What is the WSDC International Advisory Committee?

West Coast Swing is an international dance form - danced, taught, and celebrated all over the world. Behind the points, events, and rules we all know stands an international organization: the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC). And one of its advisory committees exists specifically to bring the voices of the dance community from different countries into the decision-making process: the International Advisory Committee (IAC). It’s about time we introduced this committee to you.

What is the WSDC?

The World Swing Dance Council  Swing Dance Council was founded in California in 1993 and among other things - takes care of:

•⁠ ⁠The WSDC Points Registry (point tracking for Jack & Jill competitions),

•⁠ ⁠The recognition of events as WSDC Registry Events,

•⁠ ⁠Common rules and standards for the international scene,

•⁠ ⁠Topics such as the Code of Conduct and judge programs.

To keep it short: If points are awarded at an event in Germany, it is a WSDC event.

Why does the IAC exist?

The WSDC is a US-based non-profit organization - but West Coast Swing is now danced all over the world. What may be common practice in California can look very different in Germany or Australia: different event structures, different challenges, and different needs within local communities.

To ensure the Board does not make decisions solely from a US perspective, the International Advisory Committee was established in 2021. The idea: voices from the various countries where WCS is active should flow directly into the decision-making process. This keeps the WSDC truly "world" in more than just name.

What does the IAC?

The International Advisory Committee is an advisory body of the WSDC. Its tasks include:

• ⁠Representing the voice of the dance community to the Board - with a specific focus on the international perspective.

• Acting as a core team to provide feedback on important topics and proposed rule changes when requested by the Board.

• Passing on information and decisions from the Board to the community.
  

The IAC is therefore a bridge between the Board and the many national communities.

Who is on the committee?

The committee is composed of representatives from various countries that host WSDC member events. Currently, countries such as the UK, Canada, the USA, Switzerland, Germany, Korea, France, New Zealand, Sweden, and several others are represented.

You can find the full list with photos on the official WSDC Committees page. The committee recently welcomed five new members; the current membership list will be updated accordingly soon.

Why is this important for the German community?

Germany is one of the most active WCS communities in Europe, with a growing number of dance schools, workshops, and events. This is exactly what we want to make visible through WCS Germany.

Specifically, international representation like the IAC means:

•⁠ ⁠Local perspectives are heard when international topics affecting us are discussed.

•⁠ ⁠Information from the Board flows more directly into the respective communities.

•⁠ ⁠Issues from individual countries can be brought to the international level.

The IAC does not replace local work - but it ensures that the international scene is not thought of from only one direction.

What does this mean for you?

You can find current topics, discussions, and observations that are internationally relevant at WCS Germany - on our website and on social media (Facebook and Instagram). When we need your input, we will ask you through these channels. We gather feedback from the German community and pass it along.

West Coast Swing thrives on people connecting - on the dance floor, in the studios, and within the structures behind them. 🖤

Sources & Further Links:

• WSDC Committees (offizielle Übersicht inkl. aktueller IAC-Mitglieder): worldsdc.com/wsdc-committees

• Über den WSDC und das Board: worldsdc.com/about

• WSDC Newsletter-Archiv (mit IAC-Updates, z. B. Vol 21 Feb 2022, Vol 22 Juni 2022, Vol 25 Jan 2023): worldsdc.com/newsletter

• WSDC Board – Call for IAC Applications (Video): facebook.com/reel/32669577232686310

• WSDC auf Facebook: facebook.com/worldswingdc