UVic Commerce Students' Society

In 2009, on a whim, I decided to join the University of Victoria Commerce Students' Society. I applied for the position the Director of Marketing & Creative Strategy and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I created UVic's first ever CSS Marketing Team and started to consistently brand the CSS with a fresh, new look. Quickly, I moved to the Executive Council as the Vice President, External Affairs where I worked on a renewed community outreach program to foster alumni support and corporate sponsorship. In February of 2010, I was voted by the Gustavson student body to serve as the 19th president of the CSS. My successful Vote for Progress campaign enabled me to win the election with a 96 per cent affirmation.

During my term as President, I worked on a new strategic plan for the Society, increased the student levy to allow the CSS to move towards financial independence, implemented a new corporate governance structure, and took the Society through company-wide re-organization. Below is a look at select experiences from past positions in the CSS.

Client: UVic Commerce Students' Society

May 2010 - April 2011
President

- Managed a team of five executives and chaired a 30 member Leadership team to execute a variety of academic programs, social events and charitable initiatives throughout the year.
- Sat on the Gustavson School of Business Faculty Council.
- Implemented a reorganization of the society that provided structure for a growing organization.
- Instituted a new, welcoming culture and launched a renewed community outreach effort that is aimed to result in a 15 per cent increase in corporate sponsorship to ensure the organization's viability and financial stability.
- Grew the UVic Leadership Conference to include greater involvement from external delegates from other business schools.
- Initiated a business clubs council, achieved more effective strategic planning, decision making and increased vested interest from council for the purpose of succession.

2009-2010 CSS Leadership Team

Dec 2009 - April 2010
Vice President, External Affairs

- Actively seek long-term strategic partnerships for the CSS.
- Build and maintain relationships with the local and regional business communities.
- Continue to build and provide strategic vision for the CSS brand.
- Support a portfolio of business units including Marketing, Public Relations, Corporate Relations, Social Events, JDC West, UVLC.
- Develop a community outreach program to educate the community about CSS initiatives such as our United Way campaign.
- Ensure viable succession for the organization through an CSS Leadership Mentorship Program.
- Liaise with existing partners, vendors and sponsors on behalf of the Commerce Students' Society at University of Victoria.

Connor Edwards and Andrew Sorokovsky with spirit fingers

May 2009 - December 2009
Director, Marketing & Creative Strategy

- Drive marketing innovation for CSS events and programs.
- Continue to expand and foster growth of the CSS Marketing team by provide overall strategic vision in the team's infancy.
- Lead and support a team of eight marketing coordinators.
- Ensure brand consistency across all mediums (print, dm, online, TV).
- Produce creative briefs for advertising projects.
- Design and create marketing campaign roadmaps for all business units with a strong visual identity and consistent brand message.
- Work with the Director, Public Relations for all media work including media advisories and press releases.
- Oversee and maintain the Commerce Students' Society website and social media properties including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Use cross-functional teams to support other business units and to provide direction and creative strategy for projects in their respective portfolios.

Victoria and Lethbridge executive councils at the 2009 National Business School Conference in Winnipeg, MB