BY-LAWS

GREATER SAND MOUNTAIN

FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

Constitution and By-Laws

APPROVED ON JANUARY 22, 2017

ARTICLE I· Name and Object

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Greater Sand Mountain Football Officials Association, hereafter referred to as “the Association”.

Section 2. The objective of the Association shall be to officiate any football contest by utilization of qualified, registered members of the Association. “Membership” is defined in Article II below. All members of the Association must, at a minimum, meet the prevailing membership criteria outlined by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and submit to observance of the minimum guidelines set forth by the AHSAA for contest officials as well as other guidelines created by the Association.

Article II· Membership

Section 1. Members of this organization shall be 3 classifications: Active, Probationary, and Restricted. All members, regardless of classification, are independent contractors acting on their own behalf and assuming their own liability.

Section 2. Active members must have reached the age of 19 by August 15 of the school year in question; be a high school graduate; have a proficient knowledge of National Federation of High School (NFHS) Athletic Associations playing rules (hereafter known as ‘the Rules”); have a working knowledge of the game of 11-man High School football; and be registered with the AHSAA..

Section 3. Any Active member may request a one (1) year leave-of-absence. Request for leave must be made to the president in writing. Only a single leave-of-absence may granted to the same individual in a five year period.

Section 4. As of February 1, 2017 Active membership is limited to fifty (50) members. The 50 named Active members comprise the roster of Active officials hereafter referred to as “Active Roster”. Any Active member on an approved leave of absence is counted on the Active Roster.

Section 5. Only Active members have the right to vote and hold office. Members on leave have no voting or office privileges.

Section 6. Probationary members must meet the same basic qualifications as Active members described in Article II, Section 2 above and in addition, serve a minimum of a two (2) year internship. During this period they are eligible for assignment to any and all games deemed appropriate by the Association. They are invited to all general meetings of the Association. Probationary members shall also be afforded the opportunity for evaluation by an officer of the Association or any available member of the Active Roster. This evaluation shall be for the purpose of instruction in officiating, assessing performance and progress as well as identifying areas in officials’ performance requiring remediation.

Section 7. Probationary member advancement. If vacant positions occur on the Active Roster, Probationary member(s) who have successfully completed a two year internship may be nominated for advancement to Active member status and be named to the Active Roster. Only the number of Probationary members will be advanced that bring the Active Roster to a total of 50, and such Probationary members will only be advanced if 2/3 of the Active Roster present and voting at a called meeting agree to such promotion. In no case shall the Active Roster be increased to greater than 50 named individuals.

Section 8. Probationary members may continue in that status beyond their initial two year internship while either awaiting occurrence of a bona fide vacancy on the Active Roster or if in the judgement of a simple majority of the Active Roster the Probationary member would benefit from additional time in that status.

Section 7. Restricted members are those individuals who are under the age of 19 years or those who in the judgement of a majority of the Active Roster should be limited as to the levels of competition in which they officiate. The period an official may be in a restricted status shall not exceed two (2) years. After the completion of 2 years in restricted status the officials shall be automatically elevated to Probationary status or dismissed. Dismissal shall be accomplished by a simple majority of the Active Roster.

Section 8. Probationary members may be terminated at any time by a simple majority vote. Active members may be terminated only for just cause and then by 2/3 vote of the body.

ARTICLE Ill- Officers

Section 1. The officers of the Association shall be President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Plus two (2) at-large board members

Section 2. Officers, shall be elected for two (2) year terms and may succeed themselves. They shall be elected in the manner prescribed in the bylaws, and take office on January 1.

Section 3. At any time during an officers tenure if he/she resigns or is terminated from their position as an officer, the remaining officers will select the replacement for that position until the next election is held

Section 4. Elections shall be held at the last working meeting of the year.

Article IV- The Executive Board

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and (2) two at-large members.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the president at such times as may be necessary. When a special meeting is called, the purpose thereof shall be stated in the call of the meeting.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall hear appeals from the Active Roster, Probationary members, coaches, principals, or the AHSAA. Appear to the Executive Board shall be made only after execution of due process in the original jurisdiction by the appropriate standing Committee. No member of the Executive Board may also serve on a standing committee, with the exception of the Vice President who shall chair the Training Committee.

Article V- Parliamentary Provision

Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall all proceeding of the Association, except where inconsistent with the constitution and by-laws.

