HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – A new group is forming to help small businesses prosper in this challenging economic climate. The group is called "Clusters."

This new group is not a charity. It does not exit for the explicit benefit of the surrounding community. Neither is it a mutual benefit corporation. That is to say, it does not exist for the exclusive benefit of its members.

In fact, Clusters is not a nonprofit organization at all. Therefore, there is no need for bylaws or articles of incorporation with the California Secretary of State's office. This also means there are no dues or even long-term commitments required. And, why is that? Because Clusters is a SIG – a special interest group.

Joe Moss of the San Francisco Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation told an audience of the Middletown Merchants at Middletown High School back in September of last year about a SIG called "InfraGard" – a free educational forum regarding protection from numerous forms of terrorism.

Whereas Infragard focuses on keeping the public safe, Clusters is going to focus upon educating the small business community regarding marketing options – both online and offline. It will do this by facilitating the forming of four-person small groups with a fifth virtual person being added. By doing this, Clusters will encourage the utilization of online resources, mutual collaboration and netweaving ("looking out for Number 2").

Initially, Clusters will attempt to schedule meetings in the dining room of the Greenview Restaurant every Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. However, there may be additional venues added elsewhere other days.

For more information, visit www.squidoo.com/clusters or call Lamar Morgan at 707-709-8605.

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