|
2007/2008 COMPLETED PROJECTS
Leadership Training CSC SIFE members participated in a Leadership mini-retreat this summer, led by member Donna Lindsay. Ten current and former CSC SIFE members participated in group leadership skill-building activities to hone their leadership skills. They then enjoyed each other's company and built relationships with CSC SIFE alumni at a picnic in beautiful Lake Storey park. They were truly SIFEd up by the end of the day!
Dining Etiquette Seminar CSC SIFE continued the very popular Business and Dining Etiquette Seminar conducted by CSC instructor Vickie Culbertson and Coordinator of Employment Resources, Jan Hipple. Key points of the seminar covered dining etiquette, introduction skills, and other business etiquette information for group gatherings. Twenty attendees participated in this two-part seminar. They even got to enjoy an elegant meal to practice their new skills. We plan to offer this very successful CSC SIFE project in the spring semester!
2006/2007 COMPLETED PROJECTS
The Paper CSC SIFE members are contributing monthly business articles for the total market coverage newspaper, The Paper. The articles started in late August 2006 and will cover our five educational topics; Market Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Business Ethics. Watch for it on the cover page of the "B" section (online, look for the Business tab), and please visit The Paper at: http://www.the-paper.net to look for upcoming SIFE publications. To view previously published articles, please click on the following links: http://www.the-paper.net/articles/2006/09/13/news/04_news_sife.txt, http://www.the-paper.net/business/, or http://www.the-paper.net/articles/2006/12/21/business/01_business_carlsandburg.txt
KCCDD Client Computer Project CSC SIFE was able to arrange for outmoded campus computers to be delivered to the non-profit Knox County Council for Developmental Disabilities, KCCDD. A half-dozen computers were provided to KCCDD clients for their use. CSC SIFE has arranged a workshop where these clients can learn basic computer skills and basic letter writing skills on February 24, 2007. Clients from other social service organizations have been invited.
Children's School Tootsie Roll(C) Entrepreneurs
Troy Painter, an Education Major under CSC Instructor Dr. Ken Grodjesks supervision , volunteered his time to help CSC SIFE and the Psychology Club teach nine kids in Penny Flesner's after-school program a few things about Market Economics and Entrepreneurship. The youngsters thoroughly enjoyed themselves while producing, packaging, and selling their products. CSC SIFE had the lesson plan and Troy enjoyed practicing his trade. SIFE members partnered with the children to form manufacturer, wholesale, and retail companies. The kids were messy at the end of the day, but they learned details about the processes involved in marketing a product. Each "business student" received a "Future Entrepreneur" Certificate with the SIFE logo on it.
Dignity in the Workplace Dignity in the workplace and what can go wrong if it is taken away was the focus of speaker Chris Kanthak, attorney at law's discussion during a seminar sponsored by Carl Sandburg Colleges Students In Free Enterprise (CSC SIFE). The seminar, held on Monday, Nov. 27, from 1-2 p.m. at the CSC Crist Student Center discussed the ethical and possible legal implications of workplace behaviors that strip employees of their dignity such as general harassment, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Students, employers and employees together learned the surprising statistics involved in harrassment in the workplace, the differing types of harrasment, and the legal procedures to follow if it occurs.
Dining Etiquette Seminar CSC SIFE member Donna Lindsey took the lead in establishing CSC's first business ethics and dining seminar conducting by CSC instructor Vickie Culbertson and Jan Hipple, coordinator of employment resources. Key points of the seminar covered dining etiquette, introduction skills, and other business savvy information for group gatherings. The seminar was held Thursday, October 19th, 2006 and looks to be a successful reoccurring CSC SIFE project.
Big Ideas for Small Business Carl Sandburg College Students in Free Enterprise sponsored a seminar titled "Big Ideas for Small Business." The seminar, was held on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Educational Technology Center, 335 E. Main Street in Galesburg, Ill. The seminar featured Dan Voorhis and Carol Stombaugh from the Small Business Development Center of Western Illinois University; Nick Benedict from the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association; Catarino Garza from the Western Illinois Entrepreneurship Center of Galesburg; and Dr. Connie Thurman from the Center for Manufacturing Excellence at Carl Sandburg College. Topics presented included, business incubators, customized classes, economic development, and business plan development.
Credit Cards 4 Amateurs Tempted by credit card offers? It can be an advantage for credit card amateurs to be informed about their usage before they get over their head in debt. To educate on proper credit card usage, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) at Carl Sandburg College sponsored a Credit Cards for Amateurs seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Carl Sandburg College Crist Student Center. During the seminar, Rob Mehan, investment advisor with the Ill. Dept. of Securities discussed terms such as: annual fees, variable and fixed interest rates, cash advances, courtesy checks, zero or low interest teaser rates, plus late and over the limit fees the terms and language of credit card contracts.
Mortgage Savvy Seminar Working with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Representatives Karen Cabrera, Branch Manager; Pat Henrickson, Home Mortgage Consultant; and Christine Denisar, Sales Manager; CSC SIFE sponsored a financial literacy outreach project to educate attendees on mortgage terms and language, types of mortgages, the application process, interest rates, credit scores, and down payments at the Educational Technology Center, Galesburg, IL on Thursday, Oct. 4. Look for an up-coming article in The Paper to provide further details on what was discussed during the seminar.
