By-Laws

 

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of the Association shall be the New Hampshire Soccer Officials Association.

ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be:

1. To promote the welfare of the game of soccer, its players and officials.

2. To maintain the highest standard of soccer officials.

3. To encourage the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.

4. To have available, at all times, an adequate number of thoroughly trained and capable officials.

5. To cooperate with all organizations officially connected with the game of soccer in furthering its interest and ideals.

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP

The Association shall be composed of all duly qualified and regularly approved members in good standing with the Association.

1. Eligibility - This Association may admit individuals who meet the requirements as established by the Executive Committee.

2. Types of Membership:

A. ACTIVE - A dues paying member who has met all requirements for membership and is presently officiating soccer games. Levels of active membership:

1. Level 4 (Blue Patch) - those members who are current college (NISOA) officials.

2. Level 3 (White Patch) - those members that have passed all requirements and are able to officiate at all levels established by the Association.

3. Level 2 (Orange Patch) - those members that have passed preset requirements of the Apprentice Program and are able to officiate all sub-varsity levels and certain varsity levels established by the Association.

4. Level 1 - any person admitted into the Apprentice Program that has not yet met all basic requirements of the Apprentice Program as established by the Association.

C. APPRENTICE - Any person who has met the requirements of candidacy as established by the Executive Committee.

D. HONORARY - Such a membership will be accorded to persons who have distinguished themselves in the interests of soccer. An honorary member shall be a non-dues paying member and shall not have the right to vote, hold office or officiate games. This membership is accorded to those persons who indicate interest in such a position or who are nominated by members of the Association in good standing. Such membership will be determined by a vote of the Executive Committee.

E. INACTIVE - Such a membership will be accorded to persons who do not wish to be included on the NHIAA working list and choose to be inactive (TO OMIT- for one calendar year). For each year of inactivity, the (TO OMIT- This) the member shall (TO OMIT-will) pay one-half the annual dues assessment. Upon return to active status, the member must pass the written-rules test and petition the Executive Committee for reinstatement. Deadline to submit request to be inactive is April 1st.

F. LIFE - Such a membership may be available to those persons who are or have been active members of the Association and who have distinguished themselves in the interest of soccer. They shall pay no dues but shall have all other privileges including the right to vote.

ARTICLE 4. DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

1. Grounds of Discipline - For failure to comply with established authority or regulation, or for delinquency in payment of authorized charges, or for any other conduct conclusively established to be contrary to the best interest of soccer, a member may be suspended from the Association for not more than one year, or may be expelled. No member, otherwise in good standing with this Association, may be penalized, suspended, or expelled for action not specifically related to or in violation of expressed provisions of the Constitution.

2. Appeal - Any member suspended or expelled shall have the right to appeal to the Executive Committee. Must, upon notice of either, send an appeal to the Secretary/ Treasurer within 21 days of receipt of notice. Such appeal to be sent registered mail, return receipt requested.

3. Right of Hearing - A member charged with any offense shall have the right to be heard in person or by written statement by official in their own defense.

4. Discipline Notice - When a member is suspended or expelled, the Executive Committee shall notify all concerned that such a member may no longer officiate as a member of this Association. No member shall officiate knowingly with a suspended or expelled member.

ARTICLE 5. DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Members of the Association, in order to be regularly approved, shall be required to attend at least one designated interpretation meeting each year, prior to the opening of the soccer season. Failure to do so will result in membership suspension with the right of appeal to the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 6. OFFICERS

This Association shall be administered by these officers who shall constitute the Executive Committee.

1. The officers of the Association shall be as follows:

President

First Vice President

Second Vice President

Secretary/ Treasurer

Interpreter

Supervisor of Apprentice Program

Supervisor of Officials

Director of Assessment

Assignor

2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers, past Presidents, and five elected members at large, representing geographical regions of the state whenever possible. The Committee is charged with the administration of the affairs of the Association.

3. All members of the Executive Committee must participate in at least 50% of all Executive meetings. Failure to do so will result in automatic removal from the Committee, unless otherwise determined by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 7. STANDING COMMITTEES

1. Liaison - The Liaison Committee shall consist of three members, two of whom come from the Executive Committee and one from the members-at-large, appointed by the President.

2. Examination Committee - The Examination Committee shall supervise the written and field examinations for all apprentices. Members of the Examination Committee shall be appointed by the President from members of the Executive Committee.

3. Sportsmanship Awards Committee - The Sportsmanship Awards Committee shall have all nominations presented in writing and shall decide on appropriate awards to be made. The President shall appoint the members of the Committee.

4. Nominations Committee - The Nominations Committee is responsible to nominate candidates for office. It shall consist of all past Presidents and all designees of the President. Immediate past President shall serve as chairman.

5. Commissioners Committee - The Commissioners Committee is responsible for appointing and individual or individuals to assign games, as required, at all levels, and for establishing the procedures under which the Commissioner will function. The Commissioners Committee will be chaired by the President, the immediate Past President, First Vice President, Secretary/ Treasurer, and the Supervisor of Officials.

6. Ad Hoc Committee - The President may appoint an Ad Hoc Committee as he deems necessary.

7. Clinic Committee - The Clinic Committee is responsible for planning and administrating an annual clinic which will provide the membership with appropriate educational/training workshops and sessions. The Clinic Committee will be chaired by the Clinic Director and consists of members appointed by the President and the Clinic Director.

