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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                           MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

        AGREEMENT made as of January 1, 1987 between Mega Group, Inc. (the
Company), a New York Corporation with offices at 208 Delaware Avenue, Delmar New
York 12054, and ROBERT L. HALTON (the Employee), residing at 27 Royal Oak Drive
in Clifton Park, New York 12065.

        I.      EMPLOYMENT

        The Company agrees to hire and the Employee agrees to accept employment
as the President of Anthony Halton--Progressive Coverage located in Clifton
Park, New York. Such employment shall be on a full-time basis and the Employee
shall devote his full time and efforts to performing the duties as may be
defined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company. Such duties
shall principally include the servicing of the entire "Book of Business" of
Anthony Halton--Progressive Coverage and producing new insurance business for
the Company. The Employee shall not engage in any other business or livelihood
that may interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.

        II.    COMPENSATION

        The Company shall pay the Employee at the rate of Fifteen Thousand
Dollars ($15,000.00) per annum, payable in equal installments on each of the
paydays of the Company. To the extent required, the Company shall pay the
ordinary, reasonable, and necessary expenses of the Employee incurred in the
course of performing his duties under this Agreement. Such expenses are subject
to the policies as stated by the Board of Directors

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through the Controllers office, and the right of the Employee to incur expenses
shall be subject to limitation and termination as deemed necessary by the Board
of Directors of the Company.

        III.     COMPANY VEHICLE

        The Employee shall be supplied with a company car and the Company shall
be required to pay expenses on same. Such automobile shall be used only in the
conduct of the Employee's duties as an employee under this Agreement. The
Employee shall be responsible for the payment of any income taxes to which he
may be subjected as a result of being supplied with said car. If the Company's
accountants shall deem it necessary to withhold taxes on the fair market value
of the use of such car by the Employee, the Company shall be entitled to do so.

        IV.      LIFE, ACCIDENT, AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE COMMISSIONS

        The Employee shall be entitled to write life, accident, and group health
insurance coverage. The commissions payable thereon shall belong to the Employee
to the extent of 100 percent and shall be in addition to the compensation
provided for hereunder.

        V.     OWNERSHIP OF "BOOK OF BUSINESS"

        For the purpose of this Agreement, the Employee's "Book of Business"
shall be insurance developed and produced by the Employee either prior to or
during his course of employment hereunder. Relative to business produced by the
Employee prior to this Agreement, he shall within a reasonable time present the
Company with documentation substantiating said prior business.

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        Upon termination of employment hereunder for whatever reason, the
Employee may (but need not) offer to sell his "Book of Business" to the Company
for 2.5 times the annual commissions payable thereon, exclusive of
profit-sharing or contingency commissions. The Company may accept such offer by
the Employee. If the Employee shall offer and the Company shall accept such
offer, the Company shall pay for such "Book of Business" by making 84 equal
monthly installments of principle and interest, with interest being at the
minimum rate permitted by the Internal Revenue Service to avoid having interest
imputed, or if there is no such rate, then at the Prime Rate quoted by Marine
Midland Bank, N.A. as of the date of purchase. Such payments shall begin one
month after date of sale.

        VI.    MEDICAL INSURANCE

        During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall cover the Employee
and the Employee's family under the Company's health and major medical insurance
plan as such plan may be in place from time to time. In addition, the Employee
shall be provided with group life insurance coverage in such amount as the
Company shall determine. The Company reserves the right to alter or terminate
any and all such plans as shall be determined appropriate by the Company's Board
of Directors provided such action shall be generally applied to substantially
all the Company's employees similarly situated to the Employee.

        VII.     PROFIT SHARING

        As additional compensation to the Employee, the Company agrees to
provide to the Employee a 40% in Anthony Halton--

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Progressive Coverage's profits as shown on the Anthony Halton--Progressive
Coverage's books as of the fiscal year end, subject to the following
modifications: Anthony Halton--Progressive Coverage's book profit shall be
decreased by principal payments on any of Anthony Halton--Progressive Coverage's
debt and shall be increased by any non-cash deductions such as depreciation and
amortization expense. The figure arrived at shall be the "adjusted profit." The
Employee shall receive 40 percent of the adjusted profit payable to the Employee
by April 1 of each calendar year.

