Hello Achievers & Advisors,

Please review this email for some important reminders and updates.

New updates included in this email:
  • World of Choices: Empowering Young Women
  • Event Updates and Details
  • CP Visits
  • CP Calendar Update

Deadline Reminders:
  • Business Plan and Fixed Costs #1 - Past Due
  • Battle of the Ads Commercial Workshop Registration - Due March 5
  • Showcase & Social Media Form - Due March 5
  • JA Canada National Scholarships - Due March 19

Previous Updates:
  • Student Engagement Ideas
  • Mid-Year Student Checkpoint
  • Use of JA Logo - Clarifications
  • Wages/Salaries (NOT MANDATORY)
  • External Student Opportunities
  • Company Program Awards


NEW UPDATES
World of Choices: Empowering Young Women

JA Central Ontario is excited to share an amazing opportunity for young women aged 14-20!

World of Choices: Empowering Young Women is an online mentoring event designed to inspire students who identify as women as they begin their career journeys.

What's included: inspirational speakers (including Olympian and Financial Advisor, Megan Lukan, and Canada’s Youngest Social Entrepreneurs, Fatima and Amna Sultan), expert mentors from our partner organizations and a chance to explore a world of career choices at our Career Marketplace.

In addition, attendees will:
  • Receive a free copy of Fatima and Amna's book, Anything is Possible;
  • Receive a $10 Starbucks gift card to encourage them to set up a coffee meeting with a prospective mentor from their own network;
  • Be in with a chance of winning a $100 gift card in our Career Marketplace trivia game!

Virtual Event Details
Date: Thursday, March 25th
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM

For more information, please go to: https://conta.cc/37JqEqG


DEADLINE TO REGISTER: MARCH 3RD
Event Updates & Details

Thursday, March 11th from 3 to 4:30 p.m. (Please note the date change!)

Youth Entrepreneurs Showcase <- click here for full details on the event including the requirements!
Thursday, March 18th from 4 to 6 p.m.

ADVISORS & EXECUTIVES: Please ensure you review the emails with your entire team so that you are aware of the registration and requirements.

THURSDAY PROGRAMS: If your team meets on a Thursday evening, we will have to kindly ask you to push back the start time of your meeting and/or meet for a shorter period of time.
CP Visits

Each team has now been scheduled for a CP visit with one of our JA Staff members over the next few weeks.

LEAD ADVISORS: Please ensure that you communicate the visit date to your team members. If there is a conflict, please us know ASAP. If you did not get an invitation, please let Lucia know.
Calendar Updates

In light of the news that March Break has now been postponed to April, we have made some adjustments to the CP Calendar.

Please note the following changes:
  • March 15-19 will now be Week 15 instead of March Break
  • April 5-9 will now be Week 18 (last scheduled week)
  • April 12-16 will now be the scheduled "March Break" (you can opt to meet this week too but it is not mandatory)
  • April 19-23 will be an optional week for teams to finish up if they need the time

If your team meets on Mondays or Fridays, please note that April 2-5 is the Easter Holiday Weekend so you may need to cancel your meetings and use the optional week instead.

You can view the CP calendar here: https://www.jacocompanyprogram.ca/calendar

DEADLINES
Business Plan/Fixed Cost #1 ($75) Due
Due: Past Due
If you have not submitted your business plan and/or fixed costs, please submit them now.

Please upload your business plan here.
Please follow instructions to submit your fixed costs here.
Battle of the Ads Workshop Registration
Due: Friday, March 5

Please register to attend here: https://forms.gle/mzzfHU17T7HFCSD88
Showcase & Social Media Form Due
Due: Friday, March 5

Please submit your form here: https://forms.gle/quJBYXMXtfBmQYf18

Register for the Hopin Event here (each attendee must register individually): https://hopin.com/events/ja-company-program-youth-entrepreneurs-showcase
JA Canada National Scholarships
DUE: Friday, March 19

ACHIEVERS: As JA Central Ontario Company Program students, you may be eligible to apply for the following national scholarships offered by JA Canada:

2021 Al Beech Memorial Award
Value: $2,000

2021 Evelyn Ruskin JA Corporate Awareness Scholarship
Value: $1,000

2021 Seymour Schulich Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Value: $3,000

You can learn more about the application requirements here.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, March 19, 2021

Note: Where it says letter from JA Charter, you can request a letter directly from your JA Advisors since they have worked with you directly and can speak to your skills and talents.

PREVIOUS UPDATES
Mid-Year Student Checkpoint

If you haven't already had a chance, please take a moment to complete the student survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K6WD3GB

We appreciate your feedback!

