Business Woman March 2018

March 2018

colonoscopies save lives personal & professional benefits of volunteering

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Inside

WHAT’S 4 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

7 Diversity or discrimination

What are your hiring concerns?

9 volunteering

The personal and professional benefits.

11 workplace disruptions

Learn how to manage them.

13 choosing a daycare 10 questions to ask.

15 household responsibility

Teaching children to pitch in leads to a lifetime of success.

17 women’s expo

What you’ll find at the Dauphin County Women’s Expo.

18 Colonoscopies

How they can save lives.

20 digital screens

How to protect your vision and your child’s.

22 women to watch

New hires and promotions.

23 meet and greet

Regional networking events and meetings.

March 2018

E March 10, 201 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

8

Hershey Lodge 325 University Dr, Hershe

y Health & Wellness Finance Shopping Fashion Home Nutrition Beauty ...plus Show Demos and more!

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COLONOSCOPIES SAVE LIVES PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

5 cover story Karla Mitchell sits in the children’s playroom at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania.

It’s a colorful diversion with many activities and toys for children who are staying at RMHC to play with.

Mitchell and her staff are dedicated to the mission of RMHC and build bonds with many of the families they meet.

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Note

Editor’S

March 2018 Vol. 15 - No. 3

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER

Donna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL

sn’t that a very fun cover picture? Ronald Find out whatsimple, age-appropriate chores and rewards McDonald, hamburgers, and french fries. you can give your children to help them grow to be McDonald’s is an iconic American establishment successful adults. in which millions of people have enjoyed their food.

Colon cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in the United But what’s more impressive is the impact the States. We all know someone over 50. Encourage him McDonald’s corporation has or her to get a colonoscopy this had on the lives of many year. People cringe at the thought children through their support of it, but it’s better than the and partnership of the Ronald alternative: polyps not being found McDonald House Charities.

The most notable fact that culture before they turn cancerous.

Learn more about RMHC, their Get some highlights of the imprints on women is the sense of upcoming Dauphin County work, and how you can help in their mission to assist children our limits. The most important thing Women’s Expo inside, and and their families. then make sure to go to www.

Many of you have children one woman can do for another is to aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com or grandchildren, so this is the illuminate and expand her sense of to register for your free admission month we focus on children’s tickets! actual possibilities. issues. You already know that The first Women’s Expo of too much technology isn’t good 2018 is this month, quickly ~ Kate Braverman for children. But it’s more than followed up by the Lancaster just computer vision syndrome; County spring Women’s Expo it’s also the damage that can be in April at the Lancaster Host – caused by blue light. Discover more about the effect Expo Center. Check back next month for a preview of the of too much screen exposure. event. Here’s a teaser, though: $500 Tanger Outlets shopping You want to make sure your children are in spree and $1,500 in gift cards from Blossom Med Spa! capable and responsible hands when you drop them off at daycare. Learn some questions you should ask before selecting a daycare.

And did you realize that children can build selfChristianne Rupp esteem through the responsibilities they’re given at home?

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Story

CAREER

COVER

Keeping Families Close

By LYNDA HUDZICK

‘‘T

he Ronald McDonald House is built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child,” Karla Mitchell, executive director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania, said.

“Not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal, or where they will lay their head at night to rest,” Mitchell said.

That commitment to the needs of families who are facing the sometimes overwhelming challenges of having a seriously ill child is one of the reasons Mitchell considers herself “beyond lucky to work for such an amazing organization.”

This married mother of two teenagers grew up in the Snyder and Union County area of Pennsylvania. She was active in sports and civic engagements in high school, and when entering college, initially chose to major in marine biology.

But her focus changed when she watched a friend who was a recovering alcoholic making the intense effort necessary to work through that process.

“I was fascinated by all the work he had to put into his recovery,” she said. “So I switched my major and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.”

She then went on to earn a master’s in counseling psychology with a specialization in addictions and to achieve her Employee Assistance Professional Certification,

which allowed her to work in the addiction and EAP field for several years.

When Mitchell and her husband moved to the local area, she found it difficult to find any open positions in her field, so she decided to try something new when she saw an opening for a campaign associate.

“I soon found myself working in development for United Way of the Capital Region,” she said.

It was a whole new direction for her, but something she found she truly enjoyed and quickly grew to love.

During her 15th year at UWCR, after having successfully served in various positions within that organization, Mitchell was approached about the open executive director position at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania.

“As a parent, the RMHC-CP mission resonated strongly with me,” Mitchell said.

In November 2016, she joined the team as executive director.

In her role, Mitchell leads the strategic and operational direction of the organization.

“I work with our board of directors and staff to ensure we are growing and effective,” she said.

“We provide overnight stays for families who are traveling at least 30 minutes with a child staying at Penn State Children’s Hospital.”

There is also a Ronald McDonald family room within the hospital where families are provided with a place to simply “rest, relax,

Mitchell by the fireplace in the comfortable family room at the RMHC–CP.

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and regroup,” she said.

“To reach more families, our hospitality cart travels to lounges throughout the hospital to provide snacks, microwavable meals, and crafts along with the comfort and support the RMHC brand has become so well known for,” Mitchell said.

Every service offered through the RMHC-CP is at no charge to the families, thanks to the support of the local community.

No two days are alike for Mitchell, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I have two favorite parts of my job,” she said. “Getting to know the children and families we serve and securing gifts from our amazing community.”

She is also quick to point out, though, that it takes a team to make things run smoothly.

“It takes a special type of person to deal with the emotional toll of this work,” Mitchell said.

“The RMHC-CP staff is certainly well equipped. Both the staff and volunteers are amazingly dedicated to our mission.”

Mitchell explained that because she and the rest of the staff and volunteers are sharing significant life moments with the families they are serving, they can’t help but become a part of each other’s stories.

