DUCFS 2022 Exec Application

DUCFS 2022

EXEC APPLICATION


(Insane) photo creds to Soo!
All photos are a few of my favourites from the 2021 campaign

(excluding my headshot obvs)

DAISY BIRKIN

My DUCFS 2021 experience (thus far!) has exceeded my
expectations in so many ways, and has undoubtedly been

the de ning feature of my second year at Durham.
The work of DUCFS this year has shown that, even
operating in the midst of a global pandemic, if surrounded by
a resilient, relentlessly driven and truly passionate team,

creative solutions can always be found, leading to
astonishing results.

Having the opportunity to return to the Executive Committee,
as either President or Vice President Operations, would be a

huge privilege. I’d love to take forward the fantastic legacy
of the 2021 Presidents and work within the Presidential team

to grow DUCFS further, while keeping its core values at the
heart of the society.

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WHAT COULD I BRING
TO THE ROLE AND
WIDER DUCFS TEAM?

TANGIBLE EXPERIENCE AND
UNDERSTANDING OF DUCFS

TRACK RECORD OF LEADERSHIP

TRUSTY TIME MANAGEMENT

TRUE DEDICATION TO DUCFS
AND EVERYTHING IT STANDS FOR

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TANGIBLE EXPERIENCE TRACK RECORD OF experience of leading a team in a high
AND UNDERSTANDING OF LEADERSHIP pressure environment.

DUCFS Over the summer I set up a small Acting as Head Girl in my nal year of
pop-up restaurant business and led a school has equipped me with
Having been on the Exec as team of twelve consisting of chefs, stamina when it comes to leadership,
Logistics Director for almost a waiting and cleaning staff, in the days managing the Prefect team for twelve
year, I've gained direct leading up to, the day of, and the months and ensuring clear goals and
experience of the society, its after the event. In doing so I have role allocation from start to nish.
team structure and its best
working practices.

I feel the skills and con dence
gained over this year would
help me greatly in both
prospective roles;
understanding fully the scale of
the society and the positions
I'm applying for, as well as the
time that I’ll need to dedicate to
DUCFS.

While not holding a Presidential
position at a college fashion show
or other University group, I feel that,
because the scale and scope of
DUCFS is like no other society at
Durham, direct experience is an
incredibly valuable asset. I'd hope to
couple this with my leadership
experience outlined below.

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TRUSTY TIME MANAGEMENT

Two months of my summer last year was spent
working Monday to Friday interning, leading the pop-
up business (which involved bi-weekly ticket sales,
marketing, keeping track of the accounts and
managing the events themselves) and starting out in
my role in DUCFS. As such, I have experience of
successfully juggling an internship alongside other
projects, so I feel con dent my internship this summer
wouldn't hinder any commitment I may have to
DUCFS.

TRUE DEDICATION TO DUCFS AND
EVERYTHING IT STANDS FOR

I hope my actions have spoken louder than my words
to this point, I'd like to think I've acted as a reliable and
enthusiastic member of the team, happy to help in
anyway I can.

I've learnt so much about DUCFS as an organisation
this year; the carefully founded values of inclusivity,
collaboration, innovation, integrity and transparency
have truly shone through, acting as steady guiding
principles. At the same time, this year more than ever
has shown DUCFS embraces change and the unknown
to move the society forward. This blend of established
practice and constant creative development is just one
facet of DUCFS that makes the opportunity to lead the
society, in some capacity, such an exciting one.

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WHAT THREE THINGS
WOULD I CHANGE
ABOUT THE 2020 SHOW
OR 2021 CAMPAIGN?

VOLUNTEER COMMUNCATION

As a volunteer for the 2020 show, I found the communication
was fairly last minute and few and far between, especially for
those like myself who were unable to attend the initial
meeting.

To resolve this I would propose the following:

A brie ng document sent out to all volunteers prior to the
initial meeting, to allow the meeting itself for questions from
the volunteers

A minutes document sent out to all the volunteers after the
meeting to inform those who may be unable to attend

A meeting location and member of the Exec dedicated for
the arrival of the student volunteers throughout the day

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CHARITABLE FOCUS AT THE SHOW

While I thought the video at the beginning of the 2020 show was
incredibly powerful, it felt as if the charitable focus of the show was
neglected slightly as the show went on.

To resolve this I would propose the following:

A very brief speech from a representative of the charitable
partnership, perhaps just after the interval, before everyone gets
too rowdy!

Projections involving the charity, perhaps before the show and/
or during the interval, including statistics of how far the money
raised in the show will go.

PUSH MARKETPLACE!

I think Marketplace is a fantastic idea and a powerful platform for
Durham student buyers and sellers alike, however I think there was
potential for Marketplace to be an even bigger opportunity if
engagement was increased. Ideas to boost engagement include:
incorporating sponsors into the site, running a giveaway of a few
items, including the feature for reviews on the website as well as
some examples of ‘happy customers’ on Instagram stories.

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WHAT THREE NEW
IDEAS DO I HAVE FOR
DUCFS 2022?

EXPAND DUCFS HUB

For next year, I feel there would be an opportunity to expand
DUCFS Hub to make it a core pillar of the DUCFS community,
which would incorporate the Charity and Local Hub
Representatives, Creative Representatives and Event
Representatives.

To create a community feel between each group, the Exec and
the models, I would suggest the following:

The creation of a Facebook group containing all of the
groups above, including the Exec and Models, which will
provide a collective space for all members to share ideas, as
well as a platform for the Exec to communicate with the
entire group, which could act as a focus group for ideas
throughout the year.

Provide the opportunity for members of the group to
become a student volunteers earlier on in the year, to help
with events throughout the campaign, in exchange for a
8 ticket to the show, or early access to tickets etc.



YEAR ROUND
CHARITABLE
FOCUS

Building on my earlier point of increasing ESTABLISHING AN ALUMNI NETWORK
the charitable focus during the show, I
think a similar approach could be taken It seems a shame for one of the most integral societies of the university to have no
throughout the year’s campaign. Initial established links to our predecessors. Founded in 1983, there are likely to be over a
ideas include: thousand alumni of the Fashion Show, either as Exec or Models. All of whom will offer
DUCFS connections as potential sponsors, speakers, podcast guests, audience
A video posted on the Instagram feed members… the list goes on! Therefore, establishing a formal network of previous
and Facebook, similar to that of Meet members, which could be done by a team of Exec who have a lighter workload over
the Exec and Meet the Models, to the summer, through Facebook or LinkedIn for example, and would further expand
'Meet the Charity’, lmed and edited the community aspect of DUCFS.
to the same standard as the insane
Exec and Model videos!

A monthly or termly ‘check in' with the
charity, to hear their news and
progression, this could be tailored to
the charity and their objectives.

A video or shoot incorporating the
charity and its focus, where members
of the Exec, Models or members of
the Hub, visit the charity and see for
themselves the work they do, speak
to those who work for the charity and
those who are helped by the charity.

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Thank you for considering
my application!

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