In other words, we sold about $1,200 some of which will go back to support the team!  We would like to say thanks to HyVee for providing the salt for us to sell and to everyone that bought salt for supporting their local top-ranked SMSU SIFE team!

We had a great showing from the team.  Nine dedicated members sold the salt for a total of 41 member hours!  Initially, we split into three teams in order to maximize our effectiveness. Jeff and Tanya delivered the pre-orders while the other two teams started in different neighborhoods with the door-to-door selling!

Here is the breakdown of sales:

A very big thanks to all the team members that took time out of their weekends to help us!  Everyone made an extraordinary effort to raise funds for our team to maintain our high national rank!

   Things are really taking off for our 2010-2011 School year and we want YOU involved. Here is a list of upcoming events SMSU SIFE has to offer. Please take a look at these important dates and find what interests you. We’ll see YOU there!

 Tuesday, September 7^th

• 12:00 in CH105 – SIFE Position Interviews
  • Open positions include:
    • General Manager
    • Meeting Coordinator
    • Media Coordinator
    • Presentation Coordinator
    • Events Coordinator
• 12:30 in CH 105- Homecoming Event Meeting
  • Meeting with the Political Science Club to get details about the 5K 10K race we will be co-sponsoring during Homecoming

Thursday, September 9^th

• 6:00 in SC249- Team Meeting

Saturday, September 11^th

• 10:00-4:00- Car Wash at HyVee

Tuesday, September 14^th

• 12:00 in CH 105- SIFE Position Interviews and Board Meeting

Thursday, September 16^th

• 6:00 in SC 249- Team Meeting

Friday September 17^th and Saturday September 18^th

• SIFE Training Trip to Minneapolis
  • Sign up Today to attend the SIFE Training Conference at the University of St. Thomas
    • It’s a great opportunity to learn abut SIFE, meet new members, and find ways to make us a stronger team!

We will get started at 10:00am at HyVee, which is graciously sponsoring us by providing the softener salt!  We will be going door-to-door in order to get as many sales as we can!

Interested in obtaining some softener salt, but do not think you will be home or just want to make sure you get some?  Do not fret!  We are taking orders and delivering the solar salt as well!  To order, contact me at casey.johnson@smsu.edu or give me a call at 507-829-2603!

SMSU SIFE is the largest student organization on campus, and it comes as no surprise because we offer ways for all students to get involved, become leaders, and be apart of a special team. This week is no different from any other, execpt that we have alot of team building activites. We have been working very hard lately so it is now time for some fun!

This week in SIFE has the following opportunities for YOU:

Friday April 16th

• 10:00- Budge-It in Minneota- The Financial Literacy team has been working very hard to create a fun way for kids to learn how to budget. They have developed a game, which they are now going to teach to young students at Minneota Elementary School! For more information on this fun activity, contact Jeana at Jeana.Watts@smsu.edu
• 12:30- Bring Your Own Lunch in CH 105-  Join in the  fun at these weekly lunch gatherings. This is a time for members to enjoy good food, good converstion, and good people.
• 2:00 to 5:00- Team Volleyball in the RA- Come to this SIFE Volleyball event that is a double wammy!! It is going to be a fun team building activity and also be video taped for the Unity and Diversity video. For more information contact Nicole at nicole.pagel@smsu.edu

Saturday April 17th

• 10:00- Fundraiser Car Wash at HyVee- Come help our team gain funding for our Nationals trip by washing cars! This is a great opportunity for our team to help the community but to also have fun has a team! For more information contact Tanya at tanya.ashley@smsu.edu
• 5:00- Food Festival in the Student Center- Come taste some exotic cuisine, converse with members, and gain cultural knowledge at this school event. Our events coordinator has gathered all the information and now all you need to do is eat and have fun! For more information contact Nicole at nicole.pagel@smsu.edu

Tuesday April 20th

• 11:50- Leadership Team Meeting in CH 105- These weekly meetings are very fun! Directors, Coordinators, SIFE students, and all other members discuss the week’s upcoming events, plan for new activities, and make exciting desicions. Join in on the fun! For more information contact Luke at lucas.bryce@smsu.edu

Wednesday April 21st

• 3:30- Sustainability in CH 105- This weekly meeting keeps our team growing and reaming strong. Have fun at these meetings by thinking of ways to reach new students and to keep our team sustainable. For more information contact Tim at tim.kortsmit@smsu.edu

Thursday April 22nd

• 2:00- Projects for Your Planet- Our SIFE team has created fun competition between smsu student organization by creating this earth day event. Come to the Conference Center and help Stacy run the event. for more information contact Stacy at stacy.bottolfson@smsu.edu

