Activity Description: Mission: To advance youth entrepreneurship and community service around the world, emphasizing ethical business practices, social responsibility, civic engagement and environmental awareness. In accomplishing this mission, a team of high school students from each participating high school completes real-world projects under the watchful eye of consultants from the nearby business community and university.. At the end of the year, teams compete in regional, national and international competitions to showcase their best projects and benchmark against other teams for future improvement. “Referees” are recruited from the local business, civic and education communities. Why SAGE? This service provides an outstanding avenue for high school students to complete real life business and social ventures to improve their communities. The establishment of a SAGE program is based on hard work of devoted individuals and organizations that are touched by the SAGE spirit. By helping interested organizations and institutions set up and operate competitions, SAGE becomes a tool to draw more interest from youth. The intent is that more and more youth take part, thereby making more and more of them economically self-reliant, civically active, and socially responsible, needed traits in order to build a better future for everyone. How Much Does SAGE Cost? SAGE is a free, non-membership service to ALL advocates of entrepreneurship and social-entrepreneurship education. Where is SAGE? SAGE is an international program initiated by California State University, Chico, with participation currently of 12 countries: China, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Ukraine and the USA. In the U.S., five states participate: California, Idaho, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. The USA SAGE Competition and Third Annual SAGE World Cup were held on August 11-14, 2005 at the Marriott in San Mateo. See http://www.csuchico.edu/sage for results! How do High Schools Participate? A team of high school students is organized, and then this group must complete at least one entrepreneurship project and one community service during the academic year. The size of a team can be as few as five members and as many as fifty. SAGE in not a competitor for existing high school business organizations, but, rather, a new avenue to showcase students’ innovative projects to a panel of influential leaders and to develop a direct connection to nearby colleges and universities. What Are Leaders Saying? "I was completely amazed with what I saw. The creativity and enthusiasm of these young entrepreneurs was incredible! The Chico State university faculty and the SAGE mentors deserve a lot of credit for inspiring the next generation of business leaders. I consider myself 'sold' on the benefits of SAGE and the work being done by the high school students. I look forward to working with them for years to come!" U.S. Congressman Wally A. Herger (California, Second District) “SAGE is definitely not just another project for high school students. I am in great awe of the great work that the Chico State University students produce on a regular basis. We are proud to be associated with SAGE and look forward to working with you in the future.” Mr. John Gremer, Walgreens Executive, SAGE sponsor “All of the presentations were outstanding. The presenters demonstrated a creative use of technology, and their hardbound annual reports were of professional quality. JA Worldwide looks forward to supporting SAGE and the advancement of global entrepreneurship.” Ms. Beth Mazak, JA Worldwide (Junior Achievement) and SAGE Judge