BY-LAWS

(revised April 26, 2002)



1) ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

a) Definition: Open to all NCAA institutions which sponsor an intercollegiate women's ice hockey team/ program whether on a varsity or club basis, and which are willing to abide by the policies of the AWHCA and the Articles of Agreement and By-Laws.

b) Privileges: VOTING - Each member shall be entitled to one vote (one vote per institution) at all AWHCA meetings, mail votes, and at all meetings, special or otherwise, called during the course of a season by the AWHCA President.

PARTICIPATION - By the institution's students and coaches who qualify for any AWHCA sponsored awards and/or All-American honors.

PERSONNEL - Are eligible for all AWHCA elected or appointed positions and for attendance at all AWHCA meetings.

SUBSCRIPTION - The member institution shall be provided with a copy of a Membership Directory once updated. Target mailing date for directory is two weeks after membership payment is due.


2) ALLIED MEMBERSHIP

a) Definition: Open to all junior college, secondary and prep/private coaches and individuals concerned the advancement of women's ice hockey in North America.

b) Privileges: VOICE - but no vote in any AWHCA matters arising in meetings or otherwise.

ATTENDANCE: at all AWHCA meetings.

SUBSCRIPTION - To the AHCA hockey newsletter,Stops and Starts, to be sent to the coach of the team. Also, the member institution shall be provided with a copy of a Membership Directory once updated. Target mailing date for directory is two weeks after membership payment is due.


3) CHANGES OF MEMBERSHIP OR DIVISION

a) An institution or person may not change membership or divisional status during the membership year.

4) APPLICATION OF MEMBERSHIP

a) The initial application should be submitted to the AWHCA Secretary/Treasurer.

b) The name of the voting representative shall be shown on the application and will remain so for the duration of the member institutions/persons yearly term, unless the AWHCA is so otherwise notified in writing.

c) The membership year shall run with the academic calendar (September - August). Payment for membership is due by January 15th of each year.


5) DUES/FINANCES

a) Operating Funds
1) The AWHCA shall maintain an Operating Fund based on a budget estimate which shall be presented to the membership at the annual spring meeting. It should be sufficient enough in size as to cover fully all operations of the AWHCA for the next academic year.

2) Funds in excess of those needed shall be kept in an authorized banking account as an emergency fund.

b) An Active or Allied Membership for a new or continuing member institution shall be determined by the Board of Directors on an annul basis.
1) Whenever an institution/person withdraws from the AWHCA, it relinquishes any and all financial claims with respect to the AWHCA, its Operating Budget and sponsored events, provided the payments are up-to-date.
c) No institution/person will be allowed to compete in any AWHCA sanctioned event unless it has paid any dues that it owes.

d) Dissolution - Should the AWHCA formerly dissolve, all and any funds or other assets to which it holds title shall be distributed in equal shares among the institutions/persons who are of membership at the time action is taken.
e) Budget

1) The President shall submit to the membership at its annual spring meeting, a proposed budget, in conjunction with the yearly goals of the AWHCA, for a twelve (12) month period beginning September 1 of the same year. The budget shall include estimates of general operating expenses of the AWHCA and where appropriate, specific items of estimated expenditures:
  a) Expenses of the office of the President.

b) Statistical services, press/media releases, etc.

 2) The budget will go into effect upon confirmation by the membership by majority vote (provided a quorum is present). Majority vote equals 50% of the present membership plus one (1).
6) OFFICERS a) The officers of the AWHCA shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and an Association Committee to which there will be up to nine (9) members who will serve as part of the Board of Directors.
  1) President - must be a representative of a member institution and will preside over all meetings of the AWHCA. Elected by a majority vote of the present membership.
  a. Will hold position for a two (2) year term.

b. Will represent the AWHCA to other relevant organizations.

c. Responsible for developing a yearly budget and goals/mission statement for the membership.
 

 2) Vice-President - must be a representative of a member institution and will assist the president at all meetings of the AWHCA. Elected by a majority vote of the present membership.
  a. Will hold position for a two (2) year term and then move into the position of President.

b. Assist the President.
 

 3) Secretary-Treasurer - will serve all fiscal year appointments beginning September 1 of the same year. He/she will keep minutes of all meetings and distribute copies to all members; receive, hold and disburse AWHCA funds for proper purposes, receive and give required notices and keep records of AWHCA action; handle all AWHCA media/press releases. To otherwise serve the President as needed. Elected by a majority vote of the present membership.
  a. Hold the position for a minimum of a two (2) year term, with the option of extending to additional terms.

b. Responsible for opening a checking account under AWHCA.

 4) Association Committee - will consist of up to nine (9) elected members - all service two (2) year terms. The association will be made up by league representation, as new leagues arise that league will be granted one (1) representative. The committees purpose is: a. To serve as an awards committee charged with determining the qualifications and processes as well as oversee the selection for all AWHCA sanctioned awards.

b. To otherwise serve the President as needed.

c. The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and the Association Committee shall comprise the AWHCA Board of Directors.

 7) ELECTIONS
 
a) Each Active Member is allowed one (1) vote at all meetings.

b) Any and all elected and appointed officials must be from an active or allied member institution.

c) A majority vote (50% + 1) of the present quorum will determine the winner. In the case where no candidate achieves a majority vote, a runoff will be held between the top two nominees (with the most votes).

d) No write in votes will be counted.

e) In case of a tie, the AWHCA President shall have the deciding vote. This also applies to all association matters.

f) A Nomination Committee appointed by the President shall submit a list of names to the membership for purposes of election to office at the annual spring meeting.

        1) Terms of Office
a. All office terms take effect on September 1 of the same year of the annual spring meeting (when elections are held).

b. The President and Secretary-Treasurer (S-T has personal options to continue) shall serve two (2) year terms. The Vice-President shall serve two (2) year terms and move into position of President. The Association Committee members shall serve two (2) year terms.
 

 2) Removal a. Any officer may be removed from an office and its duties by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the present quorum of AWHCA representatives.

b. All such actions (as in "1") must first be proposed to the Board of Directors and seconded by at least two (2) active members.
 

 3) Quorum  
a. A quorum must exist at all AWHCA meetings to make all votes, discussion and other related material official. A quorum consists of a majority (50% +1) of the Active AWHCA Membership.  
 
  By-Laws

(9/25/02)