How Today’s Businesswomen Strike a Work-life Balance
(ARA) - Gone are the days when women were expected to stay at home to dote on their children and husbands. Today’s women have broken through the glass ceiling and are finding their way to corner offices around the country.
Juggling life both inside and outside the home can be a challenge — that’s why it’s important to strike the proper balance between work and personal lives. Luckily, there are specific strategies that women can implement to strike a healthier balance.
Find Work that Works
With today’s struggling economy and families requiring dual incomes, finding an employer that offers flexibility is often the key to both a successful career and personal life. And finding employers with this approach may be easier than you think. For example, The HON Company, a leading manufacturer of office furniture, understands the importance of family and instills a culture that enables work-life balance. Beyond creating quality office furniture that creates a comfortable, flexible and “home-like” work setting, HON offers its members perks such as flexible spending accounts to help offset the costs of daycare, local YMCA fitness center allowances and family-oriented activities.
“A member committee plans monthly outings and provides opportunities for members to purchase discounted passes for local family events,” says Tim Heth, vice president of member and community relations for HON. “Additionally, members are allotted one hour of paid volunteer time each week to utilize in any way they wish — from local Habitat for Humanity projects to their children’s PTA. Each benefit helps improve employee morale for both our female and male members.”
“Make sure you go to work with someone that has the same philosophy as you do,” says Tammy Vasilatos, owner of Tammy Vasilatos CPA, LLC, a 100 percent female accounting firm in El Paso, Tex. Vasilatos has created a family-friendly work atmosphere by offering flexible work schedules to her employees. She adds, “Don’t give up what you want, because you don’t need to do that anymore. The women before us had to, but we don’t.”
“I am more understanding of the importance of work-life balance,” says Michelle Horan, president and owner of Salka Office Furniture, a full-service office dealer in Meridian, Conn. “I am very flexible with hours and time off. I believe that taking care of good employees and customers is what leads to success.”
Set Realistic Time Schedules
While work deadlines are a necessary evil that you must complete, will anything bad happen if the dishes don’t get done or the bed isn’t made every day? No - so don’t sweat the small stuff.
Start each week with a realistic “to-do list” for both your work and home life. Check yourself each day to ensure that you are making progress and that your time allowances are in check. By the end of the work week, if you’ve completed enough tasks each day, your weekend can truly be enjoyed. And don’t sweat it if you didn’t get to the household chores. If you need to, you can hire a professional cleaning or landscaping service.
Leave Work at Work
With cell phones, laptops, PDAs and home offices, it has become blurry when the workday begins and ends. Be sure to separate your personal time from professional time by turning off your connections to the working world and turning on your connections with your family and friends.
Learn to Say No
If you’re a parent, you are probably a pro at saying “no” to your kids, so learn how to respectfully say no to projects that don’t fit within your schedule. Whether it’s taking the lead on a project at work, or coaching a soccer team, it’s okay to say no to projects that will bring you more stress than joy. As long as you are honest with your employers, they will most likely understand.
“Don’t be embarrassed or apologetic that you want to have both a career and a family,” adds Vasilatos. “Employers just want good quality work.” Plus, if you are in over your head, you may not be putting in your best work anyway.
While striking a work-life balance in today’s fast-paced world isn’t an easy task, by following these few guidelines, it is possible. “Now is a wonderful time to be a woman in the workforce,” says Vasilatos. “You really can have it all!”
For more information on The HON Company, visit www.HON.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Less than sixty minutes in seven days.
That’s the amount of exercise that can measurably improve quality of life for people who are obese, according to Duke Diet and Fitness Center research released today.
People in a study of 1,200 people who exercised for a little less than one hour a week still enjoyed better quality of life and improved ability to perform daily tasks.
“Things that many people take for granted, like tying one’s shoes, getting dressed or simply moving around, were easier for those who reported routine exercise,” Martin Binks, research director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center, said in a news release.
