This is a note from Blair Smith, founding Impact Club member;

“Impact is defined as: “The force of impression of one thing on another: a significant or major effect.” Last night Ryan Sloper and Ryan Fletcher and the Impact Club did just that. For one hour a group of over 100 individuals came together as a force to make a major impact on our community, by donating over $10,000 to a charity in need. We listened to 3 amazing stories from diverse local charities who brought tears to the eyes of many. When it was all said and done not only did a charity win, but all 3 walked away with a major effect to their organization. What an honor it is to be apart of this group and what an amazing job done by the Impact Club founding members last night. Look forward to seeing everyone at the next quarterly meeting.”

To say that Impact Club, the inaugural event, was incredible – would be an understatement. But we also learned a lot too, which can be incorporated into future events to make the experience and Impact even greater.

True to its word, though, Impact Club, because of every one of you, “turned small donations into massive impact.” No one donated more than $100, and yet, as Impact Venture Capitalists, everyone delivered the same $11,200 Impact, donated to great charities, which will have ripple effects to impact many local families.

The exciting part?

We haven’t even yet begun. In no way was this first event, our greatest achievement. It was only the beginning. For a few minutes, during the event, I spoke to that. And so did Sloper, speaking of 10% vs 10X – called a moonshot.

Most people, the masses, tend to think in terms of improvement. Whereas leaders of movements, all of us, tend to think in terms of multiplication. So instead of, “How can we increase member count by 10%,” we ask, “How can increase member count by 10X?” That way instead of donating $11,200 per quarter, which is great, don’t get me wrong. We can donate $100,000 per quarter?

Instead of donating $44,800 per year. We can donate $400,000 per year.

And the best part, through the concept of Impact Venture Capitalism, not any one person needs to donate more than the same $100 per quarter. Instead, it’s achieved by simply inspiring one other person per quarter.

This first event?

We had, at the time of the vote, 112 founding Impact Club members.

If each member “Grows & Strengthens the Chain of Inspiration by just one link,” by inspiring just one other person to join Impact Club – then our group, your group – our Club now has 224 members.

Which means at that 2nd Event in March – we’ll donate $22,400.

Then, what it we repeat that? What if each Member again “Grows & Strengthens the Chain of Inspiration” by one more link, by again inspiring one other person? Our club will now have 448 members.

At the 3rd Event in June, that means – we’ll donate $44,800.

Then we do it again!

Each member inspires just one other person – now we’re donating $89,600 at the 4th Event.

And if this repeat…

By the final event of 2017, right now, about a year away – our Impact Club will be donating a quarterly check of more than $179,200. That is, in a single night! Where still, no Impact Club member needs to donate more than $100.

Think about that.

In 12-months time by simply “Growing & Strengthening the Chain of Inspiration,” one person, one new member at a time. We’ll have grown from 112 founding members to an Army of 1792 Impact Venture Capitalists. People committed to investing in the story of our community to make Impact.

Insane, right? But 100% possible. Even feasible. In fact, it’s not even a stretch of the imagination. Right now, I guarantee, you already know of that one additional person that you could inspire.

And see, previous, Charlie told you, as Impact Venture Capitalists, “we will change the world.” One local community at a time. I won’t even ask you to imagine out 5 years, because the math gets too insane.

This week though, just as we launched Impact Club in Northern VA, I’ll be working with Josh Painter – an incredible local person like Ryan Sloper – to kick-off Impact Club on west coast, in Temecula, California.

Then in February, I’ll be in Frederick, MD with Eric Verdi.

Each of these Impact Clubs (and then the 100 that follow – ready to launch once we get the tech-infrastructure built and in place), just like our Impact Club – all have a path to get to that 1,000 person mark.

To be donating $100,000 per quarter.

Impact Venture Capitalists Unite!

As Kelly Watson posted to Facebook, “Sometimes you need to find an Army…” She is 100% right. And with an Army comes communication and mission updates. That, my friends, is where 5 Impact Friday comes in.

From this point forward, every Friday you’ll receive an Impact Status Update on the progress of Impact Club as we continue to inject ourselves into local communities. It started in Northern VA, but that’s not where it stops. And our infrastructure to communicate with to and support local charities, and all of you, will only grow.

Some have asked, “What do I tell people who want to join us?”

Ask them, “Can I count on you?”

If they say, “yes,” then send them to www.ImpactClubArmy.com. Of course, prior to the next event we’ll update those details. But in the meantime, they should complete the Impact Club Commitment Form, to be certain they receive future communication and vital Impact Status Updates. Also, in the coming days, weeks, I will have for you the Event videos and photos for you to share and view too.

One person at at time: “Grow & Strengthen the Chain of Inspiration.”

Keep inspiring others, 

-Ryan Fletcher

Co-Founder, Impact Club

PS: Encourage everyone you know to learn the language of story. If they do, life, business, fundraising, relationships, the attraction of opportunity, clients, money, love, etc. will be much easier for them.