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November 2006 Vol. 22, No. 11 A newsletter just for you! AnAgencyYo u ShouldKnow: Occasionally, the Pen Pal will highlight a non-profit agency whose efforts have Kids Hope United benefited our community. If you know of such an agency, please let us know!

As a child, Crystal Price, 26, witnessed her alcoholic father abuse her The majority of KHU cases are referred by juvenile courts or state mother. Unfortunately, as happens with many children exposed to this type agencies. However, the agency also offers Head Start, an early childhood and of behavior, she had repeated the pattern. While raising four children, she after school program. was involved with drugs and endured domestic abuse from her long-time “It’s not just about those who are abused and neglected, but our boyfriend. When her boyfriend was sent to jail, the Department of Children programs keep [kids] from becoming abused and neglected,” said KHU and Family Services got involved, along with Kids Hope United (KHU), to president and CEO, Martin Sinnott. “We help support kids and those at help Crystal secure the resources she needed to get back on her feet. greatest risk. What we are really about is keeping families together, reuniting Price and her children were among the approximate 2.9 million kids with families when they’ve been removed, and creating forever families referrals received annually involving abuse and neglect of minor children. when families are not capable of the first two.” KHU is a private, human service organization based in Chicago that serves “The child welfare system here is broken,” added Sinnott. “There is a more than 15,000 vulnerable children and their families in Illinois, lack of good, qualified, trained foster parents, as well as an inability to Wisconsin, Missouri and Florida. Although founded as an orphanage, along support those parents. As a result, kids are bounced between foster homes. with its partner agencies, KHU focuses on collaboration, innovation, results, Our staff’s ability to step up and work with kids is just remarkable!” hope and leadership. We have to prevent a pattern of children moving through a lot of In the business of protecting children, “We don’t want to see any child placements. Instead, we must ensure and support the family and the suffer or be neglected,” said Delstene Atkinson, the Kids Hope United community,” he said. “We have an obligation to use our limited resources in Executive Vice President of Fund Development who helps determine how ways that have the biggest impact and to improve the system.” funding is allocated. “We need to be unrelenting to prevent additional damage to these kids During Price’s last pregnancy, KHU helped Crystal get the medical and build coalitions with other agencies to extend our help. We need to work help she needed to become “clean” and healthy. They also helped her find through other folks and collaborate on legislative issues to get the best safe housing, worked with her to construct a household budget, taught her results. I think it is up to child advocates in the field to change things.” more positive parenting skills, and obtained both medical care and emotional “Child abuse and neglect can be eliminated if we get serious about it,” counseling for her entire family. said Sinnott, “We take our work seriously and understand it is important to “I see a [positive] difference in my children now,” said Crystal, “and, the future. I maintain hope that we thanks to Kids Hope United, I’ve come far -- from being nothing to being make a difference.” able to believe in myself.” In exchange for the help she is receiving, Price must serve a total of 300 community service hours and consistently demonstrate she is working to improve her life. Vicki Carpenter, Crystal’s KHU family support specialist said, “Crystal is delighted with the results and appreciates everything we do.”

Check out Office Living—Quill’s bigger and better online community page. Make your work easier and your life simpler with articles on career development, office management and efficiency tips, fun surveys and quizzes as well as human-interest features. Find it all at www.quill.com/officeliving 61041pg001-004.QXD 9/11/06 2:05 PM Page 2

NationalNational GameGame && PPuzuzzlezle WWeekeek Have you found yourself surrounded by eraser shavings as Want to celebrate and Puzzle Week with your you attempt the new game called Sudoku (pronounced sue- whole family? Plan to have a night of and puzzles that dah-koo). The game is showing up everywhere, and in case the whole family will enjoy. Let a family member choose their you were scared away by the number game, we’re going to favorite game that’s age appropiate for the whole group and introduce you to this not-so-scary game of logic and start having fun. Whether you play one of the many versions reasoning. of Monopoly or simply put together a jigsaw puzzle, the Ideally, each Sudoku puzzle should have 1 solution and outcome will always be the same. Instead of sitting in front of should be completed without random guessing. The object is the TV or computer, your family will be talking, laughing and to fill in all of the squares with a single digit number (1-9) bonding. Planning game night weekly or even monthly can without repeating a number in a single row, column or 3x3 have a positive impact on your family that's low on stress and square