Social Entrepreneurship Idea Challenge –10/22/15
FDU Florham Campus, Lenfell Hall
Facilitator Guide
- SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY Agenda
7:30
Buses arrive. Short campus tour for early arrivals
7:50
Registration & Breakfast Buffet, Hennessy Hall;
8:30
Welcome Remarks (Directors, Campus Provost, TD Bank)
8:45
Icebreaker exercise for students (one FDU college facilitator per table)
9:00
Charlotte Dreizen, SCARR
Student-run Washington, DC, org focusing on African issues
9:15
Student table discussion, Q&A
9:35
Scott Schultz, Advanced Solar
NJ Solar-panel installation company; started out as non-profit
9:50
Student table discussion, Q&A
10:10 Break
10:20 Tyler Gage, RUNA
Improve livelihood of indigenous farmers in the Amazon by selling beverages made with
Runa leaves
10:35 Student table discussion, Q&A
10:55 Lunch discussion about speakers' presentations/Idea challenge
11:15 SE Idea Challenge Group Discussion with FDU student facilitators
12:45 SE Idea Challenge Group Presentations (one student speaks per table)
1:15
Concluding Remarks and Survey
Group Facilitator’s Guide
What is the Social Entrepreneurship Idea Challenge?
The Social Entrepreneurship Idea Challenge will bring to FDU between 75 and 100 high school
students from several high schools to learn about social entrepreneurship from experienced
practitioners. Next, the students meet in groups to develop an idea of their own; and make a
brief pitch of their idea to the audience.
What exactly is “social entrepreneurship”?
Social entrepreneurship is defined as forming a “social venture,” one based on the principle of
performing some good for society while also being economically viable. In that sense, it’s
different from philanthropy.
What does a Group Facilitator do?
A Group Facilitator is responsible for bringing group members together, allowing them to get at
least a little acquainted with each other, and help them identify and define a problem, and,
without advocating one’s own ideas, support them in solving the problem. A facilitator does
not need to be an expert on the content.
Will their social entrepreneurship ideas end after that day?
No. Students may well want to refine and develop further some of their best ideas. Some of
them may decide to shape up their pitches and enter them in the New Jersey Idea Competition
run by the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship. Some students may wish to launch a real
business based on their ideas.
Why are we doing this event at FDU?
This program is aligned with FDU’s effort to provide a public service of educating students who
are not even yet of college age. It is also a good opportunity to expose talented high school
students to what the school and campus look like. Past programs similar to this have shown
that the students really like their time with FDU facilitators, and the facilitators have all enjoyed
the experience a lot. Beyond assisting the students in their work, you will ideally enjoy the
experience and be a good ambassador for the school. We hope everyone will have a positive
time with us. In addition, from a learning standpoint, we want them all to feel good about their
participation in the day.
What do you suggest I do as a Group Facilitator?
See the next page.