8. Rating Committee- The Committee shall consist of no fewer than three and no more than five NHSOA members.  The Assessment Director and the Assignor shall be permanent members of the Committee.  The Committee shall be responsible for establishing rankings of each Association member.

ARTICLE 8. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the Association present and voting at a regular meeting, or a special meeting, provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed to all members at least two (2) weeks prior to such meeting.

NHSOA CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Revised - December 1964

Revised - November 1968

Revised - November 1970

Revised - July 1978

Revised - September 1981

Revised - December 1987

Revised - December 1988

Revised - December 1989

Revised - December 1991

Revised - December 1994

Revised - December 1996

Revised - November 1999

Revised - November 2001

(Pending Revision) - November 2008 (listed in red)

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ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS

Section 1 - Applicants for membership shall indicate their desire to the Executive Committee, shall be 18 years of age or older, and shall successfully pass the following requirements:

B. Attend a school of instruction approved by the Association.

C. Successfully pass a written examination prepared by the Executive Committee.

(1) Application fee as established by the Executive Committee shall be paid before the written examination is given.

D. Be recommended for membership by the Supervisor of Apprentices to the Executive Committee.

Section 2 - An official may become a member of NHSOA provided that proof is submitted that they are a member in good standing of another Soccer Officials Association.

ARTICLE 2. OFFICIAL UNIFORM

Section 1 - All referees shall dress in the prescribed uniform and wear shoes that are predominantly black.  Shirts of the same color and style shall be alike for all officials and shall be in contrast to those worn by competing teams.  It is permissible for officials to wear a cap.

Section 2 - Apprentice members must wear referee uniforms.

ARTICLE 3. ETHICS

Resolved:

2. That I will conduct myself as a professional at all times and maintain the dignity of my position, and support a professional separation from both players and coaches.

3. That I shall always honor a contractual obligation.

4. That I will attend local meetings and clinics so as to the rules and their interpretation.

5. That I will always strive to achieve maximum teamwork with my partner.

6. That I shall be loyal to my fellow officials, and never permit or promote criticism of them.

7. That I shall be in good physical condition so as to be in the right place at the right time.

8. That I will control the players effectively by being courteous and considerate without sacrificing firmness.

9. That I shall do my utmost to assist my fellow official to better themselves and their work.

10. That I shall live up to the credo of the ideal official who notices everything but is seldom noticed themselves.

11. That I consider it a privilege to be a member of NHSOA and will uphold its ideals at all times.

12. That I shall not solicit games.

13. That I shall not allow personal relationships to affect my professional standards on or off the field.

14. That I shall refrain from criticizing fellow members or specific decisions of game officials.

ARTICLE 4 DUTIES

1. PRESIDENT

B. In the event the President is absent or unable to perform that officers duties, the order of succession shall be as follows: First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary/ Treasurer, and thence by seniority on the Executive Committee.

2. FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

3. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

4. SECRETARY/ TREASURER

B. The Secretary/ Treasurer shall notify the members-at-large of delinquent dues and fees, and any member who has not paid all debts to the Association, past and present, shall be denied membership until the debts are paid.

C. The Secretary/ Treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association and the members-at-large, send out notices, preserve records and have charge of the necessary printing and publications ordered by the Association.

5. INTERPRETER

6. SUPERVISOR OF APPRENTICES

7. SUPERVISOR OF OFFICIALS

8. DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT

9. DIRECTOR OF ASSIGNMENT

10. MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

11. MEMBERS

ARTICLE 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1 - All officers and other members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the post season meeting.

Section 2 - All officers, and members of the Executive Committee, shall serve for a two (2) year term (with exception of the Supervisor of Officials, whose term shall run concurrently with the dates of office for the NHIAA), or until a successor is elected. Should a vacancy occur before the general elections, that position shall be filled by an appointment by the President.

Section 3 - Officers shall hold no more than one position.

ARTICLE 6. QUORUM

Section 1 - A quorum for any meeting of the Association shall consist of a majority of the regularly approved members present.

ARTICLE 7. DUES AND ASSESSMENT

Section 1 - The annual dues of the NHSOA shall be the amount of a varsity game fee from the previous year and the cost of liability insurance as determined by the Executive Board. Dues shall be payable on or before the annual meeting. Dues not paid by the annual meeting shall be increased by a varsity game fee. Any member not paying their dues by January 1st shall be dropped from the Association. In order to be reinstated, a member must pay all back dues and be approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 8. MEETINGS

Section 1 - Members are required to attend two meetings of the Association each year, rules interpretation meeting and an in-season meeting.

Section 2 - There will be an annual post-season meeting.

Section 3 - Other meetings may be called by the Executive Committee.

Section 4 - All members are required to participate in a Physical Field Evaluation approved by the Executive Board and to pass an open book test with a passing grade determined by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE 9. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Section 1 - Roberst Rule of Order shall be the recognized authority for all matters of parliamentary procedure.

ARTICLE 10. AMENDMENTS

Section 1 - These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the Association present and voting at a regular meeting, or a special meeting, provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed to all members at least two (2) weeks prior to such meeting.

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