The following is the text of an open letter written by Dee Russell to her fellow Pioneer Entrepreneur members.

You’ve just joined Pioneer Entrepreneurs. When you researched the programs, spoke with Dave Bayless, Justin Bigart and maybe another member, it sounded great. You were willing to spend money to try it out. Maybe, though, you were a bit skeptical. Is Pioneer Entrepreneurs just going to be more of the same? Just another network where other people are always trying to sell you something? One where there is a great list of supposed members, but you discover that most of them are there in name only; they rarely participate and aren’t really accessible to you? A network where you were told that you were expected to actively and fully participate, but that really means that there are a few who fully participate and many others who lurk on the sidelines?

Well, guess what? Pioneer Entrepreneurs is different, and that will soon become evident.

I’ve been a member of Pioneer Entrepreneurs since its inception. The purpose of this letter is to share with you a little about my own experience and ways that you can get the most out of your membership.

First, let me tell you about a few experiences I've had in connecting with other members.  Before beginning the introductory Start to Connect program, I reviewed the online Lobby, which includes links to the profiles and contact information of all current members, just to see who had joined. I paid particular attention to the program Face Book to see who was participating in Start to Connect with me. Through the Lobby, I found a fellow member in an industry related to mine, so I asked Dave to introduce me, which he did via email. I received a prompt and friendly response. The other person I wanted to meet was in my Start to Connect class, which provided an opportunity for in-depth conversations that has led to a mutually beneficial relationship. It was that simple. Through Pioneer Entrepreneurs, I immediately made highly valuable connections that I wouldn’t necessarily have made on my own.

So what specifically is the value I received? Well, neither relationship has resulted in immediate quantifiable sales increase, for instance, yet they are priceless. I was introduced to people here in California, where I'm living temporarily, who face similar issues but offer complementary perspectives. Our dialogs have been beneficial in a number of ways. They remind us that we're not alone in this process of business building. We talk strategy with peers who know and understand and have no hidden agenda or conflict. We can laugh at ourselves and each other. And, we can provide connections to others who can help. As most of us know, there aren’t too many opportunities to connect with people like that within our own companies and small communities.

Here’s a specific example of a connection that provided substantial tangible value and cost virtually nothing. Bridget Cavanaugh and I participated in the same Start to Connect program. One of our assignments was to review an assigned partner’s posting of his/her burning issues, and provide suggestions. If we chose to, we could also review and provide feedback to others. Bridget was not my assigned partner. Nevertheless, she reviewed my posting and provided detailed, on-target suggestions for actions and solutions. It would’ve cost a lot of money to get this information from a paid consultant. In addition, Bridget later led a Lead to Grow program on public relations and, similarly, provided several thousands of dollars worth of targeted advice to the individual participants regarding their specific businesses.

While the preceding are examples of how I've benefitted from my membership, my approach to the interactions is always how can I be of service to my fellow member. (You’ll have to ask them if they perceive that my contributions to them have been as helpful as theirs have been to me.) They have told me that they value the exchanges, and I believe the “proof” is in the fact that we have ongoing relationships.

Let me turn to what Pioneer Entrepreneurs is not. Pioneer Entrepreneurs is not a network solely created to meet people who will buy your goods and services, though that may be one happy outcome of your participation. Rather, the primary focus of the network is to share with and learn from others who have been faced with and overcome challenges similar to yours.

Ours is not a network in which to passively receive information from “experts”. There will be non-member experts invited on occasion to provide their insights and perspectives. However, Pioneer Entrepreneurs is built on the premise that YOU are the experts! Each member has substantial expertise in some field or discipline. Often that expertise is supplemented by formal education, but is derived primarily from experience. You were invited into the network because someone recognized the value of that expertise and you expressed a willingness to share it with others.

This isn't a passive network of “who’s who." Due to the high value of Pioneer Entrepreneurs, its membership list provides access to tremendous resources. But, in addition to the financial cost, the price of membership includes full and active participation as a contributing member. In the Start to Connect program, for instance, there are structured assignments designed to help you learn to efficiently and effectively use the network. Take the time to do them, and use them to your fullest advantage. They work!

Here are a few tips that’ll make your experience the most productive and valuable. First and foremost, Listen to others with the mind-set of “How can I help you?” rather than “How can you help me?” You will receive tremendous value from your participation in Pioneer Entrepreneurs, but it may not come in the form in which you expect or initially desire. Release any expectations that you will ‘receive’ from a specific interaction, at that time, or from that person. This approach can be difficult for many of us. After all, we have immediate challenges that need solutions, fires to put out, sales to increase, and cash flow to improve. Our tendency is to search for the solution to the problem of the moment. Strategy, relationship development, and other longer term issues tend to get put off to "some day soon," but soon never comes. There’s always another fire to put out. Use your membership in Pioneer Entrepreneurs to engage in those kinds of strategic conversations on a regular, disciplined basis. You will benefit in numerous, unexpected ways over time.

Get familiar with the online tools. The online tools are NOT the network! The purpose of the online system is to improve the efficiency of communications and the effectiveness of interactions among members. It is user friendly, yet every system and user is different. So, regardless of your technical expertise, take a little time to get familiar with the way the system works. Familiarity with the tools will free you to focus on the content and substance of your interactions with other members. And, don't be afraid to pick up the phone...you don’t always have to connect online. Talk to others. Meet with then over coffee when you are in their community. Connect!

Use the Lobby. This simple online tool is among the most valuable. Find one (or two or three) members with whom you'd like to connect and make the connection! Pioneer Entrepreneurs gives you the reason and platform. You will get a response. And, remember to respond promptly when other contact you! The reason we’re all in Pioneer Entrepreneurs is to mutually benefit from shared knowledge. Also, if you haven't already completed an online self introduction or gone to your Profile and uploaded your digital photo, do it now! The other members will appreciate it.

Participate in online discussions. Remember, you were invited in to join Pioneer Entrepreneurs to share your expertise. Online discussions are a particularly efficient way to do so, since you can post anytime of the day or night. Don’t worry about quantity; it is the quality of your contribution that matters. For example, maybe you’ve recently read a great book that you think addresses a specific issue about which another member is asking for guidance. Simply post the link and a short note recommending it. Or maybe you ask the person a question that leads them down a different path toward a solution. It’s that simple! And, don’t forget to post your “burning issues”. There’s a lot of collective experience across the network. Maybe someone has an idea you haven’t thought of!

Fulfill your commitments. As in all areas of business life, this is a key to success. When you choose to participate in a forum or program as your schedule and priorities dictate, commit to full participation. Complete the assignments on time in order to be prepared for interactions. Participate in all meetings and telemeetings. Complete feedback surveys. When providing feedback, be honest and be constructive. What worked? What didn't work? What would you like to see more/less of? Remember this is YOUR network. Do your part to ensure that the offerings of the network adapt to your needs. Your time is valuable. Invest it well.

Lead by example. The level and quality of your participation will encourage and inspire other members to increase theirs. As a consequence, the value of the network and the connections it facilitates will grow.

Refer Pioneer Entrepreneurs to qualified prospective members. The network will only grow through your endorsement. Bringing new contributors to Pioneer Entrepreneurs is one critical way for you to give in order to get.

In summary, to get the most out of your membership, do not participate solely for the purpose of getting tactical solutions to the problem of the moment. Look toward how you can help others; take a sincere interest in other members' businesses, challenges, and accomplishments. Look for ways to be of service to them without compromising or sacrificing your own goals and dreams. View your membership as part of your longer-term strategy process. Set aside time to participate in network programs and to connect with other members. Make a commitment to yourself, your professional growth, and your company’s long-term health. You’re worth it!