I have been the faculty advisor for SIFE SFU for 7 years now. The organization is about students in free enterprise and entrepreneurship; however, they have many facets to the organization. http://sifesimonfraser.com/. They work on community development projects to remove hunger, help the environment and use entrepreneurial spirit. As you can see, a pretty amazing group of students dedicated to improve the lives of others. Every year, the nationals take place and 40-50 post secondary schools attend a competition to showcase all that they have done and the social good they have done in an entrepreneurial way.
Seven years ago, I became the faculty advisor for the team and wound up in Toronto. We had gone from a strong club to one of non-existence and only 6 members. I was in the lobby of the hotel at 3am the night before the presentation and helping pull it together. I applaud Pei and Spencer because they had very little to work with but were true champions and still gave the best they could. From that moment on, it was decided that we could be much better and I saw BCIT there and they were in the top 5…we can be like BCIT in the future (and we have a wonderful friendship and relationship with them). With the help of Pei, we started to build and over the years, we have become an amazing and strong SIFE chapter in Canada.
Let me tell you about this last week with 32 of my students who ventured to Calgary. We have not been able to crack top 5 finish in Canada with our national presentation team and our five presenters, Manisha, Mark, Ryan, Xinyan, and Becky worked very hard. Four out of the five were 1st and 2nd year students. We spent five months building, practicing and questioning them. We also had our Financial Literacy team of Lynn and Kim, and coached by Joseph who advanced from the regional competition. Both our teams did amazing presentations and gave it all.
Unfortunately, our national team did not make it to the top 5 but I have to say that we were very close…the closes I have ever seen! Had we been in another division, we might have been up there for the finals. All I want to say is that I am very proud of our team and everything they did. Kyle Krystalowich and I spent many hours with the team and we were both totally impressed. I know our team was disappointed but three judges sought us out to tell us how impressed they were and there was no shame. Moments like this, I am proud to say that I am part of SIFE and an amazing group of students.
There were a total of 32 students who went to the SIFE Nationals on behalf of SFU. Everyone was a true champion and represented us well…we were like family. After our team presented, I have to admit that I was misty eyed as I had seen a team grow in confidence and I was so proud of them. This will be something I will remember for a long time. SIFE SFU has a term – “We Dare to Do”…and I can say with confidence that they did! Now onwards to Nationals 2013 and a top 5 finish. I will not rest till we achieve this.
PS – The admiration and appreciation I have for our team was amplified. I am a very difficult person to gift. I don’t think people know what will impact me positively. Well, SIFE SFU did. They presented me with a lovely note book with the words I live by engraved: “Everyone’s life is an autobiography…make yours worth reading!” Here is also what they wrote on the first page: ‘You have been a big part of shaping each of our autobiographies and here is a peek into yours” WOW…this blew me away. Very thoughtful and meaningful. Thank you SIFE you mean the world to me and thanks for a lovely few days!