April 18, 2024

Santa Fe Hockey realized another successful season with our 2023-2024 program. Player enrollment was up thirty percent over the previous season and we fielded competitive teams in all age groups. We maintained a dedicated and hard-working group of volunteer Coaches, Team Managers and Parent Volunteers. Our Board made substantial progress on the Association Goals that were laid out at the start of the season. Under the leadership of Sarah (Japa) Wrenn-Weaver, a successful fundraising program was launched that will provide funding for scholarships, team supplies and allow our program to maintain competitive participation fees for all of our players. Katy Fitzgerald once again did an outstanding job in scheduling ice and games for all of our teams under frequently challenging circumstances. Slack was adopted as the primary communications tool for Association officials and the Association received unlimited free Google Drive storage through the efforts of John Utsey. Our community outreach efforts and social media presence were significantly enhanced thanks to the work of Dawn Kaufman. Policies and Procedures were updated to ensure compliance with USA Hockey requirements. All of these accomplishments could not have occurred without the selfless dedication, commitment and hard-work of all of our Board members and volunteers.

As we reflect on our previous accomplishments, it is important to recognize areas for continued improvement. The Board is already actively engaged in planning for the upcoming season and developing revised goals for the Association. The amount of work to successfully launch a new season is significant. Our efforts will focus on player and coach recruitment and development, continuing to enhance internal and external communications, expanding our fundraising efforts, growing our volunteer base and maintaining compliance with the increasingly complex myriad of rules and regulations that we are required to follow.

Santa Fe Hockey cannot continue to thrive and grow without a dedicated group of volunteers at all levels. As an all volunteer organization, volunteers are our lifeblood. Over the past several years, a core group of volunteer board members and coaches have worked tirelessly to maintain our program.

To ensure the long-term success of Santa Fe Hockey, it is absolutely vital that we expand our volunteer base, particularly from the younger age groups. Volunteers are needed to serve on our board and as board committee members. Several of our most dedicated and hard-working board members are approaching the end of their service to Santa Fe Hockey as their children age out of our program. It is vital that we expand our volunteer base, fill open board and committee seats and groom the future leadership of our Association. Please consider joining our volunteer ranks. The rewards and personal satisfaction obtained from supporting our program are worth the effort!

The Volunteer Interest Form is located on our website under the Forms section which can be accessed from the Association Home Page.

On behalf of the entire Board, a heartfelt thanks for your interest in participation in Santa Fe Hockey.

Bearclaw Shipe