The benefits of exercise for obese people have not been as thoroughly studied as for mild or moderately overweight people, said Binks, who presented the research at this weekend’s meeting of the Obese Society in Phoenix, Ariz.
“It shows the value of starting to move no matter how overweight you are,” he said.
In July, obesity researchers, including Wake Forest University’s Wei Lang, found that four hours and 15 minutes of exercise per week was necessary for overweight and obese women to lose pounds and keep them off during a two-year period
Read More:News & Observer
RALEIGH, N.C. – Wendell Falls, a first of its kind neighborhood in the town of Wendell, continues to grow. A historic home that is on the property has been moved to make way for the neighborhood’s parkway entrance.“When we were planning the location of Wendell Falls Parkway, it became clear that this great old house was in the middle of the route,” said Greg Ferguson, Managing Partner of Mercury Development. “It’s not listed on the Historic Register yet, but we believe it could be some day and felt it was important to save it.”
The Richardson Homeplace is a farmhouse once owned by Dr. William E. Richardson. It is a one-story frame dwelling of Italianate and Victorian character with a two-room deep center passage, a large front roof gable, interior brick chimneys, a foundation of stone piers, double-leaf round arch glass panel front doors and tall 4/4 windows. The house is believed to date to ca. 1870. Dr. Richardson (1845-1895) was a member of the North Carolina legislature in 1879 and a survivor of the Civil War. He joined the Confederacy at age 15 and served in the 62nd Georgia Calvary, which became the 16th Battalion of North Carolina Calvary.
“We worked with the heirs of William Richardson to move the house, at our expense, and put it next to the gravesite where Dr. Richardson is buried next to his wife and twin daughters. Mrs. Richardson and her daughters all died in childbirth,” said Ferguson. “The house, cemetery, and the newly created lot will be donated to the Town of Wendell.”
About Wendell Falls
Wendell Falls is a first of its kind development in the town of Wendell in eastern Wake County. The 1,400 acre development located just minutes from downtown Raleigh will be designed and priced to appeal to a full spectrum of home buyers. Amenities and services in Wendell Falls include state-of-the-art fiber optic connectivity for advanced data/video/voice/security capabilities, a YMCA with athletic fields and fitness center, WakeMed East Healthplex with emergency department, and a 126 acre park with a half mile of shoreline on Lake Myra. Construction of the first residences begins in fall 2008 with first occupancy is expected in early 2009. The onsite Information Center is set to open in August 2008. To register to receive updates on the community visit www.wendellfalls.com.
About Mercury Development
Mercury Development was founded in Raleigh in 2002 by Greg Ferguson and Mike Jones, two veterans of real estate development in the Triangle area. The company was formed to fulfill a need met by very few developers in the market. Mercury develops residential neighborhoods for national and local home builders with homes and townhomes ranging from $160,000 to over $1 million. Ferguson and Jones have developed numerous projects in the Triangle including Brook Forest in North Raleigh, Upchurch Farms in Cary, Carriage Downs in Apex, Falls Commons in North Raleigh, Trinity Square in West Raleigh, Deacon’s Ridge in Wake Forest, and many others. www.mercury-dev.com
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
RALEIGH – Folami Bandele has been named executive director of the YWCA of the Greater Triangle, according to Dede Ramoneda, chairman of the board.
Bandele had served as the interim director of the YWCA since Leigh Duque resigned in October to become chief development officer at the North Carolina Coastal Pines Girl Scouts.
Bandele brings more than 10 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector, with particular emphasis in the areas of fund development, program management and community relations. She is the former director of the Johnston County Support our Student’s program and served as program director for the Raleigh Housing Authority Scholarship Fund. She joined the YWCA in 2005 and has served as the director of program development and grants management. In this role she helped to sharpen the organization’s program focus and raised more than $1.8 million for the YWCA.
Bandele is a graduate of Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In addition to extensive work in the nonprofit sector, she worked for Cary-based SAS Institute, where she helped to develop global business partnerships.
“Folami brings a wealth of both nonprofit and business experience to the YWCA and has proven herself to be a strategic thinker and tireless community leader,” Ramoneda said.
