By Catherine Fleischhut
Staff Writer
Originally founded in 1975 in the United States, Enactus is now an international organization that operates in over 37 countries.
In the U.S. alone, there are 404 universities and over 10,000 students that partake in Enactus. Having such an impact on the world, it’s remarkable to have our own college be a part of this program.
The name Enactus defines what the club is all about: entrepreneurial, action and us. Enactus is focused on the professional development of members through business and innovation, encouraging its members to act in the world around them and to learn collaboration with its leaders and community.
Enactus is so much more than these simple definitions.
“It’s an all-inclusive club that works closely with Bona Responds and focuses on developing leadership skills through various activities throughout the campus,” explained junior Anna Thomas, vice president of Enactus. “We’re a student-run group, so you have the chance to shine above your peers because of your leadership position in the group.”
The focus of Enactus is not only professional growth, but also helping the growth of others in the community and globally. From Jan. 10 to 20, nearly 40 Enactus members went to Freeport, Bahamas. There, the members led many different programs on the island with the local community.
Education majors spent five days in the classrooms teaching Bahamian students different STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities. Business and marketing majors spent the 10 days developing five different seminars to present to local entrepreneurs on the island. From small businesses to large ones, those who went learned from the members how to develop their businesses into a stable form of profit for themselves.
In the upcoming year, the Enactus group will be working with health and science majors to incorporate new activities to the locals of the Bahamas.
As some concerns with money may arise, Enactus leads many free on-campus activities for the members to participate in. The only cost: time and effort. You may have seen a few of these activities such as Canvas for a Cure, the Bona Buddies Haunted House, Dream-It Do-It 500 and multiple events at the local Challenger Center. If interested, keep a look out for many of the club’s activities in the spring.
During the spring semester, new members are encouraged to work closely with other members to develop their own programs. Currently, one group is preparing an escape room at the Challenger Center for groups of adults to go through. The group must prepare scripts, props, puzzles and work on our communication skills with other members.
The group does not have weekly or biweekly meetings like typical groups. When one meets with other members depends heavily on majors and the activities one decides to help with. If someone is unable to help with one activity, yet can for another, one must simply go to the meetings for the available activity. Leaders for each activity will send a message to the members in GroupMe with information for planned meetings.
Enactus is always looking for new members.
“We’re always looking for new ideas and activities,” said Thomas.
If you’ve wanted to make an impact on our community, improve your leadership skills, find people with common interests or to just join a fun club, Enactus is the place for all of them.
fleisccs18@bonaventure.edu
