BY-LAWS  (DRAFT 1)

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA LACROSSE OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

 

BY-LAW I.

Meetings

 

A.        The Governing Body shall schedule regular Association meetings as necessary to discuss rules, interpretations and other matters.  A schedule of such meeting shall be delivered to each member no later than the first week of December.

 

B.        A special meeting of the Association may be called by the President at the request of any Officer, Director or a member of the general membership.  Notice in writing shall be given to all members at least ten (10) days prior to the date set for the meeting.

 

C.        The Annual Meeting of this Association shall be held on or before June 30.

 

D.        Parliamentary procedure shall be governed by RobertŐs Rules of Order.  Except when special order of business shall have been adopted by the Board of Directors for any meeting, the order of business shall be:

           

            1.   Roll Call

            2.   Reading of Minutes of previous meeting

            3.   Secretary/TreasurerŐs Report

            4.   Governing Body Report

            5.   Chief AssignorŐs Report

            6.   Committee and Other Reports

            7.   Unfinished Business

            8.   New Business

            9.   Elections (if applicable)

            10. Adjournment

 

BY-LAW II

Quorum and Voting

 

A.        At all meetings of the Association, one-third of active members shall constitute a quorum.

 

B.        At all meetings of the Board of Directors, four (4) directors shall constitute a quorum.

 

C.        Each active member of the Association shall have one vote on all matters brought before the Association.

 

D.        Each Director shall have one vote on all matters brought before the Governing Body.

 

BY-LAW III

Availability

 

A.        The Secretary/Treasurer shall send to members on or before November 15 a profile and information form that shall be returned to the Secretary by all members no later than December 15.

 

B.        It will be the responsibility of each member to keep their availability status current in the electronic assignment database.

 

C.        The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a list of all active members available to provide officiating services for the coming season.

 

D.        The Governing Body shall review and approve the active list prior to its submission to the Chief Assignor.

 

BY-LAW IV

Fiscal Year

 

            The fiscal year of the Association shall begin July 1 and end June 30.

 

BY-LAW V

Finances

 

A.        Statements

 

1.         By November 15, each member shall be provided a statement disclosing the charges due the Association.

 

2.         Charges not paid by February 1, shall be considered delinquent and a  late fee of twenty (20%) percent may be assessed.

 

3.         The Governing Body may take any action they deem necessary and appropriate against a member whose charges and late fees are not paid by March 1.

 

4.         All officials, shall pay membership dues to US Lacrosse.  This requirement is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other fees and charges due to the Association.

 

 

 

B.        Dues

 

1.         Dues for active members  shall be set and levied as provided in Article IV, Section D of the Constitution.

 

2.         The disposition of all income from dues and other charges shall be determined by the Governing Body and shall be reported at least once annually to membership in the form of a TreasurerŐs report.

 

C.        Fee and Expense Structure

 

1.         The officiating fees and expenses as approved by the Governing Body to be paid for all games and by all institutions for the current season shall be given to all active members no later than February 1.

 

2.         Exceptions to the fee and expense structure may be granted only by the Governing Body.  Any exceptions are binding on members.

 

D.        Insurance

 

            The Association shall not be liable for any injuries sustained by any member going to or coming from any assignment or in the course or scope of carrying out any assignment.  Medical insurance coverage shall be at the discretion and action of the member.   The Association may carry group sports officials professional liability insurance for members of he Governing Body.  An equal portion of the total premium for such insurance coverage shall be added to, and treated as part of, the dues for each active member.

 

BY-LAW VI

Cut-off Date

 

A.        Active members of all levels shall not officiate an unpaid scrimmage, exhibition or other game after a date to be determined by the Governing Body and announced with the fee and expense structure statement.

 

B.        Exceptions to the cut-off date may be granted by the Governing Body, such exceptions becoming binding on members.

 

C.        When working in a paid scrimmage or exhibition game, the number of officials assigned and their fees shall be the same as for a regularly scheduled game, unless otherwise approved by the Governing Body.

 





BY-LAW VII

Duties of Officers

 

A.        President

 

1.         Shall make every effort to further the policies of the Association and to implement all the provisions of the Constitution and these By-Laws.

 

2.         Shall insure that the schedule of regular meetings and announcement of special meetings, is sent to the membership as provided in these By-Laws.

 

3.         Shall insure that the regulations applicable to nominations and elections are rigidly enforced.

 

4.         Shall insure that the financial regulations are consistently enforced.

 

5.         Shall encourage fair play and justice in the matters affecting the

            membership.

