Business students at Thompson Rivers University are gearing up to offer their expertise to local non-profits in the new school year.

The students, now in their final year of studies at tthe unversity’s School of Business, have their management tools ready resource management and finance.

“The feedback from former clients has been very positive with most implementing most or all of the students’ recommendations,” explained the student’s instructor, Richard Roy, who describes the activity as a win-win situation”. The clients get advice and support on the best and latest practices in hiring, training, retaining employees/volunteers and the students get hands on experience.”

The class is looking for non-profit organizations including those in health care and education that want helpProjects would start in September and again in January and wind up in April.

“The process we follow is an initial meeting with the client to identify their needs; the students then research the literature and look at comparable employers for “best” practices, they compare these practices to their clients’ and make recommendations for improvement,” explained Roy.

The project, now in its fourth year, has had very good response. Students have worked on over 45 projects including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, SPCA, Circle Day Care Secwepemc Cultural Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Child Development Centre.

“This was an excellent experience for us,” said Marg McKay from The Kamloops Society for Community Living”. As a small non-profit organization we don’t have the resources to undertake this kind of initiativeThe students provided both recommendations and a plan for implementing a new hiring process.”

Debra Frolek, Executive Director of the Child Development Centre was similarly enthusiastic about the students work. “I was most impressed with scope and depth of the projectThe document they produced is first class.”

Her remarks were echoed by Marcia Wilson, Executive Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, who was most enthused”. This was an excellent experience for usAs a small non-profit organization we don’t have the resources to undertake this kind of initiative. I was totally impressed with the final outcome. What a treat to look through the document and find everything I need,” she added.

George Kaliszewski, Executive Director of the Secwepemc Cultural Society said the students’ work was impressive and as good as any consultant.

Employers interested in participating in this project may contact Richard Roy at 250-371-5803 or email: rroy@tru.ca

Contact: Richard Roy, Assistant Professor, School of Business at 250-371-5803
or email: rroy@tru.ca