[Press Release] “ONE OF THE HOTTEST EMERGING DC TECH COMPANIES” UNVEILS NEW NAME, LOOK, AND LOGO

Payment Partner, Inc.’s flagship offering Pay4SchoolStuffOnline is now Pay4SchoolStuff.com

FALLS CHURCH, VA September 16, 2013 - In addition to changing the name and logo, the newly renamed Pay4SchoolStuff website is now even easier to use and navigate. The revamped website displays several new features, including a streamlined new account set up, more appealing and intuitive landing page, and improved access to online support and social media links.

Pay4SchoolStuff offers the only comprehensive payment and management platform on the market that allows an organization to customize one payment menu for multiple school groups; eliminate all paper forms and registrations via a form creator; eliminate the need for postage; offer no-cost items to collect needed information in a multi- functional database; e-mail any account holders or create a directory in seconds; and take advantage of date, price and inventory controls.

Pay4SchoolStuff is currently used by over 150,000 parents nationwide.

About Payment Partners, Inc.

In order to address a glaring need for an easy to use, comprehensive, online payment solution for members (i.e., parents) of community organizations and after decades of submitting to the inefficiencies of paying for school fees by check for their combined six children, Jay Bass, President, and Don Segal, Chief Operating Officer, realized it was time for a change and formed Payment Partners, Inc. (PPI) in the fall of 2008.

From the outset, PPI’s mission is to develop innovative, web-based Payment Partnerships tm- - with full featured, customizable platforms--as solutions for leaders of community groups to better manage their information and payment needs.

The establishment of Pay4SchoolStuff, launched in the 2009-10 school year, is envisioned as a way of freeing school staff to teach, letting children learn instead of being fee messengers, and offering parents the convenience and efficiency of an organized, secure, online payment solution, available from their school’s website.

For additional Information, contact:

Payment Partners, Inc.
1069 W. Broad St. #756
Falls Church, VA. 22046 info@paymentpartnersinc.com 877-397-2937 

Post by Pay4schoolstuff.com.

Check out our NEW LOOK for the 2013-2014 school year!

Welcome back to school for the 2013-2014 school year!

We have some exciting updates at Pay4SchoolStuff, and we would love for you to check them out on our newly-designed website. If you have any questions or would like to sign up to use the Pay4SchoolStuff service, it's never too late to register.

Click on the image below to read our latest newsletter (opens in new window). 

Op-Ed Response: Ex-Fairfax, VA School Official Charged in Theft

I was disappointed to read of the theft of school funds by an official at Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County (Washington Post Metro Section, March 6, 2010).  In addition to the obvious question of why someone in a position of trust would do such a thing - which was fully addressed in the article - you left unanswered the question of why, in this age of electronic-everything,  schools are still collecting cash and checks like they have been since the days of the abacus?  I was also left wondering how Ms. Litwin was able to get away with this for two years without recognition by the school.

As a recently empty-nested parent of three Montgomery County Public School children, my wife and I have written checks for many years for everything from AP tests, to trips to the Zoo.   Using our children as "fee messengers" had never been a good strategy, as attested by the innumerable lost checks and forms mysteriously "eaten by the dog."  Writing checks in this day and age is an archaic process and a time-consuming burden on parents.  Collection of these checks (and related forms) by school administrators and affiliated organizations such as PTSAs and booster clubs, is labor-intensive and often is fraught with confusion and lack of coordination.  Clearly, based on this story and others that have (and have not yet) appeared, there is abundant opportunity for fraud, theft, and mismanagement.  Recent estimates for PTA fundraising alone indicate that over $4B changes hands in just elementary schools in the U.S. Coupled with fees for field trips, tests, membership dues, tickets, sport apparel, and other items, industry experts estimate that between $10-12B changes hands annually within the U.S. school system.    Schools such as Thomas Jefferson, which offers a full array of extra-curricular activities, probably processes over $1.5M in cash and checks annually.  That is a tremendous amount of money to be handled in such a cavalier and archaic manner.

Online payment processing systems for schools have been developed to provide a safe and convenient tool for parents to pay for school items.   These systems offer a secure environment for paying, reporting, and administering school payments.  My partner and I, also a parent of three public school children, recognized this need and recently developed an online payment system specifically for schools, Pay4SchoolStuff.com.  To date, many local PTSAs and booster clubs have subscribed with great enthusiasm.  

Why haven't these systems been more widely adopted?  Why are schools and school systems themselves so reluctant to change?  How many more cases of theft will we read about before the benefits of online payment become obvious to everyone? 

Written by Jay Bass, Ed.D., President 

Payment Partners, Inc.  

