Just a quick note for anyone who was considering becoming a co-founder of Social Media Club as an individual or a business.  We are going to be making many announcements next week about the next phase of this experiment in organizational formation via Social Media, some very exciting and some a bit disappointing. But that is reality, to smell the beauty of the rose, it often has to grow through a lot of stinky manure…

Anyhoo, some people have been asking, and some people have been joining as Professional Co-Founders, including Conrad Hametner, Brenda Thompson, Randy Stewart and Stewart Pratt.  Also, both Bryght and One by One Media have recently joined as Small Business Co-Founders.

While we have not brought in enough membership dues or sponsorships yet to afford a salary for myself or our fantastic editor of Social Media Now, Jason Chervokas, it has been enough to start development on the new community site for the club, cover some of the expenses of formation and some travel expenses to keep the club growing.  The thing is, when we launch the new site, I think the membership will begin to swell - it really is that compelling and the value proposition of membership will be made very clear and very real.

So I really want to reward all of the people who took a real leap of faith, in a new and unproven organizatiion, based on the strength of a few key ideas, a strong sense of shared values and the vision of one person that has become a shared understanding of many.

Also please note that ALL paid memberships registered before June 30, will have their membership extended through the end of 2008.  It is not about getting more money from those of you have really been the co-founders, it is about the gratitude I feel for all of my friends and colleagues who have been kind enough to support this idea with more than words and links - those who have opened their hearts and their wallets (or paypal accounts) to contribute to the modicum of success we have enjoyed so far.  You have given a chance for life to this thing we call Social Media Club and have given me reasons to smile - and eventhough we have not been able to get as much done as I had hoped over the past few months, you have continued to support us rather than berate us.

So to you, and the many others who have promised me they were registering or getting their company to join, I say a profound and hearty THANK YOU.
If you have considered becoming a co-founder of Social Media Club but not pulled the trigger, pay attention to what happens over the next couple of weeks and be sure to join as a member before June 30 - after that time, the co-founder’s will be who the co-founders are…