Here Comes Yuma!

“Impact Venture Capitalists!”

Hello Team…

This past Tuesday, Impact Club Frederick went off without a hitch. In fact, I was tagged on Facebook by Patrick Bove, a founding Frederick member and Impact Venture Capitalist, who had this to say:

[You Can’t Put a Price on IMPACT]

I saw a quote in the newspaper the other day. It said: “Venture Capitalists should stop investing in ‘stupid applications’ and funnel some money into solving real societal problems like homelessness.”

The writer’s got a point. We’ve seen incredible innovations flow from Silicon Valley. But then again, how much money has been wasted on useless apps… or dead-end ideas that go nowhere? Billions of dollars a year. What if we could divert just a sliver of that brain power… time and money to solving real problems on a local level?

Last night, this vision sprung to reality.

#ImpactClub of Frederick met for the first time ever. And 182 Impact Venture Capitalists raised $18,200 for a local charity called Heartly House – which provides services to victims of domestic abuse.

Now, I’ve never been a fan of “blindly” donating to charities. Sure, they’re great at tugging your heart strings. And it feels good to pitch in on some level. But I never got “goosebumps” from dropping a check in the mail – no matter how large. No matter the recipient.

But last night was different. 182 people shared a moment together. We talked about life’s greatest joys, struggles and dreams… and we made a *huge* impact in the local community. Every penny went to Heartly House… But more important than that – three deserving charities were given a platform… their stories were heard. And they’ll be retold over and over again… creating wave after wave of impact here in Frederick, MD.

In one word… it was TRANSFORMATIVE. I can’t wait for the next meeting – in just a few months.”

Well, for Impact Club Northern VA – that time has come.

The 2nd Quarter Event:

Date: March 29th

Time: 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Uptown Alley in Manassas

PS: Northern VA has some real work to do, if they’re to catch Frederick and Temecula. And Yuma is tracking, in the first two days at a faster rate, in adding new founding members, than even Frederick.

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IMPACT CLUB NATIONAL STATS

I can’t keep up.

Looking at the growing number of Impact Venture Capitalists, I created that graphic above to visually demonstrate the combined Impact of all four Impact Clubs. In just 90 days, we’ve donated $47,500 to local charities.

We have funded causes that benefit childhood cancer patients.

Students in desperate need of clothes.

And charities that fight staunchly against domestic violence.

As of last night, our projected donations per quarter were $53,900. And $215,600 per year. But now, just a few hours later, those projections have already increased, as more have joined us as Impact Venture Capitalists.

You are witnessing folks, the greatest fundraising engine that’s ever been devised. I hope you know how thankful and grateful I am that you share my same heart, passion, conviction, proven by your willingness to walk this journey with me.

And to all you new Yuma folks –

Welcome!

I believe Yuma, like Frederick, will be the little engine that could.

(choo-choo!…)

PLEASE MEET DEBRA BRESLIN

“I’m listening. Who are you?”

That’s the question you’ll find at the bottom of this email, and every email.

Debra recently wrote me: (Thank you!)

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Hi Ryan, I had to read this a second time to really understand what you were saying, and have it take hold of me.

The last question of “who are you?” Well most of us are many people; mother,father, husband, wife, driver, accountant, dog walker, friend, career person of some kind, the list goes on. But for me the one person I am, is a mother who lost her daughter to a drinking boater. I have had our foundation since 2009, she was killed in 2008.

First, when working a cause [the need] is to raise funds, not so easy. [The] need to fund projects, put fundraisers together that appeal to most, so they show up, always spending our own money to defray the cost of asking whoever will let me in, to see if they can donate, hoping they get the message of what we are putting out there.

Please don’t drink and drive!…

And recently adding, don’t text and drive!…

For foundations all over the United States, that are not corporate owned, it is really difficult to raise money for our case. Scholarships, billboards, materials to educate who ever I can to not drink and drive or text and drive.

Then came Impact Club “wow, another group of people who get it.” I had to be apart of this, I not only need to receive a hand up in funds and hopefully more supporters that I can tell my story to, but I love to help others also.

You can’t just receive.

You have to give and be a part of a circle of caring, motivated people who step beyond themselves.

Impact Club is just what its name says…

Making an Impact on foundations that struggle to fund the projects we do to help others. Ryan, thank you so much for letting us all be a part of this unique, exciting, world that is going to lift so many. I hope to meet you at the next meeting

God Bless
Debra Breslin (Impact Club Temecula)
Visit www.TiffanysGift.org

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Debra, please know that that respect and gratitude goes both way. And it flows not just from me to you, but from you to the over 500 Impact Venture Capitalists, and from them back to you and your cause.

Your baby girl was a beautiful girl – KEEP UP THE FIGHT!

I wasn’t kidding, folks – I’m listening!

(We all are) – So share your story. Send it to me. Share it proud. And with conviction!

MEET ALAN ROSS

“I’m listening. Who are you?”

Here’s Alan: (Impact Club Northern VA)

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Ryan,

In answer to your questions: “Who are you?” and “What compels you to be an Impact Venture Capitalist?” I am a retired educator.I worked as a PE Teacher, then an Assistant Principal and finally Principal at Woodbridge Senior High School (WSHS). I also coached a lot of kids in soccer, wrestling and football and even volleyball one year.

I am used to setting high expectations and working hard to reach them and motivating others to do the same.

I am also used to being involved with people on a personal level and helping them to find success.

I am still involved with WSHS in many ways and I am active in generating interest in school activities and bringing alumni back together to enjoy seeing each other but also, as alumni, to strengthen the school that they attended.

I like helping people. Feeling like I am making a difference.

I certainly never considered myself a Venture Capitalist, as that always seemed to be only for the very rich, but I most certainly can find $100 four times a year [as an Impact Venture Capitalist] to join with one hundred or hundreds of others to make a difference in our community.

Another big bonus is the fact that there are many of my former colleagues in our Impact Club and I have already arranged to meet another couple for dinner before our next meeting.

It should be coming up pretty soon and I need to recruit us some more members!!

Alan C. Ross

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I love you my man. A pleasure and an honor to meet you at Northern VA’s first event. And you’re 100% right, Impact Club Northern VA, their 2nd quarterly event is set for the evening of March 29th, 6:30pm

Details were in the opening @ Uptown Alley in Manassas.

KEEP INSPIRING OTHERS!

By the end of 2017, we will have raised millions to fund local charities.

-Ryan Fletcher

Co-Founder, Impact Club – forever Grateful.

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.

About IC

Impact Club® is Crossfit® for those who want to make a difference. We are Impact Venture Capitalists. There are local and national leaderboards. We compete. We use our intelligence, connections, propensity to solve problems, committed hearts, and unrelenting conviction to turn small donations into huge impact.