At one time, the AAHA board made all of the hockey decisions in addition to conducting all of the AAHA business. As this became unmanageable for one group, the board separated much of the on-ice programming from the business side of things by naming a hockey coordinator (1 person). This hockey coordinator was responsible for making most of the "hockey" decisions, often asking coaches at meetings and also informally for input, but still shouldering much of the responsibility and workload alone. Eventually, some "helper coordinators" for Girls and Mites were added to help share the workload and the decision-making, while still seeking coaches' input when possible, but without a system for consistently and efficiently communicating that input and the outcomes of the discussions.
In the Spring of 2009, the coordinators decided to share ALL of the hockey decision-making power by establishing a hockey committee and Boys' coordinator position (coordinating Squirt through Bantam age group programming, for a total of 4 coordinators). The hockey committee is actually labeled an "Interim" committee this year, as the AAHA Board, coordinators and committee work to develop a system for equitably naming and rotating members.
Alexandria did not actually invent the concept of the hockey committee. A look at some of our peers in Brainerd http://brainerd.pucksystems2.com/ and Moorhead http://www.moorheadyouthhockey.com/ (see brochure) reveals that most strong organizations rely on Hockey Committees to do the hockey work.
By asking other coaches to officially share in the decision making on a more formal basis, there is a more thorough, efficient, democratic processing of "all things hockey." Through clearly defined agendas and access to all AAHA families, this format should provide the most proactive approach to making the on-ice AAHA product as great as it can be.
For more information about the committee: what it is, who is on it, exactly where it came from and what things it will be doing, please read the posted documents. Also check back often to see upcoming agendas, minutes from meetings and calls for input.
Finally, if there is anything that you see as an opportunity to improve the on-ice programming here in Alexandria, please know that your input is welcome. Simply check the committee roster and contact anyone on the list with your thoughts.
