“Project Run With It”
Sponsored by Moss Adams LLP
“Project Run With It” is a case competition that will be held on August 5, 6 & 7th, 2009 during the BAP Annual Meeting in Brooklyn, NY. The competition will bring together 60 BAP students from multiple chapters to analyze and recommend solutions to problems faced by three not for profit (NFP) organizations. Ideally, these problems will address accounting, finance and/or information system issues but they could relate to other business problems. The NFP agencies will provide background information in advance of the competition and answer student questions during the preliminary phases of the competition.
Student teams will be formed (four students per team). They will have two days to develop recommendations. On Friday, teams will present their recommendations to a panel of judges that will include a representative of the NFP organization.
Nomination Process
Detailed instructions on the nomination, deliberation and presentation process will be announced in January, 2009. In general, the process will include:
- Each chapter may nominate one person with an Accounting major and one person with Finance or Information Systems major to participate. Nominations are due May 1, 2009.
- As part of the application process, the nominated student will be asked to conduct and document their independent research related to the problems the three NFP’s face.
- The selection process is expected to be competitive, with final choices based on service to BAP, grade point average, the nominee’s research, and a statement of commitment to attend the annual meeting. Ideally, students will be notified by June 1, 2009 whether they have been selected.
Competition Details
Three not-for-profit agencies will participate in the competition. Students will be assigned to four member teams. Five teams (20 students) will be assigned to one of three NFP organizations. The competition will kick-off on Wednesday evening with an orientation about the competition and a meeting with the NFP representative who will present background information regarding the problem/issue they face. After answering student questions, the teams will start brainstorming solutions to their NFP’s problem/issue.
On Thursday, all teams are expected to participate in Community Service Day (CSD). After CSD, they will start work again and be allowed to work until midnight. A representative for each agency will be available to answer questions sometime during the evening. At midnight each team will be expected to turn in their PowerPoint presentation on a flash drive (to be provided by Moss Adams).
On Friday, each team will present their solutions to the judging panel.
On Saturday, as part of the closing process, winners will be announced and recognized.
The Prizes
Each individual on the first place team will receive a plaque and his/her chapter will receive a $1,000 cash award.
Why Should you Participate in this Competition?
This competition was held for the first time in 2008. A post-competition survey revealed both issues and benefits. Here is a summary of those observations.
- You will work long hours, particularly on Thursday and, as a result, miss some opportunities to mingle and socialize with fellow students. Since CSD is also on Thursday, you may be tired, depending on the physical demands of the event.
- By competing in Project Run With It, you will 1) be working for national recognition of your chapter, 2) have the opportunity to meet, work and become friends with strangers in a short, intense period, 3) have the personal satisfaction in helping NFPs, and 4) since most of you will eventually provide voluntary services to NFPs, you will gain valuable experience sooner than your contemporaries which of course will strengthen your resume.
If your are still in doubt about participating, take a look at a few students’ impressions at
Moss Adams’ Commitment
Our commitment is to do our best to provide you with 1) relevant and useful information as far in advance as possible, 2) provide the essential tools (Internet access, printers, projection equipment), 3) support (food/snacks/drinks), 4) advice (faculty advisors/alumni representatives) and 5) impartial judging so that you may direct all your energies to proposing viable solutions to real-world issues.
For any questions, please feel free to contact the Executive Office.
Thanks and regards,
The Executive Office
Beta Alpha Psi
Nancy Harke Executive Office
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707-8110
Phone: 919-402-4044
FAX: 919-402-4040