• 4:30- Unity and Diversity – These weekly meetings are being held to tape a fun video that will teach students about respect how different cultures interpret things differently. This team has been working hard and would like any and all members to join in. For more information contact Shannon at shannon.rekker@smsu.edu

• 5:00- Team Meeting / Adopt a Highway- in CH 201- Our team will be meeting for a short time, but then will be off to the Highway to clean up our SIFE ditch. This fun activity not only helps the environment but also helps our team bond and grow. If you can’t make the meeting, or if the time does not work, arrangements can be made so that all members can be able to attend. For more information contact Stacy at stacy.bottolfson@smsu.edu

As you can see this week in SIFE offers you a fun way to get involved.  Join any and all of these meetings and events and you will be hooked. As our members say, “SIFE for LIFE.”

We will see YOU there!

The carwash will be accepting donations, so please bring your car and show your support!  The donations will be used for travel expenses for our national competition!

If you have any questions, you can email Tanya Ashley at tanya.ashley@smsu.edu.

Another week has been planned full of SIFE excitement and opportunities. Each week our team works on building new projects, implementing new ideas, and, as always, building our team. SIFE is the largest student organization and there is no slowing us down!

Get involved by attending these SIFE Events:

Tuesday April 13th

• 11:50- Leadership Team Meeting in CH 105- This weekly meeting for Directors, Coordinators, and SIFE students, discusses all the upcoming events in SIFE. All directors and coordinators provide updates, pressing issues are discussed, decisions get made, and laughter is held each week at these meetings.  Contrary to belief, anyone can join these meetings to really get involved. For more information contact Luke at lucas.bryce@yahoo.com

Wednesday April 14th

• 12:00- Investment and Retirements in CH 201- Throughout this entire school year our Financial Literacy team has been helping students wtih all types of financial issues through Seminars. Investments and Retirements is the last seminar so join in on the fun, bring a friend and your own lunch, and take part in a great learning opportunity.  For more information contact Jeana at Jeana.Watts@smsu.edu
• 3:30- Sustainability in CH 105- Our team keeps growing, expanding, and succeeding and in order for SMSU SIFE to stay on track, these meetings are held. Come help our team recruit, continue to be sustainable, and have fun! For more information contact Tim at Tim@Kortsmit.com

Thursday April 15th

• 6:00 Team Meeting in SC 249- This weekly meeting is the largest of them all! With over 30 members attending each week there is no way you want to miss these! Weekly updates and upcoming events are discuessed along with any other SIFE News. These meetings are a blast, so don’t miss out! For more information contact Tessa at tessa.weber@smsu.edu

This Week has been planned in order for our team to remain successful and to allow members to get involved. We appreciate all of our member’s hard work and dedication. Keep it up!

Have a great SIFE week. We will see YOU there!

This week in SIFE offers YOU the opportunity to get involved, meet new people, and become apart of the largest student organization on SMSU!!! How ’bout them apples?!! Our team will continue growing and expanding the SIFE organization through the following events:

Friday April 2nd

• 12:30- Bring Your Own Lunch in CH 105- Did April Fool’s Day leave you confused, stressed, or exhausted? Do you need a place to relax and end your week on a positive note? Well, come to this non stressful lunch hour where you can enjoy good food and good conversation.

Tuesday April 6th

• 11:50- Leadership Team Meeting in CH 105- Our team is going through some exciting changes and is preparing  for ongoing success. Join these meetings to help our team stay focused, discuss pressing issues, and learn about upcoming events.

Wednesday April 7th

• 3:00- Unity and Diversity Filming- The Ethics is creating a video to educate students on disrespectful language.  Filming of this video will take place over several days, with April 7th being the first. Come help the team and be on camera!!

• 3:30- Sustainability in CH 105- Our SIFE team has just reached 100 total members, but there is no stopping. Come to this meeting to help our team gain success, continue growth, and remain sustainable. These meetings discuss ways to gain membership, stay profitable, and plan upcoming events.

Thursday April 8th

• 10:30- 2:00- SMSU Job Fair in the Upper Level Conference Center- Our team has been working hard to educate students on how to prepare for their future, and now is the chance to use those hard earned skills. This job fair is open to all students of SMSU, but as a SIFE member, be prepared to stand out!
• 4:30- Unity and Diversity Meeting in CH 105- The Ethics team is creating a new video that will make students aware of how people react to different types of disrespectful language. A new movie is being produced and YOU can get involved. Come to this meeting to offer possible times for production and ideas on the video.
• 6:00 Team Meeting in SC 249- This weekly team meeting is the biggest of them all! Come to these meetings to partake in discussion and to learn about how you can get involved. At this particular meeting our team will be announcing the Presidential votes and also making nominations for Coordinator positions.