        VIII.     DEFERRED COMPENSATION

        As additional compensation to the Employee, he will over his period of
employment with the Company, earn deferred compensation. At the point of the
Employee's retirement, death, permanent disability, or termination of employment
for any reason ("separation"), the Company shall pay out to the employee the
following deferred compensation. Forty (40) percent of the Company's annual
commission income in the preceding accounting year exclusive of profit sharing
and or contingent commission income, and exclusive of commission income received
on that portion of the premiums attributable to the Employee's "Book of
Business" (which is addressed in Paragraph V of this Agreement), by 2.25 times
payable in 120 equal installments consisting of both principal and interest with
interest being at the minimum rate permitted by the Internal Revenue Service to
avoid having interest imputed, or if there is no such rate, then at the Prime
Rate quoted by Marine Midland Bank, N.A. as of the date of

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separation. Such payments shall begin one month from said separation.

        IX.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; NON PIRACY AGREEMENT AND RETURN OF
COMPANY CAR

        Upon the termination of employment or separation under this Agreement,
the Employee agrees that he shall not directly or indirectly accept or solicit
business from any of the insureds of the Company (whether such insureds be part
of the Company's "Book of Business" or the Employee's "Book of Business"
purchased from Employee hereunder) as of the date of termination or separation.
The restrictions contained in this Paragraph IX shall not apply to life,
accident, and health insurance insuring any of the insureds included in the
Company's "Book of Business" or the Employee's "Book of Business" purchased from
Employee hereunder as the same exists as of the date of termination or
separation.

        Upon termination or separation, the Employee further agrees that he will
not use any customer lists, expiration date lists, or similar confidential
information belonging to the Company for his benefit or for the benefit of any
other person, entity, or firm. The purpose of this non-piracy agreement is to
protect the property interest of the Company which has been developed through
the efforts of its employees and the utilization of its capital and which it has
purchased from the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

        The restrictions contained in this Paragraph IX shall not preclude the
Employee from soliciting or accepting insurance from

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insureds exclusively within Employee's "Book of Business" if such business has
not been purchased by Company or from soliciting or accepting insurance from
others who are neither insureds of the Company or part of Employee's "Book of
Business" as of the date of termination or separation. The restrictions on the
Employee under this Paragraph IX shall continue for a period of three years from
the date of termination of employment or separation.

        In the event of a breach or threatened breach of the covenant not to
compete contained herein, the Company, or its successors and assigns shall be
entitled to a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief precluding the
breach or threatened breach of this covenant. Such remedy shall be in addition
to any remedy at law. In any action to enforce this covenant, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to such attorneys' fees as may be awarded by the Court.
In addition, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement for all
costs, expenses, and disbursements related to such action or proceeding.

        Upon termination of employment or separation, the Employee shall
immediately cease to use any Company car which he may have in his possession and
shall deliver such car at such time and place as is reasonably directed by the
Company.

        X.      BENEFIT

        This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
respective legal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns of the parties.

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        XI.     SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS

        The invalidity or unenforceability of any term, phrase, clause,
paragraph, restriction, covenant, agreement, or other provision hereof shall in
no way affect the validity or enforcement of any other provision, or any part
thereof.

        XII.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT

        This Agreement represents the entire understanding between the parties.
No prior or simultaneous understandings, whether written or oral, may be relied
upon to vary the terms hereof. This Agreement may only be modified by writing,
executed by both parties.

        XIII.   NOTICES

        Any notices or elections to be given hereunder must be in writing and
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addressee at the
following address: Robert L. Halton, 27 Royal Oak Drive, Clifton Park, New York
12065, and to Mega Group, Inc., 208 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York 12054.

                                            Mega Group, Inc.

                                            By:/s/ BURTON C. ANTHONY, JR.
                                               ------------------------------
                                               Burton C. Anthony, Jr.

                                               /s/ ROBERT L. HALTON
                                               ------------------------------
                                               Robert L. Halton

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STATE OF NEW YORK )
                  )        ss.:
COUNTY OF ALBANY  )

        On this 1st day of January, 1987, before me personally came Burton C.
Anthony, Jr., to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose
and say that he resides in Glenmont, New York, that he is the President of Mega
Group, Inc., the corporation described in, and which executed, the within
Instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to
said Instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the
Board of Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by
like order.

                                                      BETTY J. BORST
                                             Notary Public, State of New York
                                                        NO. 4678647
                                                 Qualified in Albany County
   /s/ BETTY J. BORST                        Commission Expires March 30, 1987
----------------------------
Notary Public

STATE OF NEW YORK )
                  )        ss.:
COUNTY OF ALBANY  )

        On the 1st day of January, 1987, before me personally came Robert L.
Halton, to me known, and known to me to be the same person described in and who
executed the foregoing agreement and acknowledged to me that he executed the
same.