grouping. big on fun! Does it still look like an irritating 2-dimentional Rubik's Here are some games for a variety of age groups: Cube®? The best way to solve the puzzle is to put the numbers 1-9 each in the empty boxes. Then through process of Ages 3-6: Hi Ho Cherry-O, Sequence for Kids, , elimination, erase the numbers that couldn't possibly be the Cranium Cariboo, Gigglepants, Don't Spill the Beans, Don't answer and see what you're left with. This still can be a bit Break the Ice, Junior tricky once you've eliminated all of the obvious ones, but if you're careful there's almost always another number you can Ages 4-8: Chutes and Ladders, Zingo, 1-2-3 OY!, Pegs in erase without having to make random guesses. the Park, , Memory, Perfection, Are you Phrazy? Ages 6-12: Blokus, Trouble, Connect 4, Apples to Apples Junior, Cranium Cadoo, Cranium Bumparena, Pictionary Junior, Operation, Brain Quest, Guess Who?, Mouse Trap, Silly Sentences Junior, Your Number's Up Ages 8 & up: Payday, Word Spin, Cranium Conga, Blink, Swap, , Sequence, 20 Questions, Phase 10, Baffle Gab, Rack-O, Visual Eyes, Monopoly, , Battleship, Clue, Cranium Whoonu, Such & Such, Picdoku, Tattletale, In celebration of National Game and Puzzle Week Triology, Collide-O, Family Feud, Rummikub, Yatzee (November 19-25), try your hand at a Sudoku puzzle at www.dailysukoku.com. The site has great features that allow Ages 12 & up: Cashflow, Mall Madness, Nymble: you to play online, print out puzzles, get the solution to any Game of Equal, Ingenious, , Wordigo, Sudoku puzzle found anywhere and get hints when you're Apples to Apples, Cranium, Squint, My Word, stumped! The Whole Brain Game NewsNews YouYou cancan useuse Prepare Yourself They can happen at any time—pipe burst, electrical surge, appliance leak, pipes—Remove garden hoses from their spigots, cut off the water kitchen fire, sewage back-up or a natural disaster. These misfortunes can often take supply to outdoor faucets and leave the faucets turned on to drain pipes before the a toll on you and your house. Below are a list of ways to help you prepare for these frosty weather arrives. Insulate vulnerable pipes with heat tape or heat cable (sold unexpected problems and keep you safe. in hardware stores). Open the cabinets under sinks to expose them to as much heat Power outage—Limit the number of appliances plugged into each outlet. If as possible. If you’re leaving for an extended period during the winter, turn off the you lose power to one part of your house, it’s likely you have too many appliances main water supply, set the thermostat at no lower than 55 degrees and keep the sharing the same outlet and overloading the circuit. Keep extra batteries on hand and cabinets open. know where to find the nearest flashlight. Also, be sure to back up your computer Household fires—Keep flammable objects (blankets, pillows, toilet paper, files regularly so you don’t lose any important information/documents. etc.) away from your nightlights. Also consider using nightlights that have cooler, Smoke detectors—A smoke detector may be purchased for $5 to $20 at mini neon bulbs instead of four- or seven-watt bulbs. When you’re washing/drying most retails stores. Make sure you choose one that was tested by a nationally your clothes, clean the lint screen/filter after each load. Fires can occur when lint recognized laboratory and put one on every floor of your house. Smoke alarms builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause should be placed near bedrooms either on the ceiling (at least 6 to 12 inches away excessive heat build-up and result in a fire. from the wall) or on the wall (6 to 12 inches down from the ceiling). Be sure to test Natural disaster—Pick a designated shelter area for your family in the event the alarm monthly by pushing the test button and replacing the batteries every year. of a natural disaster and keep the following items in a waterproof box: Candles and Gas leak—Be cautious of your pipes. Do not dig outside until you have your water-proof butane lighter, several flashlights, batteries, bottled water, canned food, utility company flag where the lines are and do not hang heavy items from your non-electric can opener, paper plates and cups, portable radio, first aid kit (watch the basement pipes. Also, make sure the gas connections to your stovetop range and expiration dates of medicine), a supply of cash and a credit card, sturdy shoes, other gas appliances aren’t frayed or cracked. If you smell a rotten-egg odor or hear heavy socks and gloves. a hissing sound and can’t identify the source, get out of the house. 61041pg001-004.QXD 9/11/06 2:06 PM Page 3

