk-ins.
Cash or check only, please.
To make your reservations:
Call 977-7477
or go to
rockfordnetwork.org
and click on “Make Reservation” button
on the homepage.
Reservation deadline: 5:00 pm,
Thursday, January 14
Please note: No-shows will be billed.
4
rockfordnetworknews rockfordnetwork.org
Mark Your Calendars Now!
January 18th Luncheon Meeting
Renaissance of our Bodies
Join us on Monday, January 18 with Wendy Irwin of Healthy
Wellness, Melissa Burns of Northeast Family YMCA and
Nancy Enke of N-spired Yoga. Our bodies are beautifully and
wonderfully made. But we often neglect our bodies in our busy
lives – poor eating habits, lack of energy to work out, and never
being able to “shut off our brain.” This panel of women will have
us back on track with proper nutrition, invigorating fitness plan
for our hearts, and learning to allow our souls to have peace.
Snapshot of the year ahead:
• February 15, 2016 –
Renaissance of Balancing Relationships with Carol Fisher,
LCSW of The Glenwood Center for Better Mental Health
• March 21, 2016 –
Renaissance of Empowerment (book review of “Lean In”)
facilitated by Zoe Norwood, Adult Services Librarian,
Rockford Public Library
A safe refuge for
Rockford’s youth.
1325 7th Street, Rockford, IL 61104
815-962-5067 • Fax 815-962-5651
www.rockhousekids.org
• April 18, 2016 –
Renaissance of Creativity
with Ann O’Keefe, President of Rockford Area Arts Council
• May 16, 2016 –
Renaissance of a Life-Long Learner, Rock Valley College
(Annual RNPW scholarship presentation will also take place)
• June 20, 2016 –
Renaissance Across the Generations with Jessica Steinberg,
Sr. Manager of Operations for the Rockford Park District
Save the Date!
imagine.what we can do together.
• advertising
• mixed media marketing campaigns
• traditional print
• interactive
• audio visual production
• campaign/client support
V2 Marketing Communications
220 East State Street, Suite G • Rockford, Illinois 61104
p: 815.397.6052 • f: 815.397.6799 • marketingV2.com
~ March 21, 2016 ~
RNPW members will participate
in a book review/discussion of
the bestselling book.
rockfordnetworknews rockfordnetwork.org
5
Member News
Board Members Needed - Harlem Community Center
(HCC) is seeking individuals to serve on its Board of Directors.
HCC’s board is a policy board that meets every other month.
All members are asked to serve on one committee. Each year,
HCC provides opportunities for over 100,000 individuals,
primarily from northern Winnebago County. It is our belief
that providing a positive environment for individuals to grow
is the best form of prevention. For more information, contact
Shannon Scheffel at 815-633-8433.
New Year, New You! You overloaded at the holidays, now
what? Let us help you get back on track. Russ Barton, PhD with
USANA Health Sciences is the keynote speaker Wednesday, Jan
20th from 7-9pm at Giovanni’s. Contact Sandy Dingus to learn
how to get in free! 815.243.1379 or [email protected]
Recipe Club - Are you stuck in a rut with meal planning?
Would you like to fix something new for dinner? Join Robin
Mann, Pampered Chef Consultant, the first Tues of each month,
in her home, and she will introduce you to a new Pampered
Chef recipe. Only thing you need to bring is your appetite. Next
date is January 5th at 6pm. Contact Robin for more info at
[email protected]
The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter’s
educational program Living with Alzheimer’s: For Middle-Stage
Caregivers will take place at 10:00-3:00 on Saturday, January 16,
2016 at Alzheimer’s Association Rockford Office, 1111 S. Alpine
Rd. #307 in Rockford IL.
In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, those who
were care partners now become hands-on caregivers. Join the
Alzheimer’s Association for this three-part series and hear
caregivers and professionals discuss helpful strategies to provide
safe, effective and comfortable care in the middle stage of
Alzheimer’s. Program manager, Sue Sklar will present and take
questions following the program.
The end of Alzheimer’s disease starts here. To register for this
program offered at no cost, call 815-484-1300 or register online
at www.alz.org/illinois. Lynne Koenigsberger
RNPW Member Publishes Children’s Book - Emily Hahn
Austin has recently published, through Meridian, her children’s
book “The Toymaker’s Son”. A story of love, loss, forgiveness and
redemption. Written by Emily and beautifully illustrated by Gail
Osterberg. The book is available at the local OSF MarketPlace
Gift Shops at St Anthony, Guilford Square, and Rock Cut
Crossing or directly from Emily. Sales of the book benefit Rosie’s
Birthday Club and Rock House Kids, YES Clubs and Operation
Christmas Child.
