Recruiting Toolkit

Recruiting Toolkit

Introduction to Recruiting................................................................................................... 1

Recruiting Strategies........................................................................................................... 1

Key Ideas ............................................................................................................................ 2

What is SIFE? .................................................................................................................. 2-3

What is SIFE? Outline ........................................................................................................ 3

What is SIFE? PowerPoint Presentation.......................................................................... 4-6

Resources to Utilize During Your Presentation to Recruit Students .................................. 7

Project Specific Presentation to Recruit Students............................................................... 8

Project Specific PowerPoint Presentation...................................................................... 9-10

Mailbox Invitation to Join SIFE .................................................................................. 11-12

Personal Invitation to Join SIFE ....................................................................................... 13

Team Organization Strategies……………………………………………………………14

Examples for Engaging All Majors .................................................................................. 15

Sample Meeting Agenda Template................................................................................... 16

Sample Project Outline ................................................................................................ 17-18

Example Project Topics for Individual Criteria................................................................ 19

Example Team Constitution ........................................................................................ 20-21

Example SIFE Team Sign-Up Sheet…………………………………………………….22

Sample Team Roster…………………………………………………………....………..23

 Recruiting Toolkit

Colleges and universities are dynamic environments. Every year new students arrive and
seniors depart. This constant turnover means recruiting new members is a never-ending
task that requires regular attention. However, a common misconception is the belief that
a very large membership is required to operate a successful SIFE Team. While we would
certainly encourage you to involve as many students as possible on your team, keep in
mind, SIFE team membership numbers tend to grow gradually over time. To help you
with your recruiting needs we have included a number of strategies for you to consider.
You can also refer to page 38 of the 2005-06 SIFE Information Handbook and Training
Manual for more details.

Recruiting Strategies:

ƒ Set up a booth at your college/university’s organizational/recruitment fair at the

beginning of the school year or term. Use marketing/recruiting materials and
templates provided by SIFE to specialize handouts, flyers, or other advertisements
for your team.

ƒ Ask professors to make an announcement in their classes about SIFE. They may
not know what SIFE is, so please be sure to offer them the “What is SIFE?”
excerpt included in this toolkit as reference. Make sure to leave a sign-up sheet
with each professor for interested students. A sample is included in this toolkit.

ƒ Offer to make a short presentation at the beginning of their classes. Use the
shortened version of “What Is SIFE?” included in this toolkit as reference.

ƒ Create personal invitations to join SIFE and have current team members distribute
them to their friends or other student leaders. A sample is included in this toolkit.

ƒ Hold an orientation meeting and “pizza social” at the beginning of each semester.
Use marketing/recruiting materials and templates provided by SIFE to advertise
these events.

ƒ Identify other student organizations at your university that would make good
partners for a particular project and invite them to conduct a joint project with
your team. For example, if your team is implementing financial literacy projects,
approach the Finance Club as a potential partner.

ƒ Inquire with your team’s faculty advisor about the possibility of offering class
credit for participation in SIFE.

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Key Ideas:

ƒ Utilize marketing/recruiting materials and templates available online through this

link: http://www.sife.org/global/global_team_resources.asp?ID=AU

ƒ Recruit a diverse group of members – from all departments, majors, and

classifications. Ideas for how different majors can be involved are included in
this packet.

ƒ Use a variety of recruiting techniques.

ƒ Remember that recruiting is an on-going process! Get started on projects ASAP

and recruit new members as you progress throughout the year.

“What is SIFE?”
The following text can be forwarded to any faculty or students making in-class
presentations to recruit students:

“Active on more than 1,200 colleges and universities in over 40 countries, SIFE teams
are creating economic opportunity for millions of people around the world.

The concept is simple–working as teams, SIFE students design educational outreach

projects that help individuals in their communities develop a better understanding of the
principles of free enterprise and how to use this information to empower themselves and
achieve their dreams. As a SIFE student, you'll be a participant in one of the largest
global student organizations. You'll play an active role in shaping the history of your
generation and know that you have actually helped to change the world. A very unique
thing about SIFE is that YOU and your peers get to take complete ownership of your
team. You get to decide what projects to conduct, who to work with, how to coordinate
projects, and how much time to invest on projects. There are no dues associated with
participation in SIFE. In fact, the only investment you would be making would be an
investment of your time.

