Public Engagement in the Business School
John Fossum, Associate Dean in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, drew my attention to the Graduate Volunteer Consultants (GVC), a group of students in Carlson School graduate programs who do pro bono work for non-profit and public sector organizations in the Twin Cities. The organizations get good advice and structure on business processes and the students gain consulting and problem-solving experience. GVC recruits and renews itself annually and has been in
operation for about three years.
I am indebted to Robert E. Smith, a graduating MA student in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, and former Managing Partner of GVC, for some further information about the program:
Our Goals
Our first goal is to help non-profit organizations through providing professional-level consulting services free of charge. GVC consultants are committed to adding value to clients through professional assistance with different projects, bringing in fresh ideas and perspectives, drawing on the broad experience, and committing time and energy.
Our second goal is to tie learning to doing in a unique format. For students, the GVC experience offers the opportunity to contribute to the Twin Cities community, and to apply business skills and concepts in a "real world" setting.
The GVC Experience
GVC gives Carlson School of Mgmt (CSOM) MBA and MA-HRIR students a chance to help the non-profit community by providing local non-profits with…
• New Ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm
• Business expertise to assist the non-profit sector
• A better understanding of how non-profits affect the community
• A change to continue developing teamwork and leadership skills
Projects are centered around one of the areas listed below and are typically cross-functional teams with members possessing experience in one or two of these areas:
* Accounting & Finance
* Human Resources
* Marketing
* Operations & Strategic Planning/Management
In spring 2006, 36 students actively participated in projects with the following non-profits:
* Goodwill
* Epilepsy Foundation
* Camp Courage
* Minnesota Campus Compact
* Northstar Museum of Boy Scouts
* Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
* Immigrant Law Center
* MN Charter School
* CommonBond Communities
Here are a few examples of the work that was done, all of it requiring advanced skills to achieve down-to-earth and useful outcomes.
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
About the Project
For this cross-functional project, Accounting/Finance and HR team members assessed budget, expense, and revenue records information to update organizational financial practices. To accomplish this, the GVC team reviewed current salary schedules, benefits policies and interviewed employees to ensure sustainable compensation and financial solutions.
Project Outcomes
Updated accounting/finance functions. Revised compensation (salary and benefits) processes. Made recommendations regarding employee benefits packages consistent with budgetary levels and regional standards for Non-profit organizations.
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Project Goal
Create a revised analysis of cost data and strategy recommendations about how they can save money while co-developing low income homes.
About the Project
The Wilder Foundation partners with CDC (Community Development Councils) and contractors to build low-income houses. Industry-wide there is no standardized way to characterize the bid process. The GVC team assisted Wilder in analyzing the entire bid process and provided recommendations on how to improve it at the industry level.
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
Project Goal
Create performance benchmarks for their used clothing operation.
About the Project
Worked with employees to perform value stream mapping and time studies of transportation routes. The GVC team helped determine the most efficient way to run the clothing operation and provided recommendations to enhance business performance of the used clothing operation.