“Birthdays, graduations, and holidays don’t stop when someone is sick. The longer a family stays, the more we get to know them,” she said. “The hardest part will always be seeing a family walk out the door, holding on to one

Mitchell in the well-equipped kitchen at the RMHC–CP.

another for support, and not taking their child home with them when they leave. Those are more challenging days.”

Yet there are many success stories that provide comfort in those hard times, and Mitchell said that often families who stayed at the RMHC-CP in the past will regularly visit, write, and donate to help families like their own.

“Every week I receive notes of thanks and outreaches of appreciation,” she said. “That’s how we know we are making a difference … those families are why we’ve stayed open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for 33 years.”

A strong believer in the power of volunteerism, Mitchell said that

she’s seen firsthand throughout her entire career just how important volunteers are to a local community.

Currently, she is involved with the Rotary Club of Hershey and the Women’s Leadership Network for UWCR. “I want to be an example to my children and show them how important it is to reach back and bring people along with you,” she said. “I’ve included them in many volunteer projects over the years, and they are now engaged in volunteer opportunities through their school.”

Mitchell said there are two truths she has learned that she will always consider to be personal, foundational values for her.

“Don’t fear change and don’t get comfortable,” she said. “As soon as you are either of those, you are no longer effective.”

As society changes, so must the work of charities, and as she looks ahead to the next few years, Mitchell feels she is up to the challenge of successfully orchestrating the process needed to continue providing the important services RMHC-CP has always been known for.

“I am looking forward to my role as the organizational leader in this effort,” she said. “I really want to look back and know that I was instrumental in leading our organization to its next level of success.”

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CAREER

Diversity or Discrimination –

What Are Your Hiring Concerns?

By K. LEIGH WISOTZKEY

A

ffirmative action, equal opportunity employment, diversity, and inclusion— there are so many considerations when you’re trying to do the right thing as a business, hire the best people, and steer clear of anything associated with that nasty “D” word: discrimination.

In 2015, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed the Apprenticeship and Training Act, which requires public employers’ apprenticeship programs to develop and implement an affirmative action plan in order to register with the Apprenticeship and Training Council.

“The purpose was to ‘equalize opportunity in apprenticeship’ for minorities and women,” Peggy Morcom, attorney with Buzgon Davis Law Offices in Lebanon, says.

Additionally, federal contractors and agencies that receive federal funding are required to adopt affirmative action plans. Generally, these statutes do not apply to private–sector employers, unless the business is a federal contractor.

There are, however, federal and state statutes that address discrimination in the workplace.

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act is applicable to employers that employ at least four or more employees.

Federal anti-discrimination statutes that apply to Pennsylvania employers, private and public sector, include the Age Discrimination

in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and Equal Pay Act. The key to maintaining the best hiring practices is to develop practices that do not discriminate in favor of one candidate for employment over another candidate.

For example, some will argue that affirmative action is a form of reverse discrimination because it supports goals of identifying and selecting candidates from historically excluded groups, such as racial minorities and

women. Hiring specifically from those groups, without consideration of the necessary job skills, would support that argument that such a practice discriminates against candidates who possess the requisite qualifications for the job.

However, when an employer attracts qualified candidates from a diverse pool, the end result is more likely to be a diverse workforce with the best candidates selected for the jobs.

The bottom line is that, in terms of equal opportunity employment, the employer must absolutely hire the best candidate, regardless …

Understanding Discrimination When we hear the word discrimination, we often think of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, etc. — factors that easily translate to diversity. The opportunities for discrimination reach beyond those factors, although the lines can be blurry in combination with other issues.

“A risk to employers is a legal claim of a discriminatory practice or policy in hiring that involves automatically eliminating candidates for employment because they have a criminal record,” Morcom warns.

“The Equal

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Employment Opportunity Commission closely scrutinizes exclusion of candidates based upon the individual’s criminal background.”

The EEOC relied on its own research to conclude that such practices could be discriminatory toward African–American and male candidates.

“This does not mean that an employer may not consider a candidate’s criminal convictions.

There must be a substantial nexus between the criminal conviction and the position to be filled by the candidate,” Morcom says.

“A candidate for the position of bookkeeper could be legitimately excluded from consideration because he was convicted of theft, such as embezzlement. In contrast, a candidate for the position of welder may not be legitimately excluded from consideration because he was convicted of driving under the influence.

There is no nexus between the position and crime for which the

individual was convicted.”

According to Morcom, some local jurisdictions, such as Philadelphia, have enacted “ban the box” legislation to restrict and limit the use of criminal backgrounds in hiring and employment decisions.

The EEOC’s criminal history guidance sets forth three factors employers should consider: • The nature and gravity of the offense/ conduct • The time that has passed since the offense/conduct and/or completion of sentence • The nature of the position held or sought Where the line blurs is when people view the practice of requiring a background check as a means to eliminate minority candidates.

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the diversity of your workforce, there are ways to do so without running the risk of discriminatory practices.

“It is important for employers to develop and maintain an equal employment opportunity policy, which provides principles that prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to protected classes, such as race, religion, age, sex, disability, etc.,” Morcom advises.

One of the best ways to increase diversity in the workplace is to look at your customer base — how do you best serve the needs of your customers?

A simple example: Perhaps you have a substantial Spanishspeaking customer base, and to effectively and efficiently serve your customers, it is important to retain at least one employee who is fluent in Spanish. The most qualified candidate for the job

may very well be an individual of Hispanic descent, which may also add more diversity to your employee base.

Again, it is important to select the best candidate for the job, and the selection should be based on specific business needs.

If you want to increase the potential for attracting diverse candidates, you may look at your marketing and recruiting approaches.

“Recruit in places where those diverse populations have easy access, and advertise your company’s opportunities in diverse communities,” Morcom suggests.

While affirmative action may not substantially impact hiring in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is important to consider the legal ramifications of discrimination in making hiring decisions.