 

6.         Shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Governing Body.

 

7.         Shall appoint all, and be an ex-officio member of, the committees herein provided and may appoint and dissolve special committees as may be necessary to properly administer the Association.

 

8.         Shall himself, or through a designee appointed by the Governing Body, conduct all negotiations on behalf of the Association.

 

B.        Vice President

 

1.         Shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or inability to act.

 

            2.         Shall assume all other responsibilities and assignments delegated to

                        him by the President.

 

3.         Shall assist the Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Assignor in the completion of their duties.

 

C.        Secretary/Treasurer

 

1.         Shall by November 15 send to all members a form requesting contact information about each member.

 

2.         Shall send a meeting schedule, to be developed by the Governing Body, to all members by November 15 and issue other meeting notices as required herein.

 

3.         Shall keep accurate minutes of the AssociationŐs annual meeting and meetings of the Governing Body.

 

            4.         Shall present and distribute annual meeting minutes to members.

 

            5.         Shall maintain accurate meeting attendance records on each active member.

 

6.         Shall assist the Chief Assignor in the request for game schedules, production and distribution of various directories of institutions and officials, the fee and expense structure announcement as herein provided and any other material deemed necessary by the Governing Body.

 

7.         Shall distribute to all members a directory of Association officers, directors, committees and appointing authorities for the current season.

 

8.         Shall distribute to all members, 30 days in advance of the annual meeting, a slate of nominations.

 

9.         Shall reasonably assist officers, directors, assignees, and committees with correspondence and related needs.

 

10.       Shall preserve all records and correspondence not specifically delegated otherwise.

 

11.       Shall have available to all members upon request copies of the Constitution and By-Laws; applicants shall be sent such copies upon approval for membership.

 

12.       Shall preside at meetings in the absence of both the President and Vice President.

 

            13.       Shall receive and disburse, on a voucher basis, all funds of the Association.

 

            14.       Shall be responsible for an accurate and valid record of all transactions and accounts.

 

            15.       Shall prepare all statements as provided by By-Law V.

 

16.       Shall prepare a budget in consultation with the Governing Body for presentation to the general membership.

 

17.       Shall present a preliminary financial report at the annual meeting and make available an end-of-fiscal year report to the Governing Body and general membership by July 31.

 

BY-LAW VIII

Duties of the Board of Directors

 

A.        Shall manage the business and affairs of the Association in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws.

 

B.        Shall implement the following in a consistent, prompt and fair manner:

 

1.         Official territory and Assignor designations.

 

2.         Decisions involving applications for membership, advancement of members, and inactive membership.

 

3.         Disciplinary action.

 

4.         Full disclosure of key decisions and By-Law changes to the membership.

 

5.         Scheduling and announcement of meetings among Directors.

 

C.        Shall review and approve the fee and expense structure for the upcoming season prior to the announcement to membership as provided herein.

 

D.        Shall set the criteria for membership in good standing

 

E.         Shall have the power to adopt and change regulations and procedures governing its operations and deliberations.

 

F.         Shall review in detail the Constitution and By-Laws at its first meeting during its term of office.

 

BY-LAW IX

Rules Committee

 

A.        The President shall appoint members for a term of one year beginning July 1, and ending June 30.  The Chief Assignor and Rules Interpreter shall be members of he committee.

 

B.        The Committee shall resolve any questions pertaining to rules, interpretations and/or mechanics referred by the Association.

 

C.        The Committee shall:  decide rules questions and their presentation format for forwarding to the National Chief Referee; draft suggested rules, interpretations and/or mechanics changes for forwarding to the National Chief Referee; and decide on mechanics manual changes for the Association in addition to those recommended by the National Office.

 

D.        The Committee shall prepare, supervise and grade a written examination concerning the rules, interpretations and mechanics to be taken annually by all members and shall report the grades to the Membership Committee by March 1.

 

E.         The Committee shall review and recommend to the Governing Body mandatory training requirements for the membership.

 

F.         The Rules Interpreter and the President shall serve as the AssociationŐs chief liaison(s) with US Lacrosse (and any and all lacrosse governing bodies) .

 

G.        The Chief Assignor shall be one of two official delegates of the Association to the US Lacrosse annual meeting.

 

BY-LAW X

District Appointing Commissioner/Appointing Authorities

Chief Assignor

 

A.        Shall procure all games schedules, directories information and fee and expense structure data and distribute same to the membership and institutions.

