Project Run With It Competition

Students Get Down to Business at Third Annual Project Run With It
by Russ Wilson

Beta Alpha Psi launched Project Run With It (the Project) in 2008 as a new national student competition held at its annual meeting. The Moss Adams Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Project since its inception. The Project charges 60 students, broken into 15 four-member teams, with presenting solutions to the real business issues of three not-for-profits local to the area where the annual meeting is held. Each member of the three winning teams receives a plaque and $1,000 to benefit their local BAP chapter.

The third Project Run With It kicked off at the BAP Annual Conference in San Jose, California, on Wednesday, August 4, at 6:00 p.m. After the participating students had a chance to meet each other, the not-for-profit representatives met for about two hours with their assigned 20 students. Then the student teams were free to meet and brainstorm and prepare as late as they wished on Wednesday. Work rooms were available to the students from 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Thursday. Except for a five-hour break to participate in the National Community Service Day, the students worked tirelessly until their 11:00 p.m. deadline to turn in their flash drives to the Project’s coordinators. On Friday morning, dressed in professional business attire, the teams pitched their proposals to the judges: a representative of their not-for-profit, a Moss Adams judge, and an academic judge.

Our not-for-profit representatives tell the story of their experience the best:

Hugh Donagher, Public Relations Manager, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC):

We were most impressed with the talented student leaders who participated in Project Run With It. Their presentations showed a real commitment to our purpose and a strong level of understanding of our mission. This is not easily accomplished as our programs are very wide ranging and diverse. They really "got" what we do, and their presentations and recommendations exceeded our expectations. CHAC will benefit directly from more than a few of their ideas for us. We are very grateful for the opportunity to participate!

Jennifer Cullenbine, Queen Elf, The Family Giving Tree:

I was completely blown away by the quality of the presentations and the professionalism of the students. They couldn't have slept at all to have come up with such wonderful ideas and then to create those fantastic presentations. As the founder [of the Family Giving Tree], it can be difficult to let go of control and to share the responsibilities for the future of the organization. The students did a great job of listening, asked very appropriate questions and got right to the heart of the situation. They figured out multiple things that I never even told them about. It was obvious the students did lots of research before being assigned to our project. The Family Giving Tree was lucky to be offered this opportunity and truly blessed by the results.

Mary Muff McCullough, Director of Development, Family Supportive Housing:

What a gift PRWI is to any NFP lucky enough to participate. To have 20 of the best and brightest students from around the country design a business plan for your NFP for free is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. PRWI exceeded our greatest expectations. The student presentations were full of creative, fresh, and practical ideas. The students’ questions in preparing for their presentations were well thought out and reflected their understanding of our NFP. In over 20 years of working for NFPs, I have never had such a unique opportunity to work with such intelligent, articulate and creative students. These outstanding qualities were wrapped in compassion for the people we serve. We are definitely moving ahead in using many of the students’ ideas in our business plan. A big thank to the support staff who did all the behind the scenes work in making PRWI run so smoothly!

The students and their faculty advisors also have high praise for the Project. Celia Renner, faculty advisor at Boise State University, has sent four students over the past three years:

I will continue to support Project Run With It. In a short period of time, it gives the students so much.They get to talk about this in job interviews, they gain self-confidence, and they get exposed to a much larger world than some of them have seen. Thanks go to Moss Adams for investing their partners’ time and their financial resources to help our students.

Casey Davis, student at Ohio Northern University and 2010 participant, had this to say about the Project:

I was truly honored to have been a part of such an amazing program. I think that the values and the life lessons that the three not-for-profits showed all 60 of us is something that can't be taught. By participating in such an amazing event I have learned so much about what is important in the world and what isn't.

Ultimately the judges must decide on the winning teams—which everyone involved feels is the hardest part of the Project. Even Dr. Jan Taylor Morris, faculty coordinator and professor of accounting at Sam Houston University who coordinates all the moving parts in the Project, summarized that feeling by stating, “I think I have the easier role in PRWI!! I could never decide on a winning team, as all the students are winners in my book!” The winning students were:

At the conclusion of the annual meeting, Andy Bailey, BAP national president 2009-2010, had this to say about the Project:

BAP is proud to be associated with Moss Adams and all of its Forum partners. I am particularly glad that Moss Adams has decided to provide continuing support for Project Run With It. The program adds a unique dimension to the BAP meeting.

Special thanks to all our judges: Moss Adams judges Gary Grimstad (Seattle), Corinne Baughman (Orange County), and Arlene Chan (Silicon Valley); and faculty judges Dr. Steve Carlson (University of North Dakota), Dr. Connie Esmond Kiger (Ohio University), and Dr. Jocelyn Kauffunger (University of Pittsburgh). And we would be remiss if we didn’t thank Dr. Jan Taylor Morris for providing countless hours in co-coordinating the Project with Moss Adams. Although she might think her job is easier than the judges’ job, we would beg to differ.

Going forward, the Moss Adams Foundation has agreed to sponsor the Project at least through 2015. The national recognition Moss Adams receives from the Project enhances our national presence. The Board of the Foundation is very pleased to be part of such a successful national student competition.