Remember, if you develop hiring practices and policies that are based on the needs of your business and hire the best candidate for the job, you’re on the right track.

CAREER

The Personal — and Professional — Benefits of Volunteering

By MARILEE FALCO, CFP®, ChFC

W

omen entrepreneurs and business owners face a number of challenges, not the least of which is time management.

Yet, for many professional women, the upside of spending some of their very valuable time on philanthropic endeavors cannot be overstated.

Charities surely need the skills that professional women offer, but volunteers also benefit both personally and professionally from the experience. Volunteering with charitable organizations provides women the gratification of giving back and the connection to their larger community while simultaneously enabling them to gain worthwhile leadership skills and enhance their professional development.

In addition to the obvious personal rewards of volunteering, some of the professional skills that can be honed by working with nonprofit organizations and community boards are organizational management, public speaking, event planning, marketing material development, written communication, troubleshooting, and alliance building.

Charitable organizations offer great training for professional women, helping them gain BUSINESSWomanPA.com

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confidence in their capabilities while also exposing them to people working in local nonprofits and businesses that they might otherwise never meet.

So everyone wins — the organization receiving the volunteer support, the volunteer’s business, and the volunteer herself.

Ideally, women should align their volunteer efforts with causes about which they are truly passionate.

When a volunteer is fully committed to the mission of a nonprofit organization, her efforts are more heartfelt, effective, and ultimately impactful.

Initially, volunteers can match their existing professional skills with the needs of their chosen charity. Certified Financial Planner professionals, for example, can oversee the fiscal workings of a nonprofit; women who work in public relations or marketing can help with the charity’s promotional materials; and those in management can help with board oversight.

Over time, however, a volunteer can look for ways to develop skills that she may not have the opportunity to build in her own work environment. (And, of course, capabilities developed in a volunteer role can enhance one’s resume and LinkedIn profile.)

Once a volunteer develops a new skill, she should make every effort to utilize it in her own business setting. If public speaking is a talent developed when volunteering, for example, find opportunities to demonstrate that new proficiency in your workplace or with a professional association.

To reinforce the ability, offer to make a formal presentation for clients or to be a speaker at a professional conference.

Pushing yourself to use the skill developed while volunteering will make it more likely that it becomes part of your permanent professional repertoire.

Another benefit of volunteer work for women is that they are given the chance to learn from and collaborate with professional mentors. By expanding one’s network

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through volunteer work, you can build relationships with people outside of your usual professional sphere, gaining new insights along the way. Who knows — a fellow volunteer or mentor may even think of you when an exciting new business opportunity arises.

Of course, juggling professional life, family life, and philanthropic work can be challenging at times, particularly for women with younger families. And sometimes women just starting out in the business world believe they must postpone giving back to their community.

But there are many ways to pitch in. Young professionals may not be able to attend every volunteer meeting, but they can write communications materials at night from their home computer or make phone calls on behalf of their charity.

For professional women, it can be easy to live in a bit of a bubble.

By volunteering with charitable organizations, working women gain insights into the life experiences of those receiving assistance as well as a greater understanding of their larger community.

The friendships formed and experiences shared with those being served, with nonprofit staff members, and with other volunteers are uplifting and life-affirming.

And the professional skills learned are invaluable.

Don’t hesitate — go ahead and volunteer. Your chosen charitable organization will certainly appreciate your talents and contributions — and your life will be enriched both personally and professionally.

• Marilee Falco is a principal and financial strategist at JoycePayne Partners of Bethlehem, Pa., and Richmond, Va., responsible for client financial strategy and counsel, comprehensive financial planning, and investment management.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and chartered financial consultant, she can be reached at mfalco@joy­cepaynepartners.com.

CAREER

Learn to Manage

Disruptions in the Workplace

By BARRY SPARKS

C

hange, disruption, and chaos in the workplace is the new normal, according to Kristi Weierbach, Ph.D., director of workforce advisory services for Stambaugh Ness.

“The old mindset isn’t applicable anymore,” says Weierbach. “Expecting things to run smoothly isn’t realistic. Business executives, leaders, and employees need to look at things differently. The keys to managing the new workplace environment are planning and preparation.”

Every company, regardless of its size, is susceptible to change, disruption, and chaos. Larger, more mature companies are often comfortable and complacent, making it easier for them to be caught off guard.

Smaller companies typically lack the resources to rebound quickly from unforeseen circumstances.

The impact of these unexpected events also tends to be greater and last longer for smaller companies.

A disruption is anything that potentially can affect the operation of your business. Chaos is often the result of a disruption, significant change, or a series of changes.

Weierbach says companies need to have a level of comfort with chaos. In a recent seminar, 51 percent of attendees said their companies tolerate it, while 43 percent said their companies embrace it.

“Keeping an open mind is critical to being comfortable with change,” she says.

How can you anticipate change, disruption, and chaos? Weierbach suggests companies proactively monitor their industry, as well as other industries, on a daily basis.

What issues are they dealing with?

How did they respond? What are the odds of such an incident occurring at your company? What impact would it have on your company financially, operationally, and reputation-wise?

What are the most likely

vulnerabilities for disruptions?

In a recent survey, conducted by Weierbach, the answers were: • Employee relations/culture 38 percent • Talent . ................................ 33 percent

national headlines.

In dealing with hostile work environment issues, Weierbach suggests a company plan should address the following questions:

• Technology......................... 22 percent

• Is this the first time this issue has been brought to our attention?

• Emergency response........... 8 percent

• W ho will investigate the complaint?

Examples of these potential disruptions include the resignation of one of your star employees, a hostile work environment complaint, an employee who experiences a tragedy at home or work, notice of an impending audit, or a cyber attack.

Weierbach says employee relations/culture is a significant concern because a hostile work environment can affect staff morale, productivity, and turnover.

Companies are paying more attention to employee relations and culture because sexual harassment has been the subject of many recent

• W hat is the follow-up?

