UNITED OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

REVISED APRIL, 1997

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1. The name of the association shall be United Officials Association, Incorporated. (1989)

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose of this association shall be to furnish qualified officials to youth football associations with no high school affiliation.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Those eligible for membership shall be any person interested in youth and football.

Section 2. Members must qualify for membership as set forth in the By-Laws of the organization.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this association shall consist of President, First President, Second President, Third President, Secretary and Treasurer, with the powers and duties prescribed in the By-Laws.

Section 2. The elected officers shall constitute the Board of Directors. They shall have the general direction of the affairs of the association and shall be empowered to transact the business of the association.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet regularly once a month March through November at a place designated by the President.

Section 4. The President shall call such other meetings as necessary.

Section 5. Three (3) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is defined as the minimum number of members present necessary to conduct business.

Section 6. All business transacted by the Board shall be done on a majority vote of the total Board.

Section 7. All meetings of the Board shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rule of Order. (This section added 1987)

ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a two=thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been read at the previous regularly scheduled meeting and notice was served to all members not present at the reading.

ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership is open to any person eighteen (18) years of age who is of good moral character, is interested in youth and football, and who is approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Application for membership must be accompanied by payment of the first year dues.

Section 3. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee must approve any member.

Section 4. Suspension of membership shall be made by the Board of Directors for any member working a game not under agreement with United Officials Association, unless approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Suspension of membership can be made by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors as prescribed in Article X for conduct on and off the field detrimental to the Association.

Section 6. Members shall be governed by regulations adopted by these By-Laws.

Section 7. Only members in good standing shall be scheduled except in emergencies approved by the board.

Section 8. Any official working for United Officials Association is considered an independent contractor responsible for his or her own uniform, insurance, travel expenses, etc.

ARTICLE II – NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be perpetuated by election of two (2) and three (3) members in alternate years.

Section 2. The President shall appoint and announce to the membership at or before the September meeting a Nominating Committee.

Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members in good standing who are not members of the Board, one of whom shall be designated the Chairman, and shall make its report at the October membership meeting.

Section 4. The Nominating Committee must nominate one (1) person more than the number of positions open. All nominees must meet the following requirements:

(A) Must have completed at least three (3) years membership in United Officials Association prior top the year of nomination.

(B) Must be willing to assume any position as a member of the Board of

(C) Directors.

Section 5. Each term as a member of the Board shall consist of two (2) years with no limits as to the number of terms.

Section 6. Elections for the members of the Board shall be held during the regular November meeting of United Officials Association.

Section 7. Nominees shall consist of those provided by the Nominating Committee and those nominated from the floor during the October meeting. All nominees must meet all qualifications.

Section 8. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

Section 9.1. All members in good standing and present may vote in the election.

Section 9.2. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall see that each member in good standing is mailed a ballot not later than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the November meeting. The ballot shall contain the name and address of the member of the Nominating Committee to whom the ballot is to be mailed. The nominee shall be those nominated in accordance with Section 7 of these By-Laws. The vote of the absentee ballots shall be recorded by the Nominating Committee and held in secret until the November meeting. All absentee ballots shall allow the

member to cast a vote for the Board choices and a vote for President. If an absentee’s choice for President is not elected to the Board that absentees’ vote for President shall be null and void.

Section 10. All ballots shall be counted by the Nominating Committee and the member of the Board not slated for re-election during the term, with the results given to the membership during the election meeting.

Section 11. Board vacancy will be filled by those nominees receiving the largest number of votes. If necessary, ties will be broken by additional secret votes.

Section 12. When the board is elected as in Section 11, the membership present and in good standing shall vote by secret ballot for President, selected from the new Board of Directors. All absentee ballots which cast a vote by a member of the new Board of Directors shall be included in the vote for President. If necessary, ties will be broken by an additional secret ballot.

Section 13. The newly elected Board and President shall assume duties at the first board meeting of the following calendar year and select officers.

Section 14. Officers other than President shall be recommended the President subject to majority vote of the Board.

Section 15. In the event a Board position becomes vacant during a term, a replacement shall be appointed by the Board to serve the remainder of said term. Such replacement shall meet all qualifications.

