Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define a sister club, the benefits afforded to members of the sister club, and to define how a club may become a sister club.
Definition
A sister club is a dance club with whom the Madison West Coast Swing Club establishes a relationship for mutual benefit of both clubs’ membership.
Current Sister Clubs
- Milwaukee Rebels
- Chicago Rebels
- St. Louis Rebels
- Twin Cities Rebels
Criteria
- The sister club must be a recognized dance club with official membership rolls.
- The sister club must offer some similar benefit to MWCSC members.
- The visiting member must be a member in good standing with their “home” sister club in order to receive the benefits below.
Benefits
- A member of a sister club gets admission into MWCSC events at the member price unless otherwise noted.
- Sister clubs get priority for announcements and advertising at MWCSC events.
- Sister club members are not eligible to take MWCSC lesson series without a MWCSC membership.
- MWCSC members typically experience similar benefits at sister-club events that they attend.
Becoming a Sister Club
- Any member of the potential sister club shall contact a board member or use the club email or “Contact Us” form to initiate becoming a sister club.
- The Board President or a suitable proxy will request a discussion with the potential-sister-club’s member and leadership to figure out if a sister-club arrangement is appropriate and discuss terms.
- If the arrangement is appropriate, the board shall put this on a future board meeting agenda and inform the potential-sister-club member when it shall be discussed. Approval/disapproval shall be decided with a simple board majority.
- The Board President or a suitable proxy shall inform the member and sister club leadership of the decision.
Guidelines
- A sister club is not required to focus on West Coast Swing, but it is preferred to have West Coast Swing as a major element so that MWCSC members could travel to their events and fit in.
- Except in rare circumstances, a sister club must be membership-based and have perks to being a member.
- A sister club should generally be a club established outside of Madison.
- A big perk of sister clubs is so MWCSC members can travel to other clubs and get member pricing.
- Other dancers who are in the Madison area should be encouraged to become MWCSC members.
Last updated by the MWCSC Board: 7/6/2021