• W hat is the prevention strategy?

• Is our organization viewing this complaint or issue through rosecolored glasses?

Recruiting and retaining talent is something every company should have as a priority.

“The workforce is a major concern for companies,” says Weierbach, “because skilled staff members are hard to find and to keep. Every industry, whether it’s construction, manufacturing, or architecture/engineering, is

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struggling to find talent.”

Making sure job candidates are the right cultural fit with your company compounds the challenge of finding skilled workers.

Recruiting talent is costly and time consuming. A strong retention plan can help decrease recruiting efforts, according to Weierbach.

“Companies need to do their best to navigate through the storms,” she says. “And, to do that, you need to have the best people around you.”

Weierbach recommends companies answer the following questions in their plans: • W hat is our recruiting strategy?

• Do we have a solid network to help us find a replacement?

• W hat is our retention strategy?

• W hat lessons can we learn from our recruiting/retention efforts?

• Do we have a learning development plan in place?

and

• How do we know what employees

BWF

Business Women’s Forum

“”

• W hat are your company’s major hazards and vulnerabilities?

Expecting things to run smoothly isn’t realistic. Business executives, leaders, and employees need to look at things differently.

The keys to managing the new workplace environment are planning and preparation.

• W hat roles do various employees play in an emergency?

• How do you communicate internally and externally?

• How do you drill for specific situations?

• What is the drill schedule?

think and feel about the company and the workplace environment?

• Specific internal requirements for reporting a breach

• Do employees have opportunities to advance within the company?

• Potential consequences if employees violate the confidential information policy

Employee data breaches can cripple a company’s operation and damage its reputation. Every company should partner with a technology provider to protect its confidential information.

A company plan should include: • Policies on how employees should handle, store, and send confidential information

Leadership, Marketing & Personal Development

• Internal and external plans for communicating a breach Although emergency response incidents may not be a top-ofmind concern for many companies, they can be among the most devastating. Every company should have an emergency response plan that answers these questions:

• What is your follow-up plan?

Weierbach acknowledges that planning for these various disruptions can tax many companies, particularly smaller ones. That’s why she advocates aligning with appropriate partners.

“While your company may not have all the resources needed, there are plenty of trustworthy experts who are willing to help you,” she says. “They know the issues and they keep up to date on new developments and regulations.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

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10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Daycare

By SANDRA GORDON

look like fun and games. But that’s the idea.

“Children learn best through play,” Murray says.

What’s the teacher-to-child ratio? It’s important for your child to get plenty of attention, especially the younger she is. Babies and

toddlers 12 months old and younger need an adult-to-child ratio of no more than 1-to-4 (one adult per four infants).

What activities will my child do? The code word to listen for is “curriculum.” With emerging research about early brain development, top childcare programs aren’t glorified babysitters. They’re full-featured learning environments, even at the infant level, because learning starts from birth.

“There are all sorts of ageappropriate curriculums available now, from baby sign language in an infant room to early reading, nature, science, art, technology, and drama programs for toddlers,” Murray says.

Each program is typically organized into themes. If the theme is insects, for example, your toddler might be asked to dress up as his favorite bug for the drama unit, paint a bug for the art unit, and learn about insects in the computer lab for the technology unit. To you though, it may all just BUSINESSWomanPA.com

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Lifestyle

I

f you’ll be returning to work after your baby is born, you probably know that open daycare spots can go faster than ice cream melts on a hot day.

Still, for your child’s well-being and your own peace of mind, it pays to get picky.

Starting a few months before you’re due, “visit three to five daycare programs,” says Kris Murray, author of The Ultimate Childcare Marketing Guide and a consultant to the childcare industry.

To narrow your selection, here are the top questions Murray suggests asking daycare providers to help you know if you’ve found the right place — or if you need to keep looking.

For toddlers 12-28 months old, the ratio should be 1-to-3, or one instructor per three children.

Small class sizes of 10-12 children or fewer are preferred too. Even if there are plenty of adults to children, a larger group of toddlers can feel chaotic.

Lifestyle

What’s your policy about unannounced visits? The best answer is, “No problem. We have an open-door policy.” Impromptu

parent visits should always be welcome, Murray says. After signing up your child, you should be able to drop by anytime.

How will I know what my child did all day? Some daycare centers will distribute a daily activity sheet detailing what each child experienced that day, such as what she had for snack and how often her diaper was changed. Even better is paperless communication. Many

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daycare centers offer email or text messages two to four times daily.

It’s a big plus. Imagine sitting in a meeting and getting a text from your child’s daycare or preschool with a video or photo of a picture he just painted.

“Real-time streaming helps you stay connected to your child’s day,” Murray says. When you pick your child up, you can say, “Look at the cute pictures I got from you today” and talk about them together.

What are the qualifications of your caregivers? “Ask for a list of the teachers, which includes the number of years of experience they’ve had in the field, their degree (in early childhood education for the lead teacher), or the training they’ve had,” Murray says.

Lead teachers should also have five to seven years of experience.

With practice comes the competence to handle challenging issues, such as fighting and other behavioral problems or potty training in a toddler program.

Are drop-off and pickup hours flexible? If you work from home sometimes or need a half-day help here and there, look for a daycare option that works with your nontraditional schedule. Daycare that’s less than fulltime is a growing trend.

“For a monthly membership fee, many daycare centers will allow you to drop off your child whenever you want,” Murray says.

What’s the security situation like? Most childcare programs are safer than they were five years ago. Some now, for example, have biometrics at the entrance. Instead of punching in a code at the door, you’ll be required to place your finger on a pad to enter the building.

“Stricter regulations on safety and background checks are now required in many states,” Murray says.

When touring a daycare center, ask whether the children are monitored by a secure webcam. Is the feed distributed to the director’s office so there’s oversight of

what’s happening in the classroom?

