CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

OF THE

ARIZONA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

 

ARTICLE 1         Name

 

This organization shall be known as the Arizona Football Officials Association (AzFOA).

ARTICLE 2         Purposes

 

The primary purposes of this association are for the general betterment of officiating high school games in zones as defined by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, Inc, (AIA), and for the clarification and interpretation of the rules thereof, the training, evaluation, and rating of persons for the specialized work in cooperation with the AIA, and for the improvement of the coach/official relationship, the public image of the official, and the general welfare of its members.

 

ARTICLE 3         Membership

 

Section 1              Eligibility. 

Any person eighteen (18) years of age or over, of honorable reputation and good moral character associated with and interested in high school football, who is registered with the AIA as a football official  is eligible for membership in this association.

 

             Section 2   Membership Classifications

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A.     Probationary Member – A new member shall be placed on probation for a period of not less than the time to complete the first and second year training classes. A transfer official shall be a probationary member for at least one football season.  During the probationary period, a member shall participate in academic and practical training as established by the Training Committee, and his/her performance as an official shall be observed and evaluated by the Mentor Program.

 

B.     Member – A  member is a person who has paid an annual membership fee, takes an approved football rules test annually, and is eligible to officiate high school football in Arizona..

 

 

C.    Honorary Member – Based on service and/or contributions to the AZFOA, an individual may be nominated for a lifetime Honorary membership.  An Honorary Member shall receive all benefits of regular members.  In addition, the annual membership shall be waived.  A majority vote of the Board of Directors  members present is required to designate an individual as an Honorary Member.  An Honorary Member shall not serve on the  Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE 4         Government

 

Section 1              Board of Directors. 

The business, affairs, and property of the Association shall be managed, conducted, and controlled by the Board of Directors. (“The Board”). The Board shall have the right and power to negotiate, mediate, and contract for, and on behalf of its membership with any organization approved for such purpose by the board.

Section 2              Youth Football and Other Football Leagues

The Board shall appoint a Board Member to act on behalf of the association to conduct business with youth football and other football associations.  The Board shall ask current Board Members to be assignors for each league’s football games in the various areas.  It is recommended that Board Members who assigned games in the previous year be given first consideration for assigning games in the following year. If no Board Member wishes to participate as an assignor, then the Board can appoint a non-Board member of the association on a yearly basis to assign football games.  All assignors shall insure that all officials working these league games are AzFOA.members.

Section 3              Election.

Members of the Board shall be elected for  two year terms. No more than half of the number of representatives in each area shall be elected in a single year. Elections shall be held at or before the last meeting the group holds prior to the start of the football season. The elected representatives shall take their places on the board at the January meeting following their election. Newly elected Board members are encouraged to attend all Board meetings held between the date of their election and the following January meeting.

Section 4              Change in Membership.

The number and qualifications of members of the Board may be altered by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 5              Meetings.

The Board shall meet not less than six (6) times per year.  Meetings of the Board shall be announced during the first month of the calendar year, but may be subject to change with advance notice through the association’s web page, or other means of media.  All Board meetings are open to all AzFOA members. Notice of meetings shall be provided to all Board members by mail, telephone, e-mail, or personally by the Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to any meeting.  The first meeting of each calendar year shall be held on the fourth Monday of January (unless moved by holiday or other special occasion).

Section 6              Special Meetings.

Special Meetings of the Board may be called by the President upon ten (10) days notice to each Board member either by mail, telephone, e-mail, or personally by the Secretary.  Special meetings may be held by teleconference, electronically or by email.

Section 7              Quorum.

A majority of members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.  If a quorum is not present, a lesser number may adjourn to a later date, not more than thirty (30) days later.

Section 8              Vacancy.

Whenever a vacancy occurs on the Board by death, resignation, or otherwise, a member meeting the participation requirements in the Area Meeting Group in which the vacancy occurs may be appointed for the remaining term without undue delay by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board at a regular or  special meeting.

Section 9              Removal.

Any one or more of the members of the Board may be removed for cause, at any time, by a vote of two thirds of the Board members at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose.  Any member not registered with the AIA as a football official by September 1^st of each year, or who is suspended or removed as an official by the AIA, shall be automatically suspended as a member of the Board.  If such member is not registered or reinstated by the AIA within thirty (30) days, he/she shall automatically be removed from the Board and a replacement member shall be appointed by the board. 

 

A.     The term, Cause, for the purpose of the Bylaws shall include, but not be limited to, failure to fulfill the requirements of the office by non-participation in meetings and functions of the AzFOA, which includes, but is not limited to, four (4) or more successive absences at board meetings, or four (4) unexcused absences during any year, and/or any act or omission which, by its nature, constitutes a breach of requirements of membership in the association, or is judged to bring to disrepute on the association, its members, or officiating.

