State of Minnesota AAU

STATE OF MINNESOTA AAU Greetings to Minnesota AAU Members and Future Members, On behalf of the National AAU and Minnesota AAU, I thank you for your participation with Minnesota AAU. It is because of your trust and involvement that Minnesota AAU has been able to thrive and provide so many important benefits and opportunities to Minnesota amateur athletes and various communities that host our events. It is my privilege as your Governor of Minnesota AAU to provide a STATE OF MINNESOTA AAU report. Year in Review Let us begin with a year in review. 2012 was a significant year, not just for Minnesota AAU but also for the National AAU as well. In addition to transitioning through two presidential changes, as you may or may not know, the AAU is now under the skillful watch and direction of Mr. Henry Forrest. Go to the National AAU website - aausports.org - for information on Mr. Forrest's biography and accomplishments. In Minnesota, through the years we remained unchartered, we have maintained a solid membership base. The District has grown to almost 4200 members with Minnesota AAU Girls Basketball experiencing the 2nd highest growth in 2012! The Minnesota District was chartered at the National Convention in October 2012. Both Dave Preller and myself were unopposed in our positions as Lieutenant Governor and Governor respectively. Dave and I are excited about the opportunity to work with the members of the District and chart our course as we move forward. We will be begin operations per the AAU Code which includes the formation of the Minnesota Executive Committee. We are excited about building relationships with the existing Minnesota Sports Directors. Our plan is to meet with each of them. We are also looking for Sports Directors to help grow Minnesota AAU. Again, as your Minnesota AAU leadership, we are constantly striving to do better so that we can help your child, your friends and neighbors children achieve their sport dreams. It is our ‘people helping people’ philosophy that also inspires us to make a difference in the community, whether through AAU sport programs and charitable activities such as hosting an AAU event. Our accomplishments would not have been possible without the heartfelt commitment and unified effort of our dedicated AAU volunteers and committees. Their passion is truly inspiring, and I am continuously moved by their steadfast desire to serve the AAU mission. I thank them for their continuous commitment and I thank you, our members, for having the confidence in these individuals who help drive the success of your Minnesota AAU. Looking to the future, as we approach the New Year ahead, here is a glimpse at some of the goals and opportunities we are pursuing: 1. Grow memberships 2. Provide hosting opportunities 3. Formulate a strong and dedicated Executive Committee of officers. The Minnesota Executive Committee conducts the business of the District in between meetings of the Board of Managers. The District is required to have at least one Executive Committee meeting each year 4. Recruit and retain good District Sports Directors 5. Even as we grow, we will keep our focus on doing what’s right. We will continue to provide more AAU events and more convenience for our members We will seek to provide more positive experiences for our amateur athletes in our communities and continue to stress the importance of our volunteer members realizing the benefits of their hosting efforts. AAU members enjoying a positive experience remains a priority and our focus remains on people first. It's what makes your Minnesota AAU different. It’s what makes us strong. Thank you for being part of our Minnesota AAU family. On behalf of the entire Minnesota AAU Volunteers, we look forward to a happy and successful 2013 for us all! Sincerely, Willie R. Braziel Governor, Minnesota AAU