2. STARS Studded Impact
By Andy O Hara

3. Introducing STARS. What is it?
The concept originated from an idea in its infancy at Reading SU. Our version has since been ‘borrowed’ by many other unions.
Why did we pursue this? What need does it fulfil?
Bronze, Silver, Gold – the differences of what needs to be achieved by a student group
What are the perks of Gold status?
Who actions all this?

4. How has it been successful?

5. How is it impacting students? How is it impacting colleagues?
Current stats…..
233 Bronze Societies (16/17 so far)
31 Silver Societies (15/16)
49 Gold Societies (15/16)
How is it impacting students?
How is it impacting colleagues?
Training & Handovers
Engagement with members
Engagement with non members
Innovation
Admin
Membership figures
Sense of pride amongst our more influential students (segment 7 – work hard, play hard)
Cross department impact
Events team
Sponsors
Welfare
Volunteering
Safety
Training attendance
KPI contribution
Data gathering
New approaches to marketing
Proud students sharing their successes (SU perception improved and shared by word of mouth / peer influence)

6. What challenges did you experience?
How did you overcome the challenges?
Gaining buy in amongst staff
Gaining buy in amongst students
Logistics – website not playing ball
Building gradually
Fitting in with student needs
Motivating student groups
Perseverance! Rome wasn’t built in a day! Explaining the logistics and admin requirements associated with the platform. Still sits with Andy, due to the complexity of legacy plan, and the need for continuity (i.e. student staff turnover doesn’t allow for this)
Highlighting the fairness of approach – objective, working with advocates first – UP groups more keen
Jotforms, self-taught, patience, learnt excel formula with help of colleagues
Using different tactics and approaches for different campuses and associations. SB on side now (allowing for different timings of Vet students), next is healthcare.
Broadening points window to fit with exams, asking for feedback and taking on board points – remain flexible. Or introducing new leagues for smaller societies
Incentives have to be suitable (e.g. 10% off stash), yet it’s hard to offer what the students want (travel discount, more society money) – so spent time internalising the incentive instead – a culture that the incentive is now prestige, or being able to ‘beat’ the last committee.

7. Take home messages

8. Look outside the box for solutions – it may be something that our current systems don’t cover
Think about the side-benefits of your project – will other departments benefit from what you’re doing? It’s a great way to build some goodwill!
Remember that one size doesn’t fit all and need to be flexible – build in time for this.
Student incentives don’t have to be material. You just need a few ‘advocates’ or groups who will champion what you’re doing to build it into a prestige thing. A simple balloon can still go a long way!