 

Written notice, specifying all charges and allegations justifying  removal, shall be provided to the member being suspended and that member shall have twenty (20) days from the date of such notice, to respond to the executive committee and request a hearing before the board.  Such hearing shall take place within thirty (30) days of the date of notice, at which time the responded may present his/her case before the Board.  Upon completion of such meeting, or non-reply to the written notice, the vote of the Board shall be taken.   The board’s decision shall be final.

 

ARTICLE 5  Area Meeting Groups

Section 1              Area Meeting Groups.

 

The AzFOA shall divide itself into eight 8 Area Meeting Groups for purposes of election of the Board and training as follows: six (6) area groups for certified officials each electing four (4) representatives and four (4) at-large members appointed by the Board: two (2) for the training group for new officials, first and second year and two (2) for the training group for non-certified officials, not including first or second year officials.  These at-large members shall serve two (2) year terms. The Board shall also appoint the following additional at-large Board members to one year terms: the state rules interpreter(s); the association’s webmaster; and the chair of the Mentor committee.

 

Section 2         Area Meeting Group Leadership

 

     Each Area Group shall be conducted by any two certified officials who are approved for the task by the Board. The number of Board members from each area may be modified by a majority vote of the Board. The Board will make all decisions on the locations of the area meetings. The Board may change the number of Area Group Meetings and the number of Board members from those areas by a majority vote at any regular meeting.  Nominees receiving the greatest number of popular votes at the area meetings shall be elected to a staggered two (2) year terms on the Board. 

 

            Section 3        Composition of Area Meeting Groups

 

A minimum of seven (7) AzFOA  members shall be required to elect        Board members and to retain the status of an area meeting group, except as may otherwise be provided by a majority vote of the Board.

 

ARTICLE 6     Officers

Section 1              Number.

The officers of this association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2              Election.

The Board shall elect all officers for a term of one (1) year from its membership.  A majority of the Quorum present shall be necessary to elect officers.  The election shall take place at the first meeting of each calendar year, and all officers shall take their places at the second meeting of the calendar year.

Section 3              Presidential Term Limit.

The term limit for the office of president of the Board shall be four (4) consecutive years.  After holding the office of president for this time, the member shall not hold that office for at least two (2) years. 

Section 4              Duties.

A.      President.  The president shall preside at all meetings of the association and be the chairman of the Board.  He/she shall be the chief executive officer of the association and see that all orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect.  He shall have the general power and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of president of a non-profit corporation.  He shall appoint the members of the advisory committee.

 

B.      Vice President.  The vice president shall, in the event of the absence or inability of the president to exercise his office become acting president of the association with all the rights, privileges and powers of the president.

 

C.      Secretary.  The secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the Association and see that they are published on the association’s web site.  He shall be the official custodian of the records of the association and shall give all notices to members of the association.  He shall exercise all duties incident to the office of secretary.

 

D.      Treasurer.  The treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies of the association.  He must be one of the officers who shall sign checks of the association.  He shall render reports of the financial affairs of the association to the Board at each meeting thereof. He shall exercise all duties incident to the office of treasurer.

 

All officers shall by virtue of their office be members of the Board. No officer shall for reason of his office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation.

ARTICLE  7        Resignations and Suspensions

Section 1              Resignation.

Resignation of members shall be made in writing to the president who shall turn the same over to the Board with a statement of such member’s account.  No member who has resigned shall be reinstated until he/she has paid all indebtedness owed to the Association.

Section 2              Suspension.

Any member shall be automatically suspended for non-payment of dues.

ARTICLE 8         Committees

Section 1              Standing Committees.

The AzFOA shall have the following standing committees: Executive Committee, Advisory Committee, Mentor Program Committee, Nomination Committee, Training Committee, Awards Committee, Pre-Season Scrimmage Committee, and Kick-Off Meeting Committee.

Section 2              Membership.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Board. IT shall appoint a member as Chairman of each standing committee.  The Chairman of each standing committee shall report on the proceedings and activities of such committee to the Board.  Committees may consist of any qualified members.

Section 3              Duties.

The duties and powers of the committees shall be as follows:

 

A.     Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall act as a liaison between the AzFOA and the AIA, the news media, schools, and other associations.  The committee shall meet as required with the Commissioner of Officials and Executive Director of the AIA, to make recommendations to the AIA.  The Committee shall have such other meetings as may from time to time be determined by a resolution of the committee.

