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MWPA Bylaws - January 19, 2009 (PDF)

Article 1. Title

  1. The name of this organization shall be: "The Michigan Water Polo Association" (MWPA).

Article 2. Objectives

  1. To promote competitive water polo in the State of Michigan
    1. To host High School District Qualifying, Regional Qualifying and State Championship Tournaments at the end of each season.
    2. To conduct high school competition according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) guidelines.
    3. To recognize outstanding interscholastic/academic water polo players and coaches.
    4. To disseminate information pertaining to water polo programs in the State of Michigan.
  2. To promote the correct teaching of water polo among all coaches and officials.
  3. To promote a common understanding of water polo among all coaches and officials.
  4. To promote the continued growth of water polo through cooperation with and recommendations from professional organizations such as United State Water Polo, Inc. (USWP), National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association, and Michigan interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association.
    1. To host local USWP Development Camps.
    2. To host clinics for coaches, officials, and players.

Article 3. Membership

  1. A. Voting Membership shall consist of the following persons who fulfill one or more of the criteria listed below. No Single person shall have more than one vote in any matter. Male and female teams from the same school are considered separate teams and may have separate votes, as long as each team has a different voting representative present.
    1. Active high school head or assistant coach (maximum of one representative per team).
    2. Active collegiate club representative (one representative per club).
    3. Age group club head or assistant coach (maximum of one representative per club).
    4. Elected officers of MWPA who do not already have a vote per 3.A.1 through 3.A.3.
    5. Written proxy designated by a Voting Member of 1-4 above.
  2. For matters requiring a vote that affect only one high school competition season, only coaches of teams participating in that season, and the elected officers of MWPA, or the written, designated proxy of the above members may cast votes.

Article 4. Meetings

  1. The Spring Business Meeting shall be held the second Sunday in February.
  2. The Summer Business Meeting shall be held the Saturday of the Girl’s State Championship tournament during the tournament break at the host site.
  3. The Fall Business Meeting shall be held the Saturday of the Boy’s State Championship tournament during the tournament break at the host site.
  4. The August Business Meeting shall be held the Sunday on the weekend before the beginning of boys season.

Article 5. Amendments to the By-Laws and Policies

  1. Amendments to these By-Laws and Policies must be submitted to the Co-Presidents, in writing, at least two weeks prior any Business Meeting. Proposals will be included in the agenda of the meeting sent to each voting member at least one week prior to that meeting.
  2. Amendments shall be adopted following a two-thirds majority vote of all Voting Members present at the Business Meeting.

Article 6. Officers

  1. The August Business Meeting shall be held the Sunday on the weekend before the beginning of boys season.
    1. Co-Presidents (2).
    2. Secretary
    3. Treasurer
    4. Director of Officials.(Director may serve as a regional director as well)
      1. East Region Director of Officials
      2. West Region Director of Officials
  2. The election of Officers shall be held at the annual Spring Business Meeting. Officers elected at this meeting will assume the duties of their offices on the completion of the girls season. Officers shall serve two-year terms, with the exception of the Area Representatives, who shall serve one-year terms. There is no term limit for Officers.
    1. One Co-President shall be elected each spring for a two-year term.
    2. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years.
    3. The Director of Officials shall be elected in odd-numbered years.
      1. Regional Director of Officials shall be elected in every year
  3. If an office is vacated prior to the end of a term, the Co-Presidents shall select an interim replacement until the next Business Meeting. At the next Business Meeting, the MWPA shall elect a person to fill the remainder of the term of office.
  4. Officer’s Duties:
    1. The duties of the Co-Presidents shall include:
      1. Presiding over meetings.
      2. Distributing to the Voting Members an agenda seven days prior to each Business Meeting.
      3. Directing MWPA activities.
    2. The duties of the Treasurer shall include:
      1. Keeping current financial records of the MWPA
      2. Reporting the financial status of the MWPA at each Business Meeting
    3. The duties of the Secretary shall include:
      1. Recording the minutes of each Business Meeting.
      2. Submitting the minutes for approval by the Voting Members.
      3. Maintaining the Archives of the Association.
      4. Collecting nominations for all-state and academic all-state awards.
      5. Collecting and submitting applications for All-American awards.
      6. Overseeing/Maintaining the association website.(May be contracted out to an outside contractor)
      7. Gathering and distributing the state rankings to the media.
    4. The duties of the Director of Officials shall include:
      1. Promoting excellence within the officiating body within the State of Michigan.
      2. Organizing an annual Officials’ Clinic.
      3. Assigning officials to all post-season District, Regional, and State Championship Tournaments.
    5. The duties of the Regional Director of Officials shall include:
      1. Attending all Business Meetings
      2. Assist the Director of Officials in his duties within their respective regions.
  5. Compensation
    1. Officers will receive a $50 stipend for every business meeting attended.

Article 7. Board of Directors

  1. The Board of Directors of the MWPA shall be comprised of the Elected Officials of the MWPA.
  2. The Board of Directors shall act as the MWPA and shall conduct business of the MWPA as deemed necessary between Business Meetings.
  3. The Board of Directors may call an emergency business meeting of the MWPA with 7 days notice to all active voting members.