WHAM | Women's Hockey Association of Missoula

BYLAWS of Women's Hockey Association of Missoula (WHAM)

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the "Women's Hockey Association of Missoula (WHAM)". WHAM is an affiliate of USA Hockey, Glacier Ice Rink (GIR), and Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association (MAYHA).

ARTICLE II - MISSION STATEMENT

Section 1. Mission.

To develop and promote the sport of hockey for women in the greater Missoula area.

Section 2. Goals.

Goal A.

To maximize the benefits (fun, fitness, learning, competition, esprit de corps, recreation and social opportunity) gained for all participants in the program.

Goal B.

To offer opportunities for women of all interests and skill levels to play hockey by providing affordable league play, clinics and other programs.

Goal C.

To maintain involvement, where possible, with the governing boards of rink facilities and adult hockey organizations for the purpose of creating opportunities for all area citizens to enjoy the benefits of hockey for years to come.

ARTICLE III - ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Affiliations.

WHAM shall be given public recognition as a cosponsor of the public activities and events supported or hosted by WHAM. Affiliations include the following: USA Hockey, Glacier Ice Rink and Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association (MAYHA).

Section 2. Local.

WHAM shall be organized on a local basis and its purposes, objectives and interests shall serve the local area in accordance with state and national affiliations.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Members of WHAM are females who are eighteen (18) years or older by 1 September of the playing year who are interested in helping WHAM achieve its mission, who have registered and paid their fees to USA Hockey, and who have paid their annual player fees for programs sponsored by WHAM.

Benefits of membership include: opportunities to play recreational ice hockey, voting privileges, opportunities to hold office, registration with USA Hockey, preference for membership the following season, and a membership directory.

Section 1. Categories of Membership

Category 1. Active Members.

Women who have paid their USA Hockey registration, who are participating in sanctioned WHAM programs and who show a demonstrated interest in the goals and objectives of the Association are considered members.

Category 2. Associate Members

Associate Members shall be so designated by the Executive Board of Directors. Persons who do not fall within the full description of membership may apply for associate member status. Each application will be considered on its circumstances and in relation to the mission and goals of WHAM. Upon being designated eligible for associate membership, the designee must become a USA Hockey member and pay fees as assigned by the Executive Board of Directors. Associate members do not have voting privileges.

Section 2. Membership Dues/Fees.

Annual membership dues/fees are payable by the publicized date set by the Executive Board of Directors in order to retain your priority status for limited spaces in the program. Priority is given first to current members. After that designated date, registrations shall be accepted on a first come-first serve basis until all available slots are full. After all slots are full, the Registrar will maintain a waiting list. The order on the list is determined by the order in which the Registrar receives the applications. As slots become available the waiting list shall be used to fill openings. Priority after the designated date is based on first come-first serve and not on skill or other systems.

Membership fees/dues shall be set at the direction of the Executive Board of Directors before registration each year.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 1. Office:

1.) Past President (MAYHA Representative): Not elected, President becomes Past President.

2.) President: Not elected, President Elect becomes President.

3.) President Elect: Elected annually.

4.) Secretary Elected annually.

5.) Treasurer Elected annually.

6.) Recreational League Chair: Elected annually.

7.) Program Chair: Elected annually.

8.) Development Chair Elected Annually.

9.) Registrar Elected Annually.

10.) Officer at Large Elected Annually.

11.) Officer at Large Elected Annually.

Section 2. Procedures.

A. The Executive Board of Directors shall conduct the business of WHAM. Any person holding office must be an Active Member or Associate Member. No member of the Executive Board of Directors shall receive compensation for services.

B. Officers are elected at the annual meeting in the spring.

C. A quorum of the Executive Board of Directors shall be a majority (6 persons).

D. The term of office for all elected positions shall be for one (1) year.

E. An officer may be removed after missing three (3) meetings or by a majority vote at a general membership meeting.

F. Replacement of an elected officer shall be done by election from among candidates whose names are submitted to the Executive Board of Directors by an appointed nominating committee. This committee is chaired by the President Elect unless that is the officer being replaced. Should the officer being replaced be the President Elect, the nominating committee shall be chaired by a designee whose appointment shall be approved by a majority of the Executive Board of Directors. This election to replace an elected official is made by the Executive Board of Directors and must have a two/thirds (2/3) majority.

