Spring Semester 2009
Message from the President...
 Thus far, we have had a successful transition to the spring semester. Over just a short time, SCNO has learned and grown from challenging obstacles. We have established new goals that defined opportunities for our organization. We have evaluated and morphed processes to best meet these goals. Focusing our attention on improving membership, networking, and training, we are already able to see positive results. I am proud of the Executive Board members for their hard work and follow through helping to carry out such initiatives. I can only hope that this semester is as productive as the previous, and that all of these improvements drive our main goals: improving our students, helping our non-profits and ultimately developing our communities.
A Special Thanks
We would like to thank Helen Dashney, our organization's advisor, for all of her time. She has spent considerable time answering our questions, suggesting solutions and guiding us through difficult decisions. Not only has she been a mentor to our organization, she has helped guide us personally and professionally.
We would also like to thank our newly established advisory board for their participation in advising and counseling the Executive Board. Their guidance helps improve our decision making. The newly formed Advisory Board consists of: Joel Clum (President 2008), Mark Miller (Vice President 2008), Mike Gallagher (Project Manager 2008), Laura Dennison (President 2007), Joseph Greiner (Project Manager 2007), Ryan Sullivan (President 2006), Mike Vichich (Vice President 2006), Adam Hinman (President 2005), and Jeff Thelen (President 2004).
Internal Development Project
Katie Daly
 We are very fortunate to have a wealth of industry and career related information within our network of alumni. However, after surveying out current members we discovered 76% of respondents have never reached out to our alumni while 100% said they would like to network with SCNO alumni for career oriented advice. The goal of the internal development project is to determine what tools and practices can strengthen the SCNO network to the advantage of current and past members. If you're a SCNO alumnus, please click here to be directed to an online survey created to inform the efforts of the internal development team.
Spring Recruitment
Aneesha Mandava
 SCNO is very proud to welcome 24 new members this semester. We also have six new team leads and four returning team leads. We have recruited underclass students into our organization this semester with 30% of our membership being either freshmen or sophomores. Despite our membership consisting of 88% business majors, SCNO continues to expect a diversity of ideas to flow from our organization.
While the executive board is charged with enhancing the value of SCNO, it is our members that are the integral part of our organization. SCNO recruits some of the brightest minds from Michigan State University and it is due to these highly motivated and dedicated members that SCNO continues to achieve success. Through each member's volunteer efforts we are achieving our goals each semester.
An Eventful Semester
Jeffrey Smith
 SCNO has another busy schedule planned for the current semester. Some of the events that have already occurred include the Semester Kickoff Meeting, Deloitte Implementation Presentation, and the SCNO Case Workshop.
The workshop provided students with excellent opportunities to network with professionals while building their consulting skill-set and gaining valuable interview case study practice. We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers that included SCNO Alumni Joel Clum, Andrew Kay, Jessica Roy, and David Choi. Andrew Gambel, a new team lead, explains what he learned from the case workshop: “It is important to connect the deliverable to the organization, not only so the organization can implement it, but also so they can understand how the implementation of the deliverable will benefit the organization as a whole.”
Deloitte gave an excellent presentation exploring implementation plans. Team Lead Chris Browett commented on what he took away from the presentation: “The importance of creating multi-level time lines which outline the expectations of projects of any magnitude... and a breakdown of detail work even before the project starts are necessary for the creation of a successful implementation plan.”
Team Lead Training
Brandon Laventure
 Although SCNO has been praised for the dedication shown by all its members, it is well known to those within the organization that the most demanding role is that of Team Lead. The people who assume the task of leading a consulting engagement find themselves in a position of great responsibility that is every bit as challenging as it is rewarding. Successful projects are made possible by confident and innovative Team Leads. In order to ensure a smooth beginning for the semester and increase project quality, the executive board has instituted a new Team Lead Training Program and accompanying Handbook.
The new program, spearheaded by Vice President Eric Smith with significant contribution by Project Manager Katie Daly, brought the nine Team Leads together with the executive board before the Semester Kickoff to discuss best practices. Issues ranging from team management to effective communication with clients were discussed in an effort to improve engagement quality. A second-semester team lead, Drew Stanecki commented, “It was nice to be able to walk through the tips we were given, rather than having to figure it out as we go.” The advice given in the new program will hopefully prove to be useful to the Team Leads not only at the beginning, but throughout the semester.
Non-Profit Engagements
Grid Republic
Team Lead: Bryce Heller
Members: Kristal Chellis, Michael Schmid, Steven Schaeffler, Mike Coyne
Objective: To develop plans to expand volunteer resources and application users.
Gateway Community Services
Team Lead: Chris Browett
Members: Clint Delmar, Travis Foote, Mike Warakomski, Jenny Solomon
Objective: Develop a new marketing plan promoting Gateway's services to potential clients and their importance to potential local donors.
YMCA
Team Lead: Erin Lenz
Members: Yongdae Jo, Abel Teshome, Jibrell Jama, Tina Li
Objective: Develop membership retention practices.
Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MADHH)
Team Lead: Andrew Gambel
Members: David Kryshak, Chad Wu, Paul Recchia
Objective: Develop a new marketing plan to promote two youth summer camps and raise funds for the organization.
Clinton County Family Resource Center
Team Lead: Olivia Kovacs
Members: Brandon Sykora, Jason Tan, Johnston Robare, Mark Zaguskin
Objective: Develop a website with the ability to accept donations electronically and create further fundraising initiatives.
The Kitten Nursery
Team Lead: Amanda DeCook
Members: Geir Lefaive, Sophia Li, Lauren Armstrong, Anthony Norlin
Objective: Design a business plan that includes funding strategies, partnerships and marketing opportunities.
Arc of Livingston
Team Lead: Chaz Bauer
Members: Erik Malin, David Smendzuik, Shuang Wu
Objective: Create and implement a marketing strategy to strengthen their brand and target donors, as well as website improvement.
Crimestoppers
Team Lead: Christopher Greenup
Members: Shahab Mawloudi, Savina Mehta, Bardeleon Jaddou, Casey Dunn, Ogeen Kada
Objective: Design a marketing strategy to raise awareness for their service and develop a plan for fundraising activities.
SCNO - Internal Development Project
Team Lead: Nathan Schneemann
Members: Spencer Tillman, Carly Schneider, Courtney McRill, Brandon McBride
Objective: Determine networking initiatives and event strategies that meet our needs concerning our members, alumni, non-profits and professionals.
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