Transforming Communities: 180DC USYD's Bi-annual Social Impact Night 2024

3 minute read

This article was written by Olivia Wee Xinyi ,Marketing Director at 180DC University of Sydney.

180 Degrees Consulting (180DC) University of Sydney hosted their highly anticipated bi-annual Social Impact Night on May 29th, 2024, a memorable evening to recognise and celebrate a semester of hard work with impactful initiatives! This year, 180DC USYD decided to elevate the prestige of the event by hosting it at the prestigious Hotel CBD, adding a touch of elegance to their celebration.

The purpose of Social Impact Night is to recognize the efforts of the members of 180DC USYD who have contributed meaningfully and made a difference to both their clients and members. It is a night where they honor the dedication and hard work of the executives, team leaders, and consultants who all contributed to the success of the projects.

For this semester, they undertook their largest project load of 16 projects, involving over 100 dedicated members of 180DC USYD. The executives, team leaders, and members worked tirelessly to ensure the success of each project. One client’s problem statement was developing strategies to connect more people to their Connect Hubs. The team needed to devise practical solutions to address this issue. Problems identified were limited company awareness, accessibility issues and stigma. Some of the proposed solutions included enhancing customer engagement through their website, public announcements and the use of informational videos and testimonials. Additionally, changing branding strategies to attract attention to the Connect Hubs, particularly via social media platforms, and focusing on volunteer recruitment would be beneficial. Their efforts culminated in an inspiring showcase of what can be achieved through passion and collaboration. 

Each team had the opportunity to present their projects to a panel of sponsors, sharing their problem statements and showcasing the solutions they crafted for their clients. One of the evening's highlights was selecting the Social Innovation Winners that stood out from the rest. The winners combined an analysis of case studies and recommendations for the client, allowing them to create a new model for the law firm which produced positive impact for the most disadvantaged members of the missing middle. The presentation was detailed and catered to the specific needs and wants of the client. 

The night was filled with heartfelt speeches, inspiring presentations, and a sense of community and shared purpose. The event concluded with group pictures, capturing the joy and pride of everyone involved. These photos are a testament to the incredible impact each one can make when coming together as a team.

Social Impact Night taught us the power of collective effort and the importance of recognizing and appreciating every individual's contribution. The evening reinforced their commitment to making a difference in society and inspired them to continue striving for excellence in our future projects. As a part of 180DC, they see the transformative power of collaboration. 

This event was a powerful reminder to use our skills and resources to create meaningful change in the world. The lessons they took from this night will drive their future projects, fuelling their passion to support more communities and projects with innovative solutions and unwavering commitment.

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