This week in SIFE once again offers YOU with opportunities and ways to get involved. SIFE is very pleased and excited with all of the work our team does and thanks YOU for your participation. KEEP IT UP!

Have a great SIFE week! We will see YOU there!!!

My schedule is still busy with school and work, but now I get to break up my day with different projects through SIFE.  One week, I could be talking to college students about getting financial freedom; another week, I could be dressing up as a clown to teach 2^nd graders about reducing, reusing and recycling.  Well, what if you don’t like talking in front of people? (the number one fear of most people in the world)  That is ok.  We need people to write the curriculum, videotape, plan events, print T-shirts, write blogs, as well as numerous other things.  Whatever you might be interested in, SIFE can find something for you to work on and build strengths around; the organization is simply that versatile.

Think about what SIFE will do for your resume. Just having worked and taken classes will only get you so far.  What is going to set you apart from other applicants? This is where SIFE comes in – and you are going to make a difference in someone’s life!

Construction Project

A large and rapidly developing country has experienced significant population growth in the last decade with projections that the growth will continue at an alarming rate. With this new population, the demand for electricity has also increased and the nation will not be able to sustain the population’s demand for electricity if it continues to grow at the current rate. In response to this data, the government of the country is in the process of designing a large dam which will provide enough renewable energy to sustain the population well into the future. The government is reviewing the many benefits and consequences of building the dam.

First, if the dam is created it will displace more than 1.25 million people from their homes and farm land. The reservoir behind the dam will eventually destroy several historical monuments and flood many archaeological sites. The dam could potentially create more water pollution upstream by slowing the flow of the river disrupting the river’s normal capacity to flush pollutants downstream. The threat of pollution results in the government spending money they normally would not have to invest in cleaning operations. Also, the dam has the possibility to harm or even destroy many of the river’s wildlife species.

On the other hand, the dam helps meet 11% of the country’s energy needs by creating clean and renewable energy. Because of the dam, the country will be able to reduce fossil fuel consumption and the energy that it takes to mine and transport the fossil fuels. This in turn will also reduce the amount of air pollutants expelled into the atmosphere by burning the fossil fuels. The threat of seasonal floods, which threatens millions of homes, would be reduced because of the dam’s ability to maintain constant water flow. The dam would also help upstream navigation, which would improve commerce and stimulate economic activities. Finally, because of its massive size, the dam would create tourism, and all of the economic benefits that would ensue.

Knowing this information what should the government do?

As most of you know, last week was our Regional Competition, and our team did outstanding, but the competition has just begun. This week we have more team building activities, meetings, and opportunities for YOU. Join our team as we continue to grow and prepare for the National Competition on May 11th – 13th. This week in SIFE is as follows:

Friday March 26th

• 12:30- Bring Your Own Lunch in CH 105-  Enjoy a relaxing lunch hour in our Core Office. Here members can enjoy good company and good food.

Monday March 29th

• 5:45- Environmental Sustainability Meeting in CH 105- One of this years best project, Pump ‘Em Up, is going on to phase II. The project is going to now help local businesses pump up their tires and become more environmentally sustainable. For more information contact Stacy at Stacy.Bottolfson@smsu.edu

• 9:00- Appetizers at Applebees- Join in on this team building activity that our events coordinator, Nicole, has planned. Come to learn more about your group members and eat great food!

Tuesday March 30th

• 11:50- Leadership Meeting in CH 105- This leadership meeting is when Directors, Coordinators and SIFE students come to discuss the upcoming SIFE week and various SIFE topics. These meetings are open to everyone and the topics discuss vary each week, so it is always interesting!

Wednesday March 31st

• 3:30- Sustainability in CH 105-  Our team is the largest on the SMSU campus! Come see why at these weekly meetings with Tim. This meeting will be discussing plans for the Business Advisory Board Meeting on April 29th. For more information contact Tim at tim@kortsmit.com

Thursday April 1st

• 4:30- Ethics Meeting in CH 105- This meeting will be discussing the Unity and Diversity video. This video will have SIFE members say many words that may seem disrespectful to others. The video needs 26 members and is the perfect way to get invovled. For more information contact Shannon at shannon.reker@smsu.edu

• 6:00- Team Meeting in SC 249- This weekly meeting is NO JOKE! SIFE discusses upcoming events, opportunities, and updates at these meetings. Each week our team gathers for a great time that is sure to provide you with all your needed SIFE knowledge.  This week we will also be electing our future SIFE president, so do not miss out!

Each week our SIFE team works to make our team, community, and world a better place. Join in on all of these activities that are sure to give you not only great opportunities, but the chance to meet new people and change the world.

Have a great SIFE week; we will see YOU there