Bandele said she was honored to become the YWCA’s executive director and excited about her new leadership position. “The YWCA is a remarkable organization with an outstanding staff and proud history that is known for serving the area in so many ways,” she said. “I look forward to building on our considerable assets and focusing our programs to reflect our mission to empower women and eliminate racism.”
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Raleigh, NC – Howard, Merrell & Partners, a full-service strategic branding and communications firm was named the public relations agency of record for Triangle-based O2 Fitness. As agency of record, PR efforts for the health club will focus on building brand awareness and visibility across target audiences.
“O2 Fitness is experiencing an important phase of growth due to its success,” says Stephanie Styons, senior vice president, public relations at Howard, Merrell & Partners. “We are here to help O2 Fitness manage that evolution and ensure that its messages and values resonate within the communities in which it operates.”
Founded in 2002, O2 Fitness premier clubs are spread across the Triangle and Greater Wilmington areas. These fitness Clubs are designed to help its members achieve their goals in the most comfortable and motivating of atmospheres. In addition to increasing the understanding of O2 Fitness’ unique philosophy and approach to the present-day health club, Howard, Merrell & Partners’ will run a PR campaign that promotes the expansion of O2 Fitness locations throughout the state including its newest club at Brennan Station located on Creedmoor Road in Raleigh.
“At O2 Fitness, we strive to create a better experience for everyone, so we provide the highest-quality atmosphere possible while ensuring that each and every member remains the focus of our staff,” says Michael Olander, president and founder of O2 Fitness. “It was important to find an agency who understood our emphasis on integrity and could help us spread that message.”
About Howard, Merrell & Partners
Raleigh, NC-based Howard, Merrell & Partners, Inc., specializes in linking business and communications strategies to yield higher levels of financial performance for its clients. Founded by Jack Howard in 1945 and later reorganized as Howard, Merrell & Partners under Mac Merrell’s leadership, the agency is a pioneer in understanding and applying the power of emotions to develop more effective business and communications strategies. Agency service offerings include brand development, creative development and production, consumer insight research, public relations, media asset services, event planning and management and strategic account management.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
The first-ever statewide study of nonprofit employment shows that nonprofit organizations provide 212,814 jobs in North Carolina. This is more jobs than in the state’s construction industry and 54 percent more than in the state’s entire banking, finance, insurance, and real estate industry. Nonprofits employ more than one in every 18 workers in North Carolina, or about 6 percent of all jobs, says the study released today by the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. National experts at Johns Hopkins University conducted the study on contract with the Center. Additional research found that the nonprofit sector puts $25.8 billion into the state’s economy each year.
“Economic developers tout our quality of life, and nonprofits play a vital role in creating this quality of life,” says Jane Kendall, president of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits. “Nonprofit colleges, PTAs, and day care centers educate and take care of our children. Nonprofit museums, theatres, and music festivals teach about our cultural heritage. Nonprofits also promote recycling, conserve green space, and monitor water quality. And, YMCAs, YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Boy and Girl Scouts help young people grow. Nonprofits are a part of our economy that works for the common good.”
“We depend on nonprofits for many of the drawing cards that make North Carolina attractive to business,” says Jim Fain, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce. “Many in industry and government were not aware of nonprofits’ economic force, but this report will change that. The nonprofit sector is a key part of a vibrant economy for us now and in the future.”
The Surprise: More Jobs Than Several Large Industries
Nonprofits provide 212,814 jobs in North Carolina, which is about the same number as in the state’s construction industry (210,900 jobs) and one and a half times the state’s banking, finance, insurance, and real estate industry (137,800) combined. Nonprofits provide almost three times more jobs than the transportation (77,000) and information (75,100) industries, and 15 times more than the utilities industry (14,200) in North Carolina.
