Social Impact Leads

 
 

Who are Social Impact Leads?

Our Social Impact Leads (also known as Studio Leads) are a huge part of the magic behind UniCrew and the wider mahi of the Social Impact Studio. They bring a powerful blend of creativity, energy and passion to all our mahi. Every year, we are grateful to spend time with this motley crew of student volunteers made up of different year groups, academic disciplines and lived experiences. The role of Social Impact Lead is a year long commitment.

 

SOCIAL IMPACT LEGENDS

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SOCIAL IMPACT LEGENDS 〰️

 

What do they do?

The purpose of Social Impact Leads is to engage students with purpose. What this looks like differs for each student - it might be introducing a student to the roles on Priceless, inviting someone to a Good Deed and Feed, or collaborating with another group to cook up something completely new!

Our Social Impact Leads get to lead community-based events and programmes, have the chance to design, implement and evaluate initiatives, and get a deep insight into the community sector.

  • The Aspire Programme is an after-school experience that helps keep kids excited about learning. The programme needs three leads (Schools Liaison, Departmental Liaison, Coordinator Support). If you’re passionate about quality education and young people, then this might be up your alley!

  • A pilot programme in 2023, Futureproof connects student collaborators with local community organisations keen to enhance how they attract and retain young people as volunteers. This project is done in partnership with Volunteer South. Futureproof needs two Project Managers to support a group of 3-4 student volunteer collaborators.

  • There are up to 3 positions for students to organise and host the monthly Global Citizens Cafés, which are intentionally cosy speaker series on topics with global relevance. The programme is aligned with the Matariki Global Citizenship Programme, an initiative of the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU), which includes 7 unis worldwide.

  • GDAFs are one-off events where we organise a bus full of students to do good work of some kind in Dunedin. After the mahi, we enjoy a shared lunch. GDAFs have often been a planting day with the HALO project out at a stunning Dunedin beach. GDAF needs two leads to welcome and host the students and lead the mahi.

  • Created in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Otago, Minds Together is a buddy programme for people with early stage dementia. MT needs two leads to run the programme including recruiting and training uni buddies, liaising with university departments, communicating with Alzheimer’s Otago, and coordinating the sessions.

  • Reading Oasis is about sharing your love of reading with children. The programme needs one lead to manage the recruitment, training and rostering of the volunteer readers.

  • The Transition Peer Mentor Programme involves uni students mentoring incoming first year students through their first semester at Otago. TPMP needs two leads to recruit mentors and assist with training.

 
 

We love people who are committed to upholding our values of community, creativity, empathy and collaboration.

 

Who are we looking for?

Passion for community, creativity, empathy and collaboration is the secret sauce that gives our work it’s unique flavour. Social Impact Leads also need to be champion ready, hosts with the most, and curious learners. Come on over if you also have the following traits that we have found make for epic leads.

We are calling in Social Impact Leads who are not only passionate, but have the skills and experience to channel it into positive action. You’ll be excited to share and celebrate the work of this space, including calling in your own communities, flatmates, and friends to be a part of it.

A big part of our mahi is creating epic events and experiences for students to connect with their passions, their community, and other humans. Being confident to host such spaces is integral. From welcoming the sh*t out of people, to hosting kōrero, to ensuring that everyone is included (not just the people most like you). This isn't all extrovert territory, space holders of all types are celebrated here.

Our mahi is fun, but we also dive into the hard and uncomfy kōrero. A Studio Lead needs to be in constant learner mode, with empathy, humility and open-mindedness. 

How do I apply?

Applications will open at the end of 2024 for Social Impact Leads for 2025. But still, read up, explore our website and our social media to get to know us - and if you jam with what we do get in touch!