![\"Katie](\"http:\/\/www.cmu.ca\/media_archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Katie-Daman-e1432052309242-282x300.jpg\")
Katie Daman had the opportunity to apply business skills in a non-profit setting during her practicum with Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).<\/p>\nKatie Daman had the opportunity to apply business skills in a non-profit setting during her practicum with Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).<\/p>\n
Daman, who graduated from CMU\u2019s Redekop School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in April 2015, completed her practicum at WestEnd Commons (WEC), a social enterprise in Winnipeg\u2019s West End community.<\/p>\n
Social enterprises are \u201cnot-for-profits that use business means to fulfill their mission,\u201d explains Daman. WEC is home to the Neighbourhood Resource Centre, a social enterprise that \u201cprovides safe and affordable programming as well as meeting and office space for neighbourhood families and organizations in West Central Winnipeg.\u201d<\/p>\n
The social enterprise model adopted by WEC includes renting out spaces in the building including a commercial kitchen, assembly hall, and meeting and office space. The income generated from the rentals is invested in community programming.<\/p>\n
Daman utilized her business education to help WEC further their transition into a social enterprise. Her main role was social media coordinator. She maintained WEC\u2019s social media presence by posting articles that featured WEC, sharing content relevant to WEC\u2019s mission, and connecting with organizations that support WEC.<\/p>\n
\u201cSocial media is really important to not only create awareness of your organization\u2019s existence, but also to help people remain aware about what your organization does on a day-to-day basis,\u201d says Daman.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Daman provided input into marketing plans and strategies, which she says is one way her practicum connected directly with her studies. The courses she\u2019s taken have equipped her with the skills to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, which centres on an organization\u2019s mission and vision.<\/p>\n
\u201cMission and vision are crucial to an organization internally and externally,\u201d says Daman. \u201cInternally you want to rally around a common purpose and goal. You need a common understanding so you can achieve it. Externally, you want people to buy into your purpose as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daman believes a social enterprise model can benefit non-profits and sees potential for non-profits to apply business principles in a way that helps them achieve their goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of non-profits are moving toward a social enterprise model,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s important to have people working in non-profits who understand core business principles and can apply them to the greater good\u2014understanding how the two can work together, instead of as opposites.\u201d<\/p>\n
After graduating, Daman would like to pursue work in the social enterprise or community economic development sector. She feels the BBA degree has equipped her well for work in those areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, CMU played an important part in allowing me to explore some of my alternative passions and desires, while also giving me the necessary business acumen to go out and work in the real world. If business is something that you\u2019re interested in, whether it be traditional business or an alternative form, CMU should definitely be on your radar.\u201d<\/p>\n