   /s/ BETTY J. BORST                                 BETTY J. BORST
----------------------------                Notary Public, State of New York
Notary Public                                          NO. 4678647
                                                 Qualified in Albany County
                                            Commission Expires March 30, 1987

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                                             January 14, 1988

AMENDMENT A TO CONTRACT

I ROBERT L. HALTON hereby agree that the contract currently in force between
myself and Mega Group, Inc. relating to the sale of my book of business, is
hereby amended to read: At the point of my death, disability or separation from
employment for any reason from Mega Group, Inc., I must offer my book of
business for sale to Mega Group, Inc. and Mega Group, Inc. must purchase same
according to the provisions set forth in said contract.

FOR MEGA GROUP, INC.

/s/ BURTON C. ANTHONY, JR.                              /s/ ROBERT L. HALTON
--------------------------------------                  ------------------------
Burton C. Anthony, Jr.                                  Robert L. Halton
President

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The forty percent (40%) profit for Anthony-Halton-Progressive shall not be
reduced by the payment on Burton C. Anthony's sale of stock to Mega and/or
Robert L. Halton's debt payment as it relates to stock.

                                                          /s/ ROBERT L. HALTON<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.9

                       RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of March 1, 2000
notwithstanding the date of signing, by SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT CORPORATION OF
AMERICA, INC., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), and VERN S. MORRIS, an
individual and resident of Virginia ("Morris").

        For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES

        1.1     PURCHASE AND SALE. On the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall sell to Morris, and Morris shall
purchase from the Company, 2,000 shares of the Company's no par value common
stock (the "Shares").

        1.2     CONSIDERATION. For the Shares, Morris shall pay tangible or
intangible property or benefit to the Company having a value of $100,000,
payable $83,887.25 by services to be performed by December 31, 2000 and
$16,112.75 by a promissory note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
"Note"), as provided in this Agreement, in accordance with Oregon Revised
Statutes, Section 60.147.

        1.3     CERTIFICATE FOR SHARES. When this Agreement and the Note become
binding on the parties in accordance with their terms, the Shares shall be
validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. However, if the services are not
performed or the Note is not paid, the Shares may be canceled in whole or in
part. Until the services are performed and the Note is paid, any certificate for
the Shares may bear a legend restricting transfer or setting forth the
cancelability of the Shares, and the Company may take any other action provided
in Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 60.147(5).

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                   RESTRICTION

        2.1     RESTRICTION. When issued, all of the Shares shall be subject to
a restriction because they shall be subject to the right of the Company to
cancel them (the "Restriction"). Unless and until the Restriction lapses, Morris
shall not transfer, assign, encumber, or otherwise dispose of the Shares or any
interest in them. On demand of the Company, Morris shall surrender any
certificate for the Shares for legending, escrow, or other arrangements
designated by the Company to restrict the transfer of the Shares or for
cancellation of the Shares in whole or in part.

        2.2     LAPSE OF RESTRICTION. The right of the Company to cancel
1,677.745 of the Shares shall lapse only if Morris completes the performance of
the services described in Section 3.1 on or before 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard
Time, December 31, 2000. The right of the Company to cancel the remaining
322.255 Shares shall lapse only if Morris pays the Note, with interest at the
rate of six percent (6%) per annum on or before 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard
Time, December 31, 2001, when the Note is due.

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        2.3     ADDITIONAL OR SUBSTITUTED SECURITIES. Until the Restriction
lapses as to any Shares, any new or additional securities that are issued with
respect to such Shares, or for which they are substituted, converted, or
exchanged, whether or not issued by the Company, shall immediately be subject to
the Restriction and all other provisions of this Agreement. Ratable adjustments
to the number of Shares subject to cancellation, as provided in Section 2.2,
shall be made.

        2.4     CANCELLATION. Cancellation of any Shares by the Company
hereunder shall be by notice to Morris and shall be effective when given. As to
any Shares cancelled, neither Morris nor any transferee shall have any rights as
a shareholder of the Company. Morris releases the Company and all persons
associated with it from all claims or liabilities in connection with any
cancelled Shares.

        2.5     DISTRIBUTIONS. Until the Restriction lapses as to any Shares,
distributions in respect of such Shares may, in the option of the Company, be
credited against the purchase price.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                                    SERVICES

        3.1     SERVICES. The Company hereby engages Morris, and Morris accepts
the engagement, to provide services (the "Services") to the Company. The
Services shall consist of planning, coordinating, establishing, and managing an
investment education program, for the benefit of the Company, in conjunction
with one or more recognized churches. Morris shall be deemed to have completed
his performance of the Services at such time as a program with at least 500
members or having generated revenues of at least $100,000 to the Company has
been established.