Pay4SchoolStuff vs. PayPal

In the chart below, you'll see the benefits of using Pay4SchoolStuff vs. those of other online payment services. [Click to enlarge]

Spring Updates from Pay4SchoolStuff

As another school year draws to a close for your parent organization, we would like to thank you for your continued support and use of our online payment and information management website.  We want to take this opportunity to let you know of a couple of important items as you plan for next year:

• The one-time $99 fee implemented for new accounts opened after August 1, 2012 will not be charged again.  The annual usage fee has been dropped and the one-time start-up fee of $99 is the only fee that will be assessed for any new account.  
• The site and name will have a new look for Fall, 2013.  Pay4SchoolStuff  (you know it's online!) will have a fresh face but the easy payment process will continue.  All existing links to old URLs (www.pay4schoolstuffonline.com,www.p4sso.com) will continue to work.
• Our staff hears repeatedly about other groups starting with Paypal, and then turning to Pay4SchoolStuff to properly address their real needs.  Please review the attached Comparison Chart to appreciate the features and time-saving benefits you get with our product, for a much lower cost.
• Don't forget to take a look at the latest Newsletter, which was sent to you a couple of weeks ago, for the latest information and trends for people using he website creatively.  It's available at:  http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d55eb2e7f965f333d1d80bb11&id=839c000b6f&e=f11e50bdaa 

Thanks again for using the Pay4SchoolStuff website.  Let us know how you think we can help you grow, how to better serve your school community, and give us feedback on how we can continue to improve the best payment and organization management tool available.

All the best for a healthy summer.  

Payment Partners, Inc. Named One of Most Promising High Tech Companies in Washington, DC Area

For Immediate Release
Payment Partners, Inc. Accepted into 2013 Class of MindShare
Invitation-Only Program for CEOs of Emerging and Fast-Growth Companies Begins Its Seventeenth Year

RESTON, Va., April 22, 2013 –Payment Partners, Inc., a rapidly expanding tech company which
creates full featured payment and organizational management web platforms for community groups
and their members, today announced that its President and CEO, Jay Bass, was selected to be a part
of the incoming 2013 class for MindShare, an exclusive organization designed for CEOs of the most
promising high tech companies in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Candidates for MindShare
are typically first-time CEOs for companies under $10M, although the expectation is that they won't be there for long.
Launched in 1997, MindShare handpicks 50 to 60 CEOs every year from the area’s hottest emerging
growth companies to come together in a private, intimate setting. Its mission is to help CEOs build
long-term, sustainable companies by creating opportunities for growth, building a sense of
community, and fostering teamwork in a collegial environment.
“MindShare offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with and be recognized by some of the most
innovative and emerging entities and executives in the Washington, DC area and gain valuable
information and strategies concerning the success of our business. This is a once in a lifetime chance
to gain new allies and friends in the local business community.
The class will hear from notable speakers, enjoy old-fashioned networking, and discuss critical topics
for building a business at the CEO level. More than 660 CEOs have graduated from MindShare,
creating a deep and valuable alumni network.  Over the past 16 years, some of the region’s most successful CEOs have become a part the evergrowing MindShare Alumni Network , including Joe Payne of Eloqua (2012 IPO and acquired by Oracle for $871M); Tim O’Shaughnessy of LivingSocial (raised over $180M in 2010); Reggie Aggarwal of Cvent (raised $136M in one of the largest Series A rounds on record in 2011); Rick Rudman of Vocus
(2005 IPO); Hemant Kanakia of Torrent Networking Technologies (acquired by Ericsson for $450M);
and Phillip Merrick of webMethods (the most successful first day software IPO ever).
MindShare is run by co-chairs Harry Glazer, Founder and CEO of the World Series of Start-Ups: the
creator, director and co-producer of Sprockit; April Young of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC); and Gene Riechers of EverFi. The executive committee includes Steve Balistreri of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, and Michael Lincoln of Cooley, LLP. MindShare is also supported by a board of industry veterans who are committed to building a strong ecosystem for success.

About MindShare
Founded in 1997, MindShare’s mission is to help CEOs from the most promising high tech emerging
growth companies in the Greater Washington Metropolitan region build long-term, sustainable
companies by providing mentorship, creating business opportunities and a sense of community, and
fostering teamwork in a collegial environment. Year after year, the CEOs who graduate from
MindShare reaffirm its enduring value through continued business opportunities and lasting
friendships.

About Payment Partners, Inc.
In order to address a glaring need for an easy to use, comprehensive, online payment solution for
members (i.e., parents) of community organizations and after decades of submitting to the
inefficiencies of paying for school fees by check for their combined six children, Jay Bass, President,
and Don Segal, Chief Operating Officer, realized it was time for a change and formed Payment
Partners, Inc. (PPI) in the fall of 2008.
PPI’s mission is to develop innovative and Payment PartnershipTM web-based solutions to help leaders of community groups better manage their information and payment needs with full featured,
customizable platforms. The establishment of Pay4SchoolStuffOnline, the company’s flagship offering launched in the 2009-10 school year, is envisioned as a way of freeing school staff to teach, letting children learn instead of being fee messengers, and offering parents the convenience and efficiency of an organized, secure, online payment solution, available from their school’s website.

