BYLAWS of the GULF COAST CHAPTER - TASO. Inc.

Revised November 2003

Revised July 2007

       Article 1

       This organization shall be known as the Gulf Coast Chapter of the

      Texas Association of Sports Officials – Football Division.

       Article 2

 The purpose of this organization, among other activities, shall be to foster and promote officiating of intercollegiate and interscholastic football through:

 

2.1    Advancing the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play through qualified officiating of football.

           2.2    Fostering respect for football officials at all levels of Competition.

2.3    Providing educational programs to advance the skills of football officials at all levels of competition.

2.4    Developing and maintaining a membership consisting of experienced and capable football officials whose integrity is above reproach, and who are actively engaged each year in officiating.

           2.5    Conducting public information programs that will encourage

          Appreciation for the skill and competence of football officials.

       Article 3

       Authorization

 

3.1    The authorization for this organization shall be the bylaws of the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO), or its successor organization.

3.2    These bylaws are subordinate to the bylaws of the TASO or its successor organization.

 

      Article 4

 

      Definition

 

 The organization shall be governed by these bylaws until changed by the membership, and hereafter referred to as the chapter.

 

      Article 5

 

      Officers and Board of Directors

     

5.1    The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer.

5.2    The board of directors (board) shall consist of the officers and Division Representatives and shall be responsible for conducting business and governing the chapter.  The immediate past president shall be an ex-officio member of the board.  If an immediate past state district representative is not a board member, that person shall be an ex-officio member of the board.

(Revised 2007)

 

      Article 6

 

      President

 

6.1    The president shall preside at all board and chapter meetings.

6.2    He shall conduct with the vice president and/or secretary all negotiations on behalf of the chapter and shall enforce policies adopted by the chapter.

6.3    He shall appoint all committees, and be an ex-officious member of such committees.

 

  

      Article 7

 

      Vice President

 

7.1    The vice prescient shall perform the duties of the president in the absence of the president

7.2    The vice president shall act as the recording secretary.  He shall keep written minutes of all meeting of the chapter and the board and shall present the previous minutes at each regular meeting.

7.3    He shall serve as program chairman.  All minutes shall be chapter records and shall be forward to the next vice present.  A copy of all minutes should be forwarded to the Secretary as part of the chapter’s permanent records. (Revised 2007)

7.4    If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice president shall become the president and a new vice present shall be elected in accordance with Article 12 of these bylaws.

 

 

      Article 8

 

      Secretary

 

8.1    The secretary shall preserve records of the chapter, send all notices, and have charge of the printing and publication ordered by the chapter.

8.2    He shall distribute to the members state bulletin and updates.

      8.3    He shall make all necessary reports to the TASO.

8.4    He shall notify each member of the time and place of chapter meetings.

8.5    He shall collect dues and fees authorized by the chapter, and forward them to the treasurer.

8.6    He shall maintain a membership list of all members in good standing which classifies each member by their current TASO classification.

8.7    He shall, prior to November 15 of each year, deliver to each member at his last know address, an invoice of the dues and fees payable in accordance with the chapter requirements.  Notice shall be made of the penalty for failure to pay.

      8.8    The secretary shall be paid a flat fee of $1500.00 a year.

      (Revised 2004)

 

 

      Article 9

 

      Treasurer (Combined with Secretary 2003)

 

9.1    The treasurer shall have charge of disbursement of all chapter funds as authorized by the board.

9.2    He shall maintain a general fund in the name of the chapter with all receipts from the secretary.

9.3    He shall maintain accounting records suitable for audit and supporting documents for all transactions.

9.4    He shall make an annual report to the membership at the annual meeting in February.

9.5    He shall submit a budget to the board for final approval by the membership.

9.6    The board may require the treasurer to post a fidelity bond in an amount established by it.  If required, the bond shall be maintained at chapter expense and shall be issued by a bonding company approved by the board.

 

  

 

      Article 10

 

Division Representatives  

 

10.1  Each Div. Rep. shall act as a representative and liaison for members of that division and the remainder of the board.  He shall assist the secretary in distributing information to his group.  This is not a paid position.  Division Representatives will serve on the board.

