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Introduction

The Illinois Business Council, more commonly known as Business Council or "BC", is a business-oriented student organization at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The organization was founded in 1973 and is dedicated to serving the Gies College of Business. Originally called Commerce Council that served as a dean's advisory board made up with only 20 business students, Business Council is now a large organization made up of around 130 undergraduate students from all majors and diverse backgrounds with an interest in business. Business Council helps its members achieve their goals and build a lifetime network of some of the most accomplished, driven students on the University of Illinois campus. This is accomplished through events planned and executed by the BC Leadership Team and centered around the organization's three fundamental pillars: Professional, Service, and Social.

Professional Pillar

Business Council's professional pillar focuses on providing its members with opportunities to develop their professional skills and knowledge. This includes events such as guest speaker presentations, networking events, and resume and interview workshops. Business Council is a dynamic professional organization that empowers its members to elevate their careers and those of their fellow council members. With over 150 events each semester, Business Council provides ample opportunities for professional development, skill enhancement, and networking.

Throughout the semester, our dedicated event chairs organize a diverse range of events, from resume reviews and interview workshops to coding bootcamps and internal case competitions.

Business Council takes pride in its strong relationships with over 20 corporate sponsors, which open doors to valuable networking opportunities for members. Most events with corporate partners offer insights into the company's culture and operations while fostering the development of essential professional skills. Beyond networking in formal settings, members have the chance to connect with our partners in more casual environments, such as our annual Golf Outing and Impact Day, our day of community service.

Business Council's success is attributed to its incredible alumni network, who continue to invest in the organization by volunteering their time to present at events covering a wide range of topics. Some of these presentations include "Post-College Survival Guides," "Women in Tech Panel," and "Social Justice in the Workplace." With a constant influx of new topics, Business Council members are always eager to learn from their esteemed alumni.

BC members also have the privilege of engaging with the Gies College of Business through volunteer opportunities, along with expanding their knowledge through speaker series featuring professors from various University of Illinois colleges.

Service Pillar

Business Council's service pillar focuses on giving back to the community. This includes events such as volunteering at local charities and participating in community service projects.

The Philanthropy Committee organizes a diverse range of events that provide members with ample opportunities to make a positive impact on the world. These events include volunteering at organizations like The Urbana Hope Center, Give Back Garden, Salt and Light, and the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, BC organizes remote events such as food drives, book drives, card making for senior citizens, and blanket making for homeless shelters. Our committee is constantly seeking innovative ways to give back, ensuring that our philanthropic efforts remain fresh and engaging.

Beyond volunteering, Business Council members actively contribute to our Charity Fundraising Committee. Each semester, members nominate a charity that holds special meaning to them. The council then votes on the charity of the semester, and the committee chairs plan a series of events throughout the semester to raise funds for the chosen cause. These events foster camaraderie among members while generating donations for a worthy cause. Some of the signature fundraising events include the BC Date Auction and New Member Who events.

In addition to committee-led initiatives, Business Council also dedicates a day of service, Impact Day, to give back to the community. BC also organizes large-scale charity fundraising events, such as the College of Business Dance Competition and New Member Capstone, where new members raise funds for a charity chosen by their class.

Social Pillar

Finally Business Council's social pillar focuses on providing its members with opportunities to socialize and network with each other. This includes events such as mixers, social gatherings, and trips to Chicago. It's a diverse organization where members form lifelong friendships. The people are what make Business Council so special and unique.

The Internal Engagement chairs organize a variety of council bonding events every week, held in and around Champaign. These events are designed to help council members develop deeper friendships while participating in creative and enjoyable activities. Some of our regular bonding events include karaoke nights, trips to the farmers market, corn mazes, and the iEat series, where members go out and try new restaurants together. There's something for everyone. Events often cater to members' interests, such as baking and learning calligraphy.

Business Council is committed to fostering Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. The DEI chairs plan events that educate members about current social issues and offer regular training modules. One such training is Implicit Bias Training, where members learn to actively identify and address their subconscious biases. Other trainings include "Checking Your Privilege" modules and "How to Stop Stereotyping." Events are also planned to promote members' health through physical and mental stress-reducing activities. Business Council also hosts regular social events, such as a semi-formal and annual barn dance, and more.

