Junior Women's Hockey League

CHARTER & BY-LAWS OF THE
JUNIOR WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE (JWHL)

Article I - Name and Affiliation: The name of the league is the Junior Women's Hockey League, known as the JWHL.
Article II - Principal Offices: The principal office of the league shall be in the State of Vermont. The JWHL may have such other offices, either within or out of the State of Vermont as the business of the league may require from time to time.
Article III - Purposes: To operate a highly competitive league, open to teams who meet the standards set by the league for excellence and sportsmanship in hockey among member teams. The JWHL shall be a self-governing league, including regular season games and league tournaments.
Article IV - Mission: The mission of this league is to assume a leadership role in the development and growth of women’s hockey in the USA, Canada and Europe. The goal of the league is to foster the development of each team and player to the greatest extent possible. The league will explore guidelines and policies that unite its members for the betterment and growth of the sport.
Article V - Membership: Membership shall be open to women's hockey teams from the US, Canada and Internationally that meet the requirements of the JWHL By-Laws, and are accepted for membership. Membership may be limited by practical considerations on the maximum number of organizations that can be effectively accommodated in the JWHL and by judgments as to the ability of prospective members to comply with the standards set forth by the League. It is the goal of the JWHL to create an entity that will grow as girl's hockey evolves while continuing to maintain the commitment to its Mission.
- Founding Members: Founding Members of the JWHL shall be the North American Hockey Academy (NAHA) and Pride Hockey Association (PHA).
- Founding Members shall be full members of the JWHL and enjoy Full Membership Status. The founding members of the JWHL shall be responsible for setting up and administering the league schedule, venues, World Challenge Cup and league operations.
- Full Membership: Full membership shall be granted teams joining the league in its initial year, and be reviewed at the completion of every second season. Full Members shall have full voting rights on all matters before the league including participation, admission of new members, and expulsion of existing members. Full Members shall have input on the schedule, venues and other league business.
- Associate Membership: Associate Membership will be granted to teams who apply to join the league and are accepted by a vote of 2/3 of the Full Membership. The Associate Membership Status shall last for a period of two years, upon the completion of which and with a vote of 2/3 of the Full Membership an Associate Member organization can receive Full Member Status. An Associate Member shall have no voting rights on matters before the league, with the exception of matters designated to the League Committee for decisions.
- Application for Associate Membership:
  - Procedure for Considering Prospective Members: Financial strength of the organization and ability to make a long term commitment to the league, the league schedule and special events.
  - Commitment to JWHL Philosophy (see Policy I)
  - Prior history of the team/organization: strength of the teams (schedule, results, tournaments); awards and accomplishments; sportsmanship of the team, coaches and organization; other information as requested by the JWHL
  - The Application shall be reviewed by the Full Membership teams and if 2/3 of the Membership votes to accept the applicant team, they shall be granted Associate Membership status.
- Expulsion of a Member:
  - Upon a vote of 2/3 of the Full Membership a Full Member or Associate Member of the JWHL's membership may be terminated.
  - Grounds for termination of a Member include violation or lack of adherence to the JWHL procedures and policies, or any other action deemed inconsistent with the mission, goals and objectives of the JWHL and egregious enough for expulsion from the league.
  - League Committee: The League Committee shall have the power to:
    - Administer and make rule changes
    - Enforce the rules during the season and playoffs
    - Other business as delegated by the Full Membership
Article VI - Operations:
- League Committee: Bill Driscoll (convener/officer), Kush Sidhu (director/officer), and the coaches who have teams in the JWHL.
- Fees: Dues will be set by the Founding Teams to cover:
  - Ice time
  - Referees
  - Timekeepers
  - Other league expenses to include but not limited to the solicitation of league sponsorships, set up and administration of the league website, and development of a league newsletter.
  - The JWHL is not in the business of making money from members dues. All monies will be accounted for at the end of the season, with any excess being distributed back to the teams equally or rolled over into the next year's budget by vote of the League Committee.
- Accounting: A separate set of books and records for the JWHL will be kept at NAHA