G. The Executive Board shall meet at least five (5) times per year, once (1) at the Annual General Membership meeting plus four (4) additional meetings to conduct the business of the Association. The President or a quorum of the Executive Board may call the meeting. All members are invited and welcome at any business meeting conducted by the Executive Board.

H. Formats for WHAM programs must be approved by the Executive Board after taking into consideration program evaluations. Recreational, Program and Development Chairs should work closely to develop harmonious programs

I. A Team Captain and a Team Manager for every recreational league team shall be approved by the Executive Board of Directors prior to the beginning of league play. A Team Captain or Team Manager must have participated as an active WHAM member for a minimum of one (1) season prior to her appointment.

1. A Team Captain shall be a person recognized for her skill and knowledge of hockey and for her leadership qualities. The duties of a Team Captain are: to serve as a consultant for technical and tactical information for her team, and to work in conjunction with the Team Manager to provide organization and communication channels for each team.

2. A Team Manager shall be a person who has demonstrated effective organizational and communication skills sufficient to enable the effective operation of a Recreational League team. The major responsibilities of a Team Manager include communication with all members of their team regarding schedules, uniforms, competitive play opportunities, meetings, cancellations, social opportunities, etc. The Team Manager works in conjunction with the Team Captain to achieve the goals as stated in Article II, Section 2, Goal A and Goal B.

The Team Manager IS the link between the Executive Board of Directors and the Player. Team Captains and Team Managers will serve on the Recreational League Committee as defined within this document.

Section 3. Officers: Duties, Ethics, and Conduct

A. Each officer is responsible for keeping accurate records of business and fiscal affairs while they hold office. Information is to be collated into a usable form and passed on to the next office holder. These records should be prepared for transfer by 1 July each year.

B. Past President: WHAM's representative to rink facilities and Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association (MAYHA). The major responsibilities of this office are attendance at MAYHA/GIR board meetings and reservation of ice time for WHAM activities as determined by the Executive Board, assists in preparation of annual budget, oversees the business of Association along with President, and advises the President.

C. President: Presiding officer and chief spokesperson for WHAM in all of its affairs. Duties include calling and conducting business meetings of the Executive Board and of the general membership. Submits annual budget to the membership as developed with the participation of the budget team consisting of the Past President, President Elect, and Treasurer. Establishes a formal work program to be executed during her term of office, which will promote the goals of the Association. Assigns duties and tasks to other members of the Board and general members that will lead to the accomplishment of the Association goals. Establishes and maintains effective communication with other organizations engaged in common missions or goals of WHAM.

D.President Elect: Chairs nomination committee. Implements a formal evaluation of the entire program provided to the general membership in spring of each year. Acts for President or represents Association in President's absence. Chairs Mediation Committee as needed. Assists in preparation of annual budget with President, Past President, and Treasurer. Chairs Bylaws Committee.

E. Secretary: Takes and prepares minutes of the Executive Board and of the general membership meetings. Assists President in Association correspondence. Maintains a separate record of Administrative Policies.

F. Treasurer: Keeps accurate accounting of all program fees, checking, savings or other accounts. Submits bills for payment to President and Executive Board for approval and makes payments at the direction of the Executive Board of Directors or the general voting membership. Prepares an annual summary of income and expenses. Submits books for an annual audit by the Executive Board.

G. Recreational League Chair: Presiding officer and chief spokesperson of the committee that develops the recreational aspects of women's hockey including league schedule, methods of forming teams, league rules and communication in accordance with Article II, Section 2, Goals A and B. Chairs the Team Selection Committee.

H. Program Chair: Serves in conjunction with the Development Chair. Is responsible for the scheduling of refs and goalies for league play. Assists in the development of WHAM league program.

I. Development Chair: Serves in conjunction with the Program Chair. Is responsible for WHAM equipment. Assists in the development of skills clinics and other WHAM league programs.

J. Registrar: Shall serve with the Treasurer to assist in providing an accurate membership directory and waiting list that is developed from registration forms and serves as the liaison with USA Hockey. The Registrar acts for the Treasurer in Treasurer's absence.

K. Officer at Large(2) : Duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

ARTICLE VI- STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

There shall be the following standing committees:

Recreational League Committee
Bylaws
Registration
Rules
Nominating

Section 2. Standing Committees and their duties and responsibilities.