Dear Election Day Th Pen Pal, Election day falls on Tuesday, November 7th this year, but do you When I was not quite four years old, I know how it came about? remember watching my babysitter read and write For much of this country’s history, the United States was a letters after tucking me in bed for the night. I was predominantly agricultural society. Law makers took that into account and fascinated and admired her abilities; so after a lot decided November was perhaps the most convenient month for farmers and of whining, I convinced her to teach me how to rural workers to travel to the polls and cast their respective votes. do those things, too. Once in school, my Remember, spring was planting time and the summer was consumed with vocabulary and comprehension was so far ahead working in the fields and tending to the crops. By November, the fall harvest of my classmates, I actually skipped a grade. I was over, but the weather was still mild enough to permit travel over “consumed” books, reveling in the new worlds I primitive roads. discovered. My children have often shared with me that Why Tuesday (or the first Tuesday after the first Monday)? one of their favorite childhood memories was of Since most residents of the rural U.S. had to travel large distances to bedtime. Each night I would snuggle and read to the county seat in order to vote, Monday was not considered reasonable them, and then, we would discuss the stories. since many people would need to begin traveling on Sunday. This would, of Their interest was elevated by certain subjects we course, have conflicted with church services and Sunday worship. would read about. Lawmakers also wanted to prevent Election Day from falling on the first of As the motto of a famous literacy program November for two reasons. First, November 1st is All Saints Day, an states, “Reading Is Fundamental.” For those who important (or obligatory) Holy Day for Roman Catholics. Second, most cannot read or write English, many doors are merchants were in the habit of doing their books from the preceding month closed. Illiteracy is the reason that nearly one in on the 1st. Apparently, Congress was worried that the previous month’s four children under the age of six in this country economic success or failure might have an undue influence on citizen live below the poverty level. Their parents lack voting! Therefore, in 1845, Congress established Election Day. the basic skills to get good-paying jobs, to gain a Election Day is now a legal holiday in some states, greater depth of understanding of the world including Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, around them or to solve everyday problems. Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. They limit their ability to attain success. A number of other states also have laws that allow workers There is a cure for this problem—one that to take time off from employment without worry, comes with a host of benefits, including and often without loss of pay. In recent years, a bill increased self-esteem, strengthened relationships has been languishing around in the House of and the ability to lead greatly enriched lives. That cure is spending time reading to and with Representatives that would make Election Day a children. When started in the home, reading can National Holiday—"Democracy Day," but so far, bring families closer and reduce at-risk nothing has developed out of it. behaviors. As different people have different educational and emotional needs, schools cannot solve the problem alone. During the month of November, we honor literacy. Why not see how you can help others in your own family or community? Volunteers are World Hello Day always needed. November 21, 2006 Aside from some employers offering This year is the 34th annual World Hello Day, created to demonstrate the training onsite, many free programs are available importance of personal communication in order to preserve peace. Anyone can through local libraries and community centers. use this day to contribute to the process of creating peace by simply greeting For information on how you can help your family ten people. or community, here are some helpful Web sites: To learn more, visit www.worldhelloday.org. Here’s how to say “Hello” in www.read2kids.org and www.nifl.gov. several other languages: Additional information can be found through the Arabic - Al Salaam a' alaykum Indonesian - Selamat pagi American Library Association at (ahl sah-LAHM-ah-ah-LAY-Koom) (seh-LA-maht PAH-gee) www.ala.org/ala/pio/factsheets/familyliteracy.htm. Chinese - Ni hao (Nee HaOW) Italian – Buon giorno Wishing you happy reading and lifelong Czech – Nazdar (NAH-zdar) (bwohn-JOR-noh) success! Finnish – Päivää (PIE-vah) Japanese – Konichiwa (koh-Nee-chee-wah) Sue Masaracchia-Roberts French – Bonjour (bohn-Zhoor) German –Guten Tag (GOOT-en Tahk) Korean – Annyong ha shimnikka Editor (An-YOH HASHim-ni-kah) Greek – Kalimera (Kah-lee-MEH-rah) Mayan - Ba'ax ka wa'alik Hawaiian – Aloha (Ah-LOH-hah) (BAH-ah shko-WAH ah-LEEK) Hebrew – Shalom (Sha-LOHM) Mohawk – Sekoh (SEH-goh) Hungarian – Szia (ZEE-yah) Polish – Czesc (Chesht) Portuguese - Bom dia (bohn DEE-ah) of the Month: Romanian - Buna ziua Quote (BOO-nuh ZEE-wa) “As we express our gratitude, we Russian - Zdravstvuite (ZzDRAST-vet-yah) must never forget that the highest Spanish – Hola (OH-la) appreciation is not to utter Swahili – Jambo (JAM-bo) words, but to live by them.” Swedish - God dag (goo dahg) John F. Kennedy Turkish – Merhaba (MER-ha-ba) 61041pg001-004.QXD 9/11/06 2:06 PM Page 4