Suggested Actions for Group Facilitators
Each table will have between 5 and 8 students, and they should work out their analysis and presentation for
one social entrepreneurship idea. If there are 6 to 8 students at the table, it would be fine if they agreed on 2
ideas to be worked on separately by two subgroups at the table. They will have about 90 minutes for the
group to complete their work. One the most important things you can do is help them keep track of their
timing. Here are the suggested steps:
1. Introduce yourself. Introduce yourself, saying a few words about your FDU program, your year, a few
other things about your interests [2 minutes]
2. Remind about Norms. The moderator in the room will have just suggested Norms for the group activity
(such as let each other complete their thoughts, listen well, ask questions, be respectful, etc.). You may
start by referring to the Norms and confirm that everyone agrees to go along with those. [1 minute]
3. Identify Project Ideas. Remind the group that the group’s assignment is to select one (or maybe two)
business ideas and develop them for presentation to the whole room when done. Ask someone to start
by offering an idea for a social venture they would be interested in working on in the group. It’s okay if
someone has more than a single idea. If there are questions of clarification, get those answered now,
but hold off on discussion until the next step. Write the name of each idea on one of the easel sheets of
paper you will be given (maybe leave 3-4 inches blank under each one to allow space for comments
added in a few minutes). Be aware that some students may have previously spent time in school or at
home thinking in some detail about a social venture to work on, while others will offer only a onesentence “new idea.” Still others may have no individual idea to offer, which is fine, but you can
encourage them to offer even a vague idea (like “Africa” or “drug abuse”). We don’t want anyone at the
table to be intimidated if possible, plus the vaguest area of interest might just attract keen interest from
others at the table. [5 minutes]
4. Elicit Reactions to the Ideas. Invite comments on any of the ideas, particularly reactions that are positive
or offer possibilities beyond the brief initial description. Note down on easel sheets some of these
comments. Try to get reactions to all the ideas on the sheets. [5-10 minutes]
5. Narrow the Number of Ideas. Two or three ideas may rise to the top during the initial reactions. If so,
steer the narrowing discussion to those few. [2-5 minutes]
6. If Necessary, Use Multi-Voting. If many project ideas seem interesting after several minutes of
discussion, use the technique of “Multi-Voting.” Each person can cast more than one vote (this allows
detecting a person’s second- or third-choice and prevents premature coalescing around a single idea).
The number of each person’s vote equals the total number of ideas divided by 3. For example, if 8 ideas
are still on the list, 8 divided by 3 is about 3. Each person can take a marker and put a hash mark or
check next to 3 different ideas. Adding up total votes will produce a smaller number of 2 or 3 ideas that
have attracted most interest. Vote once more if needed, but a very few minutes of discussion will
probably bring out the consensus to single out one idea, or if appropriate, two ideas, with subgroups
having interest in each agreeing to go forward on those. [0 or <10 minutes. NOTE: Total elapsed time
should be no more than 30 minutes to get project(s) selected.
7. Do Group Analysis. Now each group should think through what their idea could become as a social
venture. To guide their thinking, they should address each of three key issues (next page). They should
feel free to generate other issues for consideration. Try to avoid having anyone dominate the discussion
and encourage the quieter people to take part. [50 minutes]
8. Prepare Presentation. The group should prepare what they want to present to the whole group. They
may wish to use fresh piece of easel paper. Because of time constraints, depending on instructions given
by the moderator, they may have as little as 3 minutes to speak, so this will be practice in being concise
in hitting the essential points. Only one or two presenters are most practical for such a short time. [10
minutes or until called to order]
Social Entrepreneurship Idea Challenge
Issues to be Addressed in Student Discussions
Name of Social Enterprise:
1. IDEA –Innovativeness and Likely Impact:
a. What is the societal need that your idea is filling? E.g. what
social/environmental/economic problem are you solving? What do you expect
will be the social impact of your idea?
b. What is unique about your idea? E.g., how is it meeting a need that others are
not or meeting it in a new way?
2. STARTING UP –Resources and Organization
a. How will you get enough resources (money, supplies, equipment) to start your
venture?
b. How will you attract others to work in this enterprise with you? How will you
organize them to operate effectively?
c. How will you attract clients or customers to use your products/services? E.g.,
what is your plan for promotion, marketing and sales?
3. KEEPING IT GOING –Sustainability and Growth
a. How will you sustain the enterprise financially? What is your “business model”
for generating a financial surplus beyond your operating costs? Who will pay for
your products/services?
b. How will you grow the enterprise over the years?
Facilitator’s
Quick Reference Guide
:05
Introduce Yourself
Remind about Norms
:05
Identify Project Ideas
 Write each idea on easel sheet
 Vague ideas acceptable
 At least one from each person, if possible
 Get questions of clarification answered
 Hold off discussion for now
:15:20
Elicit Reactions, Select Project(s)
 Get comments on each idea
 If needed, do Multi-voting
o # ideas/3 = # votes for each person
o Select projects with most votes
o Get agreement on 1 or 2
:50
Do Group Analysis
 Answer 3 Key Questions
 Generate other important considerations if
not listed
:10
Prepare Presentation
Total Time :90 mins