What is Friends of IVFDF ?

Since IVFDF was first set up it has grown from a half day event to a festival which takes place over three days. Planning typically now takes place over a period of two years and the budget has expanded hugely, particularly since host Universities are no longer able to provide accommodation free of charge.

Historically IVFDF has been organised by the hosting university dance club(s), but increasingly student members were reluctant to commit the bulk of their university careers to planning the festival, and shouldering the concurrent financial responsibility. At the same time many graduates with experience of organising previous festivals, and with a little more financial security were willing to support the festival, but there were some constitutional difficulties.

At each festival there is a reps meeting to which each member club can send two representatives. It is the job of this meeting to provide feedback on each festival and to take decisions regarding future festivals and the disposition of any monies. Long standing IVFDF participants had no constitutional role at this meeting. The result tended to be that either the university clubs sent their 'senior' members (thus effectively shutting out new blood) or the old hands had no voice and their advice and experience would be lost.

Friends of IVFDF was set up in an attempt to address these issues - to provide a route through which individuals with an interest in IVFDF could share their experience, to provide an official voice for the group of old-hands at the reps meetings, and potentially to provide a source of financial security for the festival.

Friends of IVFDF has a constitution and membership is open to anyone keen to support the long term future of the festival.