at Georgetown University

Net Impact is a network of emerging business leaders committed to using the power of business to create a better world. It is the most progressive and influential network of business-oriented students in existence today. Originally founded as Students for Responsible Business in 1993, Net Impact has evolved from a great idea shared by a few business students into a mission-driven network of 5,000 new leaders for better business. Through the central office in San Francisco, CA and over 50 local chapters, Net Impact offers a portfolio of programs to help members broaden their business education, refine their leadership skills, and pursue their professional goals, while building their personal and professional network. In 2001, Net Impact merged its national operations with Business for Social Responsibility, a professional organization in San Francisco that works with corporations on social and environmental issues.

Georgetown University's Net Impact chapter was formed at the McDonough School of Business in 1993, as a charter member. Georgetown was home to the first national business student conference on issues of business and responsibility in 1993, and again hosted the 10th annual Net Impact Conference from October 25-27, 2002. Since 1998, students at the Walsh School of Foreign Service and other programs have been integral members, and a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences chapter was formed in 2004. Georgetown University's historical mission of justice and Jesuit teaching combined with the high caliber of its globally-minded students and faculty enable Georgetown Net Impact to serve as one of the most active student organizations on campus. Information on the MSB chapter is available online here.

GEORGETOWN CHAPTER -- MEMBER INTERESTS

·         Corporate Social Responsibility
·         International Development
·         Labor Issues
·         Non-Profit Management
·         Social Entrepreneurship
·         Sustainable Business (environmental issues)

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES & MILESTONES:

2002 NET IMPACT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

· Georgetown University was proud to host the 10^th annual National Net Impact Conference, October 25-27, 2002. Georgetown Net Impact joined forces with the chapters at American University, George Washington University, and University of Maryland to co-host this event. From its beginnings at Georgetown 10 years ago, the conference attracted over 900 paying attendees and over 100 guest speakers, presented over 30 panels, and hosted a variety of corporate sponsors. 2002 was better than ever, and to took advantage of the many resources for business social responsibility in Washington, DC. The 2003 conference will be in Austin, TX from November 3-6. (For a glimpse of the 2001 conference held at UNC, see their program.)

· The 2002 conference theme was: "Partnering to Create Social Value." Panel themes included business and public policy, environmental initiatives, international perspectives, and social entrepreneurship. Special topics included social marketing, business and educational institutions, business and immigration policy, privatization, corporate governance and board composition, venture philanthropy, lobbying and campaign finance reform, consumer protection/regulation, census demography, anti-smoking campaigns, and community relations in downsizing. The conference website is http://www.net-impact.org/2002/main.htm. Panel topics are posted here.

· Special panels on careers in socially responsible business, including unique opportunities for business students in NGOs, are a hallmark of Net Impact conferences. New in 2002, a faculty-networking session was offered to faculty whose course content covers relevant business and policy themes.
· See also online copies of brochures for the 2002 Conference and Net Impact.

NETWORKING

· Happy hours, barbecues, and other fun events for current, past (alumni), and future Georgetown students. Prospective students are encouraged to contact our admissions officer, ASAP. Our chapter's leaders always consist of first-year students. (Second-year students play an advisory and liaison role, and help recruit prospective students for the following year.)

· DC Net Impact: a new umbrella group comprised of the Net Impact chapters at Georgetown University, American University, University of Maryland, and George Washington University.

GUEST SPEAKERS

· Seth Goldman, Founder and CEO of Honest Tea: guerrilla marketing and mission-based entrepreneurship.

· Steve Moody of Calvert Ventures: socially responsible venture capital.

· Harry Pastuszek, Policy Officer, Environment and Social Development Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

· Jason Clay, Vice President, World Wildlife Fund; co-founder Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)

· David Bornstein, author How to Change the World, about Ashoka's social entrepreneurship fellows program.

· John Morrison, Human Rights Director, RespectEurope and coordinator of the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights

· Lori Tansey Martins, President, International Business Ethics Institute

· Ziba Cranmer, Senior Manager for Stakeholder Relations, Nike Inc. (also IBD alum, former president of MSB Net Impact)

· Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's and Business Leaders for sensible priorities.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

· Georgetown's MSB is ranked 13^thnationally for its nonprofit management curriculum, by US News & World Report.

· Infusing issues and cases dealing with social responsibility in the second year Global Integrative in Vietnam, Brazil, and Hungary.
· Close partnerships with other Georgetown University programs, including the Landegger Program in International Business Diplomacy program in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, the Georgetown Business and Ethics Institute and the Center for Business and Public Policy.

CONSULTING PROJECTS

· Accenture

·         Fannie Mae Foundation
·         Smithsonian Institution
·         World Resources Institute

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

· Monthly newsletter contains postings for internships and jobs.

· Development of alumni database to enable current students to connect with Net Impact alumni who work at the Federal Reserve, McKinsey & Company's nonprofit consulting practice, Calvert Fund, the World Bank, NGOs, etc.