This year, in order to facilitate greater communication between LAMP students, faculty, and staff, the Student Advisory Board (SAB) has taken on the role of being ombudspersons. Each of the 15 SAB members will work with classmates in order to see how LAMP can be improved.
The SAB hopes this new program will allow the SAB to better serve the LAMP community by addressing needs and issues in a timely and personal manner. Please watch for future emails and other correspondence from an ombudsperson.
The SAB is a serious commitment. If you get accepted to the board you will be expected to attend at least one meeting every two weeks, more depending on the time of year and projects being worked on. If you have any questions about expectations or you just want more information e-mail Abbey Stemler at astemler@indiana.edu
In 2006 a group of LAMP students developed a novel idea. Combining their passion for helping others with their desire to stretch their educational experiences beyond the classroom, these students hoped to create and manage a philanthropic investment fund capable of sustaining healthcare initiatives in countries lacking sufficient medical resources. Now, this ingenious idea is on the verge of becoming a reality.
The Virtù Project will use pledged capital in a mock investment portfolio to raise money for a non-profit global health organization called the Timmy Foundation. Instead of assuming the inherent risks of investing large sums of money, Virtù will ask donors to pledge phantom money for investment in a mock portfolio. After a one year investment period, all of the returns made on the phantom money will then be paid directly to the Timmy Foundation by those who pledged it. So, if a donor were to pledge $10,000 and the fund yielded a 10% return after a year, the donor would write a check for $1,000. This method eliminates the risk of losing money yet still rewards performance.
The project itself will be divided into three teams, so that students may work in areas that appeal to them. The fund development team will seek out and build relationships with donors to garner pledges. The investment team will work with IU faculty and experienced investors to develop an investment strategy, analyze the market, and purchase stocks. The accountability team will prepare contracts and reports, and keep accurate records of investments, profits, and how the money is spent within the Timmy Foundation.
While fundraising for a noble cause is the primary objective of the Virtù Project, its strength lies in that it is so much more than just philanthropy. The project facilitates unique opportunities for students to develop real-world business skills.
The Virtù Project is set to become a conduit for learning and a mechanism for change. If you are interested in becoming part of Virtù, or would like more information about the project, please contact us via e-mail at thevirtuproject@gmail.com.
Last updated:
February 14, 2008