Mission Statement

The University of Manitoba Swing Dance Club (UMSwing) is an entirely student-run organization that operates under the umbrella of the University of Manitoba Student's Union (UMSU). UMSwing is non-profit and works towards being able to provide affordable dance lesson to students and non-students. Although the majority of members are students, UMSwing is open to everyone and boasts members of all ages and skill levels. Founded in 2000, UMSwing is celebrating 11 years of introducing people of all ages and experiences levels to swing dancing. UMSwing welcomes anyone of any ages, even those who think they have two left feet or cannot dance, and they welcome the opportunity to prove you wrong!

The mission of UMSwing is to:

• Spread knowledge of swing dancing and other partner dances
• Illustrate the benefits of dancing:
  • Physical and mental health benefits
  • Great way to meet people and socialize
  • Fun and exciting!
• Provide the opportunity to learn and practice in a safe, fun, and relaxed environment

Executive Committee

	Brian Turchyn UMSwing President pres [at] umswing [dot] ca Hey everybody! My name is Brian, and I am this year's UMSwing President. I joined UMSwing in 2007, after a friend of mine convinced me to go to the January open house. Although I wasn't too sure about joining before then, I loved the open house and walked out with a full membership. I've been helping out with UMSwing for the past two years, and also been one of the office supervisors. Last year I was the club's Graphics Designer and Web Administrator, and have been affectionately named "The Maid" for my obsession with keeping the office clean. I'm also UMSwing's resident MC for all of our open houses.
	Tanis Klippenstein UMSwing VP Internal vpinternal [at] umswing [dot] ca I began swing dancing in 2009 to meet new people, get involved in the university, and to cross one more thing off of my 'bucket list'. I took my first swing step at the Fall Open House and instantly fell in love with it and have pursued this love ever since. I have expanded my dance proficiency through lessons and exchanges and have become the self-proclaimed "Balboa Queen". I joined UMSwing's executive because over the 09/10 school year, I ahve helped out with odds and ends, gave "Swing Updates" in all my classes and well, with my love of talking, VP Internal just made sense. I am a fun, outgoing, and dance-crazy individual and I cannot wait to meet you on the dance floor!
	Jason Rosenberg UMSwing VP External vpexternal [at] umswing [dot] ca Jason joined UMSwing socially when he transfered to the University of Manitoba in 2008 and started dancing in January 2009. Having just switched schools, UMSwing provided Jason with an amazing venue to meet new people and hang out both between classes and after school. He really enjoys long drives to dance exchanges, short drives to potlucks, and really any drive that involves dancing at the end. Jason loves to Lindy Hop because it allows him to be as quirky and weird as he wants while still dancing and having a blast. A small subsection of the swing club has recently, and Jason assumes affectionately, replaced "that's what she said" with "that's what Jason thought"; take from that what you will. Jason would also like it known that he isn't too fond of writing about himself in the 3rd person but does so to properly portray his awesomeness without looking like he wrote it.
	Sebastian Lao UMSwing Secretary/Treasurer treasurer [at] umswing [dot] ca I started swing dancing in 2007 when I started university as a means to meet new people and engage in the university social scene. I love traveling with my friends to dance events far and wide, or basements nearer to home for laughs and good times. My love of Charleston probably stems from my love of playing soccer. I can often be found in the swing office, at one of our campus’ many coffee distribution centers, or crying alongside classmates in the washroom after a particularly excruciating math exam.

Constitution

UMSwing's 2009/2010 constitution is available here