Profound Family,
As someone who questioned whether Profound was the right fit for me this year, given the fee structure, I understand the thoughts and discussions some of you are having, as I've had similar conversations with many of you. So I can say I have been there, and I understand. But today, I stand before you as a dedicated member of Profound and as the newly elected Chair of the Board of Directors, driven by a deep passion to help us reach our full potential.
We are beginning an incredible evolution that will take Profound to new heights as we officially transition to a nonprofit organization on October 1, 2024 (Member Fee Reduction to $500/month will transition on September 1). What we can achieve together as a community is far greater than what even remarkable individuals like Arel, Jeff, Adam, Danny, Joyl, and Emily could do alone. We will be stronger, more connected, and more impactful when we unite our efforts.
A Message from Sean Kelsey
Meet Your New Board of Directors:
Sean Kelsey: Chair
Kate Houck: Vice-Chair
Shawni Davis: Secretary
Andy Clements: Treasurer
Lisa Belodoff: Member
Stephanie Vavonese: Member
David Brown: Member
Gail Cowley: Member
Derek Vargas: Member
Each individual brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to our mission, fully committed to guiding Joyl, Danny, and Profound through this exciting new chapter.
Our Mission Continues
Profound was founded to create an intimate, collaborative mastermind group where Upstate New York's most ambitious individuals can build connections and grow together—both professionally and personally. This mission remains at the core of everything we do, and as we transition to a nonprofit, our commitment to this mission will grow even stronger.
We are not just a group of individuals; we are, as our Manifesto states, "a community of radical change-makers, vulnerable heroes, and lifelong self-educators." This identity will not change, and our approach to building together will remain steadfast.
We bridge together the brightest and boldest "doers" of Upstate New York.
We create space for authentic, profound connection.
We offer transformational events that reshape how we view our world, what we can achieve, and who we can become.
We provide access to experts and titans of success dedicated to helping others find their own excellence.
We cultivate our personal brands so the world knows who we are, what we stand for, and why we are here.
We harmoniously increase our status to serve the greater good and build something greater than ourselves.
What's Next?
As Joyl, Danny, and all the board members prepare for our official transition on October 1, everyone is working hard to finalize our plans for the remainder of 2024 and crafting a clear vision for 2025 and beyond. We will provide you with an update by the transition date, including opportunities for you to engage and grow within the community.
You will play a crucial role in this transition as we establish Employee, Board, and Member-led committees, including Philanthropic, Event, Membership, Marketing, and Programming Committees. Additionally, we are considering member-led business groups (HR, IT, Operations, Finance, etc.) to support any business-related challenges our members may face.
During this transition, we will host live virtual town halls to gather feedback, address questions, and actively engage with you all more frequently. We will continue to hold impactful mastermind sessions leading up to our launch event around the holidays. This event will showcase our vision for the future of Profound and the exciting path ahead.
In the meantime, if you have any doubts—natural during times of change—give us Q4, the cost of one month at the old fee, to show you what we're building. Whereas we may need time to build it, that's plenty of time for us to show you the vision of Profound. If, after that time, you don't see the value, I understand if you choose to step away. But give us a chance—I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Please review the list of Profound Events for September and RSVP [HERE], preferably by next week, if not sooner. September events include:
Golf Outing at Skaneateles Country Club (an event designed for golfers and non-golfers),
A member meet-up thanks to the Doran brothers.
Your RSVPs have always been essential to ensure enough food, drink, etc., but they become even more critical as we transition into a lower-price model. Receiving 70 RSVPs but only 35 attendees leads to unnecessary spending on food and beverage—funds that could be better used to enhance the member experience.
Stay Connected
To help us make this transition as smooth and valuable as possible, please complete this [Member Survey Link], which will be shared only with the Board as we develop events, itineraries, and new value offerings based on what YOU want. If you can complete it by September 6, it will help us review the data in our next board meeting. We will share the aggregated data with Danny, Joyl, Jeff, and Arel, as it will be necessary, but individual responses will remain confidential with the board members only.
In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to Jeff, Arel, and Adam for their vision and leadership. They have given us the gift of this community, and it is our responsibility to carry the torch and build a legacy that will enrich our region and its people. I also want to sincerely thank Joyl, Danny, and the entire Board for their tireless work behind the scenes. Transitioning from a for-profit to a nonprofit while creating a board while supporting a membership of 100 incredible individuals is no easy task, and your dedication has been and will continue to be instrumental in this journey.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we will build something genuinely profound.
WE ARE PROFOUND