      10.2 Division Representatives shall serve the following:

               Division 1 – all Division 1 officials

               Division 2 – all Division 2 officials

               Division 3 – all Division 3 officials

               Division 4 – all Division 4 officials

               Division 5 – all Division 5 officials     

10.3  Each Division Representative will also serve the chapter as directed by the chapter secretary.  Examples of service are listed below but not limited to:

               Division 1 – Responsible for Scrimmages

Division 2 – Assist the secretary’s appointee with the roster book.

Division 3 – Assist the secretary’s appointee with the rules clinic.

Division 4 and Division 5 – Assist the secretary’s appointee with the training/“On Field” clinic.

10.4  Each Division Representative will furnish to the secretary a list of his officials attending each meeting. (Revised 2007)

 

Area Secretary

 

10.5 Each area secretary shall schedule sub-varsity games for his area and shall assist the secretary in distributing information.  The Area Secretary will not serve on the board.  The Area Secretary will be paid a fee for scheduling officials in his area. (Revised 2007)

      10.6 Area directors shall serve the following areas:

               Gulf Coast West

               Gulf Coast North

               Gulf Coast East

               Galveston

               Brazoria County  

               Pasadena  

      10.7   If for any reason a sub-varsity schedule can not be

      filled, the schedule must be returned to the chapter secretary. 

The determination of dropping or not dropping a schedule will be made by the board after discussion on the reasons given by the area secretary.

      (Added November 2003)

 

     

 

      Article 11

 

      Procedures

 

11.1  All officers shall be governed by these bylaws, chapter policies adopted by the membership, and directives of the board.  The board’s decision shall be binding until overruled by a majority vote of a quorum of the membership.

11.2  The board shall have power to adopt procedures to govern its own deliberations in so far as those procedures do no conflict with these bylaws or chapter policies.

11.3  A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum.  A quorum is required for any action.

11.4  The board shall review and approve, if they are in order, prior to January 31 of each year, the financial report and records of the treasurer for the preceding calendar year.

11.5  The chapter may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of members in good standing present and voting, remove from office any officer or board member whose actions or conduct is detrimental to the best interest of the organization.

11.6  All offices and directors must be members in good standing at all times.

11.7  If a vote of the membership (normally a majority of a quorum of 40% or more) can not be held because of a lack of a quorum, a vote may be taken at the next meeting of the membership.  That vote will require a majority of the members present at that meeting. (Revised 2001)

 

      Article 12

 

      Elections

 

12.1  Officers and Division Representatives shall be elected by secret written ballot at the last regular membership meeting of the year. (Revised 2007)

 

a. Officers and Division Representatives shall be elected for two-year terms each beginning January 1 of the following year.

b. The president, vice president, and division 1, 3, & 5 representatives shall be elected in odd-numbered years after the initial election of Division Representatives. (Revised 2007)

c. The secretary/treasure and division 2 & 4 representatives shall be elected in even-numbered years after the initial election of Division Representatives (Revised 2007)

d. Area secretaries from Brazoria County, Galveston and Pasadena shall be elected in even-numbered years.

e. Area secretaries from Gulf Coast West, Gulf Coast East and Gulf-Coast North shall be elected in odd-numbered years.

f. If a division representative changes divisions at the end of his first year, he will complete his term unless he resigns.  If an official has the point total to change divisions at the end of the year, that officials shall not run for election for division representative for the division he is leaving.

g. When an election is held for division representatives only officials in each division will vote for that representative. (Revised 2007)

g. When an election is held for an area secretary, only officials in that area may vote.

 

12.2  All elections shall be conducted by an election committee appointed by the president.

 

a. The election committee shall consist of at least 3 members and shall not contain any chapter members running for office.

b. The election committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each position at least 1 meeting before the election.

c. Nominations from the floor may be made at the any meeting.

d. All individuals nominated for office shall have indicated in advance a willingness to serve if elected.

e. The election committee shall prepare a written ballot containing all nominations for use at the elections meeting.

