Nancy Phillips, Business Basics, Dollars with Sense and Economics for Success Volunteer, Kelowna

Hi Everyone! My name is Nancy Phillips and I’m a JA volunteer – wohoo! I wish I’d had the opportunity to experience JA when I was in school! I grew up in Toronto and have also lived in San Diego and British Columbia, where I worked in the corporate world, including internationally, for almost twenty years. Once I became a parent I found a new mission; researching and creating fun resources to help children learn key financial and life success skills. I am the author of the Zela Wela Kids financial story books and founder and president of DollarSmartKids Enterprises.

Q:  How did you first get involved with Junior Achievement?

A:  I got involved with Junior Achievement a couple of years ago once my eldest was in school.  I wanted to interact with the children, communicate the fantastic JA content and share some real-life experiences that I thought may be helpful. I began volunteer work in different capacities when I was fourteen and have always felt it to be a very powerful and rewarding part of life.

Q:  How important do you think having a JA volunteer in the classroom is to the program?

A: I think it’s really important to have JA volunteers go into the classroom to discuss the programs because of the perspective we offer. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to be able to talk to adults from various life and career backgrounds. Nothing compares to speaking with someone who has first-hand knowledge of a particular topic you may be interested in. The students also get to hear ideas, stories and viewpoints they wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to experience while they’re learning the programs.

Q:  What impact do you think JA has on young people?

A: JA impacts students in so many positive ways, like learning and thinking about topics they may never have considered before, opening their thoughts and ideas about various careers, discovering how to begin managing their own money effectively or feeling excited about a new interest that may get sparked – like entrepreneurialism!

Q:  Can you share a special moment you have had while volunteering for JA?

A: One moment that was really special for me was actually something as simple as a “look” one shy student gave me at the end of the one of my volunteer days. I was closing the presentation by talking about how they could fulfill their biggest goals and dreams in life, and while I was saying the word “dreams” my eyes caught this student at the back of the class and she just gave me the biggest grin and looked right in my eyes saying “yes I can!” The look in her eyes expressed more than any words could have.

Q:  What piece of advice would you give a new JA volunteer prior to delivering a program?

A: Some advice for new volunteers would be: definitely prepare and be familiar with the materials, there is a lot to go through and you want to have a good pace so you can all enjoy the day and not be rushed. If you are presenting with an experienced partner, you could discuss how to split up the speaking sections. Most of all just relax and have fun!

Cory Bilodeau, Business Basics Volunteer, Vancouver Island

Q:  Tell us about yourself

A:  I have lived the majority of my life on Vancouver Island growing up in Port Alberni. I currently live in the WestShore and work in Saanich as the Branch Manager of London Drugs. I did all of my formal schooling in Port Alberni with a focus on Business Studies. I have been employed with London Drugs for 18 years. London Drugs is a company that is well known for their ongoing commitment to community / charitable involvement both at a corporate and store level. I enjoy being able to volunteer in the community on various committees and fundraising events. I have been on the Branch Executive Committee of St. Johns Ambulance as a member and Treasurer for the last four year. I have also represented the Colwood London Drugs on the WestShore Chamber of Commerce as a member of their events committee as well as working in support of the WestShore Food Bank. This will be my second year working with Junior Achievement as a volunteer at a variety of Victoria elementary schools facilitating the “Business of our Own” program with grade six students.

Q:  How did you first get involved with Junior Achievement?

A:  I had just recently moved back to Victoria and was looking for opportunities to get involved in the community. I was already involved with the WestShore Chamber of Commerce and noticed there was a call  for volunteers from Junior Achievement. I looked at the program and although I had never taught kids before, I thought it would be a good opportunity to work within the community. I was able to engage students in a subject matter I was comfortable with as well as take advantage of an opportunity to expand my horizons and professional development. I am so glad I volunteer as it has been one of the most rewarding opportunities I have experienced to date.

Q:  How important do you think having a JA volunteer in the classroom is to the program?

A:  I feel it is vital to effectively facilitate the program. Learning from someone within the business industry makes a huge difference. The students are very perceptive and can sense if you are genuinely passionate and knowledgeable about what you are teaching. They become engaged and very excited to learn.

Q:  What impact do you think JA has on young people?

A:  I think Junior Achievement is sometimes the first taste of “real world” business students get in the school system and it changes the way they think about it. I have watched students gain a new appreciation for what it takes to successfully run a business, what goes in to bringing a product to the consumers, the importance of marketing and most importantly the real possibility of it becoming a future career choice.

Q:  What do you enjoy most about volunteering for JA?

A:  First and foremost I love working with the students! I have two young daughters who are the light of my life, so having the opportunity to work with youth and knowing what I am teaching them is shaping how they understand business has been extremely rewarding. I enjoy sharing my passion for business with young impressionable minds. Also being able to say that I am helping to create the next generation of potential entrepreneurs is very satisfying.

Q:  Can you share a special moment you have had while volunteering for JA?

A: The feeling you get knowing you are connecting with the students and you can see they are “getting it” is very fulfilling. One moment that still stands out is when a group of students who were in charge of marketing their product shared the “jingle” they wrote over the school P.A. system. They were so excited and I was so proud of their entrepreneurial spirit.

Q:  What piece of advice would you give a new JA volunteer prior to delivering a program?

A:  Be yourself and be passionate with your message. Most of all be prepared in your lesson plan – I have an entirely new respect for teachers!

By Anne Tower -

JABC is proud to launch a new, improved version of its popular Investment Strategies Program (ISP) this month, with special over-the-phone introductory presentations for both new and returning ISP volunteers on March 29.

ISP teaches grade 9-10 students about investing and particular, how the stock market works, through a hands-on simulation that lets student teams invest an imaginary $100K to see who can build the strongest portfolio over six weeks.

The Investment Strategies Program had been going strong in BC for a decade, but it was time for an update. Thanks to the generous support of HSBC, JABC was able to undertake the work in partnership with its fellow charter, Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta (JASA), with the support and oversight of JA Canada, our national office.

The original developers of ISP, Craig Nakamoto (Claero Sytems) and Fiona Zawadzki (Skye Consulting) were hired to take their program to the next level, along with designer Neale Pope. The year-long process included a review of all the feedback received by program participants over the years, as well as the engagement of an Advisory Panel of teachers, volunteers, and JA staff from Alberta and BC. The program was rewritten with an eye to curriculum changes in both provinces as well as national trends, piloted in both provinces in Fall 2011, and further refined.

ISP now features a newly designed website that provides all program materials online for teachers, volunteers and students. The number of core lessons has been reduced to four, and these can be led by the teacher and/or the volunteer for maximum flexibility, and customizable PowerPoints are provided to further enhance presentations. YouTube videos at the beginning of each section spark debate about current investment issues, and the content has been updated throughout, covering a broader range of investment options while still focusing on the fun of playing three stock markets— NYSE, NASDAQ and TSX—risk-free and in real time .

JABC extends its sincere thanks to HSBC, exclusive sponsor of the ISP Update and ISP programs across BC, and to all the volunteers, teachers, students, staff and consultants who demonstrated just how much a group of Achievers can accomplish together with limited resources, but unlimited enthusiasm.