(Good.) Can you have access to the feed as well? (Double good.)

Not only does camera surveillance provide peace of mind because you can see what’s going on at any time throughout the day, it allows you to engage in your child’s day (“I saw you help Sam pick up his crayons. That was so nice of you.”)

“You get to spy with a positive purpose,” Murray says.

How often do the kids get to go outside? Beyond extremely hot or cold weather, “there’s no excuse for children not to get outside every day,” Murray says. Your childcare center should support the full health of the child, which includes spending time in nature and being active.

What’s your disaster recovery and emergency policy? If there’s a fire or disaster at the school, you want to know that teachers have been properly trained to respond quickly and effectively to get every child out. Every teacher should be trained in CPR too.

Ask yourself: Am I comfortable with the environment? After you’ve narrowed it down to your top picks, spend an hour or two observing a classroom when the kids are awake (not at naptime).

What’s the vibe? The daycare center should feel open and warmhearted. Teachers should look like they’re happy to be there and engaged with the children. If you get a good feeling about the place, chances are your child will like it too because he’ll pick up on your satisfaction.

Finally, confirm your selection by finding out what everyone else has to say. Review testimonials from other parents on the daycare center’s Facebook page and review sites such as Yelp.

“Sometimes there are disgruntled employees or an occasional unhappy parent,” Murray says. “If you see 10 great reviews and one negative one, you’re probably fine. Look for a preponderance of positive.”

Teaching Children Household Responsibility Leads to a Lifetime of Success

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

Lifestyle

A

ccording to H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelsen in Raising Self-Reliant Children in a SelfIndulgent World, “A belief in one’s personal capabilities is an essential building block for successful adulthood.”

The best way for children to achieve this sense of capability is to be assigned household responsibilities. Offering children such opportunities makes them feel essential to the family unit and teaches basic skills, acceptance of responsibility, and self-discipline.

Ultimately, it leads to self-esteem and a successful, fulfilling life.

Rewards Whether to compensate and reward children for their work is a difficult question. Conflicting opinions are held by child specialists, which doesn’t help. But one thing is certain: Experiencing selfsatisfaction from work is important.

Even adults receive compensation for their work. In turn, they reward themselves in many ways, from mini shopping sprees and eating out to buying recreational toys and taking expensive vacations.

So your best bet is to take a middle-of-the-road approach. Assign

your children some responsibilities without reward, such as cleaning their rooms and taking care of personal belongings. This can provide self-satisfaction.

But also offer an allowance or rewards for additional tasks.

Children learn valuable lessons from earning as well. They learn to budget and handle money and come to understand hard work pays off, just as it does in the adult world.

Whether your child receives a reward for a particular task or not, always praise the efforts. This helps

to reinforce the intrinsic value of completing a task.

When selecting prizes, choose something your child wouldn’t receive otherwise. If you go to the park several times a week, an extra trip to the park won’t seem much of a reward. But if you normally go only once a week, an extra visit will be more enticing.

For toddlers and preschoolers, immediate rewards are important.

Offer to go to the ice cream store or park, to play a favorite game together, to invite a friend over, or a

fun sticker or favorite treat.

You can also purchase prizes that come in a set, such as markers.

Then offer one piece of the set for each completed task until your child has earned the complete set.

Elementary children are able to save for bigger rewards. Use a chart and offer prizes for accumulated stars. But don’t make your child wait more than a week or so for a reward. Otherwise, the reward will lose its motivational value.

Rewards for elementary-age

BUSINESSWomanPA.com

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Lifestyle

children might include additional television or computer time, a trip to the zoo or museum, baking together, having a friend overnight, or a new magazine or matchbox car.

Older kids are able to accumulate points for longer periods and begin to look toward long-term rewards. A teen could accumulate points for several weeks to earn a concert ticket or trip to the amusement park, a new outfit, or a special privilege, such as staying out later or additional phone time.

• Set the table

• Warm soup

• Set up a garage sale

• Rinse dishes

• Clean off the dinner table

• Empty wastebaskets

• Load the dishwasher

• Clean the kitchen, refrigerator, and oven

• Vacuum (with a small vacuum)

• Wash windows

• Dust

• Clean bathroom sinks

• Sort dirty clothes

• Fold laundry

• Put clothes in drawers • Pick up toys • Stack books

• Fix dinner • Make a grocery list • Grocery shop • Pump gas

• Run his own bath

• Do laundry and ironing

• Pack her suitcase

• Answer the phone

• Care for younger siblings (with an adult at home)

• Get the mail

• Feed and walk pets

Age-Appropriate Chores Toddlers and preschoolers are more capable than we realize. In these early years, children should take on household tasks. Remember that attention span is short at this age. So keep chores brief when assigning them to little ones unless the chores are especially fun. Your preschooler can:

• Water flowers

• Vacuum the car

Elementary-age children are more coordinated and capable of performing better-quality work. In addition to the previous items, your elementary age child can:

• Take out trashcans

• Make juice

• Bake

• Frost cakes and cookies

• Help pack lunches

• Fix her breakfast

Kids in middle school and beyond can learn nearly any task. During the teen years, introduce new tasks periodically so your adolescent can master all skills. Your teen can:

• Prepare microwave foods

• Clean tubs and toilets • Organize the garage, basement, and closets

• Mow the lawn • Do minor household repairs It’s Not Too Late If your child is beyond preschool or elementary age and you haven’t offered many household responsibilities in the past, don’t despair. While it’s better to start when children are young, and it may be more difficult, it’s not too late.

Make a plan today to set your child on a path toward self-reliance.

You’ll both be glad you did as you watch your child reap the benefits of growing into an independent, successful young adult.

