ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the
Mid-Hudson Soccer Officials Association,
hereinafter referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II - AFFILIATION AND TERRITORY
| Sect. 1 - |
The Association shall maintain an affiliation with the New York
State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (hereinafter referred to as NYSPHSAA). |
| Sect. 2 - |
The territory of the Association, recognized by the NYSPHSAA,
shall be primarily the Dutchess and Ulster Counties (Mid-Hudson) Region of New York State. |
ARTICLE III - PURPOSES
| Sect. 1 - |
To recruit, educate and unite the registered New York State Approved Soccer
Officials in the territory. |
| Sect. 2 - |
To promote the uniform interpretation and administration of the NFHS
(National Federation of High School Associations) rules of soccer by all Association members. |
| Sect. 3 - |
To collaborate with soccer coaches, school administrators, and
other officials' organizations in the advancement of soccer in the territory. |
| Sect. 4 - |
To adhere to the Constitution, By-Laws, rules, annual
registration, and regulations of the NYSPHSAA and through its soccer committee,
make recommendations for improvement of the game of soccer. |
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
| Sect. 1 - |
Officials applying for active membership in the Association must have
previously passed the appropriate examination as a New York State Approved Soccer Official. Candidates
must pay a fee for the new member class and test administration. |
| Sect. 2 - |
To obtain active membership in the Association, a candidate shall:
| A. |
Complete and submit a membership application to the
Secretary/Treasurer along with the annual dues. |
| B. |
Be accepted into membership by a majority vote of members. |
|
| Sect. 3 - |
To obtain or maintain inactive membership, active members must:
| A. |
Submit a written request to the Secretary/Treasurer providing the
reason for the change in status along with the annual inactive membership dues. |
| B. |
Be accepted into or approved to remain at inactive status by
a majority vote of members. |
| C. |
Be aware that they will not be assigned games except in an
emergency. |
| D. |
Understand that such membership is limited to two consecutive
years unless the official is called to military service, which shall increase the limit to
four consecutive years. |
| E. |
Be advised that their names will remain on the Association roster
but without voting rights. |
|
| Sect. 4 - |
To return to active membership status, an inactive member shall:
| A. |
Advise the Secretary/Treasurer in writing and pay the
active membership dues. |
| B. |
Satisfy all other membership requirements and responsibilities. |
| C. |
Be accepted by majority vote of the Executive Committee. |
|
| Sect. 5 - |
A member will be considered "not in good standing" if the member's actions
do not conform with the Association's "in good standing" requirements.
A member "not in good standing" shall:
• be ineligible for new game assignments.
• continue to attend Association meetings but may not vote or participate in any Association business.
MHSOA members "in good standing" must:
| A. |
Fulfill all member responsibilities as specified in Article V. |
| B. |
Fulfill administrative requirements as may be established by this
Association and by all applicable Sections and private schools. |
| C. |
Not be delinquent on payment of dues or fines |
| D. |
Not be currently suspended. |
| E. |
Adhere to the NYSPHSAA's "Five Point Plan" which states an approved
official "in good standing" must:
1. Observe the constitution and by-laws of their local and state officials organization.
2. Attend interpretation meetings and clinics of the local organization each year.
3. Give satisfactory evidence of proficiency in the mechanics of officiating and of
competent performance related to the specific sport.
4. Pass the National Federation, State, or other approved rules examination.
5. Be listed with the NYSPHSAA, Inc. Executive Director.
|
|
| Sect. 6 - |
Members are permitted to hold Dual Membership with other area associations.
| A. |
MHSOA members may join outside associations as Dual Members
but must continue to adhere to all MHSOA membership requirements
as well as to abide by the outside association's dual membership rules. |
| B. |
Officials who are members of outside referee associations may join
the MHSOA as Dual Members. These officials shall pay MHSOA Dual Member dues, can not vote, and must adhere to the requirements
of this Constitution and By-Laws. |
|
| Sect. 7 - |
Members shall be designated into assignment classifications by
the Executive Committee. The Committee will review the previously attained experience and credentials
of new members and determine the appropriate initial assignment classification. Transfer-in members
must present a letter from their former association outlining their ranking, the number of games worked,
the current status of their membership, as well as any other pertinent information. |
| Sect. 8 - |
Life membership may be granted by majority vote of the members,
to members who have demonstrated great dedication and made significant contribution to the Association.