ARTICLE III – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. President

(1) Shall be a member of the Board of Directors.

(2) Shall conduct all meetings in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, the Constitution of United Officials Association and the By-Laws.

(3) Shall appoint all committee heads.

(4) Shall appoint the Nominating Committee no later than September General Meeting.

(5) Shall call special meetings as required.

(6) Shall be responsible for directing all business of United Officials Association.

(7) Shall see that the financial statement is read to the membership at all regular meetings.

(8) Shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds in the event of incapacitation of the Treasurer.

(9) Shall be responsible for approving all accounts payable.

(10) Shall appoint the members of the Executive Committee.

(11) Shall appoint all crew chiefs.

(12) Shall have the authority to remove any member of the Board for nonperformance of assigned duties. failure to attend meetings, and any dereliction of duties with majority consent of the board.

(13) Shall have sole discretion in the manner that Board fees are distributed.

Section 2. Booking Agent

(1) Shall be appointed by the Board of Directors by a majority votes of the Board.

(2) Shall assume all games under agreement are assigned with the proper number and quality of officials.

(3) Shall assure the number of games per official is evenly balanced commensurate with qualification, availability and as approved by the Board.

(4) Shall furnish the Board at each meeting during the season an up-to-date record of all man0games scheduled. The record shall be a running total of all games worked by each official used by United Officials Association.

(5) Shall furnish the treasurer all information regarding booking no later than Monday following weekly schedule.

(6) Shall furnish the membership a telephone number or numbers through which he or his designated assistant can be reached.

Section 3. Treasurer

(1) Shall be a member of the Board of Directors appointed by a majority vote of the Board.

(2) Shall be responsible for collection and disbursement of all funds connected with the operation of United Officials Association.

(3) Shall assure that all games officiated are billed as per our agreement.

(4) Shall complete all billing within seven (7) days after game involved.

(5) Shall report any accounts receivable more than seven (7) days past due to the President.

(6) Shall furnish to the President a list of all accounts payable for approval.

(7) The Treasurer may issue a check for an amount not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) in an emergency without approval of the President. Except for game compensation, all such checks must be brought to the President’s attention within seven (7) days.

(8) Shall keep books current and available for inspection by members in good standing and other persons approved by the board.

(9) Shall settle all payments to officials in accordance with By-Laws.

(10) Shall submit to the Board a complete financial statement at each meeting.

Section 4. Secretary

(1) Shall be a member of the Board of Directors appointed by a majority vote of the Board.

(2) Shall keep minutes of all meetings and prepare them into a permanent ledger.

(3) Shall read minutes at each meeting.

(4) Shall prepare all correspondence pertaining to United

Officials Association.

(5) Shall receive, maintain and record all written Crew Chief’s reports in a ledger.

(6) Shall furnish a copy of minutes to members of the Board within two (2) weeks after meetings.

(7) Shall notify all members three (3) days prior to any special called meetings.

Section 5. First Vice President

(1) Shall be a member of the Board of Directors appointed by a majority vote of the Board.

(2) Shall assume the duties of the President in his absence.

(3) Shall head committees as directed by the President.

(4) Shall assist the Booking Agent in notifying by telephone all members of regular scheduled meetings one (1) week prior to meeting.

(5) In the event the office of President becomes vacant during a term, shall assume the office of President for the remainder of that term.

Section 6. Second Vice President

(1) Shall be a member of the Board of Directors appointed by a majority vote of the Board.

(2) Shall head committees as directed by the President.

(3) Shall be in charge of training.

Section 7. Third Vice President

(1) Shall be a member of the Board of Directors appointed by a majority vote of the Board.

(2) Shall head committees as directed by the President.

(3) Shall be alternate booking agent and assume the duties of Booking Agent in the event of vacancy during the term.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

Section 1. The Association shall meet monthly during the months of July, August, September, October and November at a time and place designated by the President.

Section 2. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President by notifying all members at least three (3) days in advance.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet at least one (1) time each month March through November at a place designated by the President.

Section 4. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President by notifying all Board members at least three (3) days in advance.

ARTICLE V – TRAINING

Section 1. Training sessions shall be held each year prior ot the start of the football season and shall cover all rules and interpretations.