NOTE TO ADVISORS: We want your feedback too and will be sending you a separate advisor survey link. Thank you!
Student Engagement Ideas

We know that many of you are concerned with engagement in the program. We hear you! It's been a challenging year and we know that being virtual has added to the challenges. You're not alone!

Keep Going: Remember that you are part of a TEAM. Whether you are the president, an executive or hold another important role on the team, you have to work together and support each other. Don't let the responsibilities fall on one or a few members. The most successful teams are the teams that utilize the talents and skills of EVERY member on the team.

  • Speak up and ask for help from your teammates or offering your help to teammates
  • Check in on your teammates to see how they are doing and how you can support them
  • Ask each other how you want to contribute and what you want out of this experience
  • Give everyone the opportunity to take leadership over their role, tasks, responsibilities and keep each other accountable
  • Lead by example and encourage/motivate each other!

We've gathered a few tips (from YOU!) on how you're keeping the team focused and engaged:
  • Hosting game nights and other socials outside of weekly meetings (sometimes you just need a chance to hang out with your teammates to re-energize (helpful sites to try out: backyard.co or gather.town)
  • Setting a clear agenda before each meeting and letting everyone know what to expect; delegating sections to members on the team
  • Scheduling short icebreakers in the middle of the meeting to re-energize the team and get everyone back on track
  • Challenge and encourage your teammates to utilize the communication tools you have chosen (Slack, Discord, Instagram, etc.) - perhaps there is something to incentivize everyone (a weekly prize or challenge or a way of recognizing team members who are engaged)
  • Use breakouts whenever possible - members are more engaged in smaller groups
Use of JA Logo - Clarifications

When using the JA Central Ontario Logo on your website, packaging, etc., please use the logos provided below.

REMINDERS:
  • Please make sure you are using the CORRECT JA logo on all of your materials - do not use the logos you find on Google. Use the "JA Central Ontario" logo only.
  • You must also ensure that your name is listed as: "Name of Company, a JA Central Ontario Company"

CLARIFICATIONS:
  • If you are doing a physical product, the JA logo and "JA Central Ontario Company" does not need to be printed directly on the product - it can be printed on a tag or card that goes with the product.
  • On your social media accounts, in your description, please include: "A JA Central Ontario Company"
  • On your website, the JACO logo and "A JA Central Ontario Company" should be placed in a spot that is visible to all visitors
  • Your company logo does not necessarily have to include the JACO logo or "A JA Central Ontario Company" but if you are printing it somewhere or it's on your website, it should be placed side by side.
  • Make sure you use the correct language when including your sponsor/led teams (i.e. Sponsored By, Led By, etc.) - if you're unsure, you can email companyprogram@jacentralontario.org.

Wages/Salaries - NOT MANDATORY

This is a reminder that we are waiving the requirement to pay wages/salaries this year for all teams. You can still opt to pay them as a team but it is not required under JA regulations.
External Student Opportunities

We've added a section to the JA Central Ontario resource page where you will be able to find some external student opportunities offered by our partners and sponsors.

Head on over to learn more about some current opportunities offered by CPA Ontario!
Company Program Awards Update

Here is a list of the awards that will be offered this year. We will be sharing more details about these awards in the coming weeks. Application forms will be shared in March.

Individual Awards
• President of the Year
• Leadership in Finance
• Leadership in Marketing
• Leadership in Sales
• Leadership in Production & Technology
• Leadership in Human Resources
• JA Journey Award
• Changemaker Award
• Jane Eisbrenner Scholarship
*All individual awards must be nominated by the Advising Team. One nomination per category per team is allowed. For the departmental awards, it does not have to be the VP who is nominated.

Group Awards
• Company of the Year (3 categories: Retail, Technology, Social Enterprise)
• Gary and Joanne Reamey Family Award (CSR Award)
• Best Brand Award
• Team Challenge Award
*Teams can nominate themselves (with Advisor reference) to any or all of the awards.

Process
Step 1: Advisor will nominate the students. Students will complete the application forms and submit.
Step 2: Applications are reviewed by preliminary judges. Finalists are selected.
Step 3: Finalists will attend Virtual Student Interview Night
Step 4. Winners will be announced at ventureON.
Upcoming Dates

To view the full CP Calendar including upcoming deadlines, click here.

March 5
Showcase & Social Media Form Due
Battle of the Ads Registration Deadline

March 11 (3 to 4:30 p.m.)
Battle of the Ads Commercial Workshop

March 18 (4 to 6 p.m.)
Youth Entrepreneurs Showcase

March 18-25
People's Choice Award Voting Period
Should you have questions or concerns regarding any of the above information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at companyprogram@jacentralontario.org

Thank you!

Lucia & Lesley
The Company Program Team
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