MEDICAL HOMECARE
Peak Medical Home Care Incorporated
Providing compassionate one-on-one health care in
the comfort of your home.
Lindsey Gregg, Owner
435 N. Mulford Road, Suite 7 • Rockford, IL 61107
(815) 398-1333 • www.peakmedicalhomecare.com
6
rockfordnetworknews rockfordnetwork.org
Mentors vs. Sponsors topic of April
2016 RNPW Meeting
Women in business have long depended
on the guidance of mentors, those generous
connections who help guide our path. But
how many of us have sponsors--and what’s the
difference between a mentor and a sponsor?
Vickie Austin, business and career coach, will
present “Mentors vs. Sponsors: Why Women
Need Both” to the Rockford Network of
Professional Women on April 14, 2016, highlighting the critical
role of a sponsor in a woman’s career path. Vickie’s presentation
is based on cutting-edge research from the Center for Talent
Innovation as well as her own interviews with successful business
women—including us! We’ll learn why it’s important to include a
sponsor as well as a mentor on our teams for our own business and
career success.
Vickie Austin has been coaching high potential individuals,
entrepreneurs and executives for 19 years as founder of CHOICES
Worldwide. She has served as Dean of the National Speakers
Association of Illinois (NSA-IL) Speakers Academy and will be
president of the NSA-IL chapter beginning June 2016. Vickie
holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and an
executive master’s degree in international management from
Thunderbird School of Global Management. She serves clients as
a coach, speaker, trainer and consultant to fulfill on her mission
“to create a world where people love what they do and do what
they love.”
Weather Cancellation Procedure
On a meeting day when Rockford Public Schools close because
of snow (not cold), RNPW will cancel their meeting.
• An e-blast will go out to the newsletter mailing list, under
the direction of the President. Announcements will also be made
via our website, voice message at the RNPW phone number, and
social media.
• The speaker for that meeting will be contacted as soon as
possible by the Program Chair, or by the individual who made
the contact with the speaker.
• Our venue, Forest Hills Country Club, will be immediately
notified by the Reservation Chair or President.
• Our Public Relations chair will notify all local TV and radio
stations with a public service announcement.
• Pre-payment will be credited for a subsequent meeting
within the same program year. The member (or attendee) still
needs to register and refer to their credit.
Rockford Network of Professional Women
Scholarship Opportunity
Are you a woman who wishes
to enrich her professional life?
RNPW is pleased to offer an
educational scholarship
to a qualified woman
n One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded
to a woman attending college
n Women 23 years of age or older
n Living in the greater Rockford area
n Must be enrolled in a degreed program
n Applications are available at
www.rockfordnetwork.org
n Applications must be postmarked by
March 1 and mailed in a flat envelope
nNo electronic applications accepted
n RNPW members and nonmembers
are eligible
n Scholarships will be awarded in June
n Money will be sent directly to the
school or university
For more information, criteria and
application, go to
www.rockfordnetwork.org
For questions, contact
[email protected]
Rockford Network of Professional Women, formed in 1981, is a group of women
who join forces in support of other women in civic, professional and personal pursuits.
We welcome you to become a part of this dynamic group!
8 rockfordnetworknews rockfordnetwork.org
Welcome New Members!
Beth Edwards, Floral Designer
Shirley Grace Floral Design & Event Design
P: 815-713-5557
E: [email protected]
Shirley Grace, Owner
Shirley Grace Floral Design & Event Design
P: 815-713-5557
E: [email protected]
Cheryl Sio, CEO
Members Alliance Credit Union
P: 815-226-3271
E: [email protected]
Holiday Party at Rockford
Art Museum
About 50 RNPW members gathered at the Rockford Art
Museum on the evening of December 9 to celebrate our year-end
Holiday Party together. We had great music, great food and great
conversation, surrounded by the beautiful ambience of the Art
Museum.
The highlight of the evening was a performance by four
Rockford Dance Company members, fresh off their performances
in The Nutcracker the weekend before.
Thanks to all who came and for those who donated many,
many, many packages of underwear to share with young women in
the Rockford School District.
Network News is written and designed by V2 Marketing Communications and printed by Midwest Mailworks.
5411 E. State St. PMB #306
Rockford, IL 61108
rockfordnetwork of professional women