NORTH IDAHO OFFICIAL S ASSOCIATION

Transcription

1 NORTH IDAHO OFFICIAL S ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS Revised April 22, 2017 ARTICLE I: NAME The name of this organization shall be the NORTH IDAHO OFFICIAL S ASSOCIATION, INC. ( NIOA ) ARTICLE II: PURPOSE 1) To render efficient service to member schools of the Idaho High School Activities Association ( IHSAA ) through cooperative efforts of school administrators concerning athletic programs. 2) To aid officials and coaches in acquiring a thorough knowledge of the playing rules in all sports. 3) To promote uniformity in the mechanics of officiating. 4) To encourage and assist men and women interested in becoming qualified officials to enter the field. 5) To develop a high professional attitude toward the avocation of officiating that will contribute to the total value of the interscholastic program. 6) To deal with the problems of proper conduct of players, coaches, and officials during games of common interest to the State. 7) To enhance sportsmanlike attitudes and behavior of all participants in scholastic competitive sports. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP 1) The membership of this organization is open to all interested persons who meet State and NIOA requirements, have paid all applicable fees, and abide by the code of ethics as set forth in the IHSAA Sports Officials Handbook and the National Federation Manual. 2) A list of officials meeting the membership requirements set forth in Section 1 shall be provided to the Commissioner of each sport to apprise said Commissioner of those officials eligible to officiate in their respective sport. 3) Annual membership shall begin with payment of clinic fees and remain in force through the state clinic of the following year. ARTICLE IV: FINANCING 1) Association funds shall be obtained by clinic fees, special assessments, and other activities that are approved by the Executive Board. NIOA By-Laws Page 1

2 2) No funds of the Association will be dispersed in any form unless authorized by the Executive Board. 3) Mileage may be dispersed to the Executive Board and special committee members at a rate set by the Executive Board. 4) Financial records shall, as set forth in Article VI, Section 5, be made available to the Executive Board at any time upon their request. ARTICLE V: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 1) The Executive Board shall consist of a President, Vice-President, immediate Past-President, one official elected at large, and a representative from each sport. 2) Elections for the President, Vice-President, and Official At-Large shall be held at the annual spring meeting and shall be elected by majority vote of the general membership present. Their term of office shall continue until the next annual spring meeting. 3) The President, Vice-President, and Official At-Large will serve one-year terms and are eligible for re-election upon recommendation of the Executive Board. They shall not serve more than three (3) consecutive terms. 4) The President shall act as chairperson of the Board and perform such duties as customarily apply to this position or as directed by the Executive Board. 5) The Vice-President shall act as chairperson of the Board in the absence of the President and perform such duties as customarily apply to this position or as directed by the Executive Board. 6) The Secretary/Treasurer shall be selected by the Executive Board and paid a salary determined by the Board. Duties shall include accumulating and dispersing all funds, keeping records of all financial activity, submitting by-monthly and annual financial reports to the Executive Board, recording minutes of all Executive Board meetings, and other duties assigned by the Executive Board. 7) The individual sport representatives are the Committee Chairpersons for each individual sport. Their term of office shall continue until the next State Rules Meeting for their sport. 8) The Executive Board shall transact all the business of the organization. 9) The Executive Board will meet every other month or as needed. All Board Members will be notified of all meetings. 10) A quorum shall consist of one more than half of the Executive Board membership (6 Members). 11) Board Members are expected to attend all meetings. In the event a Board Member will not be present, they will be expected to appoint a proxy to attend in their place. 12) For actions that are detrimental to the NIOA, Board Members may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all Board Members. ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS 1) Notice of elections shall be sent in writing to all current members of the organization. NIOA By-Laws Page 2

3 2) Elections shall be by ballot. The Executive Board may submit a list of their recommended candidates. Other candidates may be nominated from the floor. 3) Each member shall be entitled to one vote on issues that are presented to the membership. Voting may take place in person or by absentee ballot provided by the NIOA Secretary. ARTICLE VII: EVALUATION COMMITTEES 1) Each sport shall elect an Evaluation Committee of at least three (3) and no more than eight (8) members of their respective sport and fill a designated "committee spot". The number of members on the Evaluation Committee for each sport shall be determined by the current members of the Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee and a Committee Chairperson will be elected by the members of their sport at their State Rules clinic or the first general meeting of the year for that particular sport. 2) Each committee member shall be required to run for re-election each year 3) Members eligible for election to the evaluation committee shall have a minimum of Five (5) years of Tier I officiating experience. 4) The current Evaluation Committee shall solicit nominations and all nominations must be submitted to the Committee Chairperson at least seven (7) days prior to the date elections will be held. The Committee Chairperson shall then create a ballot with all names of candidates that are eligible for election. The ballot shall be submitted to all sport members in good standing at the State Rules clinic and an anonymous vote shall be taken on the ballots after each nominee introduces themselves to the group s members. 5) If a committee member must resign before his term has expired, an election shall be held at the soonest convenience to replace the committee member. 6) The Chairperson of the Committee shall be the representative for that sport on the NIOA Executive Board. 7) Evaluation Committees are required to assign each official to a tier following the Universal Tier System. The compiled tier assignment is to be distributed to the Commissioner of the respective sport. If requested by an official, the Evaluation Committee shall give the official notice of their tier ranking. 8) Each sport shall devise an evaluation format to be used for rating purposes. All evaluations shall be provided to the Evaluation Committee to assist in the tier assignment process. 9) A member of the Evaluation Committee may review the master schedule with the Commissioner of his/her respective sport prior to its disbursement to ensure rotation and fair placement of officials. 10) To provide training materials and interpretation meetings and to progressively improve the quality of officiating through constant study and discussion of rules. ARTICLE VIII: NEGOTIATION COMMITTEES 1) The Executive Committee will nominate a board of individuals to represent the NIOA in contract negotiations with the Board of Control. 2) The Executive Board shall provide direction and any pertinent information necessary. NIOA By-Laws Page 3