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~ March 2018 | BUSINESSWoman

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It’s Jam-Packed with Everything You’ll Love

By CHRISTIANNE RUPP

Wine Tasting

The aisles will be lined with about 100 exhibitors who will be looking forward to speaking with you about their products and services. With beauty, finances, home improvements, leisure, retirement living, wellness, and more … it’s all at the expo. There will be plenty of opportunities to shop for clothing, jewelry, foods, essentials oils, and more. And LuLaRoe will have the popular Pop-Up Shop there too!

Enjoy a free chair massage, NuFace facial toning and lifting treatment (the five-minute facelift), glucose screening, and more.

Help out the Girls Scouts and buy a box of cookies from Palmyra Girl Scout Troop 71518. They’ll be in the lobby!

You’re telling yourself you don’t want to miss this event. So go to www.aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com now and register for your free admission tickets! It will be a great way to spend your day!

E March 10, 2018 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hershey Lodge

325 University Drive, Hershey

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717.285.1350

BUSINESSWoman

FREE advance guest registration online ($5 at the door)

aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com BUSINESSWomanPA.com

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Lifestyle

The first Women’s Expo of the season will be held March 10 at the Hershey Lodge, and we have some exciting things planned.

Who doesn’t love a great fashion show? Three Little Birds boutique will take the stage to strut fashions you’ll want to be wearing this spring and summer.

Models will be showing trendy clothing for the sleek woman as well as from their curvy collection.

What does your handwriting say about you?

I’ve worked with women who had extremely small lettering and others who had huge handwriting. Mine is somewhere in between. You’ll learn what your curly Q’s and funny faces mean and what it all says about personality characteristics.

Vino—it’s a popular adult beverage for men and women nowadays. Cardinal Hollow Winery, the Vineyard at Hershey, and Paradocx Vineyard will be offering wine samplings. Do some taste testing and then purchase a bottle to take home for a special occasion … or just to share with a friend!

Dawson Flinchbaugh from Flinchy’s Restaurant will be cooking up a meal especially for his audience.

You know him by his funny personality and his delicious foods at not only the restaurant, but also at events he caters.

Stauffers of Kissel Hill will be showing how we can put together a vegetable or herb container garden. You’ll be able to start the garden inside now and then move it outside later on. You can have fresh herbs all year long!

Many women love theater, but some of you aren’t familiar with Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre and their high-quality performances.

You can see a snippet from the upcoming performance of Show Boat.

Wellness

Colonoscopies Save Lives

By BARRY SPARKS

D

r. Mark Johnston of Regional Gi in Lancaster says if you want to know what physicians strongly believe in, ask them what they do for their own personal healthcare.

“If you ask all the gastroenterologists in our practice, over the age of 50, if they have had a colonoscopy, everyone would reply that they have,” says Johnston, who is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

“And, the reason is simple: Colonoscopies save lives.”

A colonoscopy is the most popular screening for colon cancer, which is the No. 2 cancer killer in the United States. The exam,

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which typically takes between 20 minutes to an hour, allows physicians to detect changes in the colon (large intestine) and rectum.

During the colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum. The physician can view inside the entire colon via a video camera at the tip of the tube.

If necessary, the physician can remove polyps or other types of abnormal tissues through the scope during a colonoscopy. Biopsies can be taken as well.

Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps. Some of these polyps can become colon cancers. Polyps may produce few, if any, symptoms.

~ March 2018 | BUSINESSWoman

“Most polyps we remove are not cancerous,” says Johnston.

“Removing them when they are small, however, can help prevent colon cancer. Once polyps are removed, they can’t become cancerous.”

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because of colonoscopies. Sixty percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented with screening, according to www.fightcolorectalcancer.org.

The American Cancer Society recommends men and women at average risk for colon cancer should be screened starting at age 50. People with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider

getting screened sooner.

Despite the effectiveness of colonoscopies, many people dread having one and consequently put the exam off.

“The fear of colonoscopies comes mainly from those who have never had one,” offers Johnston. “If you talk to people who have had one, they are likely to say it was no big deal.”

The preparation solution used for colonoscopies has vastly improved.

The prep used by the vast majority of gastroenterologists has no taste and can be mixed with Gatorade or Crystal Lite. It can be slowly consumed.

There are several alternatives

to a colonoscopy. Cologuard is an easy-to-use, noninvasive screening test for colon cancer that can be used in the privacy of your home. A prescription from your physician is required. The test identifies altered DNA and/or blood in your stool, which are associated with the possibility of colon cancer or precancer.

DNA is continuously shed from cells in the intestinal lining, where it is passed into the stool. If cancer or precancer is present, abnormal cells will shed into the colon and stool along with normal cells.

“Cologuard is FDA approved, non-controversial, and unequivocally heads-and-shoulders above any other test, besides a colonoscopy,” says Johnston. “It’s the best noninvasive test to screen for colon cancer.”

He says the sensitive test magnifies abnormal DNA and has a 92 percent success rate in detecting colon cancer. One of the drawbacks, however, is that it is often too sensitive, resulting in a high rate of

Here are six ways to lower your risk of colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society:

• Get screened for colon cancer • Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains • Get regular exercise • Watch your weight • Don’t smoke • Limit alcohol consumption false positives.

Virtual colonoscopy is a reasonable alternative to a colonoscopy. A virtual colonoscopy is a procedure in which a radiologist uses X-rays and a computer to generate 3-D images of your rectum and colon.

A virtual colonoscopy does not require a doctor to insert a scope into the entire length of your colon, nor does it require sedation or anesthesia.

As part of the preparation,

2

a technician inserts a thin tube through the anus into the rectum and the tube inflates the large intestine with air for a better view.

As a result, the patient may feel cramping or bloating during the first hour after the test.

“A virtual colonoscopy can be uncomfortable,” acknowledges Johnston. “Plus, they are very expensive and most insurance companies won’t cover them.”

In some circles, hydrotherapy

colon cleansing, also known as colonic irrigation or colonics, is popular as an alternative to a colonoscopy. It uses tubes to flush large volumes of water, sometimes mixed with herbs or other liquids, into the colon via the rectum.

