"Help-the-Homeless Walkathon" by Amy Warren

Last Saturday, more than 30 GW MBA students took part in the 22nd Annual Fannie Mae Help-the-Homeless Walkathon in Washington, DC. GW was walking specifically for Miriam's Kitchen, an organization that provides nutritious meals and support to homeless people in the DC area.

The day didn't start well. I woke up with a cramp in my leg (great timing!), but I didn't want that to stop me from participating. It was a 3-mile walk and I really started to feel it in my leg around the 2-mile mark. Still - I finished and I don't regret doing it! We raised more than $1,000 for Miriam's Kitchen.

It was a beautiful day for a walk. We started and finished on the National Mall, passing the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument along the way. Our program is so intense that it's easy to forget I live in the U.S. capital - ironically, I had more time for it as a tourist. In addition to being a great cause, the walkathon was a reminder of why I love living in DC.

Here are some of the photo highlights:

Amy Warren, Global MBA 2011

"GWU Community Consulting Wins its First Clients!" by Erik Walenza-Slabe

Ok, so we offer pro bono consultation… ahh but winning that first client is still a wonderful feeling! In fact we’re celebrating not only our first client, but also our fourth client in two weeks. As Eric Groff says, client interest is our proof of concept, now it’s time to perform.

Client survey:

• George Mason University Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution – PhD candidates, masters students and faculty are interested in starting a boutique consulting firm specializing in conflict resolution. Our task is to conduct a market/industry analysis and help them to develop a business plan by April.

• George Mason University Faculty – Three faculty members are assisting businesses based in Israel and Palestine that strive to bridge the ethnic divide. We are looking forward to meeting with them next week to learn the details of the project and how we will fit in.

• GWU Alumnus/Afghani Handicrafts Manufacturer – An Afghani woman manufactures handicrafts and wishes to export to the U.S. She is being aided by a GWU alumnus who offered to serve as a program advisor. Sweet rewards of networking.

• Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) – The MRBA represents 100 businesses in the town of Mount Rainier, where I currently reside. The business community is delighted at the opportunity to tap our talent, and we in return welcome the chance to support them through the recession.

And that is where we stand at present. We’ve made great strides during the past month and now are anxiously awaiting the next program meeting, at which work teams will be assigned.

Erik Walenza-Slabe, Global MBA 2011

"Al Gore Speaks About his New Book: OUR CHOICE" by Lara Gast

I went to see Al Gore promote his new book, Our Choice, at GW’s Lisner Auditorium on Thursday evening. Mr. Gore gave an overview of the book’s content, which focuses on the main causes of climate change and the decisions faced by Americans to change our behaviors and policies. In his blog, the book is described as follows:

"Picking up where An Inconvenient Truth left off, Our Choice utilizes Mr. Gore’s forty years of experience as a student, policymaker, author, filmmaker, entrepreneur and activist to comprehensively describe the real solutions to global warming. A co-recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in 2007 for his environmental work, Mr. Gore continues to make sense of the pressing issues we face and Our Choice will unquestionably inspire and rally those ready to fight for solutions that were deemed impossible only a short time ago."

Our Choice, and Mr. Gore himself, are great examples of the Principles for Responsible Management Education. In support of the Purpose principle, Mr. Gore commended students who are incorporating sustainability into their educational track. His book focuses mostly on the principles of Research and the importance of Partnership to make change occur; however, I believe Mr. Gore’s key impact is through Dialogue, and his continued promotion of change through awareness.

In his final statement, he challenged Americans (and particularly young people) to be responsible for making the most important moral decision of our era-to create and implement global solutions to combat the climate crisis.

Lara Gast, Global MBA 2011