By participating in SIFE, you are automatically regarded as the “cream of the crop” in
your community and among business leaders. Companies understand the integral role
participation in SIFE has played in your development and they recruit heavily at SIFE
events. From recruiting booths to job interviews to job offers, SIFE competitions are the
link between the job market and college students. In addition to job opportunities, there
are numerous occasions in which internships, scholarships, and awards of recognition are
available to be awarded to students. Please make every effort to attend the next (name of
university) SIFE Team meeting to be held (details on date, time and location provided
here). If you have any questions, you may contact the faculty advisor of the team,
(contact information provided), or the President of the team; (contact information
provided). We’re looking forward to seeing you there!”

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In addition, we have included a shortened version of What is SIFE? for you to use in
classes where you might only have a few minutes to explain SIFE.

What is SIFE? Outline

• SIFE is a non-profit organization financially supported by over 500 corporations,

entrepreneurs, individuals and foundations
o Give examples
• SIFE is active on over 1,200 colleges and universities in over 40 countries.
• SIFE teams are led by a faculty advisor and membership is open to all students.
• SIFE does not charge any dues to the students, faculty or university – it is free to be a part
of SIFE.
• SIFE teams have complete discretion to decide how many members they want to have,
how they are going to organize themselves and when they are going to meet.
• What SIFE teams do is simple: they take what they are learning in the classroom and use
that knowledge to create and implement educational outreach projects in their community
to educate others on five main concepts
o Market Economics
o Success Skills
o Entrepreneurship
o Financial Literacy
o Business Ethics
• Other than asking teams to focus their projects on these five concepts, teams have the
choice of determining how many projects they do, what types of projects they do and
who they educate.
• All that is asked is that teams keep in mind that they are trying to help others create a
better quality of life and standard of living for themselves.
• At the end of the academic year we have competitions starting at the national level.
• Here teams give a 24 minute audio visual presentation to a panel of judges that come
from our donor companies.
• National Champions are named.
• The National Champion team receives the honors of attending and competing at the SIFE
World Cup against the other National Champion SIFE teams from around the world.
• World Cup has been held in London, Amsterdam, Germany, Barcelona and Toronto.
o 2006 World Cup is in Paris, France
• To sum this all up: SIFE is college students taking what they are learning in the
classroom, educating others and then competing to see who is the best.

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ABC University

SIFE
Why are you in college?

What is your motivation?

Are you a leader?

What if getting that

“great job”

wasn’t so hard?
 SIFE Background
„ SIFEis active on over 1,200 campuses in
over 40 different countries around the
world.
„ Itis the SINGLE largest and fastest
growing student organization in the world!
„ Takingthe skills learned in the classroom
and applying them to real world problems
What if you really could change
the world?

„ SIFE students make a difference and

develop leadership, teamwork, and
communication skills through learning
practicing and teaching others the
principles of free enterprise.

„ Asa SIFE student, you will play an active

role in shaping the history of your
generation!
 What if your college education
wasn’t limited to the classroom?

„ The best way to prepare for the real world

is by facing real world challenges today.
You’ll tackle problems and learn from
experiences that you simply cannot find in
a textbook.

„ Yourteam will face challenges such as

recruiting new members and developing
educational programs.
 Through this intense,
hands-on learning experience,
you’ll develop
teamwork,
leadership, and
communication skills
far beyond those of
most college students.
What if finding that “great job”
wasn’t so hard?

„ The best companies in the world recognize

the value of this experience and compete
very aggressively for the chance to meet
and recruit SIFE students, who they
believe are among the most talented
college prospects.
ADD SIFE DONOR
COMPANY LOGOS
FROM
WWW.SIFE.ORG
 It is often said that building a
successful career has a lot to do
with “who you know”.
Here’s your opportunity to
network with and get to know
the leaders of some of the best
companies in the world!
 What if you could be the very
best in the world?
„ As a team, you will have the opportunity
to represent your school in competition
against teams from other colleges and
universities.
„ If your team is named the SIFE National
Champion, you will have the once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity to compete at the
SIFE World Cup (in places like London,
Amsterdam and Spain) for the title of
World Champion
 What if . . .
„I don’t study business or economics?

