Welcome to the December 2002 edition of the Company of Friends newsletter. This email is sent monthly to CoF members as a free service to update you about upcoming CoF and Fast Company activities.
New Year, New Network
Early in January 2003, Fast Company will unveil a new and improved set of online community tools for the Company of Friends. We're adding an overlay of industry- and interest-specific discussion groups to augment the 162 local CoF groups already meeting face to face and online around the world.
We'll also enable CoF members to associate with more than one CoF at a time to better facilitate cross-pollination and collaboration between groups. And we'll combine the CoF's mailing list and Web discussion features so you can interact with other members consistently via email, frequent email digests -- or on the Web.
In addition, in conjunction with the launch of the new tools, we plan to ask current members to reconfirm their interest and involvement in Fast Company's readers' network. With more than 42,000 members in the network, we need a better sense of how many members are truly active -- and who those active members are. More information about this membership confirmation process will be distributed when the CoF Web relaunches.
We're going to start beta testing the new CoF tools with coordinators and planning team members in the next week or so. And we're excited about beginning the new year with a new suite of CoF Web services. We'll keep you in the loop!
Resource: The Company of Friends
The 2002 Fast 50 and the CoF
With the deadline for entries in the 2002 Fast 50 passing December 2, we're now in the next phase of the judging process. Our panel of judges has started going through the thousands of applications we received in Fast Company's annual readers' challenge, and we'll soon be able to take the next 2002 Fast 50 steps with the CoF.
After we identify what geographic areas around the world have a critical mass of entries -- and overlap with existing CoF groups -- we'll contact the coordinators and members of those groups to begin the selection of the readers' network's picks from your local communities.
These picks will be published on the Web, organized by city, and participating CoF groups will be able to create their own gatherings or events to celebrate these special winners. These entries will also be forwarded to our panel of judges for consideration for the final 2002 Fast 50.
Check out the Fast 50 Web to get more information and to review last year's winners.
Resource: 2002 Fast 50
CoF Discount Extended to Gift Subscriptions
As an added benefit of membership in the Company of Friends, we are offering a special one-time subscription discount for CoF members to give the gift of Fast Company this holiday season.
For a limited time, you can give a friend, family member, or colleague a subscription to Fast Company for only $7.95. That's a savings of more than 85% off the cover price! As an added bonus, each person you give a subscription to will also receive a Fast Company CD case, large enough to safely store your essential CD's while at home or on the go, with your paid gift subscription.
This offer is valid in the United States and Canada only. (Canadian gift subscriptions include additional shipping and GST.) However, the standing CoF discount outside of North America is now available for foreign gift subscriptions, as well.
This is the lowest price we've ever offered, and it's only available for a limited time.
Resources: Fast Company gift subscriptions in North America
Fast Company gift subscriptions overseas
Upcoming CoF Events
Every month, members and local groups of the Company of Friends gather online and in person for discussions, workshops, and other events.
To help you learn more about -- and get involved in -- some of the best and brightest CoF events organized by local groups every month, we've developed a global, public monthly calendar. This month-at-a-glance calendar is accessible by non-members, as well as CoF members.
Use this global calendar as you travel on business. Share it with friends who don't belong to the network.
CoF gatherings are a great way to meet other FC readers and forward-thinking business leaders in your area. We hope to see you at a CoF event soon!
Resource: Coming events
CoF Savings on Kinko's Services
Fast Company and Kinko's would like to extend a 25% discount on products and services to members of the CoF. Between now and Dec. 31, 2002, if you visit any Kinko's location in the United States and present the coupon below -- just go to the Web site and print it out -- you can save 25% on Kinko's products and services, including holiday products like photo greeting cards and photo calendars. It's one way Fast Company can help ease your Q4 budget crunch -- and express appreciation for your involvement in the Company of Friends. Thank you for your support!
Resource: 25% Kinko's coupon for the CoF
New CoF Coordinators
If you're interested in starting a CoF group in your area, check out the CoF Handbook and FC's Rough Guide to CoF Coordination.
We'd like to recognize and welcome the newest CoF coordinators and planning team members since our last CoF-wide email.
New coordinators:
If you'd like more information about volunteer CoF leadership opportunities, please contact your local coordinator. (And if I missed anyone, I apologize. Keep me in your loop!)
Resources: Directory of CoF groups
CoF Handbook
Rough Guide to CoF Coordination
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