yes, i cried... but not in t-group

Spring Break for me had always been skiing in Colorado or drinking beer on a beach. As a 1st year at the GSB, I did both and had a great time.

After returning from break last March, I kept hearing stories from friends about the great experiences they had on their Service Learning Trips. This year, I finally decided to apply for one when Andy Doyle reminded me that "the best thing [he] did at the GSB was [his] service learning trip to New Orleans."

I joined 14 GSB classmates and Elizabeth Macholan, a PMP staff member with the Service Learning Program, on a trip to New Orleans. The trip was led by Shara Tortora, MBA2, and Darren Dodson, MBA2, who both participated in last year's trip.

This year, the leaders designed a trip focused on having a more lasting impact on the New Orleans community by leveraging the unique business skills we have acquired at the GSB.

We partnered with Idea Village, a New Orleans-based organization that helps entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed, which introduced us to 25 small businesses. The businesses were located in three city corridors that are struggling to regain their economic footing post-Katrina.

We were divided into five teams of three and each team met with five businesses. After meetings with the business owners, the teams developed a set of tactical and strategic recommendations for each business.

Unbeknownst to the entrepreneurs, we had access to a fund of $50,000 from which to make small investments (NPV-positive, of course) across the 25 businesses. Part of the grant money was provided by a New Orleans entrepreneur who Idea Village had assisted a year ago.

Idea Village gives grants, not loans, but encourages recipients to "pay it forward". This contribution was generously matched by an anonymous GSB alum.

The task of allocating the grant funding, with the objective of maximizing community welfare, was extraordinarily difficult. The distribution was complicated by the special bonds formed between GSB teams and the entrepreneurs with whom they were working, resulting in a lively and emotional debate.

These are case studies of a business we chose to fund and a business we were not able to support financially, though we provided recommendations to each business.

Part of our mission in New Orleans was to educate ourselves about the situation from as many perspectives as possible. In addition to the service aspect of our trip, we had several meetings with civic leaders such as Mayor Ray Nagin, Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu and Business Council leader Jay Lapeyre.

Oh and New Orleans happens to be a lot of fun. The group spent most nights on Bourbon Street or in other areas of town enjoying great food, amazing music and plenty of drinks.

Having completed a service learning trip, I am in agreement with Andy Doyle that it was the best experience I had at the GSB. The trip was a powerful reminder of how special the people at the GSB are and how the teachings of the GSB enable us to make an impact in the real world.

Finally, I want to encourage people to visit New Orleans as the city continues the tradition of good times despite the fact that it remains in need of continued help.