New Officials Association?

[imported_Sportsman]

Anybody got any information on the proposed new association?

[centennialdawg]

It must first be recognized by the schools, if not, then it will have a very short life.

[imported_UKCats1]

First I have heard of it.

[kmccall]

I was told yesterday that it is not a new association, it is the same association but with a all new set-up on the way it is ran and new by-laws that have already been drawn up. I was also told that it is not intended to oust John. The email if you haven't received it yet is coming soon. There is a meeting for all officials at 5:00pm Sunday the 29th at Va. High School to vote on this new proposal. All officials are urged to attend.

[archerwon22]

sounds like someone has finally got it right. To get away from the principles. Looks like its a go.. 3 districts have already said that they are in favor of it and the other districts are mulling it over.

[archerwon22]

TRI-COUNTY OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

This association shall exist for the sole benefit of the schools which it will serve. Those schools are the members of any district for whom the TOA provides officials for sporting events. It recognizes the responsibility the schools have in conducting all phases of the athletic program and shall be committed to fostering and carrying out the objectives stated below.


ARTICLE I NAME


The name of this association shall be the Tri-County Officials Association (TOA)


ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization shall be:
1. To secure a uniform interpretation and administration of the playing rules of
all sports as approved by the NFHS and the VHSL.

2. To educate, train, develop, and provide continuous instruction for all sports.

3. To provide high quality officials for the area served by this organization.

4. To establish and maintain an equitable fee for services rendered.

5. To collaborate with those responsible for promoting the welfare of each sport
and to further its ideals as a wholesome form of recreation and the development
of solid character, good sportsmanship, and good citizenship

6. By recognizing the responsibility the school officials have in conducting an athletic
contest.


ARTICLE III BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR DUTIES


Section 1. The Board of Directors shall:

(1) Consist of 5 voting members from the membership of the organization
elected by the membership. At the first organizational meeting, three
members will be elected to serve for two years and two members will be
elected to serve one year.
(2) A representative official from each sport for whom the association provides
officials shall be a voting Director.
(A) Each voting Director shall be elected by the officials who officiate
the sport for which the director is a representative.
(B) Each voting Director shall serve a two-year term to commence upon
election at the regularly scheduled preseason meeting. At the first
organizational meeting the representative elected by the membership for
Football, Boys Basketball, Softball, and Soccer shall serve a two year term.
The elected representative for Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Baseball, and
Wrestling will serve a one year term.

(3) Conduct its meetings in an open and professional manner.


Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to:

Elect a President, vice president, secretary/ treasurer at the annual meeting.

Set membership dues for officials,

Set fees to be paid by member schools for official's services,


Section 3. A quorum for voting will be two-thirds of the Voting Board of Directors.



ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. A three panel Representative's Council shall be elected by the entire
membership. 50% of members must be present before any vote by membership.
The President of the Board of Directors shall serve as an alternate.

Section 2 A commissioner for each sport (Football, Volleyball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Baseball and Softball, and Soccer) shall be elected by the
membership at the annual meeting set by the Board of Directors. The commissioner must be a member in good standing and may be the commissioner in more than one
sport. 50% of membership in each sport must be present before any vote.

Section 3. Officials joining this association for the first time must have taken or take and pass a supervised written test on rules and mechanics and may be required to serve a term of apprenticeship to be determined by the commissioner. All new officials must be voted into the association by the membership. All members must attend a sports camp
for the sport or sports they officiate at least once every three years.

Section 4. A member of another sanctioned association in good standing, transferring into this association, shall be given full credit for years of verified experience in that association.

Section 5. Membership may be taken away in any case which warrants it, such as conduct unbecoming an official or conduct which is contrary to the interest of this association.

Section 6. A member will have the protection of the Representative's Council before his/her membership is revoked.

Section 7. Certified members of this association will be recommended for regional and state play-off games in accordance with VHSL Handbook 58-4-1.

Section 8. In order to be in good standing, a member must:

Pay dues and fees as specified by the commissioner,

Attend meetings as set by the VHSL and the commissioner,

Be properly registered and approved by the VHSL.


ARTICLE V DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER AND VICE COMMISSIONERS


Section 1. The commissioner shall:

Attend all meetings of the association,

Collect all officials fees and dues and forward to the treasurer,

Make all game assignments (or delegate to a vice-commissioner),

Oversee each sport covered by the TOA,

Provide for the training, observation and evaluation of officials,

Appoint a vice-commissioner in each particular sport,

Maintain communication with vice-commissioners to discuss any problems.


Take disciplinary action, when appropriate, against an official who engages
in conduct that is unprofessional, unethical or otherwise risks bringing disrepute to the TOA. The Commissioner has the authority to suspend officials for any length of time. However, suspensions of more than five days may, upon request of the disciplined official, be appealed to the TOA Representative's Council in a timely manner. The disciplined official will be given a reasonable opportunity to address the Council prior to a decision being rendered.
.

Section 2. The vice-commissioner shall:

Be appointed by the commissioner.

Assist the commissioner in assigning games, with final approval
resting with the commissioner,

Assist the commissioner in observing and evaluating officials,

Assist the commissioner in assigning officials to district tournaments, with final approval resting with the commissioner (in accordance with the VHSL Handbook selection process for assigning officials for regional contests),

Maintain communication with the commissioner to discuss any problems.

Perform the duties of the commissioner in his absence.

[imported_Counts]

Sounds good.....Is this for sure a go?

[archerwon22]

as far as I am concerned this is the association I am joining! And from what I am hearing, all the other officals are in favor of it as well as the principles that have seen the new constitution.

[1inStripes]

Thanks for that info archer. I had heard talk, but nothing "official". Too bad I have to work Sunday, I would like to attend and see the response in person.

[archerwon22]

Robbie told me that if anyone cannot make it to email him and let him know where they stand. This meeting is basically a head count to see who is interested in the association and who is interested in just collecting a check. Jeff Hurst has already made it clear where he stands in an email to Robbie. I'm sure that there are several that don't want any changes, but those are the ones that this association can do without.