The university’s faculty of business sent two teams to the Alberta Not-For-Profit Association Case Competition, hosted by the University of Alberta’s school of business.
The case competition encompasses elements of strategy, marketing, finance and accounting, but it focuses on the unique challenges of the not-for-profit world.
Students must consider and balance the social mission of the organization, as well as its financial goals. Competitors must find creative, resourceful, and practical solutions with the limited resources of a not-for-profit organization.
Team one from UPEI was made up of Alex Dunne, Andrew Chapman, Kate Kinsman and Sydney Gallant. Team two included Carter MacDonald, Shanna Blacquiere, Krista Lee Oliver and Brodie Watts.
The ‘case partner’ for the competition was the YMCA of Northern Alberta. Students toured the YMCA facilities in downtown Edmonton where they were able to interact with employees and get acquainted with the organization before participating in a live case competition, working on a real and current problem of the organization.
Students had 24 hours to analyze and prepare a solution to the case. During that period, they had access to the Internet and textbooks, but were allowed no communication outside of the members of their respective teams.
Teams were given 15 minutes to present their solution, and an additional seven to answer judges’ questions and defend their recommendations.
UPEI’s team one successfully made it to the final round, where they gave their presentation again, this time with 10 minutes for questions and defense.
The team took second place, finishing behind a team from the University of Regina.
As part of the prizes for the ANPA Case Competition, teams who finish first, second, or third are given the opportunity to donate $5,000, $3,000, or $1,000 respectively to the charity of their choice.
UPEI’s team chose to direct its donation to Parkinson Canada, because a member of Kate Kinsman’s family lives with Parkinson’s disease. Her teammates chose to donate to this charity in advance of the competition, but didn’t tell her until after their win.