Section 2. The time and place for scheduled training sessions shall be set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. members must take and satisfactorily pass a written examination to be given at the last training session. Failure to pass this examination may be cause for suspension until it has been passed. Re-examination shall be set by the Board of Directors in conjunction with the training committee.

ARTICLE VI – GAME AGREEMENTS

Section 1. A written agreement shall be entered into with all associations desiring football officials from United Officials Association.

Section 2. In order to be binding, an agreement must be approved by the Board of Directors and signed by the President.

Section 3. Members shall not work games which are under agreement to another official’s organization except as approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII – PAYMENT OF FEES TO OFFICIALS

Section 1. Should the Treasurer be unable to fulfill his responsibilities, the President’s signature shall serve as an alternate to release compensation to officials for games worked.

Section 2. All officials will be paid for all games completely officiated and/or billed.

Section 3. In 1996 the fee will rise to ten percent (10%) of all Monies earned by UOA officials.

Section 4. Twenty-five percent (25%) of each official’s earned game fees will be withheld until completion of schedule to cover fines leveled in accordance with these By-Laws.

Section 5. Payment of fees for all games scheduled by the Booking Agent shall come from the Treasurer only.

Section 6. Game fees may accumulate with one (1) settlement at the end of the season or a member may make up two (2) withdrawals during the season. An official may not withdraw a greater percentage of earned game fees than the percentage of those game fees collected by UYOA on the date of the withdrawal or mote than seventy-five (75%) of his total earned game fees.

Section 7. At each settlement, there shall be a comparison of the officials game records with the Treasurer’s game records.

ARTICLE VIII – MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS

Section 1. Membership dues shall be used for general operating expenses.

Section 2. Booking fees withheld will be disbursed as compensation to Board of Directors on an equal share basis.

Section 3. Income from fines shall be used as general operating funds.

Section 4. A minimum balance of three thousand ($3,000.00) shall be carried forward in the general operating fund at the end of each season. In the event of shortage of operating income, each

member shall bear an equal share of the shortage based on the number of games worked according to the following formula:

(a) Total Moines collected minus three thousand ($3000) operating expenses divided by the total number of man games is equal to the rate per game.

(b) Should money be received and eliminate the shortage, officials shall be compensated at the contractual rate less booking fees.

Section 5. All Moines collected for Division I preseason games shall be paid as determined by the Board prior to the start of regular billing.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

Section 1. Annual dues shall be determined each year by the board.

Section 2. Dues shall cover rules books for each member each year.

Section 3. Dues shall cover general association expenses as outlined in “Management of Funds”.

Section 4. Dues are due and payable at time of registration each year.

Section 5. Dues are not refundable or transferable.

ARTICLE X – RULES AND REGULATIONS

Section 1. Every member of the United Officials Association will accept and pledge themselves to the following code of ethics.

(A) I will honor contracts regardless of possible inconvenience or financial loss.

(B) I will study the rules of the game, observe the work of other officials and will at all times attempt to improve myself.

(C) I will remember that while my work as an official is important, I must conduct myself in such a way that attention is not drawn to me but to the athletes playing the game.

(D) I will dress and maintain my appearance in the manner benefiting the dignity and importance of the game.

(E) I will shape my character and conduct so as to be a worthy example to the athletes who play under my jurisdiction.

(F) I will be fair and unbiased in my directions.

(G) I will give my complete cooperation to the Athletic Association which I serve and the Officials Association which I represent.

(I) I will in my actions on the field, be firm but not overbearing, courteous but not ingratiating, positive but never rude, dignified but never arrogant, friendly but never compassionable, calm but always alert.

(J) I will keep in my mind that the game is more important than the wishes of any individual player, coach, or hidden ambitions of any individual official.

(K) I will be prepared both physically and mentally to administer the game.

(L) I will not use tobacco on or in the vicinity of the playing field or drink any alcoholic beverage on the day of the game.

(M) I will not provide any information which might be used by a team’s future opponent nor will I visit with any player during time out.

(N) I will not coach at any park or at any league which is under contract with United Officials Association without Board approval.

(O) I will not use profanity or any language on or near the playing field which would offend any player, coach, parent or fan.

