Austin Swing Syndicate

Hello members!

Board candidate Ari Frankel has withdrawn their candidacy. Since the number of remaining candidates matches the number of available seats, the 2026 board election has come to an early close.

Please join us in celebrating our new board members!
- Nik Brauer
- Matt Knauf
- Sam Matthews
- Sam Temple

And now a message from Ari:

"I've decided to pull out from the race. The Election Town Hall was illuminating for me.

Seeing the room full of people whose livelihoods and/or sense of community in Austin rely heavily on the Austin Swing Syndicate, I came to a clearer understanding of the responsibility of board membership and the tasks laid out for the upcoming term. I think this task is better left to other folks who are more deeply embedded in the community and more time-resourced to give this job the attention and effort that our community needs.

I believe my impact will be greater through continued volunteering than as a board member. Additionally, there will still be opportunities for me to contribute to the cross-pollination/recruitment with the country dancing scene without having a seat at the board.

Thanks for your consideration. "

- Ari Leo Frankel

Thank you, Ari, for all that you already do, and to everyone else who has kept this community running for all these years.

- Austin Swing Syndicate Election Committee