Market turnaround for economics club

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By Paul Mayne
Thursday, November 20, 2008
While the state of the economy seems to be in a tailspin, the business of debating and pondering the world’s financial systems seems to be a raging success.
 
 
Economic Students' Association co-presidents Matthew Ball and Anshul Ruparell are thrilled with the clubs overwhelming success.
 
Case in point: Western’s Economic Student’s Association (ESA). Two years ago the club was facing ‘corporate downsizing’ as it languished with only 22 members.
 
Enter Economics student Matthew Ball and a few friends. Call it a re-organization, inspired leadership or just incredible luck at leading the club at a time when the economy is the world’s biggest story, but the ESA now boasts 550 members across the campus.
 
With a new executive structure, updated website, slick new publication, aggressive pursuit of major speakers, strong marketing campaign and word of mouth, the ESA is stronger than ever.
 
“The first year was about getting a feel for the club; how to successfully run it and promote it, as well as determining its niche, its potential, and developing a talented executive,” says Ball, ECA co-president with Anshul Ruparell.
 
Since then the executive hasn’t slowed a bit.
 
They recruited a team of economic analysts, restarted the club's biweekly analyst meetings, held several exam review sessions, created a new sponsorship package, re-vamped the website (which now includes an interactive resource ‘wiki’), created an off-line economics and financial tutorial booklet, and daily analyst reports.
 
And if that isn’t enough, they have a bi-weekly newspaper called The Economic Outlook with a circulation of more than 1,200.
 
“We spark debates among members; we stimulate conversation on a wide variety of economic issues,” says Ball. “It’s what we’re all about.”
 
He adds the most important aspect of the club is it’s multi-disciplinary approach. It’s not a club for economics students, but a club for those interested in strengthening their non-curricular knowledge of the economy and who love to share opinions.
 
While the executive meets on a regular basis, with so many members general meetings are pretty much out of the question. Enter online discussion boards and the bi-weekly newspaper.
 
“Blending secondary reporting with first-hand analysis and opinion, the articles seek to explain the causes, consequences and values of major economic, financial and political movements worldwide,” says Ball, adding they hope to stimulate Western’s economic interests.
 
Along with a number of study and review sessions throughout the year, members also benefit from has become a strong recruiting program.
 
Over the past year, representatives have personally approached the ESA from several major investment banks and asset management firms, such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, for direct recruitment for their regional internship programs across their North American and Asia Pacific regions.
 
One of the ESA’s major events is its speaker series. Last year, the club hosted former federal Assistant Deputy Minister and Senior Vice President of TD Bank, Don Drummond
 
On Nov. 26, the club welcomes former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin, who will speak at Alumni Hall on the current financial crisis and his life in politics. A question and answer period, and a book signing will follow his speech.
 
Ball admits the ESA is close to running a business and that along with regular academic demands, he’s easily putting another 10 hours a week into the club.
 
“We’ll find ourselves working on a specific item and next thing you know we wind up debating something completely different,” says Ball. “With the worst financial crisis in 80 years there’s lot to talk about.”
 
For more information on the club, visit http://westernesa.com.
 
 
Alumni Hall Former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin will speak on the current financial crisis and his life in politics. A question and answer period, and a book signing will follow the speech. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 3 p.m. Admission is free but you will need a ticket. Available at InfoSource, UCC. 

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