        3.2    INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.  In performing the Services, Morris
shall  be an independent contractor and not an employee of the Company.
Morris's only compensation for the Services shall be 1,677.745 cancelable
Shares, as provided in Section 2.2.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                         OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

        4.1    MORRIS REPRESENTATIONS.  In connection with the issuance and
acquisition of Shares under this Agreement, Morris hereby represents and
warrants to the Company as follows:

               (a)      Morris is acquiring and will hold the Shares for
investment for his account only and not with a view to, or for resale in
connection with, any "distribution" thereof within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and applicable state securities laws.

               (b)      Morris understands that the Shares have not been
registered under the Securities Act and that the Shares must be held
indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act
or Morris obtains an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Company and its counsel, that such registration is not required. Morris
further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to
register the Shares.

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               (c)      Morris is aware of the adoption of Rule 144 by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act, which permits
limited public resales of securities acquired in a non-public offering, subject
only to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Morris acknowledges and
understands that the conditions for resale set forth in Rule 144 have not been
satisfied and that the Company has no plans to satisfy these conditions in the
foreseeable future.

               (d)      Morris will not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of
the Shares in violation of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, or the rules promulgated thereunder, including Rule 144.

               (e)      Morris is a director of the Company. He has been
furnished with, and has had access to, such information as he or she considers
necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to invest in the Shares, and
Morris has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the
Company regarding the terms and conditions of the issuance of the Shares.

               (f)      Morris is aware that his investment in the Company is a
speculative investment that has limited liquidity and is subject to the risk of
complete loss. Morris is able, without impairing his financial condition, to
hold the Shares for an indefinite period and to suffer a complete loss of his
investment in the Shares.

        4.2    SECURITIES LAW RESTRICTIONS. The Company in its discretion may
impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge, or other transfer of the Shares
(including the placement of appropriate legends on stock certificates or the
imposition of stop-transfer instructions) if, in the judgment of the Company,
such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order to achieve compliance with
this Agreement, the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state, or any
other law.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                             SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

        The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns and be binding upon
Morris and Morris's legal representatives, heirs, legatees, distributees,
assigns, and transferees by operation of law, whether or not any such person has
become a party to this Agreement or has agreed in writing to join herein and to
be bound by the terms, conditions, and restrictions hereof.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                               NO RETENTION RIGHTS

        Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Morris any right to continue
in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise
restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary
employing or retaining Morris) or of Morris, which rights are hereby expressly
reserved by each, to terminate his or her Service at any time and for any
reason, with or without cause.

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                                    ARTICLE 7
                                  TAX ELECTION

        The acquisition of the Shares may result in adverse tax consequences
that may be avoided or mitigated by filing an election under Section 83(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Morris acknowledges that it is
his sole responsibility, and not the Company's, to file a timely election under
Section 83(b), even if Morris requests the Company or its representatives to
make this filing on his behalf.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                                     LEGENDS

        In the discretion of the Company, all certificates for the Shares shall
bear substantially the following legends:

        THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED,
        ENCUMBERED, OR IN ANY MANNER DISPOSED OF, EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
        TERMS OF A WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND VERN S. MORRIS.
        SUCH AGREEMENT GRANTS TO THE COMPANY THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE SHARES
        UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY WILL, UPON
        WRITTEN REQUEST, FURNISH A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT TO THE HOLDER HEREOF
        WITHOUT CHARGE.

        THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
        SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR
        OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER
        SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS
        COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

If required by the authorities of any state in connection with the issuance of
the Shares, the legend or legends required by such state authorities shall also
be endorsed on all such certificates.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                     NOTICE

        Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit
with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with
postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its
principal executive office and to Morris at the address that he or she most
recently provided to the Company.

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                                   ARTICLE 10
                                ENTIRE AGREEMENT

        This Agreement constitutes the entire contract between the parties
hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. It supersedes any other
agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and
whether express or implied) relating to the subject matter hereof.

                                   ARTICLE 11
                                  CHOICE OF LAW

        This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of Oregon, without regard to its conflict of laws
provisions.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                    SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT
                                    CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC.

/s/ VERN S. MORRIS                  By:   /s/ JOHN H. BROWN
------------------                        -----------------
Vern S. Morris                            John H. Brown, President

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