A. Recreational League Committee: Each team will have a Manager and a Captain approved by the Executive Board of Directors. The group of Managers and Captains along with the Recreational League Chair shall constitute the membership of this committee. Other members may be appointed to this committee with the approval of the Executive Board of Directors.

B. Bylaws: Chair is the President Elect and members are appointed by the Executive Board of Directors. Responsible for developing and updating the Bylaws of WHAM as necessary.

C. Registration Committee: The Chair is the Registrar. Members, in addition to the Secretary and Treasurer, may be appointed by the Executive Board of Directors. This committee assists Registrar, Secretary, and Treasurer with pre-season reparation by developing registration forms, compiling information, creating directory, and disbursing marketing and informational materials.

D. Rules Committee: Membership and the chair will be appointed by the Executive Board of Directors. Shall develop, review, and revise a set of rules supporting and amending USA Hockey regulations for game play within the Recreation League. This committee will also facilitate the assigning of officials for league games as well as the development of members as officials. The Chairperson will present committee decisions for review and approval by the Executive Board of Directors.

E. Nominating Committee: The Chair is President Elect and members are appointed by the Executive Board of Directors. Shall present a slate of officers for elected positions prior to the annual meeting.

F. Team Selection Committee: A committee of five (5) members shall be appointed by the Executive Board of Directors to establish teams that are of equitable strength in so far as that can be determined.

ARTICLE VII-AD HOC COMMITTEES

Section 1. Ad-Hoc Committee.

These committees and their chairperson are named by the President and Executive Board, as needed. Examples of Ad Hoc Committees are a 501 Committee or a Mediation Committee.

ARTICLE VIII - PROCEDURES

Section 1. The Bylaws of the Association and Parliamentary Procedure as defined in Robert's Rules of Orders shall be used in conducting the business of the Association.

Section 2. Changes to the Bylaws of the Association shall be put into effect by a majority vote of the general membership at the Annual Meeting. All proposals for changes must be presented to the Executive Board of Directors at least one month before the Annual Meeting. The membership shall be informed of the proposed changes to the Bylaws as they will be presented at least fourteen (14) days before the Annual Meeting. These Bylaws shall be effective immediately upon adoption by the Voting Members present at an annual meeting of the Association.

Section 3. Meetings.

A. The Association must conduct a minimum of one (1) general membership meeting per year. The annual meeting shall be in the spring each year . Election of officers and approval of any bylaw changes shall take place at the annual meeting. An annual financial summary will be presented. The time and place of the annual meeting shall be announced publicly at least 14 days before the annual meeting.

B. An "official" meeting is one held in the Missoula area of the general membership, about which the membership has been notified at least two weeks before the meeting.

C. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President, a majority of the Executive Board of Directors, or by a petition of thirty percent (30%) of the Voting Members of the Association requesting a special meeting.

Section 4. Standing Committees. Standing Committees shall be formed as defined in Article VI. The Chairperson of a Standing Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Board unless otherwise designated in these Bylaws. Committee meetings may be called by the Committee chair or by a simple majority of the voting members of that Committee. Chairperson will present committee decisions for review and approval by the Executive Board of Directors.

Section 5. Ad Hoc Committees. The President or Executive Board shall appoint and dissolve such committees as are dictated by the needs of the Association. Committee meetings may be called by the Committee chair or by a simple majority of the voting members of that Committee. Chairperson will present committee decisions for review and approval by the Executive Board of Directors.

Section 6. Quorum. A quorum of the general membership is all the members present at any official meeting for and of the general membership of the Association as long as all members received two-week notice of called official meeting , a publicized agenda, and notice of issues upon which voting decisions will be made.

Section 7. Majority Rule. A majority affirmative vote of a quorum of the Voting Members at an official meeting of this Association or of the Executive Board of the Association shall constitute approval of action by the body.

Section 8. Administrative Policies . Policies that affect game play and administrative operation of WHAM that are not specifically defined in these Bylaws are addressed in administrative policies.

The secretary maintains a separate record of these policies.
These policies, established by the Executive Board, can be changed at anytime by a majority vote of the general membership.
These policies must be annually reviewed and published for the general membership prior to the start of game play.

Section 9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30.

ARTICLE IX - DECISIONS

The General Voting Membership must approve the following: Bylaws, amendments to Bylaws, and election of officers. Any member may make recommendations on any Association business.

WHAM Bylaws, Approved May 2005