How to Start a SAGE Program in Another Country

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Chico

Chico, California 95929-0001

College of Business

Office of the SAGE Executive Director

Ph: 530-898-4824

Fax: 530-898-4970

How to Start a SAGE Program in another Country

1. Find a Country Champion

Candidates:

government leader
CEO of a Non-Government Organization (NGO)
university business graduate who has completed service-learning projects
university professor who subscribes to service-learning
business leader
civic leader
education leader
successful “for-profit” entrepreneur
successful “social” entrepreneur
multinational company willing to partially finance the operation
national company willing to partially finance the operation
private foundation

2. Identify a “National Coordinator”

This person may or may not be the same as the Country Champion. This person should work to establish key contacts within government, industry and education to determine the viability of SAGE in that country. The coordinator should begin the process of identifying a SAGE Board of Directors and securing the necessary paperwork to establish SAGE as a registered NGO within the country.

3. Develop Program Materials in Local Language

If English is not the first language, the Country Coordinator should translate the most current SAGE Information Handbook into the local language. This handbook should be tailored for the country. The only materials not subject to adaptation are the SAGE judging criteria and competition format.

4. Identify and Recruit High Schools

In the first year, a country should try to work with between 3-10 high schools. Thereafter, the country should “scale” the program according to funds and personnel. The best way to publicize that SAGE exists is through the Minister of Education.

5. Seek and Obtain Funding

SAGE is extremely attractive to government, multinational corporations, private foundations and philanthropists who see the power of the combined formula of youth entrepreneurship and service. The best way to attract funding is to let government officials know about how SAGE can eradicate poverty, create wealth, empower youth, encourage civic responsibility, raise environmental awareness, and provide youth with an international perspective. Dr. DeBerg will provide sample grant proposals targeting federal governments, multinational corporations and private foundations.

Funding priorities include:

start-up SAGE grants to participating high schools,
SAGE advisor stipends, SAGE mentor travel to the high schools during the academic year,
regional and national SAGE competition expenses, and
travel money for the winning SAGE delegation to participate in the SAGE World Cup.

6. Offer Training Assistance to SAGE Advisors

This can be accomplished by email, phone calls and/or a SAGE Advisor conference.

7. Organize the SAGE Teams (recruit the students, explain the program, and get them started)

At the micro level, this can be accomplished by making presentations to student leaders at potential SAGE high schools. Presentations can be made by university students who are participating in community service-learning or voluntary service activities. At the macro level, this can best be accomplished by asking the country or state education officials to recommend SAGE to the superintendents, principles (e.g., headmasters), and teachers.

8. Formalize the Organizational Structure

To gain respect and legitimacy, SAGE programs must meet the legal requirements within the country. SAGE Country Coordinators should by this time have arranged for NGO status, including an office and governing body signing a SAGE Country Coordinator Agreement agreeing to abide by SAGE’s policies, procedures and rules as outlined in the SAGE Handbook. SAGE Board of Directors members should be a cross section of business, civic and education leaders, and it should be balanced in terms of gender and ethnicity. Board members should share in the cost of forming the official NGO.

9. Organize the Regional and National Competitions

Ideally, a Country SAGE program should start with a minimum of three teams competing. Exceptions can be made for first-year teams. The SAGE Coordinator must arrange for such things as location, date, judges, prize money, trophies, awards ceremony, etc.).

10. Assist National SAGE Delegation in Obtaining Passports, Visas and Anything Else to Assist Them in Participating in the SAGE World Cup Champion to Compete at SAGE World Cup.

Obtaining visas may be the most difficult aspect here. Dr. DeBerg can help by writing letters of invitation and asking his U.S. Congressman to write a letter of support in granting visa interviews to all members of the SAGE delegation.

Conclusion:

All of the above steps can be accomplished more easily by communicating frequently with SAGE Headquarters in California. SAGE prides itself in transparency, and welcomes constructive criticism and feedback from all members of the SAGE worldwide network, which includes anyone and everyone who believes in the SAGE mission and abides by the SAGE Ambassador’s Creed.

APPENDIX

SAGE has established one of the most impactful international linkages among teenagers, higher education, and the business community. Based on a survey of 178 teens participating in two recent two SAGE World Cup tournaments, we found that: (1) over 90% of the teens are more confident about their future because of business skills they have learned through SAGE; (2) over 90% of the students more strongly believe that giving back to the community is an important part of a business’s social responsibility; (3) 84% of the students are now more highly motivated to pursue a college or university degree; and (4) 95% of the students consider themselves to have a broader worldview, and are now more accepting of people from other backgrounds and cultures. SAGE is currently operating in the following countries:

SAGE Information Handbook – Academic Year 2012/20131

Burkina Faso
Canada
China
Chile
Ghana
Iran
Ireland
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Nepal
Nigeria
Pakistan
Poland
Philippines
Republic of South Korea
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
Ukraine
USA
Zambia

Other countries showing interest:

Poland
Armenia
Australia
Indonesia
Cameroon
Togo
Ivory Coast
Congo

SAGE Information Handbook – Academic Year 2012/20131

The SAGE Ambassador’s Creed

As a SAGE ambassador I have a rare opportunity to fulfill a personal dream and create an honorable legacy, namely, by helping to make manifest the vision of SAGE, which is to bring benefit to humankind by enabling people everywhere to fulfill their potential for individual self-reliance and freedom, community sustainability and stewardship, transnational understanding and cooperation, and timeless wisdom and maturity.

I shall strive to avail myself fully of this opportunity by enabling youth and young adults to benefit by

learning about SAGE,
participating in SAGE,
starting up social ventures which become replicable and self-funding,
developing into dedicated and indefatigable social entrepreneurs.

To bring these benefits to our emerging generation, I shall

recruit or assist in recruiting a SAGE ambassadorial team which would subscribe to this creed;
facilitate the underwriting for SAGE in the city or country in which I represent SAGE;
invite youth and young adults to avail themselves of SAGE;
recruit professionals to mentor the youth and young adults in SAGE and evaluate social ventures so that they operate optimally;
work cooperatively with governments, institutions, and other organizations so as to advance all programs consistent with SAGE.

At all times, I shall

teach and advise others on the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship;
integrate the Six Pillars of Character into all my activities;
teach and utilize the best practices of social entrepreneurship, so that an example be set for youth and young adults;
teach that community & compassion come first for social entrepreneurs;
cooperate with SAGE so that the SAGE vision is fulfilled.

SAGE Information Handbook – Academic Year 2012/20131