Some UPEI business students are now sold on the idea of local fundraising.
More than 20 fourth-year students in the international marketing class have pooled their respective talents to present an upcoming evening event entitled Right Place, Right Time: Stories from the Road.
This event, which features CBC Compass host and longtime broadcaster Bruce Rainnie and special guest Kevin “Boomer” Gallant, is raising funds for the Prince Edward Island Cancer Treatment Centre in Charlottetown.
“It takes a lot of teamwork and effort from everyone to put it together because before we started this we had no idea what we were getting into, really,” says Isaac Murphy, who is chair of this fundraising event.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s work getting tickets sold, but at the same time, honestly, for the four years of business (study) this is probably one of my favourite classes because we’re so involved with it. We can read a book and write a test, but when we do things like this and we get to network with the community, it really (challenges you).”
The 22 students in the class put their business thinking caps on and together formulated a plan of action to present this event with Rainnie, who is author of Right Place, Right Time: Sidney, Heather, Boomer and Me, which features humorous tales of many adventurous escapades with Gallant, who is a CBC co-worker and longtime friend.
Rainnie’s royalties from the book were directed toward the P.E.I. Cancer Treatment Centre in honour of Gallant’s late wife, Mae.
“Our professor, Paul (Boutilier), was looking for a way that we could do something together in a team environment and develop an event, and it was also something we could use later on, for example, on our resumes, or event co-ordination and those types of things,” says UPEI business student James Manning.
Their professor has close ties with Rainnie due to his NHL history, so that got the fundraiser ball rolling.
“It’s an international marketing class and Bruce has a lot of experience with the Olympics and things like that through his commentating so he said he would come speak with us,” Murphy says.
It’s been a learning experience for all involved.
“It was really fun, though, because we learned a lot about things like marketing and operations in our class, but when you actually get to put it all together (it’s interesting). I think the project actually puts it all together,” Murphy says.
It also provided an opportunity for students to explore a side of themselves they didn’t know they had.
“It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to apply everything that I learned . . . ,” says Gerald Caseley.
“Just the way you communicate with business owners, I found that I was approaching (them) in probably the wrong way. I discussed it with the teacher, and he explained how the communication process isn’t necessarily extremely direct. You need to work your way in. It’s all about how you apply your information rather than just throwing it out there.”
The event, which is being held in Market Square at Don and Marion McDougall Hall on the UPEI campus, will also include live music and a silent auction and the presence of one of the main sponsors, P.E.I. brewing company Beach Chair Lager.
This exercise in fundraising event expertise counts as 25 per cent of the students’ marks
“At the end of the day it’s a win/win for us to host this event,” Manning says. “It’s a learning process and all of the benefits are going to a good cause.”
AT A GLANCE
Fast facts
What: The University of Prince Edward Island’s International Marketing Class is hosting an event entitled Right Place, Right Time: Stories from the Road, on Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at McDougall Hall, UPEI.
Who: CBC Compass host Bruce Rainnie will share some of the entertaining experiences he has enjoyed in 25 years of travel with CBC News and Sports, many of which are featured in his book Right Place, Right Time: Sidney, Heather, Boomer and Me. A special guest for the evening is CBC weatherman Kevin “Boomer” Gallant. Doug Currie, minister of health and wellness, is the honorary chair for the event, which will also feature live music and a silent auction.
Tickets: They are available for $20 and include a complimentary beverage provided by local brewing company Beach Chair Lager or other refreshment choices. Tickets are available in the main office of Don and Marion McDougall Hall or can be arranged for pick-up by contacting Paul Boutilier at 902-877-2215 or paulb@gtagrowth.com.
Proceeds: Donations will also be accepted. All proceeds will go directly towards the QEH Foundation and the P.E.I. Cancer Treatment Centre.
