Dear Colleagues,

It's always surprising when life throws you those small "gotcha" moments that are potentially transforming. It's even more surprising when you get two in the same day.

In this case, I was simply driving to work one beautiful, late-September morning a few years ago through an older residential area that once was Reno's finest a half-century past. Now the developers have moved on and the large homes are less imposing, but magnificent elms still line the street in majestic array. And, that particular morning, their leaves were a glorious gold, nature at her inspiring best.

Well, I reflected, marveling at the brilliant blue sky outlining the golden branches, IT IS DEFINITELY FALL! And then... the 'gotcha' thought occurred.

"It's probably the fall of YOUR life as well!"

This unwelcome thought came out of nowhere. Suddenly, my euphoria diminished as I reflected on the significance of viewing the spring/summer times of ones life in the rear view mirror. It was downright depressing to consider that perhaps ones peak physical and mental powers might also reside in that mirror - that perhaps the long downhill grade ahead would require backing off the accelerator of life.

I launched into full denial, but the statistics rampaging through my mind all seemed to point toward "fall." "Bummer," I thought. I don't feel like fall.

Then Robert Frost's famous lines flashed, "I've got promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." OK, so maybe my tennis serve won't display triple digits on the radar gun anymore. Maybe my hundred-yard sprint doesn't entice cash for dash sponsors. But, there must be SOMETHING I can do better, more powerfully, in the fall of my life than I ever did in the spring or summer - something to keep youthful exuberance in my walk and talk - something really vital.

Then the second 'gotcha' thought arrived... GOOD!

GOOD? Yes, GOOD! Set a goal to do more good in the fall of your life than you ever did in the spring or summer. Think about it. You're much more empowered now to do good. Your family is raised, your business is mature, you have more resources, a wider network, you're hopefully a little wiser. You're ideally situated to do more good.

And 'good' is important, vital, to the world. Good doesn't require great physical prowess, great intellect, or any other special talent. Everyone everywhere has the ability to 'do good' - right in their own proverbial backyard. All it requires is desire. It isn't complicated. Good can be as simple as a smile, a loving action, a generosity, a caring hand, justice, or even just a comforting presence, when words are insufficient.

OK, so what's the point?

The point is that Lets Do Good, my newly formed 501,3(c) non-profit organization, recently received tax-exempt status from the IRS and is now open for business. Lets Do Good will specialize in providing Online Donations Request websites for non-profits, charities, schools and churches.

Our first website, StVincentsFightsPoverty.org processes credit card donations for food, clothing and shelter for the homeless in our northern Nevada community. St. Vincent's Dining Room, Thrift Store, and Residence is a division of Catholic Community Services of Northern Nevada that provides completely non-denominational assistance to more than 20,000 needy men, women and children monthly.

Other websites in process are for my high school alma mater (scholarship and tuition assistance) and our Washoe County School District (stuff for needy kids and budget-strapped schools). A number of other sites are in the planning stage.

Please go to StVincentsFightsPoverty.org to see the basic website template. If you care to make a contribution it will be greatly appreciated. The 'good news' for all e-Quantum clients is that after our May National Client Conference we will adapt the website templates so prospective users can customize their own sites and make them operational without our assistance, unless requested. This means your favorite charities, churches, schools or non-profits could have access to the same online donations program. It will be a simple link off their website. Who knows how much good we can accomplish together? I know that I'm excited about the prospect.

Well, you and I have to get back to our day jobs, now. So, I'll wrap this up. But please remember something very important. "Don't get so busy doing well, that you forget to DO GOOD!"

Sincerely,



Ross Barker

P.S. Please be aware that all time devoted to developing Lets Do Good is performed outside normal working hours so as not to affect our dedication to serving our clients.


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