REI Networking in upstate Central New York? A little help please.

[Rob Sawyer]

Hello BP. I'm relatively new to REI and after floundering for six months or so (but learning all I can) trying to help fellow military Veterans find decent homes in the region, I would like to find/join any REI networking groups in my area. There is one local group I have attended a couple of times but it's sales pitch after sales pitch interspersed with talking with people who are fairly pessimistic (all for a sizable membership fee, of course) rather than just good solid networking with people who are excited, experienced and are willing to share their knowledge. I'm big on networking and bring extensive sales, marketing and people skills to help others but have been unsuccessful finding others who are actually willing to follow through on offers to help other people.

I'm also very interested in investing in other areas of the country due to better growth and opportunity but have been trying to cut my teeth on my local area so I can better see how the whole process works. Unfortunately, it's been very slow going.

Any advice and/or motivated connections are most welcome!

Thanks!