Governance
Governance Structure
CWPA Board of Directors
Composition
- Commissioner
- Varsity Governing Council Chair
- Northeast Water Polo conference Governing Council Chair
- Club Governing Council Chair
- Administrator from an institution fielding a club program
- Administrator from an institution fielding a club or varsity program
- Community member at-large
No institution can be represented by more than one individual. Commissioner serves as the Secretary/Treasurer and the President is elected by the Board Members and will serve until his term expires.
Jurisdiction
- Staff oversight
- Budget oversight
Meetings
Board of Directors meet at least annually by conference call, in addition to other times as necessary
Governing Councils
There are three separate Governing Councils that manage competitive issues specific to their members as indicated below:
Northeast Water Polo Conference
Each member institution of the Northeast Water Polo Conference has a representative on their Governing Council. Representatives must be athletic department administrators.
Varsity Governing Council
CWPA institutions sponsoring women’s water polo on the varsity level, as well as those sponsoring men’s varsity water polo in the Mid Atlantic Conference have a governing structure as follows:
Composition
- Commissioner (ex officio)
- Division III women’s varsity program 1 administrator
- Division I or II women’s varsity program 1 administrator
- Men’s varsity program 1 administrator
- Any affiliation 1 administrator
- Any affiliation 1 administrator
Chair is elected by the council members with no term limits and must be an administrator. Only Council Members in their second term are eligible for election.
Varsity Coaches’ Role
Varsity coaches may meet annually during the CWPA Rules Forum and propose ideas and legislation to the Varsity Governing Council for final action.
Jurisdiction
- Membership Development
- Compliance*
- Scheduling
- Playing and Practice Seasons
- Championships
- Officiating Issues
- Disciplinary Issues
*Two administrators would serve on a Compliance Committee as a resource for the Governing Council. These individuals would not necessarily be members of the Governing Council and may be appointed by the Commissioner.
Meetings
Governing Council will meet at least annually by conference call, in addition to other times as necessary.
Vacancies
Governing Council members will nominate a replacement for any vacancy to the Board of Directors for final approval. This individual will assume the term of the vacant position.
Quorum
A majority of the Governing Council members will serve as a quorum for the conduct of league business.
Removal
The Board of Directors may declare vacant the position of a Governing Council member if declared of unsound mind by an order of court, convicted of a felony, or they are unable to fulfill their duties due to extraneous circumstances.
Terms
Council members serve two-year staggered terms without limit.
Club Governing Council
Composition
- Commissioner (ex officio)
- Full-time student (3)
- Club Sport Administrator (2)
No two members of the Governing Council may be from the same division. Chair is elected annually by the council members and must be an administrator.
Jurisdiction
- New Member Approval
- Discipline
- Player Eligibility Allegations
Decision-making for the topics listed below are handled by an annual conference call at the division level by member teams:
- Scheduling
- Playing and Practice Seasons
- Athlete Eligibility Requirements
- Championships
Meetings
Governing Council will meet by conference call annually on the second Wednesday in June and otherwise as necessary.
Vacancies
Governing Council members will nominate a replacement for any vacancy to the Board of Directors for final approval. This individual will assume the term of the vacant position.
Quorum
A majority of the Governing Council members will serve as a quorum for the conduct of league business.
Removal
The Board of Directors may declare vacant the position of a Governing Council member if declared of unsound mind by an order of court, convicted of a felony, or they are unable to fulfill their duties due to extraneous circumstances.
Club Coaches’ Role
Club coaches maintain their annual conference call to determine policy on certain issues.
Terms
Council members serve two-year staggered terms without limit.
CWPA Club Membership determines all policies through a legislative process.
• One vote per institution by mail ballot or in person
• Two institutions must sponsor new legislation
• Voting handled electronically