The UBC Student Olympic Collaborative started in January of 2009 as a student-led organization seeking more involvement in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. During their first year of operation we discovered that there were many issues regarding the city, country, and world that were heavily discussed during this time but were not necessarily resolved. While the Games have now come and gone this group still continues with new initiatives that will build on the foundation that was started there. Whether you're working in corporate event planning Toronto based or are a student within this university we hope to start to create change that will eventually affect us all.

One of the best things about the Olympic and Paralympic Games is that they force you to think globally. The UBC Student Olympic Conference last January brought in over thirty Olympic-related speakers to discuss topics ranging from the environment to the city's economy before and after the Games. These speakers included athletes, financial experts and the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Chris Rudge. This was an amazing start for our organization, as it gave us many different avenues to pursue as a group. This is where and how we started to grow beyond the event that started it all. Since then ideas have been taking to area businesses, politicians and citizens. It has even expanded beyond our university as students move to Toronto or UWO off campus housing.

Post Olympics there have already been several debates hosted by the SOC to see the different affects of the Games. The Canadian Government spent more than $1.7 billion dollars on bringing this celebration and competition to our country and this was during an economic downturn. Panelists included Don Rosenbloom, who served on the 2010 Olympic Bid Corp Executive Committee and several of the university's most respected professors. They covered topics of homelessness, social impact and the involvement of the aboriginal people of Canada. This would be interesting to those running an Edmonton salon spa thinking of relocating to Vancouver or those going into law.

This year we start with our first event, Imagine Day, which takes place on September 7th. This is a great chance to come out and see what we're all about. If you're a new student coming into the University of British Columbia from somewhere like Brantford MLS and don't know much about the Olympic impact this is a great opportunity to get informed and meet some of the SOC leaders. This collaborative currently has two co-chairs and fourteen other people with titled positions. There are many opportunities to act as a volunteer for upcoming events within the university community and elsewhere in the city.

SOC believes that it's important to consider every aspect of the Olympics and how they can make an impact on everyone from those living in White Rock to those in London Ontario homes. If you're interested in this cause than you should definitely think about speaking with one of our representatives or attending one of our events.