Conference - Queenstown 2021 - Cancelled
Dear Members
Executive met last evening to discuss all aspects of our planned conference in Queenstown. This year we are again in a challenging position in that not all of the country are in the same Covid level and the changes to the Level 2 Delta has put enormous pressure on the Academy.
We have therefore used our Pandemic Policy to assist with our decision and in particular the Risk Mitigation Section which clearly defines several factors which has enabled us to make a decision. (See member's area for a copy of the NZAHND Pandemic Policy.
Executive have decided that the Solo Seal examination will be postponed until early March next year, and it is proposed to hold this in Christchurch. It was important that all candidates be treated equally and given the same opportunities to prepare for this prestigious examination. This could not happen when we are in two different levels of the Covid Pandemic. We also have no knowledge of how long these levels are likely to last.
We considered holding the Annual General Meeting with the allowable numbers of 50 and also offer a virtual opportunity to attend. Executive evaluated the cost of this and have made the responsible decision to hold this year’s Annual General Meeting entirely via Zoom. The conditions for this will be sent as soon as they are finalised.
It is also our hope that we can offer some of the proposed Dance Development course to members virtually and again details of this are yet to be finalised. This would be provided at no cost to members as a goodwill gesture.
Executive are very aware that a number of members were to receive their Diplomas and or Service Bars, some held over from last year, and we will provide more details at a later date of some thoughts we have about presenting these.
It is our hope, and we ask a lot, that again Queenstown is our first choice for the 2022 conference. Hopefully third time lucky. The Southland Committee have worked tirelessly towards planning to host us for the last two years and Executive would like to ask them to consider our request.
As you know making decisions such as these is huge and not easy on anyone involved and relaying them to you all is even harder. This has been challenging for everyone involved and on behalf of Executive I thank you most sincerely for your understanding
Members registered for conference were notified of the cancellation by email on Thursday 09 September
Annetta Cowie
President