„I don’t want to teach? What can I do?

„I don’t think I will have the time to be

involved in this?
Creating Economic Opportunity
Video
 For more information:
„ Please email me at:

someone@mysifeteam.com
Or

Come to the September 18th meeting in

Room # 123 at 7:00 p.m.
Resources to Utilize During Presentation to Recruit Students:

ƒ SIFE Student Promotional Flyer – with logos of nearly 240 sponsor companies
listed on the back.
ƒ Time permitting, you may show the SIFE Opportunities Video – A VCR or
computer would be needed in the class.
ƒ SIFE website: www.sife.org
ƒ If your team has veteran members, have them speak about their own personal
experiences with SIFE.
ƒ PowerPoint Presentation of an upcoming project. A template is available.

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 College/University Name

Project Specific Presentation to Recruit Students:

Below is a summary of what SIFE is. You can give this specific presentation to faculty
members to hand to students in their classes. In addition, a sign up sheet has been added
for any interested students so you can contact and encourage them to join SIFE.
SIFE is a great student organization at [insert college/university name]. Everyone is welcome to
join and membership is free. We meet once a week/ month and work on different projects
throughout the year. The projects are designed to teach the basic principles of:
• Market Economics
• Success Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Literacy
• Business Ethics

We have a Financial Literacy Forum tomorrow night. This project is a great opportunity for you
to lend your expertise to this program and our team. Here is a PowerPoint presentation of what
we are doing.
Once again, the Financial Literacy Forum is:
• Current Project X description
• Audience
• Time frame
• Activities to be done
• Their role or what you need help with
• What they will get out of it
After completing projects like this, SIFE teams are invited to compete in the SIFE competitions in
the spring. Teams present to a group of judges the educational projects they implemented
throughout the year. During competition many SIFE donor companies attend in hopes to recruit
and hire SIFE students. They may set up booths to provide information about job opportunities
and give away free products! If you are interested in joining the team and helping with Project X
please come tonight at <enter time of event>.

Name Email Field of Study

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ABC University

SIFE
 Our Current Project:

Financial Literacy Forum

 Financial Literacy Forum
„ Project Description
 Financial Literacy Forum
„ Audience
 Financial Literacy Forum
„ Time Frame and Location
 Financial Literacy Forum
„ Students Role
 Financial Literacy Forum
„ What can they get out of it
 Financial Literacy Forum
„ Contact Information
„ Location
„ Time
„ Summary
For more information about
SIFE and this project:
„ Please email me at:

someone@mysifeteam.com
Or

Come to our regular meetings every

Wednesday night in
Room # 123 at 7:00 p.m.
 Thank you!
We look forward to seeing you
there!
 Date: November 14, 2005
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Business Building Room # 123
What: Weekly meeting to discuss current
projects, upcoming events and explore new
project ideas. FREE FOOD!
ABC What can you do with SIFE?

SIFE • Join one of the largest student organizations in the world

• Apply the skills learned in the classroom to real world
Te a m situations
• Gain valuable work experience in public speaking, teamwork,
and time management skills
• Great résumé/C.V. builder
• Network with local and national businesses
• Compete as a team at regional and national competitions

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 ABC SIFE Team

Our mission is to provide college and university students the best opportunity to make
a difference and develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through
learning, practicing, and teaching the principles of free enterprise.

For More Information Contact: SIFE Sam Walton Fellow or Team President

Phone: 555-555-5555

E-mail: someone@mysifeteam.com

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 Personal Invitation to Join SIFE

[Date]

Dear [student name],

On behalf of the [college/university name] SIFE team you are personally invited to attend
our next meeting on [date]. As an outstanding student, we believe you would be a great
addition to our team. Through participation in SIFE you will have the opportunity to
enhance your learning experience and gain leadership, teamwork and communication
skills.

Please join us to learn more about [college/university name] SIFE Team. If you have any
questions, please contact [SIFE team president] at [contact information].

