Dear Hockey Community:

 

The AHAI Board of Directors sincerely hopes that everyone is healthy and well and we hope that you continue to be so throughout this global viral pandemic.

 

We are mindful of the significant impacts resulting from the COVID-19 shutdowns and similarly aware of the impacts resulting to the hockey community. We are working with USA Hockey and other affiliates to identify the best practices for a safe return to our great sport and want you to know that more information will follow, in as timely a fashion as is permissible, to everyone so we may play hockey again.

 

In addition to conducting hockey operations, AHAI is also a corporate entity organized in Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Not for Profit Corporations Act. One requirement of the Act, as well as AHAI's by-laws, is that AHAI must conduct an annual meeting.

 

AHAI's past practice was to conduct the Affiliate Leadership Conference (AALC) which was coupled with the requirements of an annual meeting with various breakout sessions discussing hockey-related topics. We are sure everyone understands the impractical (and currently impermissible) ability to conduct an annual meeting consistent with past practice.

 

Based on the current medical and governmental restrictions pertaining to group functions, AHAI is required to make some adjustments to this year's AALC.

 

In order to comply with the mandates of the Act and AHAI's by-laws, we will conduct an annual meeting primarily for AHAI's members to vote to elect five board members to the AHAI Board and also to vote to approve any changes to the AHAI by-laws.

 

The second aspect of AHAI's prior AALC meetings consisted of the Leadership Conference and traditionally focused on a variety of topics of interest to our members. Based on current stated rules concerning the coronavirus and to lessen the burden on our members, AHAI will separate this portion from this year's AALC.

 

Therefore, on May 30th, AHAI will host a virtual annual meeting with its members and limit the annual meeting to voting on the board of directors and the by-laws. Details on how that will occur will be sent to every organizations' leadership shortly.

 

On June 27, 2020, AHAI's current plan is to conduct the scheduled break-out sessions and townhall meetings at the Westin Hotel in Itasca. Please note, however, that the decision to conduct an in-person conference will be made in accordance with State rules for gatherings. We will have more information about the June 27 conference as we approach that date. In the event a large group gathering is not permissible by June 27, AHAI will identify contingency plans to conduct the breakout sessions remotely via available technology (Zoom, YouTube Live, etc.). A decision will be made on this portion of the AALC at the appropriate time.