Section 2.1 Prior to the start of each season the Board of Directors shall appoint a Committee of Crew Chiefs, the Chairman of which shall be the President. The number of Crew Chiefs shall be determined by the Board but in no event will the number be less than one-half (1/2) the total number of Division 1 teams under contract for that season.

Section 2.2 The duties of the Crew Chiefs shall include:

1. Report to the President, or his designee, within eight (8) hours any unusual event which occurs with regard to the duties

of his crew such as, but not limited to:

(A) Ejection of any player, coach or spectator.

(B) Any forfeit of a game, postponement of a game, protest of a game or refusal by the crew to work or complete a game.

(C) Any severe injury to any game participant and any physical injury of an official.

(D) The absence of any official or the failure of any official to wear proper uniform.

(E) Any unusual distraction or event whether or not it involves officials.

(F) Any other circumstances which the Crew Chief feels should be called to the President’s attention.

2. Act as a liaison between United Officials Association and the park officials by making contact with the park officials each week.

3. Assign the Referee and Clock Operator for each game.

4. Perform on behalf of the Association any other duties assigned and approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.3 Upon receipt of a Crew Chief’s telephone report, the President, or his designee, shall determine if a written report is required. Such written Crew Chief Report shall be submitted to the President within seventy-two (72) hours following the event.

Section 4.2 Games below the Division 1 level in which incidents as described in section 2.1 1 above occur, the Referee shall make the required report to the President as described in Sections 2.1.1 and 2.3 above.

Section 3.1 Any absence or “no-show” at a scheduled game, non-professional conduct by any member or any event which requires discipline of a member shall be investigated by a Review Committee consisting of three (3) members in good standing appointed by the President. Absence from a game shall be excused only in the event of an emergency situation. A non-excused absence shall be penalized as determined by the Review Committee but shall include a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than four Division 1 games. Non-professional conduct and other events

Brought before the Review Committee shall be penalized as determined by the Review Committee. Such penalty may include dismissal from United Officials Association. The member being reviewed shall be entitled to an appearance before the Review Committee to present such written or oral evidence as he sees fit. The Chairman of the Review Committee shall notify the member and the President of the Review Committee recommendation within twenty-four (24) hours following the decision.

Section 3.2 The member shall have seventy-two (72) hours in which to notify the Secretary in writing f an intent to appeal the Review committee’s decision. A twenty-five ($25.00) bond must accompany his appeal.

Section 3.3 Upon receipt of notice of appeal as described in Section 3.2, the President shall convene the Board of Directors for a special meeting at a time and place convenient to the appellant. The Board shall review the findings of the Review Committee and shall hear such evidence as submitted by the appellant and, in executive session, recommend an appropriate penalty or dismissal of the matter in its entirety. The appellant shall be notified of the Board’s decision as soon as possible but in any event not more than forty-eight (48) hours following such decision.

Section 4.1 Absence from a regular meeting or scheduled training session shall be penalized by a fine in an amount to be determined annually by the Board. One absence per member, per season shall be allowed without penalty. Any other absence(s) shall be excused upon sufficient excuse as determined by the Board. Officiating for United Officials Association any game which conflicts with the missed meeting or training session shall be automatically excused upon report of the Booking Agent.

Section 4.2 For the purpose of determining absences as described in Section 4.1 a member whose name appears on the membership roster in the previous year shall be determined to be absent commencing with the first general membership meeting of the season. New members shall be determined to be absent for any meeting or training session following such member’s first attendance of the year.

Section 4.3 Absence by a Board member from a scheduled monthly Board meeting as required in Article IV, Section 3, shall be assessed a fine of fifty dollars ($50) per meeting missed.

Section 4.4 If any official turns back accepted games with less

than forty-eight (48) hours notice, the fine will be the dollar amount of games returned. The second occurrence of turning back games with less than forty-eight (48) hours notice by the same official will carry the above fine, including no further booking before said official appeals for a meeting before the Executive Committee. The appeal must be in writing and accompanied by a twenty-five ($25) appeal bond. If the appeal is valid, the $25.00 bond will be refunded.

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS

Section 1 These By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a regular or special meeting provided all members shall have been advised of the amendment at least three (3) days prior to a meeting where balloting is to be done.