Nonprofit Sector Employment Growing Faster Than Business Sector
Between 1995 and 2003, nonprofit employment in North Carolina grew by 35.4 percent and added 55,700 jobs to the state’s work force. This is an average growth rate of 4.4 percent per year, which was six times the growth rate achieved by the business sector during this period. The nonprofit sector accounted for 26 percent of the state’s job growth in these eight years.
Total Economic Impact of Nonprofits
The total economic impact of the nonprofit sector in North Carolina has grown even faster than the jobs it has created. Nonprofits put $25.8 billion into the economy in 2005, an increase of 117 percent in one decade, up from $11.9 billion spent in 1995.
“The benefits of nonprofits are not limited to the people that they serve,” says Richard “Stick” Williams, vice president of enterprise field services at Duke Energy in Charlotte. “These dollars support local economies and create jobs.”
Nonprofit employees earned nearly $6.6 billion in wages in 2003, which accounted for 5.5 percent of the payroll of all North Carolina workers.
“The people who work in the nonprofit sector also contribute to the state’s economy,” says Kendall. “Nonprofit employees pay hundreds of millions of dollars in state income taxes. They buy clothes, food, and computers and thus pay state and local sales taxes on their purchases. They also buy homes and cars and pay property taxes to local governments.”
Just as sports events generate economic ripples, nonprofit activities such as arts performances, museum tours, and conferences also benefit the economy by boosting local businesses and sales taxes revenue through visitors’ expenditures at local hotels, restaurants, and stores.
Where Nonprofit Employees Work
North Carolina’s distribution of jobs in charitable nonprofits is similar to the national pattern. The majority (54 percent) are in health services, from Duke Health System, one of the state’s largest nonprofits, to local health clinics. Eighteen percent are in educational services, including private elementary and secondary schools and colleges, such as the Asheville School, Davidson College, and Shaw University. Ten percent of nonprofit jobs are in social assistance – from elderly services to emergency relief and child care. Nine percent are in membership, civic, and advocacy organizations, such as United Ways, foundations, and those addressing social issues such as child abuse. Three percent provide professional, scientific, and technical services, such as research organizations and legal services. Two percent of nonprofit jobs are in arts and recreation, such as performing arts groups, museums, and local recreation centers.
From 1995 to 2003, nonprofit job growth was strongest in membership, civic, and advocacy organizations (149 percent) and in private schools and colleges (101 percent). Other fields with above-average job growth were professional, scientific, and technical services (75 percent); social assistance (57 percent); and arts and recreation (39 percent). Hospital employment grew by 24 percent during this period. By contrast, nonprofit clinics and home health services lost 14 percent of jobs, a possible reflection of the growth of for-profit businesses in this arena.
Average Nonprofit Wages Are Lower Than in Business and Government
At $593, average weekly wages of nonprofit workers were 4 percent below those of workers in the business sector and local government, and 11 percent below those in state government. However, these averages obscure significant variations for nonprofit workers in different fields. Average wages range from a low of $391 per week in the social assistance field to a high of $710 in the hospital field.
What Nonprofits Do in North Carolina
Nonprofits fulfill several roles in North Carolina. (1) They deliver health and social services through organizations such as nonprofit hospitals, hospices, day care centers, and the Salvation Army. (2) They create volunteer opportunities, such as delivering Meals on Wheels or building a house with Habitat for Humanity. (3) They educate the public on issues such as smoking, domestic violence, and air pollution. (4) They develop programs and propose policies to solve public problems, such as the Child Care Services Association’s innovations in affordable day care and the Center for Community Self-Help’s leadership in curbing predatory lending. (5) They supply a voice for the voiceless, such as children, the frail elderly, and people with AIDS. (6) Finally, they offer avenues for religious worship through churches, synagogues, and mosques.
The report’s release coincides with the start of the holiday season when many people volunteer and make charitable contributions to nonprofits that deliver services to people in need. “But the impact of the nonprofit sector on the quality of life and the economy is felt in North Carolina 365 days a year,” says Kendall. “This study points to the large stake that North Carolina has in the health of its nonprofit sector.”
