Dance Society: Social Secretary

 The social side of dance society was very important to me, I threw myself in as much as I could in first year. As it was such a priority to me coming in, I relate to the social sec role and connect on a personal level with wanting to help others socialise in dance society. With or without an iconic committee jacket I will continue to be a positive presence in society and make people laugh which as a person is also how I approach all aspects of what I do. Because I know how much it meant to me, trying to infiltrate into dance society as a fresher, I would feel honoured to be that friendly face. I love to talk to new people, easily joining new conversations. I always include others eg I was confident and excited to befriend the Queen Mary dancers at post TD social.

I understand the role is much more than going ‘Follow me to Marlborough Arms’ after a show however I have faith in my ability to perform the duties. I have proven I can manage my time by balancing rehearsals with social commitments, studying and paid work throughout the year, as well as general keeping myself alive etc which I think as students  we can all agree is a full time job in itself. I have ideas for socials such as more frequent (perhaps monthly)  themed Scala trips, a refreshers event consolidating friendships from the freshers show and 1 group social per show or comps team so that intradance relationships can grow into friendships. I hope this shows some of the energy I would inject into the role.

I’m Myra Shahbazi, a first year geography student and I would love to be your Social Secretary this year! Ever since I was little I’ve loved dance, but my fondest memories have always been the incredible friends it creates, and it is the socials that nurture these connections. I’m heavily qualified for the demands of this role - I LOVE having fun (you may have seen me chatting and laughing away somewhere during Triple Bill), and I have extensive event planning experience as Secretary General of MUN and Head of House at school. I know the collaboration and organisation party planning takes!

The best thing I learnt from these roles is that a society is about the people in it, and that’s why EVERYONE should have the best time - that means a diverse range of inclusive events, from wholesome non-drinking activities to partying it up. And, by opening lines of communication further through social media polls and forms, I aim to make our events even more interactive and tailored to your preferences. Building on existing traditions like dancesoc families and post-show socials, I also want to introduce regular events like Scala pres and end of term socials, giving dancers something consistent to look forward to in our busy schedules.

Overall, my goal is simple: to create the most enjoyable, wholesome, and memorable environment for every member of our society. Dance means the world to me, so I’d love to be on committee and give back to this wonderful community.

Lots of love, Myra x

Amidst the stresses of UCL and its workload, to me dance society has served as a family, creating fun and stress-free environments where I can enjoy myself through rehearsals, shows, and weekly classes. I would love to plan a diverse range of outings and events to bring this family closer, an opportunity to celebrate our achievements which in dance society there are many. As a fresher who loves Scala, I see potential for dance society making weekly appearances to offer a much-needed break and a chance to get together (themes would be very creative). Beyond this I would love to organise social gatherings where we can have fun in a more relaxed environment and organise events in collaboration with other societies. With previous experience in setting up large events, for me the ball would be an exciting opportunity. I have the organisation and communication skills necessary with the creativity to ensure the summer ball is a highlight to everyone’s year. I feel dance in general has taught me many valuable skills such as determination, confidence, and teamwork, it has given me friendships which I value strongly. Being a part of dance committee enables me to give back to the dance community and these people. Overall, I am a passionate and determined in strengthening the bonds of dance society, everyone should feel a sense of belonging, feel valued, and supported, and of course have fun.

Stepping forward to offer my dedication to social events as your potential next year's Social Secretary! Currently, I'm orchestrating social events as part of the BA Media course, where I've been fortunate to curate diverse experiences, from festive Chinese New Year gatherings to engaging gaming nights. Acknowledging the complexity of the role, I'm eager to collaborate with the committee to ensure our dance society's events are memorable and inclusive for all members. Let's embark on this journey together, creating extraordinary moments for our community! 🎉