We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

Sincerely,

[SIFE team president signature]

[College/University] SIFE Team President

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 Team Organization Strategies

Now that you have recruited students for your SIFE team, it is time to start thinking about how
you are going to organize your team. Although there are a variety of ways to be successful, we
suggest you choose a very flat structure built around your team’s educational outreach projects.
Start by creating a limited number of officer positions for key functional areas. Examples might
include:

ƒ President
ƒ Vice President of Finance
ƒ Vice President of Recruiting and Membership
ƒ Vice President of Project Development
ƒ Project Manager or Project Leader

SIFE has a sample constitution available that outlines important guidelines for
operating your team and offers valuable suggestions for team organization and
descriptions of officer positions. An example is included in this toolkit.
Remember to dedicate the majority of your leadership structure to the project management
positions. These individuals, often called Project Managers or Project Leaders, will be
responsible for organizing a project team and managing the details required for the completion of
one specific project. An established structure avoids over-bureaucracy, fosters teamwork, and
provides valuable project management experience to the team members.

The following are suggestions for improving the organization and cohesiveness of your team:

ƒ Register your team as an official organization on campus. This is usually done through
the student government association or student activities office.
ƒ Schedule a regular meeting time and location. Most teams usually meet weekly or bi-
weekly.
ƒ Collect the contact information for each member and create a team roster. An example is
included in this toolkit.
ƒ Create an email distribution list for your team.
ƒ Make sure each team member registers as an official SIFE student on www.sife.org or by
visiting this direct link: http://www.sife.org/portal/new_user.asp?ID=Portal
ƒ Be sure to create a succession plan in order to ensure the livelihood of your team. For
complete detail on how to create a plan, please refer to the Succession Plan Toolkit or the
2005 SIFE Information Handbook and Training Manual.

Key Ideas

ƒ Develop an organizational structure that fosters and encourages project management.

ƒ Distribute leadership throughout the team
ƒ Communication is the key
ƒ Keep the future of your team in mind – who will carry the torch next year?

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 Examples for Engaging All Majors

Most successful SIFE teams consist of a wide array of degree majors. Some majors and a
description of the services they can provide the team follow:

Business – These students can help create project ideas, serve as support structure for
team.

Information Technology – Help with the annual report and visual aid for presentation.

Communication – Contact local businesses, send press releases, correspondence.

Journalism – Draft and send press releases, contact local media outlets for assistance.

Finance – Help create and maintain a team budget; seek grants and other donations from
local businesses and organizations.

Marketing – Help develop recruiting strategies, advertising and team collaterals.

Advertising – Develop team materials and brochures, contact local media and businesses
for assistance.

Graphic Art – Help create team brochures and annual report, coordinate printing
through school or local business.

Human Resources – Help create organizational structure.

Education – Help with creating teaching modules and lesson plans. Help make
connections for team within the school district.

Health – Run seminars for finding lower health care costs (i.e. generic prescription
drugs).

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 Date:
Time:
Location:

(Insert Your Team Name)

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Topics
Agenda Item Presented By:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

IV.

VI.

VII.

IIX.

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 (Insert Your Team Logo)

New project Continuing project

Project Title: _______________________________________

Date of Project: _______________________________________

Specific need that the project will address:

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Target audience:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Learning objectives to be achieved by the participants:

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Project description/overview:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Potential project partners:

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Physical materials and educational resources needed:

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

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People resources needed:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How the project activity will be documented:

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Specific tasks and corresponding deadlines required to complete the project:

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

Measurability (pre/post tests):

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Total students involved: _____________________________________

Total hours of student involvement: ___________________________

Judging Criteria: ________________________________

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 Example Project Topics for Individual
Criteria

Criteria 1 – Market Economics

- Supply and demand
- Trade

Criteria 2 – Success Skills

- Resume writing
- Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
- Interview skills

Criteria 3 – Entrepreneurship
- Business consulting (marketing plan, business plan etc.)
- Business plan competition
- Teaching how to start a business

Criteria 4 – Financial Literacy

- Budgeting
- Savings and checking accounts
- Investing
- Financial case study competition

Criteria 5 – Business Ethics

- Ethics symposium/panel
- Ethics bowl
- Ethics essay contest

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 CONSTITUTION FOR (NAME OF COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY) SIFE TEAM

STUDENTS IN FREE ENTERPRISE

ARTICLE I NAME: The name of this organization shall be (College/University Name)