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Program offers a chance to learn from and assist the young
RALEIGH - In the gymnasium at the Garner Road Family YMCA on Saturday morning, black men urged their younger counterparts to tell them about the obstacles they face.
Organizers said the conversations would give the older men more insight into what young black men are dealing with in today’s society — and what was needed to help them.
“We want to show compassion,” said David Prince, a program director for Food and Nutrition Services, part of the N.C. Division of Social Services. “We want them to know that we’re here. We want to spend time with them. The goal is we want to prevent them from building up the jails.”
The program is affiliated with the Triangle High Five, a regional consortium with the goal of getting 100 percent of area high school students to graduate. About 40 men sat and listened to nearly 100 boys and young men talk about barriers to success, including low expectations from others and a lack of role models.
One of the organizers is Orage Quarles III, president and publisher of The News & Observer.
The group now will try to address several of the concerns aired by the young men. Some mentors also suggested assuring the young people that the meeting would not be a one-time thing.
“They need to have that contact so they don’t feel like the ball’s being dropped,” said William Stubbs, an administrative intern at Reedy Creek Middle School, where he is a sixth-grade assistant principal.
Several initiatives to mentor young people have popped up recently in Raleigh. Phase II, a personal training company, is starting one in conjunction with the Raleigh Boys Club and St. Augustine’s College. The program — incorporating fitness, academics, community service and religion — will benefit black males ages 11 to 13.
During his swearing-in ceremony last week, Raleigh Police Chief Harry Dolan said he would like to see more officers mentoring at-risk youngsters in the city.
Read More: News & Observer
(ARA) – Undoubtedly, being confident affects every aspect of a person’s life. While women have made many strides in nearly every profession, sport and industry in recent decades, even the most accomplished women can lack self-confidence in certain areas. According to a national YWCA online survey, women cite not feeling attractive or good about their appearance as their top confidence shaker (62 percent), followed by not excelling in their career/not doing a good job (46 percent) and not feeling accepted/feeling like an outcast (40 percent).
To address this issue, the YWCA USA and Curvation recently launched the Project Confidence Outreach Program, a multi-faceted women’s confidence-building program designed to give women the tools and information they need to build their confidence, achieve their dreams and enrich their communities. The program, which was unveiled on National Women’s Confidence Day, includes online confidence tips, as well as a free, nine-month confidence curriculum to be piloted in select cities nationwide.
“While there are a few existing programs that address confidence-building for young girls, there seemed to be a lack of such programs for women. I am extremely proud to be taking on this challenge along with the YWCA and Curvation,” says Queen Latifah, the Curvation brand spokesperson and creative advisor. Whether it means dressing for success, taking control of your finances or stepping up to the challenge of community change, our goal is to educate, inspire and hopefully influence the lives of countless women.”
To get a jump start on ways to build your confidence in a variety of areas, ranging from style and health to career, personal finance and diversity, here are a few helpful tips and resources:
* Confidence Style: Dress for Success — When we feel confident about our outward appearance, we’re able to focus more on the task at hand — whether it’s landing a new job or speaking at a community meeting. Dressing the part can help win attention and gain respect from a peer or potential employee, so it is important to look pulled together. If it’s not in your budget to buy something new, seek help from services in your community. In addition, don’t forget that looking good starts from the inside, and we’re not just talking about your personality. A solid foundation will make your clothing fit better and can help with posture and back health. Yet, almost 80 percent of women wear the wrong bra size! Take advantage of free services of fit experts to make sure you’re wearing the right size. For more information on how to determine your correct bra size, log onto www.curvation.com/fitting_room.php.
* Career Confidence: Be Your Own Advocate — Asking for a salary increase or negotiating a salary offer for a new job can be intimidating. Being prepared will help — know what the market salary is for the job and identify your desired range, including the minimum you need to comfortably pay your bills and your ideal salary that will allow you to enjoy a little more freedom. For more helpful tips on how to negotiate your salary, log onto www.womenwork.org. Another good tip: try networking with other women. Strong relationships in your field can help you advance and provide you with a place to turn when you’re seeking career input.