The Art of Continuous Change Thanksgiving Traditions By Larry Morse, have a need to transform themselves from a President, Quill bad situation – from losing money – to a Corporation more positive and prosperous situation. The term transformational leader has been used to A very describe those that lead their organization important part of through needed changes. What Lee Iacocca life is the whole did to change and transform Chrysler in the aspect of change, ’70s comes to mind. It takes the ability to how it happens, size up the organization’s needs and why it happens challenges and provide the vision and and how each of leadership to move through the needed us deals with it. change – to adapt to your reality. This is especially true for a business or an The second aspect of change is all about organization. wanting to do what is necessary to keep The first Thanksgiving may have Change has been a very hot topic. improving and moving forward. This type of been celebrated by the Pilgrims and Managing change, dealing with change, being change requires an intense desire to be better Native Americans, but since then, and having the will to be the best you can be. a change agent, etc. have all created a cottage Americans have made taken the You must have a vision and clear purpose and industry for consultants. I think we would all celebration up a notch. Thanksgiving agree that the pace of change has certainly keep looking for productive change. How has become a feast for the eyes and soul picked up and it is much more prevalent than Quill.com was created is an example of this. as well as the stomach. it used to be. Around 1992, we started to look at doing business on the internet. Being fairly Flashy parades, football showdowns, I read something recently that suggested and the holiday shopping rush have conservative, we weren’t convinced that the business leaders have to be prepared to lead become synonymous with Thanksgiving. internet would really be the “wave of the the organization to make appropriate changes Many people can fondly recall time in future.” As with most things, we tried to in times of uncertainty, ambiguity and crisis. the kitchen perfecting the turkey while I thought, “When are times not like that?” I look at it through the eyes of our customer, remaining riveted to the sound of the know you have heard it before, but in today’s and we talked to several of you. TV. There are often football games held business environment, if you are not Like us, most of our customers were in backyards, chilly hours spent changing often and for the better, you are ambivalent, but we decided to get our feet watching the giant balloon floats pass by, getting left behind. You only have to look at wet and put up a very primitive site because and the appearance of Santa to signal the country’s biggest retailers who were once we didn’t want to be left behind if the the beginning of the shopping season. dominant and are now also-rans. internet did take off. Thank goodness we Autumn colors are splashed everywhere, What is it that is causing all of this need did. Today, Quill.com has evolved into a the air is thick with fragrant spices; for change? I think there are several key world-class site and our customers have made while cider and apple pie reign driving forces. One is certainly the rapid it a very significant part of our total business. supreme. Everything is comfortable, evolution of technology of all kinds that has This represented a huge change for us and it from the food to the company. Turkeys increased our capabilities and expectations. was driven by our desire to keep up and are cooked; a few are actually manage to Another is the premium we place on speed in progress from purely mail order to the digital be deep-fried without incident. Family everything we do. In business, the shift in world when it became clear that our and friends travel from near and far to power from the seller to the buyer has customers wanted it. I am sure you have revel in the season. brought enormous change and challenges. examples like this in your business. Change So gather together with the ones Finally, the intensifying nature of is a way to get better. you love, plan your shopping attack, competition has driven a great deal of change. Today change is a fact of life. How you scream at the TV, and revel in each If change has now become a constant, deal with it is critical. There are times when other’s company. There is no other time what does it mean for your business? I you have to adapt and face reality in order to of the year you can do all of this in one believe we should all look at change in two keep moving forward. At other times, day, other than Thanksgiving. Enjoy. aspects. One is adapting to our changing creating opportunities to change can make environment so we can continue to prosper, you stronger. Either way, it is continuous. not just merely survive. The other aspect of The PEN PAL is published monthly as a change is the drive to improve and force I would love to hear what you think. Email benefit for our Quill customers. PLEASE yourself to always get better. your thoughts to me at [email protected]. WRITE! Send us your comments, And, if you have not yet received a copy of questions, problems. To reprint articles The adaptation part of change is all about ourspecial edition book, The Really Useful from the PEN PAL, please write for details. knowing what is going on in your world and Guide to Working Smarter, Not Harder, email For catalogs, call 800/789-1331, visit our Web site at www.quill.com or contact: doing what is necessary to meet challenges or me and I'll be happy to send you a complimentary copy. The Quill PEN PAL outside stimuli. Often, survival is involved. c/o Sue Masaracchia-Roberts, Editor Quill Corporation,100 Schelter Rd. IBM adjusted well to its environment by Lincolnshire, IL 60069 moving from a hardware company to fax: 847-876-4531 e-mail: [email protected] software, services, solutions, and now they prosper. Some people say that organizations