Day of Music Continuing in our endeavors to help support the American Red Cross, SIFE contributed to a fundraiser held on September 24, 2006. The day involved food, fun, and music from nine local bands. In the spirit of last years Katrina benefit we continued in our campaign to help support the Galesburg chapter of the American Red Cross by aiding in the Day of Music. The ethics game of SIFE Smarts consisted of SIFE members asking students ethical questions. The games goal was to educate students by using ethical scenarios they could make responses to win a 50/50 raffle ticket and all participants were awarded candy. In an exit interview, one participant said, "SIFE Smarts was fun and I learned that it is unethical to lie on a job application for any reason. Money was donated to the American Red Cross, and SIFE awareness was increased.
Hispanic Latino Resource Group Marketing Strategy Project
CSC SIFE members used their education to conduct a SWOT analysis of the group's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to help further the groups success and economic skills. Meeting with HLRG representatives, CSC SIFE researched the group's past activities to help them identify and improve methods of promotion that can be used to create community awareness, involvement, funding resources, and educational opportunities. CSC SIFE emphasized the SWOT analysis during their presentation and showed the group how it could improve and reach their goals.
HISTORICAL PROJECTS
Q's Cafe is a new and extraordinary sandwich shop opened by Walt and Annette Q. McAllister in downtown Galesburg. Walt begins each day by preparing fresh pastries and the ingredients for their sandwich specialties and the other ever-changing lunch specials.
The McAllister's consulted with CSC SIFE to develop and distribute promotional materials designed to introduce their unique services to the Galesburg area.
http://qscafe.tripod.com
The Lovely Bag Ladies are women in Cuzco, Peru, who in cooperation with entrepreneurs have started a unique company that produces a line of colorful, handmade bags. The Peruvian women's co-op has been started to give these talented artisans an opportunity to help support their families by selling these beautiful bags. This project drastically improves the quality of life for these women who truly live in poverty.
CSC SIFE has launched a successful marketing campaign for these handmade bags. Starting at the Knox County Scenic Drive, Q's Cafe, the CSC bookstore, the campaign is now branching out to 100 other College Bookstores of America stores throughout the country.
Hurricane Relief Benefit was held on October 1, 2005 to aid the victims of hurricane that deluged the southern Gulf Area. CSC SIFE organized a relief benefit in conjunction with other CSC clubs and Diane Kroll, Student Life Coordinator. Called a Day of Music to Benefit the Hurricane Victims featured 11 bands, 2 sound stages, silent auction, food, 50/50 raffle, games and activities for all. Featured speakers included representatives from The American Red Cross, The United Way, Galesburg Mayor Gary Smith, and State Representative Don Moffit.
SIFE organized a trivia game to educate individuals in the principals of free enterprise. In addition the combined efforts of the CSC campus raised $1500 in proceeds donated to American Red Cross and United Way.
Credit Rebuilding Seminar held on November 19, 2005 at the Educational Technology Center in Galesburg, CSC SIFE invited participants to " Take Charge of Christmas Before It Takes Charge of You". The seminar which educated individuals on the pros and cons of Christmas credit featured speaker Bob Juraco, VP/Store Manager of Wells Fargo Bank in Galesburg.
By attending the credit seminar individuals learned the features of a credit report, maintaining good credit, learned about different credit options available, and how to organize personal finances.
The Workforce Project was a SIFE project developed with the aid of the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Agency, and Galesburg Works. CSC SIFE, worked with these two agencies to develop and mail a survey to 1600 displaced workers. Carl Sandburg College also provided information on the educational goals of these workers. The information gathered has been used to promote the previous and newly acquired skills to prospective businesses looking to locate to the Galesburg area. A major opportunity in the warehousing and logistics field which is in high demand had been identified as a result of the survey.ttp://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?s=4570732
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?s=732
View the Register Mail WQAD Story
The Job Skills Workshop was an outreach project where CSC SIFE prepared individuals from the Galesburg Rescue Mission, The CSC Adult Literacy Coalition, and Safe Harbor for job searches. A resume building class conducted by Jan Hipple, employment coordinator for CSC, was followed by interview skills instruction from Travis Wilhite, store manager of the Galesburg Wal-Mart and CSC SIFE Business Advisory Board member. The instruction prepared workshop participants for the annual Job Fair held at Carl Sandburg College where many were seen handing out resumes. This successful workshop will become a continuing SIFE event.
Honesty Skits were performed at Silas Willard Elementary where fourth grade students were taught how being honest is important to their personal and professional success. The honesty skits, written by SIFE, challenged each child to respond to a situation such as lying to a boss or overcharging a customer, allowing them to choose what outcome they thought best. Being asked to return, CSC SIFE will continue to make a difference at Silas Willard Elementary.
Alternative Energy Seminar was an event held at Carl Sandburg College to educate seminar attendees on how we can economically impact our community by harnessing the winds' energy with wind turbine engines and the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel. The Abingdon Wind Project was created and discussed by both Abingdon high school students and school physics instructor, Phil Willis. The goal of the project is to fund area schools directly, and indirectly by harnessing the winds' energy. Jim Purlee and Gene Lundquist, both local farmers and board members of Big River Resources, an ethanol plant in Burlington, Iowa, educated seminar participants on ethanol's employment opportunities, fuel production estimates, and potential producers income. |
