By Hannah Haney | Echo
Enactus is back after a year and a half of inactivity.
The organization reintroduced itself with an Airband commercial and on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at its kickoff event in the Euler atrium. Enactus enticed students with free pizza, games and T-shirts for the first 50 attendees. It was an opportunity for the organization to share with students who they are and what they do.
Enactus, formerly known as SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise), is a worldwide, nonprofit organization that works to bring students and business together to aid those in need, according the Enactus website. The Taylor branch of Enactus has chosen "Make Your Mark" as their theme this year, basing it on Ephesians 1:3.
SIFE was a large presence on campus until 2011. The organization became inactive when the leader left to start his own business. Coupled with other leadership and faculty changes, the group became relatively silent.
SIFE became Enactus in 2012 to reflect the organization's focus on their commitment to entrepreneurial opportunities. Enactus can be broken down into three parts: "En" for entrepreneurial, "Act" for action and "Us" to represent the people in the organization.
Junior David Hershberger is president of Enactus this year.
Enactus will feature new projects this year as well.
"We have a lot more technology-based projects, and we're also using not just business majors but different people from every major," Hershberger said.
One project coming this year is called TU Marketplace. TU Marketplace is a Taylor business run by students, according to senior Meghann Bowman. Students will be able to order basic products such as deodorant or laundry detergent for a slight markup in costs, and then an Enactus team will make a weekly run to Walmart and deliver the items directly to the dorms. TU Marketplace existed back in 2011 but died when SIFE became inactive.
Enactus is also involved with an organization called The Community Cloth.
"It's an organization that is a micro-enterprise for refugee women in Houston, Texas," Bowman said. "So these women will make scarves or hats and all kinds of handicrafts and then we'll sell them. And then 100 percent of the profit goes straight back to the women who made it."
Enactus is currently looking for people to get involved. Available positions include project managers and volunteers. All majors are welcome, including graphic design, communications and professional writing.
Although Enactus isn't officially a Christian organization, it aligns with Taylor's missions and values. Their mission statement of empowering others through entrepreneurship can be used to make the world a better place, according to Bowman.
Hershberger agrees.
"It's a great way to give back using the gifts that God has given you and just making things sustainable." Hershberger said. "This is about sustainability. This is about making sure . . . that these organizations that we work with have the capacity to continue to function without Taylor students."