Life members shall not pay annual dues, nor have voting privileges nor officiate games. |
| Sect. 9 - |
The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit assignment classification lists to
assigning groups as required. Lists will contain only the names of active members in good standing and
their current assignment classification. |
ARTICLE V - RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
| Sect. 1 - |
Association members shall conduct themselves honorably at
all times on and off the field and maintain the dignity of their profession. |
| Sect. 2 - |
Members shall not accept an assignment or officiate a match,
A. During the regular or post-season, if the member is:
• Related to a player or coach on a participating team or
• Works at the school location of a participating team.
B. At any time, if partiality could be perceived because of a close personal
or adversarial relationship between the official and a player, coach, team, school or school district. |
| Sect. 3 -
| Members must recognize that meeting attendance is an important obligation of
membership in this Association. All members must attend an annual Interpretation Meeting and adhere to
the requirements as specified in the By-Laws.
|
| Sect. 4 - |
Officials are to assure their uniform is clean, neat, complete
and in conformance, including proper badge, with all NYSPHSAA and MHSOA requirements.
[See By-Laws for specific Uniform Requirements.] |
| Sect. 5 - |
On the field officials shall control players effectively by
being courteous and considerate. Members will work closely in positive support of their fellow
officials and never speak negatively of a fellow official in the presence of players,
coaches or others outside the Association. |
Sect. 6 -
|
Members must officiate in accordance with the contractual terms in place
between the Association and all applicable Sections as well as agreements made with private schools. |
| Sect. 7 - |
Both Active and Dual members participate in any rating system enacted by
the membership. |
| Sect. 8 - |
If unable to officiate a confirmed game assignment a member must contact the
assignor at the earliest opportunity. If a member does not inform the assignor and does not officiate a
confirmed game assignment it is considered a "no-show". Violators shall be fined as specified in the By-Laws.
Violators may be suspended for repeated violations. |
| Sect. 9 - |
Officials are to read the NFHS Code of Ethics and incorporate them into
their game preparations. |
ARTICLE VI - DUES
| Sect. 1 - |
Active, Inactive and Dual membership dues will be determined annually by a
majority vote of members. |
| Sect. 2 - |
Dues for the following year must be paid on or before December 1. |
| Sect. 3 - |
Officers, Directors and Life Members shall not pay dues |
| Sect. 4 - |
Members having completed 30 years of Active Membership shall not pay dues. |
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
| Sect. 1 - |
A President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer,
Interpreter and four Directors shall be elected by the active members every two years. Officers and
Directors must be active members in "good standing" to be elected. |
| Sect. 2 - |
The term of office for the eight elected members shall be two years. |
| Sect. 3 - |
Any vacancy occurring in the elective offices of this organization,
with the exception of President, shall be filled according to the procedures specified in Article XI.
A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President. |
ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
| Sect. 1 -
| President - shall preside at all meetings of the Association and
chair the Executive Committee. The President shall supervise the administrative affairs of the Association,
appoint such committees as are required to promote the work and purposes of the Association, and be the
spokesperson on all Association matters unless otherwise delegated. The President shall assume, discharge
or delegate such other duties normally empowered to an organization president. |
| Sect. 2 - |
Vice President - in absence of the President,
shall assume and perform the duties of the President. The Vice President shall
serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee when the Committee meets to determine the assignment
classification of members. |
| Sect. 3 - |
Secretary/Treasurer - shall:
• Keep minutes of all meetings and attend to all correspondence of the organization.
• Keep the books of all accounts, assure expenses are submitted in writing with receipts attached,
deposit all money in the general fund of the Association and issue checks when authorized by the
membership.
• Submit a financial report at each meeting of the Association
• Provide, at the end of each season, income and expense projections for the following year.
• Recommend the appropriate Active, Dual, and Inactive membership dues and recommend the appropriate
level of fines to cover the Association's expenses.
• Submit the list of approved officials' names, addresses, telephone numbers and assignment
classifications to the Secretary/Treasurer of the NYSPHSAA and other assigning and regulating groups as
required.
