What do Student Directors do?
We work with high school students to set up and execute all 24 Hour Races. Each year hundreds of eager students apply and go through an application process to become a Student Director or a Committee Member.
Social Entrepreneurship
We work with and aim to transform students to become social entrepreneurs innovators.
We strive to empower by offering mentorship, structure, and guidance throughout the process of organising 24 Hour Race events. We establish business rules, feedback and support systems for their teams, and allow them to map out a plan to develop the resources, partners, and support to build a 24 Hour Race.
Despite a strategic framework, the Race will pose a challenge requiring perseverance, creativity, and determination to be a force for good.
Fundraising & Awareness
Raising funds and awareness about modern slavery in high schools is one of the most important roles student leaders have. During this time period, student leaders receive the most direct support to help them through the stress and challenges of event management, philanthropic advocacy, and the responsibility of an entire community.
Leading up to race day the student leaders organise awareness events at their schools, a speaking tour where an HQ representative flies over to talk about modern slavery & the 24 Hour Race, and other advocacy-oriented events. In addition, we work with ethical businesses and charities around Asia and the US to partner with others fighting the same fight.
Who are Student Directors?
The people who go through the 24 Hour Race, this becomes their first step in a longer journey of social entrepreneurship.
We see this with directors who graduated 4 to 5 years ago who often accredit their success to what they did when they were 16 or 17 working at the 24 Hour Race.
Not only does The 24 Hour Race provide directors with an opportunity to make a tangible impact on society, but it also adds an interesting chapter to their last years in high school. All of our past directors have gone on to top higher education institutions spanning the globe- from Europe, the United States, Australia, to across Asia.
Director roles
Executive Director
Lead your team to set strategies, goals and execute. Manage the event budget to ensure a zero cost event
Marketing Director
Engage the public in the movement and devise strategies to fundraise and advocate for 24 Hour Race efforts. Communicate to donors, volunteers and supporters the impact they are making for the cause
Operations Director
Come up with creative ways to entertain the youth audience on event day while ensuring that the serious message of the cause is conveyed
Business Development Director
Plan, prospect and engage corporates and sponsors through event partnerships. Work across borders to create cross-city sponsorship opportunities for partners to engage in the movement
Community Director
Work to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders - runners, alumni, teachers, parents, schools, etc. Make a big event feel small. Create newsletters, organise all volunteers, and make sure thousands of high school students and adults are taken care of.
The 24 Hour Race has had the honor of working with over 600 passionate student leaders. Each student leaders goes through our Leadership Cycle and forms what we call the Organizing Committee.
What does the Student Director process look like?
Each cycle lasts for 7-9 months, taking students on a journey of growth, excellence, and endurance.
1. Recruitment
Roles on the Organizing Committee are headed by the Executive Director; Business Development Director; Operations Director; Community Director; and Marketing Director. Each Director works with 3-4 role-specific Committee Members who make up the remaining spots of the Organizing Committee.
2. Social Entrepreneurship
This is an opportunity for members of the OC in each country to be part of an international coalition of impressive student leaders, to learn from each other and develop their skills leading up to the 24 Hour Race. We aim to provide seminars, trainings, and placements in internships with partner organisations for OC members, in order to develop their business acumen in fields related to their functional role.
3. Fundraising and Awareness
Leading up to race day the student leaders organises awareness events at their schools, a speaking tour that sees us fly someone from HQ over to talk about modern slavery and the 24 Hour Race, and other advocacy-oriented events.
4. Execution and Handover
However, the OC’s responsibilities are not completed at the end of the 24 hour event. Testing responsibility and commitment, we expect students to participate in event follow-up and handover, soliciting feedback, providing diligent reporting, and closing partnerships to ensure a foundation for the growth of the 24 Hour Race the following year. After the handover is complete, we are are ready to recruit next year’s group of amazing student leaders.