Article VI- Amendments

Section 1. This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of active members, provided a quorum is present. A quorum shall be 51% of the active members. Constitutional amendments shall be proposed one (1) week prior to a scheduled vote.

Article VII- Committees

• The President shall appoint to the following committees at the beginning of each year.

Grievance Committee:

• Investigate charges, disputes, and complaints made by coaches, school officials, or members of the association.

• Conduct hearings on problems pertaining to the officiating program and reports its findings to

the Board of Directors. The board of Directors will notify the State Office and District Director, or refer any member to it that deems necessary.

Ethics Committee:

• To observe the conduct of the officials at the meetings, on the field, and when possible after contests.

• To hold meetings on the proper conduct of an official in a general manner, and hold individual conferences in a professional way with an official who has personal problems in or with officiating responsibilities.

Election Committee:

• To conduct annual elections for the association as directed by the association constitution.

• To assure that current active members are the only members allowed to vote.

• To assure that officers and board members are elected the following year at the conclusion of the current year.

Membership Committee:

• To recruit new officials for the association.

• To screen all applicants and make recommendations for membership.

Program Training Committee:

• To train, Instruct, or direct inexperienced and experienced officials through a well planned program of instructions on rules and mechanics of officiating.

• Be responsible for a planned program on the rules or mechanics for each meeting.

• Plan and conduct programs on specific problem areas as reported by members of the association or State Office.

• The Vice President will chair the Program Training Committee.

Assignment Committee:

• Executive Secretary shall be Chairman of assignment committee, shall make all assignment, and is responsible for assigning full crews to all schools.

• The committee may review and suggest any adjustments as needs arise in the assignments.

EACH APPOINTED COMMITTEE WILL OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Chairperson's for each committee will plan and carry out their assigned responsibilities at each meeting.

• Each committee will elect a recording secretary who will maintain records of all meetings.

• Chairpersons will inform a member of the Executive Board of any controversies and report to the association their findings/recommendations pertaining to disputes/problems.

• Each committee will hear and make recommendations to resolve problems brought to their attention.

THE PRESIDENT SHALL APPOINT SUCH OTHER COMMITTEES AS NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE

BY-LAWS

Officers

1. The President shall preside at meetings and shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.

2. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the president in his absence and such other duties as set before him. He shall chair the training committee.

3. Executive Secretary-Treasurer shall be the custodian of all association funds and shall make all game assignments. He shall annually provide the body with a full financial report.

4. Recording secretary shall keep up-to-date records of all meetings and other business of the group.

Meetings

1. Regular meetings shall commence on the first Tuesday after July 4 each summer and will continue weekly until the last week of the varsity regular season.

Elections

1. All offices shall be nominated from the floor.

2. All elections shall be held by secret ballot. The candidate must receive a majority of votes cast. If this does not occur on the first ballot, additional ballots shall be taken. The elected officers will take office on January 1.

Dues

1. Association dues set by membership at last regular meeting each year.

2. State dues as required by AHSAA.

3. A fee, to be set by the active members, shall be assessed by all members for a booking fee. This fee shall be paid to the Executive Secretary. All fees are due and payable on or before the 2nd Wednesday in August.

4. Game fee schedule shall be in accordance with the AHSAA official guide.

Ethics

1. Default of dues, drinking alcohol on game day, not meeting assignments, arguing with players, coaches, fans, criticizing fellow officials and any unethical act by any member shall be cause for termination.

2. No member shall make game appointments without prior approval of the Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary shall make all game assignments.

3. All contacts and phone calls by coaches relative to complaints, etc. must be referred to the Executive Secretary or President.

Resolutions

1. A resolution may be passed by a simple majority vote of active members.

Appearance

1. Appearance shall be in accordance with the code of ethics outlined in the AHSAA official guide.

Evaluation

1. Officials will be evaluated in accordance with the prescribed methods of the Association and AHSAA.

2. The Executive Secretary shall use good judgment and discretion in making game assignments.

Meeting Attendance

1. All members, in all classifications are encouraged to attend regular meetings.

2. If a member misses two consecutive meetings, the Executive Secretary shall use his discretion about assigning that official. The Executive Secretary has the prerogative to place this official on a low priority until he resumes regular meeting attendance.

Meeting Place