Fruitbelt By-Laws

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Fruitbelt Officials Association

Constitution and By-Laws

Article I          Name

The name of the Association shall be "The Fruitbelt Officials Association."

Article II         Purpose

The Fruitbelt Officials Association is an organization serving high school athletic officials in southwest Michigan. Our members referee and umpire the following sports: football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, baseball and softball. The mission of our group is as follows:

A.       To provide training.

B.        To provide a forum for regular rules and mechanics study.

C.       To promote the positive image of officials in our community.

D.       To promote camaraderie by engaging speakers of interest.

Article III       Membership

Section I           Membership in this Association shall be of two kinds: active and associate.

Section II          ACTIVE MEMBERS shall:

A.       Hold an up-to-date MHSAA card as a registered official.

B.        Pay the yearly dues as determined by Article IV, below.

C.       Not miss more than one of the three general meetings without prior notification to the secretary or assignment chairman for the sport involved.

D.       Attend at least 80% of the rules discussion meetings in each of the sports for which they are participating. (Excused absences will be accepted if they are requested in advance from the secretary, assignment chairman or rules meeting chairman.)

Section III         ASSOCIATED MEMBERS shall:

A.       Consist of coaches and athletic directors, who are not also registered officials.

B.        Not be required to attend meetings or pay dues.

Section IV        Be it understood that in the event an ACTIVE MEMBER fails to qualify in ALL of the above listed requirements, they shall no longer:

A.       Be a member of the association.

B.        Be eligible to receive game assignments from the assignment coordinator and/or his assigned chairman.

Section V          In the event an ACTIVE MEMBER of the association becomes delinquent in the payment of annual dues (as outlined in Article IV, Section I-C, below) they shall:

A.       Forfeit their right to membership in the association.

B.        Be stricken from the roster of officials available for game assignments.

C.       In order to be re-admitted to membership, all delinquent membership dues and fees must be paid-and a confirming vote obtained form the board of directors.

Article IV       Dues

Section I           The fiscal year of this association shall begin April 1 of each year.

Section II          AMOUNT AND COLLECTION OF DUES

A.       The annual dues shall be determined by the board of directors-subject to confirmation by a majority of members present at a general membership meeting.

B.        Dues are to be paid one year in advance.

C.       Dues are considered delinquent after October 1 of each year. The first notice of delinquency shall be sent to each member (on the previous year's roll) who has not paid his dues by the time of the second general meeting.

Article V         Officers and Duties

Section I           OFFICERS

A.       The elected officers of this association shall consist of: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary.

Section II          DUTIES

A.       The President shall:

1.      Preside at all meetings.

2.      Secure a meeting place.

3.      Appoint any committees as deemed necessary for the most efficient operation of the affairs of the association.

4.      Be an ex-officio member of all committees.

B.        The Vice President shall:

1.      Perform all the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President.

C.       The Recording Secretary shall:

1.      Record the minutes of each meeting of the association.

2.      Carry on all necessary correspondence.

D.       The Treasurer shall:

1.      Collect dues and any financial assessments called for by the board of directors, as approved by the general membership.

2.      Keep a receipt book as a record of all monies received.

3.      Be responsible for the safe keeping of all association funds.

4.      Make expenditures from the treasury only when ordered to do so by the Board of Directors.

5.      Keep a cash book containing an itemized account of all monies received and all expenditures.

6.      Shall, upon the election of a successor, turn over an audited report to his successor. All monies shall be transferred to his successor at the time his term of office expires.

E.        The rules meeting sports trainers shall:

1.      Organize and schedule at least three rules meetings for baseball, basketball, football, softball, volleyball and wrestling member officials each year.

2.      Appoint "rules chairmen" for each of the four major sports to assist him in his duties and responsibilities.

3.      Prepare and distribute educational, training aids, and recommended officiating procedures to members.

4.      Record unusual game situations encountered by members-ascertain correct rulings, through the use of the state office, if necessary, and periodically distribute updated "play books" to the members.

Section III         The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers provided for in Article V Section I, above plus two directors elected by the membership at large, and two directors appointed by the president. The initiative and operations of this association shall rest solely and entirely with the Board of Directors. One chief function of the Board of Directors is to serve as the Student/Athlete Sportsmanship Committee.

Section IV        Any member of the association may hold office if they are in good standing, provided they have been a member of the association for a period of one year or longer.

Section V          It shall be the responsibility of THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS to review all reports of questionable conduct by any member which has been reported to the association by an official representative of a school. The board may take whatever action it deems necessary in order to maintain the integrity and ethical standards of the association.

Article VI       Nomination and Election of Officers

Section I           Every other year, the President shall appoint a nominating committee at the second general meeting. This committee shall present a list of candidates for the four elected officers and two elected directors, at large, at the last general meeting of the year. Be it understood that additional names may be submitted as candidates for any office from the floor.

Section II          ELECTIONS

A.       The annual election of officers shall take place at the last general meeting of the year.

B.        The election shall be by secret ballot, and every person must cast his own ballot personally at said meeting.

C.       The candidate receiving the majority of all votes cast for the said office shall be declared the winner.

D.       Duly elected officers shall take office each year on April 1st following the election.

E.        Any vacancy created by circumstance shall be filled by an appointment for the unexpired term by the Board of directors.

Article VII      Meetings

Section I           During the fiscal year, three general meetings shall be held preceding each major seasonal sport, as follows:

A.       Football-September

B.        Basketball-November

C.       Baseball-March or April

article VIII    Amendments

Section I           All proposed amendments to this constitution shall be presented at a regular general membership meeting. At the next succeeding general membership meeting, the amendment shall be effective, if approved by a majority vote of the membership present at said meeting.