Dave Lathrop proposed an accountant, Christine Haskin of Avalan Accounting, as a potential new member.  Russ Perry uses her services and is pleased with it.  The firm is located in Tempe.  Please forward any objections/concerns/questions to Melissa Matthews (melissa@mabe-online.org) and she will forward them to the board.

August 28  - Bill LaLonde
September 4  - Open Discussion
September 11 - Guest Matthew Creek, Clear Mind Consulting
September 18 - Russ Perry
September 25 - Mark Menasci

If you know you will not be attending a meeting please email Melissa Matthews (melissa@mabe-online.org) so the excused absence can be recorded.

Just a Reminder - Their is a spot on the MABE website where members can post their community service interests.  There is also a place for consumer specials.  If you want to add items to either section simply email the information to Melissa Matthews (melissa@mabe-online.org).

Survey Monkey - Members were again reminded of this free online tool available to them.  You can send 100 people an anonymous  10-question survey where they can provide feedback about your service.  Dave Lathrop found the results he got very interesting.  He found out that the main reason people haven't tried his service is because they don't understand how it works.   Now he knows that he has to work on this.

Constant Contact is another online tool recommended by some MABE members.  Whether you're looking to send an email newsletter, a high-impact email promotion, an email event invitation, an online survey, or build your email list,  Constant Contact can help you get it done.

 "I took a speech class in college and learned I wasn't any good so I have to use visual aides."  Today Joe's first visual aid was a tribute to Woodstock (picture did not come out well due to lighting but click here for the video!...pretty dark...guess the iPhone isn't perfect.)

Our current board is trying to inspire us to use new technology so that we can keep up with the changing world.  In the spirit of growth Joe pulled out his second visual aid...his iPhone.  Has your phone changed your life?  In 6 weeks this "stupid thing" HAS changed Joe's life.   It has changed the way he works, plays and communicates.  It has so many different ways to help you out. 

The obvious items are you can get email and send text messages.  But you also have over 55,000 apps you can add to it.  Some are free while others are anywhere from $2-$500.  If just depends on what you want to do.  Joe shared a few of his favorite apps including Google Voice activated search and Bump, a program that allows you to share contacts with other iPhone users just by flicking your phone!

Joe has found it to be an amazing tool at work.  And from a personal standpoint, it is easy to go crazy. 

He mentioned several apps that he thought would be useful for fellow MABE members.  Bob Becker might find the Zillo app useful for viewing real estate and estimated home values.  Roman Okonowski mentioned that insurance companies are using Zillo with their inspections.  There is a paint selector app that might benefit Althea Bussert.  Andy Jensen might find any one of the stock apps useful.  One of the most expensive apps provides auto repair quotes and invoices, just in case Sandro is interested.