Students In Free Enterprise, herein referred to as SIFE.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP: All regularly enrolled students of (name of College or University)

and other community entities that are interested in the economy of the City of (name
of City), (Country).
(Insert any other specific eligibility requirements)

ARTICLE III MISSION: The mission of this organization shall be to provide members the best opportunity
to make a difference and develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through
learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise.
(Insert your team’s specific mission statement)

ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Elected executive officers of (College/University) SIFE

shall be the president, vice-president, and project manager. Elected officers shall serve
for a period of one year, beginning on the first day of fall semester.
(Change to reflect your team’s specific organization structure)

A. PRESIDENT: His/Her duties shall be to preside over (College/University Name) SIFE

meetings and to vote in case of a tie, to appoint chairpersons of (College/University) SIFE
committees, and to act as the chief executive of the (College/University Name) SIFE
organization. In case of vacancy in this office, the vice-president shall serve as acting
President. (College/University) SIFE will vote for a new President at the next regularly
scheduled meeting following the President's resignation.

B. VICE-PRESIDENT: His/Her duties shall include performing the duties of the President
when he/she is unable to; assist committees dealing with policies and procedures of the
(College/University) SIFE organization; and, in the case of permanent absence of the President,
assume office pending approval of the organization. A vacancy in this office shall be filled by
the President, and a new vice-president will be voted on and appointed at the next regularly
scheduled meeting.

C. PROJECT MANAGER: His/Her duties shall consist of assisting the committees dealing
with activities, and planning and coordinating regular and special functions/activities. The
President shall fill a vacancy in this office, and a new Activities Coordinator will be voted on
and appointed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE V PROJECT COMMITTEES: It is hereby established that the goals and objectives of
the (College/University) SIFE organization shall be carried forward through
committees, which will be organized as deemed necessary. The committees shall be
separately defined, established, and deleted as necessary.

ARTICLE VI IMPEACHMENT: Any officer may be impeached by a petition of fifteen percent of the
members, or by a 2/3 vote of the voting members present at a regularly scheduled
meeting. Definite charges must be brought. A notice of one regularly scheduled meeting
must be given to the officer and active voting members. A 3/4 majority of the active
voting members present and voting shall be necessary to remove the officer.

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ARTICLE VII ADVISOR: Advisor(s) shall be the Faculty Advisor(s).

ARTICLE VIII MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: All active voting members

must attend at least 50% of the regularly scheduled functions/activities and
be active on at least one committee. Members that do not participate in at
least 50% of the functions/activities for a two month period and serve on
one committee will be placed on probationary status. To be removed from
probationary status, the member must attend 75% of the functions/activities
for a two-month period and/or become involved in one committee. If the
probationary requirements are not fulfilled at the end of the two-month
period, the probationary member will be dropped to non-voting member
status. To be reinstated to voting member status, the non-voting member
must attend 100% of the functions/activities and/or serve on one committee
or for a consecutive period of two months.
(Change according to your team’s requirements)

ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL AUDIT: Financial accounts are to be audited by a disinterested party each
year, preferably before the accounts are turned over to the newly elected
Secretary/Treasurer.

ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS: Proposed amendments to this constitution must be submitted to the

(College/University) SIFE President in writing. If approved by 2/3 of the total
membership of the organization, a special election shall be held at the next regularly
scheduled meeting vote on the proposed amendments. A 3/4 majority vote of those
(College/University Name) SIFE members voting in the special elections shall be
necessary for the acceptance of the amendments.

ARTICLE XI ADOPTION: The Constitution shall be in full force and effective immediately upon
passage by a simple majority of the (College/University Name) SIFE members voting
in the special election.

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 [Insert College/Univeristy's Name]
SIFE TEAM SIGN-UP SHEET

[Faculty Advisor's Name] [Faculty Advisor's Email Address]

[Program Director's Name] [PD's Email Address]
[Program Coodinator's Name] [PC's Email Address]

Major area of Graduation SIFE Team Office Registered

First Name Last Name Study Date E-Mail Phone Number Held Online?

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 Team Roster
(Insert Your Team Logo)
Name Class Standing Major Phone Number Email SIFE Team Position Registered on sife.org
1 Amy Smith Senior Marketing (555) 555-555 xxxxx@xxx.edu
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