RESOLUTION NO. RS2012-463

A resolution recognizing the Belmont University Enactus Team for winning the 2012 World Competition.

WHEREAS, in May of 2012, students from Belmont University placed No. 1 from among nearly 600 teams in the SIFE USA national student entrepreneurship competition and were proclaimed National Champions of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Enactus (formerly known as SIFE) is the world’s best-known and most successful program helping university students to create community empowerment projects; and

WHEREAS, the Belmont Enactus team, representing the United States of America, presented the results of its community outreach projects, intended to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need, to panels of prominent global business leaders who served as judges and evaluated them based upon their success in creating economic opportunity for others at the Enactus World Cup competition; and

WHEREAS, our Nashville university’s team projects included Spring Back Recycling, a program conducted in collaboration with Belmont Church’s Isaiah 58 Ministry and Metro Davidson County Public Works; and

WHEREAS, Spring Back Nashville has recycled more than 15,000 mattresses, diverted 250 tons of waste from landfills, and consistently employed eight formerly incarcerated men who now are able to support their families and have hope for the future; and

WHEREAS, the Belmont students’ sustainable business model has been replicated in Colorado and the team is negotiating licensing opportunities with five other locations across the country; and

WHEREAS, the Belmont Enactus Team also developed business and financial plans for fashionABLE, an enterprise helping 25 former Ethiopian prostitutes make, dye, and sell scarves across the United States, which resulted in an annual revenue increase to $333,000 and an increase in retail outlets from 70 to 254; and

WHEREAS, PhilanthroTeach, another project included in the Belmont Enactus Team presentation, has provided job readiness training for more than 500 of Nashville’s unemployed and economically disadvantaged residents; and

WHEREAS, on October 2, 2012 Nashville’s Belmont Enactus Team was named No. 1 in the world after competing against 37 teams who had earned national championships in their respective countries,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as congratulating the Belmont University Enactus Team for winning the 2012 Enactus World Cup and thanking them for the positive influence they have had on the lives of people living in the Nashville Metro community.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council hereby proclaims Friday, October 19, 2012 as Belmont Enactus World Championship Day.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Belmont University and the Belmont Enactus Team.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Burkley Allen, Megan Barry, Sandra Moore, Ronnie Steine, Erica Gilmore, Jerry Maynard