Governance
The organization is governed by a Board of Directors that oversees personnel, vision, and financial issues. Beneath the Board of Directors are three Governance Councils, two of which oversee varsity competition: the CWPA Varsity Governance Council and the Northeast Water Polo Conference Governance Council, in addition to the Club Governance Council.
CWPA Board of Directors
Composition
- Commissioner – Dan Sharadin (Collegiate Water Polo Association/Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference/Northeast Water Polo Conference)
- Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Varsity Governing Council Chair – TBA
- Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Conference Governing Council Chair – Anthony Archbald (Princeton University)
- Club Governing Council Chair – Brian Coughlin (University of Notre Dame)
- Administrator from an institution fielding a club program- TBA
- Administrator from an institution fielding a club or varsity program – TBA
- Community member at-large – Mark Gesheimer (Chair)
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
- Conference Vision
Meetings
Board of Directors meet by conference call as necessary
Governing Councils
The CWPA has three Governing Councils that manage issues specific to the competition for their respective teams.
CWPA Varsity Governing Council
Oversees
- All Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) women’s varsity teams
- All varsity Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) men’s teams
Composition
- Commissioner (ex officio)
- Division III women’s program – 1 administrator
- Division I or II women’s program – 1 administrator
- Men’s Program Administrator – 1 administrator
- Undesignated Administrator – 1 administrator
- Undesignated Administrator – 1 administrator
Chair is elected by the council members with no term limits.
Varsity Coaches’ Role
- Varsity coaches may meet annually to propose recommendations.
Jurisdiction
- Membership Development
- Compliance*
- Scheduling
- Playing and Practice Seasons
- Championships
- Officiating Issues
- Disciplinary Issues
*Two administrators will serve on a Compliance Committee as needed. These individuals would not necessarily be members of the Governing Council and may be appointed by the Commissioner.
Meetings
- Governing Council will meet by conference call as necessary.
Vacancies
- Governing Council members will nominate a replacement for any vacancy to be approved by the Board of Directors. 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.
Northeast Water Polo Conference Governing Council
Oversees
- Men’s varsity teams in the Northeast Water Polo Conference
Composition
- Commissioner (ex officio)
- Administrator from each institution
Chair is elected by the council members with no term limits.
Varsity Coaches’ Role
- Varsity coaches may meet annually to propose recommendations.
Jurisdiction
- Membership Development
- Compliance*
- Scheduling
- Playing and Practice Seasons
- Championships
- Officiating Issues
- Disciplinary Issues
*Two administrators will serve on a Compliance Committee as needed. These individuals would not necessarily be members of the Governing Council and may be appointed by the Commissioner.
Meetings
- Governing Council will meet by conference call as necessary.
Vacancies
- Governing Council members will nominate a replacement for any vacancy to be approved by the Board of Directors. 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 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 at least annually and 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.