4 ARTICLE IX: MEMBER DISCIPLINE 1) In the event a member violates a provision of the codes of ethics as stated in the IHSAA Sports Officials Handbook and the National Federation Manual, violates any rules and regulations of the IHSAA, or engages in conduct contrary to the NIOA service agreement, the Executive Board shall discipline said member consistent with standards of reasonableness considering mitigating factors that affected the members conduct. ARTICLE X: GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 1) If any official should feel aggrieved at his or her tier rating or evaluation, the following procedure shall be implemented: a) The aggrieved official shall submit a written request for reconsideration to the Evaluation Committee of his or her sport. The request shall state the controversy and the proposed remedy. b) The Evaluation Committee shall meet within seven (7) days of said request and consider all information as it may deem helpful. c) The role of the Evaluation Committee is investigatory, and it is not obligated to hold hearings, formal or informal, although it may do so at its discretion. d) Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the request, the Committee shall report its findings to the aggrieved official. e) If the findings of the Evaluation Committee are adverse to the aggrieved official, he/she may file a written appeal with the Executive Board stating the grievance and desired remedy. 2) If any official should feel aggrieved to any matter concerning the NIOA by-laws or other action by a sport which he/she deems as detrimental to the officials of that sport, the following procedure shall be implemented: a) The aggrieved official shall submit a written complaint to the Executive Board. The complaint shall state the controversy and the proposed remedy. b) The Executive Board shall meet within seven (7) days of said complaint and consider all information as it may deem helpful. c) The role of the Executive Board is investigatory, and it is not obligated to hold hearings, formal or informal, although it may do so at its discretion. d) Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the request, the Board shall report its findings to the aggrieved official unless time is extended or shortened by mutual consent or other good cause. ARTICLE XI: UNIVERSAL TIER SYSTEM 1) Each Evaluation Committee shall use a four (4) tiered classification system for ranking officials participating in their respective sport. Each official shall be assigned a tier classification prior to mid-season and at the season s end. NIOA By-Laws Page 4

5 2) Tier 1 Officials: a) Meet all State requirements for varsity certification. b) Are qualified to officiate any varsity contests at the discretion of the Commissioner. c) In the judgment of the Evaluation Committee, they must possess sufficient knowledge, maturity and experience to handle all foreseeable situations. d) Participate in any of the following: clinic development, mentoring, or recruitment of new officials. 3) Tier 2 Officials: a) Meet all State requirements for varsity certification. b) Are qualified to officiate some varsity contests at the discretion of the Commissioner. c) In the judgment of the Evaluation Committee, they must possess sufficient knowledge, maturity and experience to handle most foreseeable situations. d) Requirements to move to Tier 1: 4) Tier 3 Officials: i) Must demonstrate the ability to officiate at the Tier 1 level. ii) Must have the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee. a) Meet all State requirements for non-varsity certification. b) Will officiate primarily junior varsity and sub junior varsity. c) Requirements to move to Tier 2: i) Demonstrate the ability to officiate at a Tier 2 level. ii) Have the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee. 5) Apprentice Level Officials: a) Meet all requirements for non-varsity certification. b) First year officials will be mentored by a Senior Official and shall work with Tier 1 or Tier 2 officials when possible. 6) Transfer Officials: a) Individuals who transfer into District 1 with experience verifiable through their previous association and meet all IHSAA requirements for transfers, may be placed into Tier 1, 2, 3, or Apprentice after being observed at least twice in non-varsity contests by two (2) or more Tier 1 officials. b) Placement of Transfer Officials will be decided by the Executive Board upon the recommendation of the Commissioner and Evaluation Committee. NIOA By-Laws Page 5

6 7) Each Sport may further refine these tiers within the structure as listed above. No official who meets the above standards in the judgment of their Evaluation Committee may be kept from receiving an appropriate placement due to quotas or maximum numbers allowed in the specific tier. ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS 1) Proposed amendments to the By-laws must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board at least one (1) meeting prior to the General Membership meeting. 2) Proposed amendments will be provided to the full membership in writing prior to the general meeting. Amendments will pass with a vote of 2/3 of the members present at the general membership meeting. 3) Special meetings of the general membership may be called if necessary to facilitate amendment changes. NIOA By-Laws Page 6