Community Based Projects
As the engaged university, SFU students and faculty members are constantly seeking opportunities to connect and to work with local communities. Do you have an idea for a project that can make a positive impact to your organization? Or would you like to see team dynamics improved at your organization?
No cost is associated for participating in these opportunities. The purpose of this proposal is to get a general sense of what your organization is interested in, and to help assess the potential fit with the course.
See below for more details about sending your proposal.
Business 486: Leadership
**This course is NOT open for proposals at this time. Please check back again next semester.
Background: Course and Project
In addition to learning about leadership theory, students in this course work on a business-related project (policy, HR, events, branding, marketing, etc.) to gain experience related to their personal leadership abilities, as well as team work and group processes. By working with a community organization on a project (and through related activities in the classroom), students learn about academic subject matter as well as gain an enhanced sense of civic and social responsibility.
Ideal Project
Previous project proposals have included (but are not limited to) business strategies, volunteer recruitment campaigns, event planning and promotion, donor outreach, logistics planning, or marketing campaigns.
Time Commitment: Students work 2-3 hours per week on a selected project
- Has a finite end and concrete outcome (the tasks should be completed by the end of March 2017)
- Must have a contact person from the organization available to students throughout the project development phases
- Avoids clerical tasks such as data entry or simply report writing; the tasks should enable students to practice leadership in some way
- Can be completed offsite (i.e. students will work with a project supervisor from the host organization, but do not have to work at the organization's office)
- Can be completed by a group of students (4 to 6)
- Will be supervised by a staff member who will be available to answer questions the students may have, and meet with the students periodically throughout the semester for project updates
Business 488: Group Dynamics and Teamwork
**This course is NOW open for proposals for the Spring 2021 semester.
Background: Course and Project
This course is looking for projects with non-profit, community agencies interested in enhancing their team work. Students will work with you to identify the strengths of your team and how they might be leveraged. In consultation with you, the students may offer to provide a ½ day of training on any type of group or team leadership skills. They may choose to facilitate a brainstorming session, lead a discussion regarding decision-making, creativity, goal-setting, or any other topic that suits the needs of your organization.
Ideal Project
Suitable projects would be ones that would allow five students to work approximately three hours each per week for about 10 weeks. The client organization must have:
- An intact work team and consistent contact person willing to liaise with the students
- A willingness to embrace a strengths-based approach to working with teams
- An ability to allow team members to participate in one-to-one and group interviews with the students
- A willingness to engage in a plan mutually agreed upon