 

B.     Advisory Committee. The advisory committee shall advise the president and the board regarding recommendations for the betterment of football officiating and for improvements in the association.

 

C.    Mentor Program Committee. The Mentor Program committee shall be responsible FOR the maintenance and monitoring of the Mentor Program. This program is designed for the education of non certified officials, and recommending classifications to the Board for all officials.  This committee shall incorporate changes to the program each year and appoint an individual(s) to oversee the implementation of the program during each football season.

 

D.    Nomination Committee. The Nomination committee shall be appointed  by the President not less than six weeks prior to the first meeting of the calendar year.  The committee shall consist of no more than three (3) Board members who have served on the Board for a minimum of two (2) years and do not currently hold an office.  The committee shall meet to nominate existing Board members for offices of the Board.  The nominations for each position shall be presented to the secretary for inclusion in the agenda for the officer elections to be held at the first meeting of the calendar year.

 

E.     Training Committee. The Training committee shall be charged with developing and implementing a training program for officials in cooperation with the AIA.  It shall be responsible for teaching rules and mechanics to all officials and coordinating preseason scrimmages for new officials. It is also charged with maintaining uniformity for mechanics, rules interpretation, and enforcements.

 

F.     Awards Committee. The Awards committee shall maintain records and be responsible for awarding "Years of Service" awards.  The committee shall also present the annual Matt O. Hanhilla Sportsmanship award to the high school team that exhibits the best sportsmanship during the regular season.

 

G.    Pre-Season Scrimmage Committee. The Pre-Season Scrimmage committee, with the AIA, shall be responsible for the coordination of all Pre-Season Inter-School Scrimmage assignments

 

H.     Kick-Off Meeting Committee. The Kick-Off Meeting Committee shall be responsible for scheduling the Kick-Off meeting for Metro-Phoenix officials, usually held the first week of August.

 

I.         Other Committees. When necessary, other committees shall be formed and members appointed by the president based on special needs identified during regular or special meeting business.

 

ARTICLE 9         Dues

Section 1              Dues.

    Annual dues shall be fixed by the Board and shall be due and payable on or before September 1^st, of each year.

Section 2              Delinquency.

The failure to pay dues by a member on or before the DUE date shall result in a suspension of the member from the Association.

Section 3              Reinstatement.

Any member suspended for non-payment of dues shall automatically be reinstated as a member on the payment of dues and assessments owed by the individual. 

 

Section 4. List of Suspensions.

 

At the first Board meeting after the time set for payment of dues, the treasurer shall publish a list of all suspended members to the Board.

 

 

ARTICLE 10     AFFILIATES                 

 

Section 1.  Organizations.   

 

 Any non-profit organization located in the state of Arizona whose purpose is the betterment of high school football officiating under the auspices of the AIA may, upon approval of the board, become an affiliate member of the AzFOA.  Affiliate members shall pay dues as established by the Board from time to time. dues may be based on the number of members in each affiliate.  Affiliates and their members shall adhere to the principles of the AzFOA.   Affiliates shall be entitled to have a representative attend all meetings of the board and members of each affiliate shall be entitled to attend all camps, clinics and meetings held by the AzFOA upon payment of any fee charged to regular members of the AzFOA for such event.  The Board may terminate an affiliate for non-payment of dues and/or fees; upon a determination that the affiliate’s operations are not in accord with AzFOA purposes and objectives; or for any other reason it deems appropriate.

Section 2.  Individual Affiliate Members.

Any high school football official residing outside of Maricopa County who is registered and in good standing with the AIA may apply to become an affiliate member of the AzFOA.  Individual affiliate members shall pay dues as established by the Board from time to time. Affiliates and their members shall adhere to the principles of the AzFOA.   Individual affiliate members shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Board and all camps, clinics and meetings.  The Board may terminate an individual affiliate member for non-payment of dues and/or fees; the failure to register or remain in good standing with the AIA, or for any other reason it deems appropriate.

ARTICLE 11     Emblem and Uniforms

 

Members of the AzFOA shall wear the emblem approved by the AIA and shall wear the uniforms prescribed by the AIA.

 

ARTICLE 12       Order of Business

 

Unless otherwise covered in this Constitution and Bylaws, “Roberts’ Rules of Order” shall govern all meetings.

 

ARTICLE 13       Annual Meeting

 

The Annual Meeting of the AzFOA shall be held in conjunction with the AIA “Kick-Off” meeting.

 

ARTICLE 14       Amendments

 

The Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new Bylaws may adopted in whole or in part by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Board or by a majority vote of the entire membership of the AzFOA, provided the proposal therefore is stated in substance in the notice of such meetings.