Dear Speaker:

Thank you for your interest in this project; I believe there a great number of peole who could benefit from this idea and I am looking for like-minded speakers to get involved and help shape the future.

This page will fill you in on what I'm trying to do and how you can be of help. Please pass the word to anyone else who might be interested. (Please scroll down to read more detail.)

Thank you.

THINspirational Speaker, Columnist & Recovering Perfectionist Past President, NSA/NC
Increasing Productivity & Morale by Eliminating Procrasination & Perfectionism 707.442.2643 • scottq@THINspiration.com www.scottqmarcus.com www.ForeverFightingFat.com • www.WeightLossColumn.com

The Background

I drive about 300 miles to my chapter meetings (Eureka, CA to San Francisco). For a few years, it was my plan to form a new chapter after my term as president of NSA/Northern California ended. Since I am more than 80 miles from the nearest chapter, NSA’s rules allow for such. However, after serving as president and being a member of NSA/NC for several years, I decided it felt like I was cheating on my wife and leaving my family if I should start my own chapter. It does not feel right.

However, there are a unique set of problems for those people who live far away from major cities and I would love to see those addressed. Yet, I understand it does not make sense to take time from other members at a chapter for them.

So, what to do?

A solution for isolated areas

The answer came to me at the NSA National conference in Summer 2007, when someone spoke of virtual chapter, NSA/New York. Dan Burrus, speaking on the plaform, also spoke of thinking differently. Finally Mark LeBlanc stated that he would like 500 new members by 2010. All of those came together in my head and I came up with the idea of the first thematic chapter, NSA/Small Town (tentative title). It would be virtual and open to anyone who lives a considerable distance from their nearest chapter.

Its purposes would be:

• Support those of us in “out of the way places” by addressing topics and meetings of import to us. (For example, if you live near a large city, you can earn a sizable amount of money without ever leaving a 100 miles radius. For me, a 100 mile radius consists of ocean and trees.)
• Increase membership in NSA by providing an incentive to people who might not see the need to join due to distance but would now be more enticed
• Improve the concept of meetings and trainings in a virtual world. Because of our physical isolation, we have to rely more on technology to make a living than do those who are closer to major metropolitan areas. Ironically, technology in less-populated areas is not as strong as in larger areas. So, we would -- in effect -- become masters of what one can do with "last year's technology."
• Cause NSA to re-think the concept of what is a chapter. This might open the door to other new and inclusive ideas

Due to its thematic structure and low rate, it would be something that some us (like me) could join while also joining another chapter (aka NSA/NC).

One other thing...

I am not a pessimist; I presume you are not either. However, times look tough for our industry right now. With budget cutbacks, enhanced travel hassles, and higher costs all around us, we are in for a rough ride (in my opinion). By learning and developing the techniques and ideas that I would foresee coming from NSA/Small Town, I believe it will strengthen our careers and our industry in general. When things pick up again (as they will), we will be that much ahead of the curve. And if things are difficult, we will have skills many will need.

Where do we go from here?

I have discussed this idea with several people at NSA (and elsewhere) and the idea has met with warmth and enthusiasm. Finally, I took the plunge, called NSA directly and spoke with Heilee and Dulce and told them my plans (they would be the first “step” I need). As fate would have it, Heilee lived in Humboldt county for several years (where I now live) and immediately understood. She was extremely receptive. She has sent me paperwork to start the process. They suggested that we begin as social networking group (we are on teh NSA Social Networking page) and get things going. Once that happens, NSA will help promote us more.

But we need to meet and get to know each other to make that happen. We also need to figure out where we're going and what we want. Being the inclusive sort that I am (some say “people pleaser”), I want to get togehter with several people at NSA's conference 8/1-8/5 in New York and see where it goes. From there, who knows? (NSA reserved a room for us on Saturday morning but I am not getting to the conference until Saturday afternoon so that fell apart.)

If you are interested in getting involved or knowing more, please get in touch with me, I'll make sure to keep you informed about where and when. You can also call me at 707.442.6243.

If you're ready to join the yahoo group (our first step), you can subscribe by sending an email to NSASmallTown-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Of course you can always unsubscribe later and you will not get spam from us.

What Can You Do?

Get involved!

I am requesting that if you can forward this to anyone who could help publicize the idea (such as chapter newsletters or other virtual groups), please do so. If you want, you can use the copy I have included at the bottom or you can write your own or you can contact me and I’ll do something specific. Of course, if you’re interested in being involved (or know anyone who might be), I have formed a list to keep you in the loop. You can subscribe to it at: NSASmallTown-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you'd like a flyer, download one here. Print it out. Give it to others.

If you can, it is greatly appreciated. If you cannot, wish me luck on this endeavor. (Of course, you can wish me luck either way.)

====Sample idea for newsletter===

If the planes at your airport (if your county even has one) still use propellers; if your city has minimal access to broadband, if your “rush hour” only lasts 15 minutes, you probably live in a small town. There’s a great deal to be said for it. However, trying to make a living as a speaker or trainer in an area where the farm animals outnumber the humans makes for its own set of unique problems.

As the former president of NSA/Northern California, I love where I live: Eureka, CA. However, it’s 300 miles of mountain roads to my chapter meeting. I don’t want to move, but I do want to bring other speakers closer. How? I’m trying to set up the first “thematic” chapter of NSA, called (tentatively) NSA/Small Town. It will tailor itself to the unique needs, wants, and advantages of living in smaller, more isolated communities, such as additional travel hassles, virtual meetings, technologies that are not as up-to-date as in larger areas.

If you’re interested please contact me: Scott “Q” Marcus at 707.442.6243 or at scottq@THINspiration.com. We’re looking at starting a network to get it going and taking it from there. (We are also interested in meeting in New York during the convention.) Also, please forward this to as many people as you can.

Oops, gotta go, someone wants to use the party line, and Mabel the operator keeps cutting in on the modem.