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From the President
March 2008

February's meeting was another fun and information packed night. Our speaker, Carl Kaufman from Osterweis capital management gave the best presentation on the bond market that I have seen in my 22 years in financial services. His sense of humor and conversational style made the subject entertaining and educational. Our FPF member panel made up of board member, Jennifer Cray, CFP , representing financial planning, board member Todd Flesner representing the mortgage industry, and new member John King, representing the real estate industry, peppered Carl with questions on how interest rate and credit cycles will impact their respective fields.

March's speaker is our very own Todd Flesner ! Whether you are self employed or work for a big company, we all know the importance of bringing in new clients. Todd's presentation titled Making Rain: Positioning Yourself in the Market , will show you how to make that process easy. I have heard Todd speak on this subject and he is the master at networking and building referral relationships. See you at the meeting and don't forget to bring a guest!

More About Todd's Presentation:

Breaking through the clutter to stand out in a crowded field is a challenge that faces even the most seasoned professional. A student of marketing, Todd is practiced at the skill of creating top of mind awareness. Among the ideas that will be presented:

•  Position yourself as a center of influence

•  The four simple ways to improve your email.

•  Connect with your best prospects using cost effective measures.

•  Train your referral sources see you as a valued resource and trusted advisor.

Todd Flesner entered the mortgage profession in 1999, following a 14 year career in non-profit management with the YMCA. He remains active in the community currently serving as President of his church congregation, Treasurer of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and provided leadership for the Financial Planning Forum as President in 2006-7.

As a residential loan specialist, Todd works with his clients to integrate their real estate financing with their overall financial goals. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker, a Certified Mortgage Advisor, and a graduate of Arizona State University . Todd is co-author of the book “Mortgages Made Easy”.

In his spare time he enjoys woodworking and home improvement. Todd and his wife of 20 years, Cheryl, have 3 children, and reside in the pastoral hills east of Milpitas .

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You can now register and pay for Financial Planning Forum membership and events on-line. Simply click on the links below and follow the directions on the website. Financial Planning Forum Membership (click here) Your payments can be made using a credit card or a bank account via 123SignUp. The registration page will take you directly to the 123SignUP web site for payment.

If you do not yet have an account with 123SignUp, it's a simple process to enroll. We are hopeful that this will facilitate making it quick and easy to make reservations for future Forum events. If you would like to mail in your payment: please make your check payable to the Financial Planning Forum and mail to: Financial Planning Forum, C/O Karin Swanson, CPA, 2600 El Camino Real, Suite 600, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Call 650.842.0330

Mail/Fax Meeting Registration Form

* Late Fee = $10.00

Member Name: __________________________________________ ($47)

Guest Name: ___________________________________________ ($57)

Total Enclosed: $ ___________

Meal Choice: ______ Meat or ______

Vegetarian Please make your check payable to the Financial Planning Forum and mail to:

Financial Planning Forum % Karin Swanson, CPA 2600 El Camino Real, Suite 600 Palo Alto, CA 94306 Questions: Call Karin @ (650) 842-0330 Fax: (650) 852-9912

Thank you to our

Sponsors:

• Bernstein Investment Research
• Crist, Schulz, Biorn & Shepherd
• Johnson Marotta
• Lasecke, Weil Wealth Advisory Group
• Miller Law Group, P.C.
• Sullivan & Serwitz

Sustaining Members: