Okanagan College students to pitch in social change competition
Okanagan College Media Release
Okanagan College business students will take to the stage this week to put their social initiatives to the test in the Okanagan’s most popular social and environmental change pitch competition.
The College’s Enactus team are finalists in Okanagan Changemakers’ ChangeUP contest held on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Community Theatre. The bi-annual competition, now in its third year, sees six finalists present their ideas for tackling some of the community’s most difficult social and environmental challenges for prize money and mentorship. Enactus OC is vying for the top pitch against Volinspire, Start Fresh, Hope for the Nations, Junior Achievement and Change Gamers.
The competition takes place before a live audience which votes on who they think should win. The public is invited to purchase tickets and take part.
Zabrina Semchuk and Cooper Simson, two Enactus OC students, will stand up and pitch on behalf of their team on the Silver Surfers project.
“The stakes are high in this competition,” says Semchuk, Silver Surfers Project Leader and OC business student. “Last ChangeUP event, the Enactus team came in third and won $1,000 towards their initiative and we hope to place again this year.”
Currently in its third year of operation, the Silver Surfers program pairs OC students with seniors living in local retirement facilities. It provides one-on-one training on cyber security and the use of technology and various electronic devices. The program’s goal is to help seniors connect with loved ones and address the social isolation and mental health issues often felt by seniors.
“Competitions like these are a great way for organizations, businesses, potential investors, social entrepreneurs and community members to hear about the amazing social initiatives that are running in our community,” says Devin Rubadeau, Okanagan School of Business professor and Enactus Advisor. “This event is an opportunity for those businesses or investors looking for alignment to possibly find a social initiative that fits their business profile.”
In addition to the pitch portion of the evening, keynote speaker Murad Al-Katib, the Ernst & Young Global Entrepreneur of the Year, Oslo Business for Peace award winner and founder of AGT Foods and Ingredients in Saskatchewan, will share his story about his work with Syrian refugees.
The competition is being held from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets are available at okanaganchangemakers.com.
For more information on Silver Surfers, visit silversurfersoc.com.
Okanagan College business students will take to the stage this week to put their social initiatives to the test in the Okanagan’s most popular social and environmental change pitch competition.
The College’s Enactus team are finalists in Okanagan Changemakers’ ChangeUP contest held on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Community Theatre. The bi-annual competition, now in its third year, sees six finalists present their ideas for tackling some of the community’s most difficult social and environmental challenges for prize money and mentorship. Enactus OC is vying for the top pitch against Volinspire, Start Fresh, Hope for the Nations, Junior Achievement and Change Gamers.
The competition takes place before a live audience which votes on who they think should win. The public is invited to purchase tickets and take part.
Zabrina Semchuk and Cooper Simson, two Enactus OC students, will stand up and pitch on behalf of their team on the Silver Surfers project.
“The stakes are high in this competition,” says Semchuk, Silver Surfers Project Leader and OC business student. “Last ChangeUP event, the Enactus team came in third and won $1,000 towards their initiative and we hope to place again this year.”
Currently in its third year of operation, the Silver Surfers program pairs OC students with seniors living in local retirement facilities. It provides one-on-one training on cyber security and the use of technology and various electronic devices. The program’s goal is to help seniors connect with loved ones and address the social isolation and mental health issues often felt by seniors.
“Competitions like these are a great way for organizations, businesses, potential investors, social entrepreneurs and community members to hear about the amazing social initiatives that are running in our community,” says Devin Rubadeau, Okanagan School of Business professor and Enactus Advisor. “This event is an opportunity for those businesses or investors looking for alignment to possibly find a social initiative that fits their business profile.”
In addition to the pitch portion of the evening, keynote speaker Murad Al-Katib, the Ernst & Young Global Entrepreneur of the Year, Oslo Business for Peace award winner and founder of AGT Foods and Ingredients in Saskatchewan, will share his story about his work with Syrian refugees.
The competition is being held from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets are available at okanaganchangemakers.com.
For more information on Silver Surfers, visit silversurfersoc.com.
