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Committee 2020-21

Yohanna Fung photo Yohanna Fung
President

The President shall be ultimately responsible for the conduct and day-to-day running of the Society.

The President shall have the right to preside at all meetings of the members of the Society and at all meetings of the Committee. Should the President be absent, or decline to take the Chair, the Committee shall elect another member of the Committee to Chair the meeting.

Studies/Studied: International Relations (MA Hons)

Since when she has started dancing: As a complete beginner since the very beginning of uni life

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Samba

Most memorable dance memory: Dancing in front of the Edinburgh Castle prior to NYE

Hobbies outside of dancing: Baking & cooking, photography, exploring the great outdoors, and occasionally playing the keyboard

What you want to say to newcomers: "Learning ballroom dancing is a life-changing experience, it brings so much benefit to your life and adds more flavour to your uni experience - it improves your overall confidence and posture, your physique, and being with the EUBDS you discover a dance family that helps you to strive to become a better dancer."

Ladislav Rypar photo Ladislav Rypar
Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible to the President for the administration of the Society. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • maintaining a register of all the members of the Society;
  • giving notice of meetings of the members and the Committee;
  • drawing up the agenda and minutes of those meetings and, on approval of the Committee, ensuring they are available for any member of the Society;
  • writing and submitting the annual report in accordance with the Students’ Association deadlines;
  • re-registering the society with the Students’ Association each year prior to Week 12 of Semester 2;
  • taking responsibility for the operation and updating of a suitable society web-page displaying (at a minimum) current society contacts, the Constitution, the Code of Conduct, and Risk Assessment;
  • co-ordinating and regulating access to the web facilities used by the Society;
  • being mindful of relevant data protection legislation when handling personal data;
  • regularly keeping members of the Society informed of affairs by e-mail, using the society mailing list.

Studies/Studied: Biomedical Sciences (BSc Hons)

Since when he has started dancing: I started with Latin two years prior to uni and ballroom when I joined the Society in my first year.

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: Quickstep, Samba, Rumba, Jive

Most memorable dance memory: I loved dancing in Blackpool as the place has a magnificent atmosphere.

Hobbies outside of dancing: Reading; learning new things in general; all forms of exercising

What you want to say to newcomers: "The first reason why I think you would love dancing is that you learn a life-long skill which you will be using your whole life. The other benefit of dancing is being a part of the Society with such a great community. Moreover, I feel that thanks to the contact in dancing, it is much easier to form a long-term friendship."

Ignas Sakuro photo Ignas Sakuro
Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible to the President for the finances of the Society. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • keeping proper records of the Society’s financial transactions in accordance with the University’s established procedure;
  • developing and maintaining good practice procedures in line with the Students’ Association’s policy, including maintaining two signatories on all accounts; the Treasurer and President;
  • ensuring that bills are paid on time, being aware when documentation requires the signature of other Officers;
  • ensuring that cash and cheques are banked in accordance with the University’s established procedure;
  • preparing a budget at the start of the academic year for the Society and regularly informing the Committee of progress of that budget;
  • preparing an end of year report on the Society’s finances, and making this report available to the University and Society members;
  • ensuring that all records, procedures and accounts are available on request to the Committee and the university;
  • developing and maintaining a manual of written procedures for all aspects of the Treasurer’s responsibility.

Studies/Studied: Chemical Physics (BSc)

Since when he has started dancing: I started in my first year in uni

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: Slow waltz, Jive

Most memorable dance memory: Dancing in the famous Winter Garden halls

Hobbies outside of dancing: Music, beekeeping

What you want to say to newcomers: “This society will provide you with the opportunity of becoming the winner of national competitions, I just would not waste that.”

Heather Graham photo Heather Graham
Head of Attire

The Head of Attire will be responsible to the President for the Society’s outfitting. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • designing, ordering and distributing of all Society apparel, as well as the acquisition, storage and maintenance of team attire;
  • ensuring, along with the Team Captain, that all competitors adhere to the relevant dress restrictions at competitions.

Studies/Studied: Animal Biology at Edinburgh Napier University (BSc Hons)

Since when she has started dancing: Since second year uni, 4 years ago - 2016

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: Chacha and Jive

Most memorable dance memory: Expecting jive music to begin during a competition and the music being definitely not Jive. And then having to work out what dance we should be doing resulting in a surprise Rumba. The most surprising part was - we came 3rd!

Hobbies outside of dancing: Fostering Podenco dogs for a charity, spending time in nature, watching and reading everything geeky

What you want to say to newcomers: "Edinburgh Ballroom Dancing Society is a very welcoming society of people of all levels, backgrounds and passions. I had never danced (or done anything much active) before joining and in 4 years have learnt many fabulous dances and techniques. There is also no pressure to keep progressing or competing, allowing me to stay at a level I am comfortable with and can continue to enjoy attending classes."

Neil A. Gandhi photo Neil A. Gandhi
Social Secretary

The Social Secretary shall be responsible to the President for the organisation of all social events throughout the year. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • organising the annual Winter and End-of-Year Balls;
  • organising other social events throughout the year;
  • being mindful of the diversity of the Society and accessibility when organising social events.

Studies/Studied: MSc Psychological Studies with Mental Health

Since when he has started dancing: During my second year of my undergrad degree at the University of Edinburgh

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: Foxtrot and Rumba

Most memorable dance memory: Being inspired by the EUBDS welcome week demonstration enough to give Ballroom and Latin dance a try!

Hobbies outside of dancing: Exercising, Gaming, Cooking, Music, Videography, Writing, Teaching, Swimming, Tabletop RPGS, and being an advocate for mental health awareness.

What you want to say to newcomers: "Let's dance the night away!"

Kenneith Yong photo Kenneith Yong
Team Captain

The Team Captain shall be responsible to the President for the organisation and management of the team. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • acting as the Society’s Nominated Representative to IVDA;
  • ensuring that all documentation and cases are submitted in a timely fashion to the relevant IVDA officials;
  • being mindful of relevant data protection legislation when handling personal data;
  • organising and submitting the Team’s entries for competitions.

Studies/Studied: Medicine

Since when he has started dancing: University

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7p3H3-RGfk

Most memorable dance memory: Representing England at the Latin Formation World Championships and finishing 13th

Hobbies outside of dancing: Drilling Cha Cha Cha walks and locks

What you want to say to newcomers: "Come join the top university Dancesport team in Scotland!"

Kate Uzar photo Kate Uzar
Vice Team Captain

The Vice Team Captain shall be responsible to the President for the organisation and management.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • Acting as the society’s nominated Representative to IVDA along with Team Captain;
  • Assist the Team Captain in ensuring all relevant documentation are submitted to IVDA officials in a timely fashion;
  • Being mindful of any present personal data protection legislation when handling personal data;
  • Assist the Team Captain in organising necessary competition preparations.

Studies/Studied: Robotics and Autonomous Systems (MScR), Computer Science (BSc Hons)

Since when she has started dancing: Since childhood

Favourite Ballroom/Latin dances: Samba, Rumba, Viennese Waltz

Most memorable dance memory: Blackpool Winter Gardens

Hobbies outside of dancing: Figure skating, other dance styles, climbing, D&D, MTG