For Immediate Release
Dear Iowa HOBY Ambassadors and Families,
We understand these are trying times for many of you; your safety and well-being are our top priority. After many conversations at the state and national level, Iowa HOBY has decided not to host an in-person seminar during the 2020 summer season.
HOBY Nationals has an incredibly strict No Refunds Policy and is providing currently registered families with two options: defer your registration to the 2021 summer seminar or use your registration to participate in a two-day virtual experience this summer.
2021 Seminar
The 2021 Iowa HOBY Seminar will be held at Drake University. We are currently working with the university to confirm a weekend, but the seminar will either be June 11-13, 2021 or June 18-20, 2021. If currently registered ambassadors have completed their payment, their payment will be transferred to the 2021 seminar year. Once a date has been confirmed, we will share additional information with you so you can plan accordingly.
Virtual Seminar
The Iowa HOBY team understands you may be craving content during this time. The virtual seminar is a two-day program using a nationally-provided, video-based, online platform. Each day would include seven hours of (live) online programming including speakers, panels, and virtual “group time” with other Iowa ambassadors. The virtual seminar program has been developed by the national HOBY organization to mimic the traditional HOBY experience. Iowa HOBY will be collaborating and communicating with families and students who elect the virtual seminar.
While virtual seminar attendees will be afforded the best experience we can possibly provide, Iowa HOBY stands by the belief that the “HOBY magic” is best experienced in-person. Our recommendation to all students and families is that your child defer their HOBY experience to the summer of 2021. We recognize this unparalleled time necessitates the need for various options. Therefore, if you choose to attend the virtual seminar, we will do the best we can to make it as close to a traditional HOBY experience as possible.
We understand this decision is not easy to make. Our national organization will be contacting you with more information regarding your choices. In order to ensure timely communication of next steps and seminar details, please fill out the form coming to you from HOBY Nationals by Friday, May 15th, 2020; one submission per student. Regardless of your choice, your student will walk away having experienced Iowa HOBY!
If you have any questions, please contact our Leadership Seminar Chair, Kaily Walsh (lsc@iahoby.org) at your earliest convenience. We know these are trying times. We thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we are all doing the best we can to adjust in this new time. Have an outstanding day!
In Service,
Kaily Walsh
Iowa HOBY Leadership Seminar Chair