Proponents of colon cleansing believe that toxins from the gastrointestinal tract can cause a variety of health problems. They believe colon cleansing improves health by removing toxins, boosting one’s energy, and enhancing the immune system.

“Hydrotherapy colon cleansing is frowned upon in my medical profession,” stresses Johnston.

“There’s no evidence that it is beneficial. There are no toxins stuck to the lining of the colon. The digestive system and bowel eliminate waste material and bacteria from the body.

“The procedure isn’t FDA approved and it’s not totally safe,” he added. “There can be significant complications, even if the procedure is done exactly as recommended.”

#1 reason to call.

When you look at the facts, it’s a simple choice. Although colon cancer is #2 on the list of deadliest cancers, it can be prevented altogether, or removed at an early stage, with a routine colonoscopy. The prep is simple, and the procedure is brief, safe, painless and respectful.

Wellness

#

Lower Your Risk of Colon Cancer

So if you’re 50+ and haven’t been screened, talk to your primary care provider or call Regional Gi at (717) 869-4600.

CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS.

(717) 869-4600 www.regionalgi.com LANCASTER • OREGON PIKE • WOMEN’S SPECIALTY CENTER • ELIZABETHTOWN BUSINESSWomanPA.com

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Digital Screens Wreak Havoc on the Eyes: Know How to Protect Your Vision and Your Child’s

Wellness

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

A

s most parents will attest, the amount of time kids spend plugged in is excessive. There are many good reasons for parents’ alarm.

First, despite the amount of time kids spend on social media, the activity is isolating. Also, the sedentary nature of watching television or using other digital devices increases the likelihood of childhood obesity. Then there’s the widespread problem that being constantly plugged in is linked to decreased attention spans.

But there are other issues many parents aren’t familiar with.

Digital screens also cause eye damage and vision problems. One

20

of these problems is called computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain.

Most concerning, however, is the permanent damage caused by blue light. Both of these eye problems affect kids and adults alike.

Digital Eye Strain Computer vision syndrome, as the American Optometric Association explains, is eye discomfort and vision problems that result from extended viewing of computer screens, e-readers, tablets, and cellphones.

With this condition, the more time spent on digital devices, the greater the discomfort becomes.

According to the Vision Council, the symptoms of computer vision

~ March 2018 | BUSINESSWoman

syndrome include eye strain, dry eyes, headache, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain.

Fortunately, there are several solutions to prevent or cure computer vision syndrome. The first is to set limits on daily leisure media use for your child.

In 2016, because of the numerous adverse effects of media consumption, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced recommendations for children’s media use as follows: • For children 18 months or younger, limit screen media exclusively to video-chatting.

• From 18-24 months, look for high-

quality programming. Although the APA doesn’t specify an amount of time for this age group, less than one hour a day can be presumed based on the next age group.

• For ages 2-5 years, allow no more than one hour a day of media.

• Kids ages 6 and older should have consistent limits for their total media time plus specific limits on various types of media. The APA, in recognizing each family and child is different, hasn’t set a standard amount of time for this age group.

However, outside of family media activities and homework, kids should spend only a small fraction of their day plugged in.

Another way to protect against computer vision syndrome is by wearing computer eyeglasses. If you or your child experiences symptoms of digital eye strain, make an appointment with an optometrist for a vision check and to discuss screen use to determine if computer glasses are the right choice.

There are also several other ways to reduce eye strain while using digital devices. When using a computer, the screen should be positioned at an arm’s distance away. Increasing the font size helps to reduce strain as well. Also, to eliminate glare, reduce overhead lighting.

Finally, follow the easyto-remember 20-20-20 rule recommended by the AOA. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second screen break by looking at something 20 feet away.

Blue Light Hazards In addition to computer vision syndrome, exposure to blue light is another hazard of digital screens.

“”

Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second screen break by looking at something 20 feet away.

Blue light comes from many sources, including and primarily sunlight as well as LED and fluorescent lighting. But smartphones, flatscreen TVs, computers, and electronic notebooks also emit significant amounts of blue light.

The reason this is a problem is that our eyes cannot block blue light. As a result, it penetrates the eye lens and cornea and reaches the retina. Prolonged exposure to blue light likely contributes to macular degeneration and vision loss.

Harvard Medical School found that blue light affects the circadian

rhythm and throws off the body’s biological clock as well.

In fact, as reported in the Harvard Health Letter, “Blue light has a dark side,” nighttime light exposure appears to be particularly unhealthy. Numerous studies have linked exposure to light at night (while working the night shift) with breast and prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

But our eyes aren’t the only thing impacted by blue light. Harvard researchers also point out that even dim light affects people’s circadian rhythm and interferes with

melatonin secretion. The resulting lack of sleep then increases the risk for depression.

In addition to minimizing screen time, as suggested for reducing digital eye strain, there are several other ways to reduce your and your child’s exposure to blue light.

Shut down devices with digital screens two to three hours before bed, if possible, or at least dim the screen light in the evenings.

If your child requires a night light, use a dim red light, which has the least impact on the circadian rhythm and the eyes.

If you or your child spends a lot of time on digital devices, stays up late, or works the night shift, wear blue-blocking glasses to reduce the likelihood of damage to your eyes or throwing your circadian rhythm out of balance.

• Kimberly Blaker is a lifestyle and parenting freelance writer and blogger. You can visit her blog, The Young Gma’s Guide to Parenting, at www.theyounggma.com.

Wellness

PCP stands for: people, commitment, passion

For Love of Family Devotion. Compassion. Dignity. When your loved one needs help, join hands with Homeland at Home.

We are privileged to be part of your caregiving team.

To find a UPMC Pinnacle PCP near you, visit UPMCPinnacle.com/PrimaryLocations.

Hospice 717-221-7890 | HomeHealth 717-412-0166 | HomeCare 717-221-7892 HomelandatHome.org | Hospice volunteers are always welcome.