 

B.        Shall provide all athletic directors/coaches with a list of officials assigned to their games.

 

C.        Shall assign officials to games.

 

            1.         Each official shall receive a roster of his assignments.

 

2.         Each institution shall receive a roster of officials assigned to its home games and, concurrently a confirmation of compensation rates.

 

D.        Shall handle all individual problems, such as sickness, postponements, and the like, which arise after assignments have been made.

 

E.         Shall apprise the Governing Body, and others, as necessary, of important problems and developments.

 

F.             Shall design, distribute and collect all rating forms prepared by officials and coaches and present them to the Rules Committee prior to March 1.

 

G.            The assignor (in consultation with the Board of Directors, if necessary), shall determine the qualifications required to officiate various levels of play.

 

1. Officials under the age of 18 may only officiate Youth-15/Middle School and younger games.

 

BY-LAW XI

Nominations and Elections

 

A.        The President shall appoint a Chairman and three members in good standing to the Nominations Committee for a term beginning January 1 and ending June 3.

 

1. No incumbent officer or director, shall be appointed to the Nominations Committee.

 

B.        The Nominations Committee shall select, with the acceptance of the nominee, at least one candidate for each office, as provided herein, subject to the provisions of Articles IV, V, VI and VII of the Constitution.

 

C.        Shall consult with the Governing Body and/or appropriate committees to avoid nominating an individual who may not be qualified or in good standing.

 

D.        Shall report at a regular meeting as directed by the Governing Body at which time they shall present the names of candidates.  Additional nominations may be made from; the floor either at this meeting, or at the next Regular Meeting of the Association, or electronically.

 

E.         Nominations must be completed and shared with the general membership at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting when elections are to be held.

 

E.         The Chairman of the Nominations Committee shall prepare the ballots and serve as Judge of Elections at the Election Meeting.  The ChairmanŐs decision shall be final concerning any matters within his jurisdiction.

 

BY-LAW XII

Un-expired Terms

 

A.        Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice President shall succeed to the presidency to complete the un-expired term.

 

B.        Should the office of Vice President or Director, become vacant, then:

 

1.         The un-expired term shall be filled upon appointment by the Governing Body.

 

C.        Should the office of Secretary/Treasurer become vacant, the Governing Body shall appoint a replacement to complete the un-expired term.

 

D.        Should the chairmanship or a membership post on any committee become vacant, the un-expired term shall be filled by appointment of the President or Governing Body, as appropriate.

 

BY-LAW XIII

Uniform, Rules, Interpretations, Mechanics, and Standards

 

A.        Members must wear the uniform prescribed by the Association.

 

B.        Members must abide by the rules and interpretations of the US Lacrosse, NFHS, National Chief Referee, NCAA, the Association and its Rules Interpretations Committee and conform to the officiating standards and mechanics of the Association.

 

BY-LAW XIV

Disciplinary Measures

 

A.        Members may be fined, suspended, demoted in level or expelled by the Governing Body for violating, or causing another member to violate, the AssociationŐs Constitution and/or By-Laws.

 

B.        Any such disciplinary action by the Governing Body shall be communicated in writing to the member within 48 hours of the decision.

 

C.        A hearing shall be held by the Governing Body in those cases involving possible fine, suspension or expulsion.

 

1.         In such cases, a 2/3 vote of the full Governing Body is necessary for affirmative action.

 

D.        Expelled members may request reinstatement, in which case the following regulations shall apply:

 

            1.         The request shall be made in writing.

 

2.         The Governing Body may grant a hearing with the member under expulsion.

 

3.         The decision concerning reinstatement will be communicated in writing to the person requesting reinstatement within 48 hours of the decision.

 

4.         Reinstatement shall be contingent upon the payment of any charges due and the acceptance by the member of any other conditions decided upon by the Governing Body in its sole discretion.

 

BY-LAW XV

Membership Đ US Lacrosse

 

A.        All members shall be required to also be a member of the US Lacrosse officials division.  Proof of US Lacrosse membership shall be provided to the Association by February 1.

 

BY-LAW XVI

Amendments

 

A.        These By-Laws may be amended by the Governing Body provided full disclosure is made to the membership and the membership ratifies the amendment by a 2/3 affirmative vote of those in attendance at a regular or special meeting as provided herein, provided a quorum is maintained.  Notice of the proposed amendment(s) and meeting date must be provided to the general membership at least 14 days in advance of the meeting.

 

 

B.