Learning Who We Are / Leveraging Pro-Bono Work

This week we started by recapping the prior weeks events which was highlighted by Rob Pellegrini's Presentation along with a visit by Integrated Staffing.

PRIOR MEETING RECAP
I know I missed that meeting, but I'm hoping that Rob wouldn't mind posting his own download and thoughts about how that how that went. And perhaps Michael Gelatis, as he was emphatic about what he learned could comment on the specifics. Sounds like Integrated Staffing was a hit and I'd love to read more if anyone cares to comment.

It did bring up a good discussion on reasonable compensation/S-Corp/LLC issues, which I'd be happy to share with anyone one on one. Key points: LLC's can be taxed in a multitude of different ways; Owners may or may not be eligible for payroll; Not all income necessarily has to be taxed for Self-employment tax purposes. It sounds like there may be some misunderstanding between member/manager and how that might be related to compensation. Rob and Dave should probably sit together and work that out where it's not as simple as what could be covered in one of our meetings.


NEW AND REHASHED TOPICS AND IDEAS
Who We Are, What we Do, Why are We Here
I believe there is a common sentiment that we would like to see direction and action items attached to our meetings in our quest for crystallizing who we are and what we do. In presenting the question "Before the end of the year, what I'd I really like to accomplish in this group is:"

• David Kiley - would love to see the group utilize each other as a board of advisers that we have some responsibility towards the trying and measurement of common ideas and best practices. One such deliverable is a communication plan.
• Charlie Palmissano - is wants to establish outside exposure in the form of a periodic, perhaps semi annual presentation to the public or to our clients in a forum or even perhaps to other people in need.
• Rob Pellegrini - wants to complete a group map that establishes where we have cross-over with clients, referral sources, ideas and services, etc. This is critical to tighten our relationships and establish a better foundation prior to the establishment of a seminar.
  

Shrinking Non-Productive Activities
Not sure how this came up, but it lead to an awesome discussion that may help Lisa Jewett. We can thank Charlie for bringing up Tim Ferris's book, the 4 Hour Work Week and the 80% 20% Rule; It generated a question (as I recall) from Lisa as to whether Pro-Bono assistance is
a worthwhile activity.

In case you missed it (and Lisa - please elaborate), Lisa offers help at the Women's Crisis Center in Newburyport to assist women in need in rebuilding there credit in order to obtain financing for potential home ownership. I understood the heart of the question to be "Where do I draw the line for activities that produce goodwill, where profit may not exist at all." As you can imagine, for Lisa, this is an extraordinarily time consuming process designed to give a woman, who's credit and maybe confidence has been compromised, a fair shot.

A dynamic discussion followed in which it was suggested that:

• She keep doing it because of the enjoyment
• Leverage the success of the situation to gain exposure to executives and donors related to the Crisis Center
• Turn the body of work into a Lisa sponsored "Program" where those who have been helped by Lisa can "pay it forward" as a part of a social contract for utilizing her expertise.

ATTENDANCE
David Kiley, Charles Palmissano, Patrick Fuller, Lisa Jewett, Michael Galatis, and Rob Pellegrini
Next week we hope to see you again.
If you missed us and have questions please post!