Community Outreach of Homeland Center BUSINESSWomanPA.com

| Harrisburg, PA

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Watch

Women to

EmmaRose Boyle has been hired by Barley Snyder as its newest attorney.

Her agriculture background has made her a logical fit for Barley Snyder’s Food & Agribusiness Industry Group, which the firm launched in 2016.

Leslie Brady, DNP, CRNP, ANP-BC, OCN, has joined the Lancaster Cancer

Center. Brady is a board-certified nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing and brings over 20 years of clinical experience.

Lindsey M. Cook has been hired by

Lindsay Coleman, R.D., has joined

Lancaster Cancer Center, Ltd., as their dietitian. Coleman will provide medical nutrition therapy for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy and help patients develop dietary strategies to manage side effects from their cancer treatment.

THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS!

Barley Snyder and will work in the firm’s litigation practice group. She is a former adjunct professor of trial advocacy at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

See below regarding how to submit your achievements and/or career changes.

You have worked hard to get where you are; why not share it with other businesswomen just like you!

Celebrate your achievements!

Did you or someone in your organization get a promotion? Did you hire someone spectacular? Did you or your company receive an award?

BusinessWoman magazine would love to let the world know!

Upload your picture(s) and information at:

businesswomanpa.com/career-moves-achievements

Email your announcements of career advancements and professional new hires to crupp@onlinepub.com. Photos should be saved as a tiff, jpeg, pdf or eps at 300 dpi.

Mail to: BUSINESSWOMAN, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. Photos sent through mail will not be returned. Please – no duplicate releases.

Marketing and Your Business You need to get your product or service in the hands of potential consumers. Marketing does that, and it includes sales, public relations, pricing, packaging, and distribution.

Connections

We’ll gather fresh information on marketing strategies, and bring them to you once a month in an easy-to-read e-newsletter called The Fresh Press.

We won’t spam you with offers. That’s not what this newsletter is. Look for an email from The Fresh Press in your inbox or go to www.BusinessWomanPA.com and sign up to receive this FREE newsletter.

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~ March 2018 | BUSINESSWoman

Meet and

Greet

5th Wednesday Networking Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Held ONLY 5th Wednesdays of the year Rotating location – West Shore Area Wicked Kitchen 30 S. Main St., Mechanicsburg Mitzi Jones mhjsunshine@aol.com American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Camelot Chapter 6 p.m.

3rd Monday of the month Radisson Hotel Harrisburg, Camp Hill Marianne Troy, President 717.802.5622 mariannetroy@gmail.com www.abwacamelot.com Lancaster Area Express Network 7:15 – 9 a.m.

3rd Wednesday of the month Lancaster Country Club 1466 New Holland Pike, Lancaster Gail Tomlinson 267.278.6011 tomlinson.gail@comcast.net www.LAEN-ABWA.org Lebanon Valley Chapter 6 p.m.

4th Wednesday of the month Hebron Fire Hall 701 E. Walnut St., Lebanon Penny Donmoyer 717.383.6969 www.abwalebanonpa.com Penn Square Chapter 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

1st Thursday of the month Hamilton Club 106 E. Orange St., Lancaster Laurie Bodisch, president 717.571.8567 lbodisch@fult.com www.abwapennsquare.org

Wheatland – Conestoga Chapter 6 p.m.

1st Tuesday of the month Heritage Hotel 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster Linda Landis, President 717.880.6074 lalandis0114@comcast.net www.abwa-wc.org Yellow Breeches Chapter 6 p.m.

4th Wednesday of the month Comfort Suites 10 S. Hanover St., Carlisle Kerina DeMeester kerina1011@gmail.com Central PA Association for Female Executives (CPAFE) 1st Wednesday of each month Refer to website for the meeting location Lori Zimmerman, President 717.713.7255 info@cpafe.org www.cpafe.org Executive Women International Harrisburg Chapter 5:30 p.m.

3rd Thursday of the month Rotating location Deb Pierson dpierson@piersoncci.com www.ewiharrisburg.org Faith & Business Women Networking 8:15 a.m.

1st Friday of the month York Springs Foursquare Church 400 Main St., York Springs 717.659.9488 or 717.752.6104 FABWomen1@gmail.com

Insurance Professionals of Lancaster County (IPLC) 5:45 p.m.

3rd Tuesday of the month, Sept. – May Heritage Hotel 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster Krista Reed, Treasurer kristamariereed@gmail.com www.internationalinsuranceprofessionals.org/ group/117 International Association of Administrative Professionals Capital Region of Pennsylvania LAN Meeting Locations Vary Pam Newbaum, CAP-OM LAN Director pneubaum@pinnaclehealth.org 717.782.5787 www.iaap-harrisburg-pa.org Pennsylvania Public Relations Society 5:30 p.m.

Last Thursday of the month Erin Kanter, President pprshbg@gmail.com www.pprs-hbg.org Shippensburg Women’s Area Networking (SWAN) Noon 1st Wednesday of the month Rotating location Amanda Ridgway, President shipswan@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/shipswan

Women’s Business Center Organization (WBCO) A program of the York County Economic Alliance 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

2nd Tuesday of the month Sept. through May Heritage Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center Windows Ballroom (next to Oak Restaurant) 2400 Mount Rose Ave., York For more information on registering or membership, contact Sully Pinos at spinos@ycea-pa.org Women’s Capital Area Networking (WeCAN) 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

3rd Wednesday of the month Radisson Hotel 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill Abeer Allen, President 717.514.4449 info@wecanconnect.org www.wecanconnect.org Women’s Network of York 11:30 a.m.

3rd Tuesday of the month Out Door Country Club 1157 Detwiler Drive, York Laura Combs, President laura.combs@integritybankonline.com www.facebook.com/wnyork

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March 2018

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23

Connections

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