For additional Information, contact:
Payment Partners, Inc.
1069 W. Broad St. #756
Falls Church, VA. 22046
info@paymentpartnersinc.com
877-397-2937

Spring 2013 Newsletter

We're not PayPal - and that's good for you. Since you already know we're online, we''re shortening our name to "Pay4SchoolStuff" Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Experience Pay4SchoolStuff. We're not Paypal – and that's good for you. "Why Pay4SchoolStuff?" We're way more than a payment processor We are asked this question all the time by leaders around the country who are considering online payments for their school organization.  The short answer is, that unlike Paypal, Pay4SchoolStuff was designed specifically to address the needs of the parent and school community, and provides a convenient platform to consolidate payments between parents, schools, and their affiliated organizations.  The flexibility to list items that require customized options or parent-supplied feedback, coupled with the convenience of 24/7 shopping and reporting, makes Pay4SchoolStuff a time and cost saver that both parents and administrators recognize and appreciate.  Pay4SchoolStuff is not just a payment processor, but offers an all-in-one platform to coordinate volunteers, e-mail account holders, create a database for a directory, track inventories, list "information-only" items at no-cost, and create and deploy forms - saving paper, labor and postage!  We're way more than a payment processor, and it's not just about rates.  To learn more, go to www.Pay4SchoolStuff.com and click on the Tab "Information" and then the link "Getting Started", or contact us today.   We're Getting Ready for a Make-Over Pay4SchoolStuffOnline.com is in the process of getting a new look and feel! In the coming months, our logo, name and overall appearance will change to give the site an updated, contemporary look. Since we're obviously an online service, we're dropping the word "Online" from our title and URL and will becomePay4SchoolStuff.com.  Don't worry – we will still offer the same great time-and-cost-saving tools and flexibility, and our old URL (and the www.P4SSO.comshortcut) will still work. Look for our new designs to begin appearing later this spring.  Marketing Representatives Wanted Do you love the convenience and ease of use of Pay4SchoolStuff? Want to help spread the word? If you appreciate what P4SS has done for your organization and see an opportunity to spread the word in your community, please let us know. We are currently looking for motivated, personable people who are familiar with the system and its benefits to serve as Marketing Representatives. Training and marketing materials are provided. Contact Jay Bass at 877-397-2937 ext. 101.  Payment Corner Recent Items Listed by Organization Coordinators: Mulch Sales After School Classes Mock SAT, ACT Exams Volunteer Registration Golf Tournament Registration Fun Run Sign-up Turf Field Donations Spirit Wear Chess Clubs Advanced Placement (AP) and PSAT Test Fees Prom Tickets Membership Registration for Directory All Night Graduation Party Tickets Gift Wrap and Other Fundraisers School Supply Kits Lunch Menu Pre-Orders Pay4SchoolStuff Nominated for Washington, DC MindShare Program As part of being nominated to participate in the 2013 MindShare program for executives of successful companies in the Washington, DC area, Payment Partners, Inc. was recognized as "one of the region's most promising emerging growth companies" in 2013.  Founded in 1997, MindShare’s mission is to help CEOs from the most promising high tech emerging growth companies in the Greater Washington Metropolitan region build long-term, sustainable companies by providing mentorship, creating business opportunities and a sense of community, and fostering teamwork in a collegial environment.  Year after year, the CEOs who graduate from MindShare reaffirm its enduring value through continued business opportunities and lasting friendships.  We are grateful to have been cited for this honor and look forward to continued growth and success in the years ahead. SPOTLIGHT: Joanie Booker We would like to welcome Joanie Booker of Ashburn, VA, as our newest Pay4SchoolStuff Marketing Rep. Joanie is the PTO President at Newton-Lee Elementary School and is in her second year of using Pay4SchoolStuff.com. Joanie has eliminated all checks and paper forms in her school community and uses the system for all payments, forms, volunteers, spiritwear sales, after-school classes and organization online functions. She is a true champion of the system and we are thrilled to have her as part of the team.   Organizational Changes? If there are changes coming in the leadership of your organization, such as new or different people who should receive bi-weekly reports, or the name or contact information of the primary coordinator changes, your Pay4SchoolStuff account settings can be easily edited online.  Under "Coordinator Services/Edit Account", simply update the information, and save your changes.  Please contact us directly if you have any problems or questions about making these changes.

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Payment Partners, Inc., All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 1069 W. Broad St. #756, Falls Church, VA 22046 Contact us: Phone: 877-397-2937 E-mail: info@pay4schoolstuffonline.com  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences