A Better World by Design - Join Committee

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Application due 10/31. Apply here.

Interested in getting involved in the Better World by Design conference? We’re excited to start the search for the next group of students to join our community and plan the 2012 conference. Being a member of the Better World team is an incredible experience – just ask any of our past committee members. Be prepared to work hard, meet like-minded and interesting people, and join a network of changemakers. We look forward to reading your application!

Students on the ABWxD Planning Committee take part in all aspects of this world-class, student-run design conference – including speaker and panelist selection, menu and party planning, and publicity and promotional materials. This is an exceptional opportunity for students with a strong interest in hands-on experiences, connecting people, and working to make the world a better place.

What We Look For

When selecting the committee, we consider your skills, experience, and enthusiasm, and we aim to create a diverse group that represents a variety of disciplines. While we do not have any official selection criteria, the successful committee member is:

Passionate: you share our belief that design and technology can have a major positive impact on the world
Dedicated: planning a conference requires hard work and plenty of late nights; your teammates need to be able to count on you
A self-starter: we’ll be here to support you along the way, but you’ll be responsible for creating and managing your to-do list, seeking help as needed
Entrepreneurial: you bring in new, creative ideas and take the initiative to both fulfill your role and volunteer to support your team members as needed
A team player: even though much of your work will be done independently, you actively participate in group meetings and online discussion
Involved: you’re a member of at least one club on campus, bonus if you’re in a leadership position or have planned events with that group

Committee Roles & Responsibilities

The Better World planning committee is divided into four departments: Communications, Content, Logistics, and Finance. Each department is overseen by a steering committee member, a former committee member who is there to manage and provide guidance and input based on his/her past experience. Learn more about each committee role below (note that some committee members will fill more than one role).

Communications Department

Design Lead

Manage brand identity
- Coordinate with Web Lead to ensure brand identity on web materials
Perform or manage design and production of all print materials
Perform or manage design and production of all merchandise
Support other team members with posters and advertising campaigns

Web Lead

Perform or manage design and development of any new web materials needed
Manage web content and updates
Manage mobile application and mobile site
Coordinate registration and check-in processes

PR Lead

Develop outreach strategy, including creating a media calendar and managing our blog
Contact media to promote the conference and write press releases
Coordinate marketing efforts
Invite media to attend and cover the event

Content Department

Speaker Lead

Develop initial list of speakers, based on yearly theme
Invite/confirm all speakers
Coordinate travel and accommodations</li>
Curate presentations, working with speakers to fine-tune and ensure a breadth of topics

Panel Lead

Develop list of panel topics, based on yearly theme
Invite/confirm all moderators and panelists
Manage panel preparations, e.g. requiring all panels to hold a pre-conference phone conversation

Workshop/Tours Lead

Develop list of possible workshop topics (use yearly theme as starting point)
Research potential workshop leaders and present to the content team
Invite/confirm all presenters
Brainstorm potential tours and tour leaders to showcase the Providence community
Invite/confirm all tour leaders

Competition Lead

Develop competition parameters (use past Better World Challenges as starting point)
Find/select judges
Obtain funding for prizes
Work with Public Relations to promote the competition and draw applicants
Coordinate DCI Challenge

Logistics Department

Special Events Lead

Organize the Better World Expo
Organize any other extra events, e.g. Better World Lounge, Shelter Expo, Unreasonable Institute Office Hours, etc. (varies by year)
Book spaces for social events
Coordinate music and food for both social events
Develop gallery or other special event for one of the nights
Coordinate energizer breaks

Catering/Footprint Officer

Develop menu with Brown/RISD and outside caterers (utilize local food as much as possible)
Create content for web page about food/sustainability
Coordinate composting
Secure in-kind sponsorships for food/drinks for daytime events

Operations Officer

Book rooms
Coordinate with Brown Scheduling Office/SAO
Coordinate with RISD OSL
Get tables/chairs for sessions (work with Facilities)
Manage logistics for the conference weekend

Tech/Video Lead

Develop media resources plan (coordinate by session)
Coordinate filming/editing/publishing of video from speaker sessions
Coordinate photography
Organize filming/editing of video from panels/workshops/tours/social events for the creation of promotional videos
Organize attendee interviews to be added to promotional materials