• Send written notification to any member who is fined or suspended. The reason for the fine or
suspension, as well as what action is required to return the member to good standing, will be detailed in
the notification.
• Report the names of members not in good standing, suspended or expelled and the reason for this
action. |
| Sect. 4 - |
Interpreter - shall attend NYSPHSAA meetings, conduct
soccer clinics for prospective officials prior to the first official meeting of the Association
and conduct a rules interpretation clinic for all members. The interpreter shall supervise the
administration of the rules examination. The Interpreter shall also
represent the Association at coaches' meetings and serve as the official contact for the
Association on questions of rules and procedures. |
| Sect. 5 - |
Directors - shall audit the financial records of the
Association on an annual basis and present the audit results and recommendations to the
membership. Directors will assist the Officers in conducting the affairs of the Association
as members of the Executive Committee. |
ARTICLE IX - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
| Sect. 1 - |
Shall be comprised of the four elected Officers, the four elected
Directors and the immediate Past President. |
| Sect. 2 - |
A quorum for the transaction of business shall be five Executive
Committee members. |
| Sect. 3 - |
Shall recommend policies, activities, verify assignment classification
and membership status. Shall accept or reject requests for excused absence at
the meetings and rule on fines as specified in the By-Laws. |
| Sect. 4 - |
Shall have the power to conduct the affairs of the
Association between regularly scheduled meetings. |
| Sect. 5 - |
Shall serve as the Review Committee for any school or party against any
member or officer of the Association. Shall hold hearings on such complaints and members shall be given
full opportunity to be heard in their own defense. |
| Sect. 6 -
| Shall have the power to immediately suspend members of the
Association for violations of this Constitution and By-Laws. |
| Sect. 7 -
| Shall have the power to determine that a member is not "in good standing"
as specified in Article IV, Sect. 5. |
| Sect. 8 - |
Shall recommend members for consideration to the Mid-Hudson chapter of
the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. |
| Sect. 9 - |
A vacancy in the position of Past President shall not be filled. |
ARTICLE X - MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES
| Sect. 1 -
| Meeting notifications, as well as all other written communications to members,
may accomplished via e-mail or regular mail.
|
| Sect. 2 -
| A quorum for the transaction of business at a regular or special
meeting of the membership shall be 50% of active members in good standing.
|
| Sect. 3 -
| Robert's Rules of Order shall
govern all meetings of the Association, except as otherwise specifically ordered herein.
|
ARTICLE XI - VOTING AND ELECTIONS
| Sect. 1 - |
The Nominating Committee shall present its report for election of officers
at the regular meeting of the Association that immediately precedes the meeting at which elections are
scheduled to occur. Nominations from the floor may be made and included on the ballot. Write-in votes shall
be allowed. |
| Sect. 2 - |
An Active member who is unable to attend a meeting at which elections of
officers occurs may vote by absentee ballot. An absentee ballot must be cast in writing and sent to the
chairman of the Nominating Committee. The ballot must be received via email or USPS mail no later than the
day before the meeting at which elections are held. |
| Sect. 3 - |
Whenever the expression "vote of members" is used in this Constitution and
By-Laws, it shall be understood to mean by a vote of active members present at a duly constituted regular
meeting, a quorum being present. |
ARTICLE XII - EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
| Sect. 1 - |
This Association has the inherent right to make and enforce its own rules and
punish an offender, the extreme penalty, being expulsion. Reasons for expulsion include, but are not
limited to, violations of the Constitution and bringing the Association or the game into disrepute. |
| Sect. 2 - |
When a charge is made against a member it shall be referred to an
Ethics Committee appointed by the President. If the Ethics Committee report recommends expulsion it shall
propose a resolution stating the charges and fixing the time of the trial. |
| Sect. 3 - |
The Secretary/Treasurer shall send the accused a written notice to appear
before the Association and at the same time furnish the accused with a copy of the charges.
A failure to obey the summons is cause enough for summary expulsion. |
| Sect. 4 - |
The Trial shall be conducted using Part II, Article XIII, Section 75. Trial
of Members of Societies, of Robert's Rules of Order as a guide.
No member may be expelled by less than a two-thirds vote of members. |
ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a two-thirds vote of members. Notice of amendments must be
presented to the membership at least ten days prior to any vote.
Enacted - 09/21/2010
|