Overall Business Council is a valuable organization for any student interested in business. The organization provides its members with opportunities to develop their professional skills, give back to the community, and socialize with other students. It is also a great way to build a lifetime network of friends and colleagues. According to the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews it was found that "involvement of students in clubs and organizations does influence their leadership development. Along with leadership development, joining further helps the students to improve communication skills as well as social skills".

Business Council Leadership Positions

The core of Business Council are the six executive board, 13 chair, 9 coordinator, 4 spearhead and finally recruitment team. I will explain each position briefly by going over their responsibilities and staple events they host.

Executive Board

President

Lead Business Council in most regards and serve as the face of the council.

Vice President of Finance

Manage Business Council finances and budgets for events through the semester. Also the dues collector for members.

Vice President of External Affairs

Manage relationships with external connections such as corporate sponsors and alumni

Vice President of Internal Affairs

Manage the social environment within the council and promote inclusivity.

Vice President of Communications

Manage forms of communication between the council such as websites and email newsletters.

Vice President of Operations

Manage recruitment for Business Council and internal operations to better facilitate.

Committee Chairs

Charity Fundraising

Provide meaningful events at which the Council can engage with others, gain value, and give back to the chosen semester charity.

College Relations

Maintain the relationship with the Gies College of Business and other colleges by creating exciting events involving deans and faculty.

Corporate Partnership

Help build lasting relationships between Partners and Council Members.

External Affairs

Provide opportunities to collaborate with other organizations, while building relationships with those involved in other organizations and strengthening relationships within the Council.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Give members an opportunity to become more informed individuals and professionals while discussing mental health and D&I in a safe, judgment-free setting.

Internal Engagement

Create a welcoming and energetic environment, while offering BC members abundant opportunities to develop and maintain relationships.

New Members

Create a cohesive New Member family, through extensive professional development, continued mentorship, and bonding.

Philanthropy

Provide ample service opportunities for members to engage with both the campus and C-U community.

Professional Development

Strengthen the professional pillar within Business Council by creating innovative events that allow members to share their expertise with the rest of the Council.

Recruitment

Recruit a bright, diverse, and inclusive pool of New Members by expanding our marketing reach and demonstrating our passion for Business Council.

Social

Foster an inviting, collaborative environment where every member can feel welcomed and accepted.

Technology

Leverage the expertise of Business Council members to share how technology connects to their studies, explore global tech trends, and enable members to gain proficiency in core software.

Alumni

Continue the outreach to the vast alumni network to better connect current members with Business Council alumni.

Coordinators

A Mother’s Touch

Plan and execute the charity dinner during Mom’s Weekend.

Apparel

Design a variety of creative apparel in order to represent and promote Business Council.

BCAA

Organize and run athletic events, while fostering teamwork and enthusiasm within the Council.

College of Business Dance Competition (CBDC)

Plan and execute the annual College of Business Dance Competition.

Dad's Day

Plan and execute the football tailgate during Dad's Weekend.

Golf Outing

Organize the annual golf outing with Business Council alumni and/or corporate sponsors.

Wellness

Maintain the active involvement of all members and help everyone prioritize their mental, physical, and emotional health.

IMPACT Day

Organize and execute the college-wide day of service affiliated with the Gies College of Business and encourage students to give back to the C-U community.

Families

Connect New Members with BC Parents to facilitate a nurturing and welcoming environment within Business Council.

Spearheads

Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior Spearheads

Maintain the involvement of the BC classes by planning and executing fun, interactive events focused on seniors.

Recruitment Team

Recruitment Team

Aid the Vice President of Operations, Recruitment Chairs and New Member chairs in onboarding the next new member class each semester.

A study published in the Journal of College Student Development found that active involvement in extracurricular activities, including clubs, positively correlated with academic achievement, personal growth, and career satisfaction. Students who participated in clubs were more likely to graduate on time, report higher levels of self-efficacy, and secure employment upon graduation and Business Council is not exception to this. Boasting a 100% job placement rate and 3.8+ average GPA. It is truly one of the most premier organizations on the University of Illinois Campus.