* Financial Confidence: Seek an Expert for Help — Nothing can shake your confidence more than financial instability. Getting control of your finances can decrease the stress in your life and make you feel more in control. The first step is to determine what you spend your money on — from bills to entertainment. Set a monthly budget and stick to it. There are also free or low-cost services for financial counseling available to help you get control of your debt and manage creditors, so use them! One resource to contact is the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at (800) 388-2227 or www.cccs.org. Have trouble saving? Try stashing money in a bank account that’s not easy to access and pay it as an extra bill to yourself.
With a few easy steps, you’ll be on the path to your most confident self in no time. For more information on the Project Confidence Outreach Program or additional confidence-building tips, log onto www.YWCA.org or www.curvation.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) – These days, too many children are growing up snacking on candy and cookies rather than foods that are good for them like fruits, vegetables and grains. But if America’s grocery stores have anything to do with it, that’s about to change! Area grocers throughout the U.S, from Massachusetts to Idaho, from Minneapolis to San Antonio, from the suburbs of Chicago to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are encouraging healthy eating habits in their communities.
Realizing they have the ability to make a difference, local grocery stores are partnering with Field Trip Factory to offer free field trips that teach kids how to make smart food choices. It’s good for our communities and our kids.
“The field trips reach a wide cross-section of the youth in our area. These children go home and influence their parents to adopt healthy habits,” says Bob Gumbleton, manager of the Shaw’s Supermarket in Lynn, Mass.
“When we reach the kids and schools in our community, they bring their parents back to buy the healthy products they try during the field trip,” adds Dale Watson, manager of the Albertsons store in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.
On these hands-on field trips kids get to sample healthy foods, and come away with an understanding of the essential concepts about nutrition and diet, as well as the importance of staying physically active. A little math is worked into it too as kids learn about pricing. The trip is designed with the goal in mind of producing not only healthy kids, but smart kids.
Meijer stores in suburban Chicago, kids learn fundamental concepts about how exercise, balanced meals, and healthy living will positively affect them. Jan Olszowski, store director of the chain’s store in Rolling Meadows, Ill., says the kids always leave smiling.
“In essence, the trips show kids that shopping for groceries at a Meijer store is fun. A lot of the chaperones have commented they have never been here before, and they will now return to shop here for healthier foods in the future,” he says.
Here are some tips for shopping healthier and educating your child on the importance of nutrition:
1. Ask you local grocer to start hosting nutrition education field trips so children can about nutrition and health in a hands on environment.
2. Read labels and encourage your children to do the same on their favorite products to reduce consumption of overly processed foods, saturated fats, salt and refined sugars.
3. Try a new healthy alternative on each trip. Take a regularly purchased item and look for a healthier alternative.
4. Count the steps as you walk the store. It is good exercise and can be a fun way to involve children in shopping.
Down in Texas, H-E-B stores are also finding that their trip helps build a partnership with kids in the community that goes beyond food. The Be A Healthy Buddy program focuses on making healthy decisions as well as teaching students about careers in the grocery retail business. “It’s important to us to have a positive impact on kids and their health. They are our future shoppers as well as our future employees,” points out Keith Jackson, who manages one of the chain’s San Antonio, Texas store.
At Rainbow Foods stores in Minnesota, stores see the benefit to both students and their families. Carole Fust, store manager for Rainbow Foods in Plymouth says, “We expose students to information that will help them make better nutrition decisions. They go home and share what they’ve learned with their parents and siblings.”
Over 2,000 local grocery stores are now offering this important real-life health lesson. These grocers are making a difference in their communities by encouraging kids to eat healthy today so they can make a difference tomorrow. Rommel Morrison, manager of the Lowes Foods store in Jamestown, N.C., adds, “This program is a valuable asset to the community.”
To learn more about these free, experience-based field trips, log on to www.fieldtripfactory.com and type in your zip code to find out which programs are available in your community. If you don’t have Internet access, call (800) 987-6409 for more information.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
