Fall Semester 2008
Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (SCNO) welcomed members to a new semester with our semi-annual Kick-Off Meeting. New and returning members came together to start on Fall Semester’s nine non-profit engagements. Engagement topics vary from Internet marketing strategies to organizational strategy.
In efforts to enhance engagement quality, SCNO hosted our first ever case study workshop. With the help of IBM and volunteers, we were able to put a hands-on approach to member training. Throughout the year, we plan to bring professionals and members together to learn core engagement competencies. Later this year, Laura Dennison former SCNO President, will host a leadership seminar on behalf of Caterpillar. Another assembly, focusing on implementation, will be hosted by Deloitte Consulting. Other plans include bringing back alumni to discuss the role SCNO has played in their own career development.
Message from the President...
 Beginning a new school year means embarking on a new chapter in the development of SCNO. Our efforts to gain notoriety among the non-profit community have proven successful, confirmed by a record number of client applicants. Applications were considered from local, regional and national non-profit organizations. With such an array of potential projects, we were able to select clients that align best with SCNO’s mission and vision. Looking forward, SCNO will continue to draw attention from the non-profit community by delivering progressively valuable solutions from skillful members.
Case Study Workshop
One of the ways we are continually improving SCNO is through focused, hands-on membership training. The initiative this year is to teach students the realities of consulting through case workshops. On September 21st, IBM co-hosted our first semiannual case workshop. The workshop brought together IBM volunteers Andrew Kay, Kristi Peters and Bruce Thelen, and as well as SCNO alumni; Joel Clum, Laura Dennison, Adam Hinman, and Michael Vichich.
Volunteers acted as pseudo non-profits in a mock interview setting. Each volunteer was given a client name and engagement scope. Our student teams worked together to structure client questions and a solution by incorporating the SCNO Methodology. Volunteers were allowed to elaborate and suggest different techniques for handling various scopes. Such trials enabled students to gain insight into the strategies utilized by professionals. With such a successful workshop and great feedback, we look forward continually to refining our case workshop for spring 2009.
Student Feedback from the Workshop
"The workshop was a good taste sample of what is to come for working on the actual client project, and it was nice to work with our own group members for the actual project because it somewhat forecasts what skills, interests, and frame of mindsets the teammates have. It was also beneficial to talk with some professionals in the real working world."
"I believe the workshop was a great demonstration of consulting methodology. Being a first-time member this is very beneficial to me. Also bringing in professional in the consulting field provided a great view point to receive feedback from."
"Our volunteer was very knowledgeable about the consulting perspective. Volunteers were able to provide valuable guidance that can be used to pursue projects."
Non-Profit Engagements
Capital Area United Way
Team Lead: Jeffrey Smith; Members: Anthony Norlin, Courtney McRill, Erin Lenz, Wenzheng Chong
Objective: Develop a new marketing plan that communicates the importance of the United Way to potential donors.
Communities in Schools of Detroit
Team Lead: Geir Lefaive; Members: Christopher Browett, Michael Warren, Michael Bendert, Patrick Beal, Shuang Wu
Objective: Create a comprehensive marketing plan specifically analyzing the relationships between CISD and its vendors, partner schools and program participants.
Community District Library
Team Lead: Brandon Laventure; Members: Amanda DeCook, Bardeleon Jaddou, Chad Wu, Lauren Weingartz, Robert Lipovsky
Objective: Align supply of products and services with patron demand.
Heart for Senior Citizens
Team Lead: Christopher Greenup; Members: Bryce Heller, Daryl Lederle, Jibrell Jama, Joseph Opiela, Michele Hillman
Objectives: Develop marketing strategy to educate target market on program offerings.
Interfaith and Hope Coalition
Team Lead: Zach Bessega; Members: Courtney Rizzo, Janos Grantner, Kelley Karl, Kristal Chellis
Objectives: Create a business plan, secure funding and increase web presence.
Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MADHH)
Team Lead: Chaz Bauer; Members: Elizabeth Griffin, Johnston Robare, Siravut Tummavaranukub, Spencer Tillman
Objective: Create a multipurpose database to track donor support, interpreters and event data. Also, create a marketing strategy for internal and external clients.
United Cerebral Palsy
Team Lead: Drew Stanecki; Members: Brett Briggs, David Gambel, Michael Cortese, Olivia Kovacs
Objective: Make UCP the primary information resource for parent’s with children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Through Increasing overall web presence and partnering with key organizations, creating interactive blogging and a unifying template for marketing materials.
YMCA
Team Lead: Carly Schneider; Members: David Kryshak, Kyle Hurtt, Michael Schmid, Zachary Katz
Objectives: Create a marketing plan for the YMCA's annual holiday concert to attract new audiences. Evaluate financial data, event details and create sponsorship proposals to attract new sponsors.
Todd Martin Development Fund
Team Lead: Michael Thelen; Members: Abel Teshome, Calvin McDaniel, Chad Payne, Dave Smendzuik
Objectives: Donor Strategy; analysis of volunteer use vs. new hire; technology solutions.
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