 

12.3  All nominees must be elected by a majority of a quorum of members in good standing present at the elections meeting.  No proxy voting shall be allowed.  If no candidate receives a majority of votes on the first ballot, there shall be a runoff vote by secret ballot between the candidates receiving the most votes and the second most votes on the first ballot.  If a quorum is not present voting will take place at the next meeting of the membership as described in 11.7.  (Revised 2001)

 

12.4  If any vacancy occurs in any elected office except president, then the board shall fill that vacancy by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board.  If the office of president becomes vacant, the vice president shall become president and a new vice president shall be elected by the board.  All positions filled by election by the board shall be voted by the membership at the next regular election.

 

      Article 13

 

      Membership

 

13.1  The membership of this chapter shall be open to members who are members of the TASO.  Members must conform to and not be in violation of the TASO code of ethics.

13.2 Any official who has been a member of this chapter for twenty (20) years or more years and who has retired from officiating shall be eligible of honorary membership in this chapter and shall be entitled to attend any chapter meeting.  Application for honorary membership shall be submitted to the board in writing by an active member.  The chapter shall vote on each application.  Approval is by majority of a quorum present and voting.

13.3  To be a member to be in good standing for the chapter, a member must do the following;

 

           a. Be current in all financial obligations to the chapter

           b. Be a member in good standing of TASO

 

13.4  Any violation of these bylaws shall be presented to the board.  The member complained against shall be given at least one week notice to appear before the board.  The board’s decision shall be final, unless appealed to the membership

13.5  Any TASO member, in good standing, transferring to this chapter from another TASO chapter shall be accepted upon appropriate application.

 

 

      Article 14

 

      Registration and Dues

 

14.1  A membership year begins January 1 and ends on December 31.

      14.2  The following dues shall be assessed each member:

 

           a. State dues shall be determined by the state.

b. Chapter dues shall be based on an operating budget     approved by the board

c. In addition, each member who works varsity games shall pay $3.00 per varsity game worked.  This fee shall go the general fund. (Revised 2007)

c. In addition, each member who works varsity games shall pay $3.00 per varsity game worked.  One half of this fee shall go to the chapter secretary as game fees and the other half shall go to the general fund. If a varsity game fee is less than the minimum set by the University Interscholastic League (UIL), then the varsity game fee shall be $1.50 per game, and all of such fee shall go to the secretary.

14.3  Dues are payable to the chapter on or before January 15 following each football season.

14.4  Dues are delinquent after February 1. A fine of $5.00 per month, or any portion thereof, shall be assessed after February 1 until dues are paid in full.

14.5  A penalty of $10.00 shall be assessed for the first assigned game missed by a member of the chapter who has not notified the scheduler of his intended absence at least 6 hours before game time.  A second missed game will bring a $20.00 penalty.  A third missed game will result in the official being removed from all schedules (varsity included). If a game is worked by less than the number of officials assigned, the penalty shall be spilt equally among those officials working the game.  The penalty may be waived by the board.  All penalties shall be paid on or before December 15 following the season in which the game was missed.

14.6  The membership may adopt any additional fees (special fees) for any type of special projects by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present. (Revised 2004)

 

      Article 15

 

      Meetings

 

15.1  An annual meeting of the chapter shall be held in February to conduct chapter business and to organize officiating crews.

15.2  Regular chapter and area meetings should be held at the time and place the board shall designate.  The meetings shall start in July and continue through the end of football season.  The number of meetings shall be set by the board with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15.

15.3  Attendance of each member is encouraged.  The following attendance rules shall apply; 3 absences are granted each member without penalty.  A fine of $5.00 shall be assessed for each additional absence.  Fines shall be paid on or before January 15 following the end of the football season.

15.4  Forty percent of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum.

15.5  The secretary shall maintain attendance records at chapter meeting and area director shall maintain a record of area meetings.

  

      Article 16

 

      Selection and assignment of Varsity Games

 

16.1  The board shall determine the time and place of the meeting each year for selecting an officials (crews) for varsity high school games.  The board shall specify the number to work the varsity games.  The board shall specify the number to work the varsity selection meeting and shall select the best qualified members to represent the chapter at this meeting.

16.2  Crews shall be formed by the members in good standing by all crew members signed a crew card and returning the card to the secretary by the last day of February before the season begins.

 

a. All crew shall consist of 5 members.  Crews are encouraged to carry a 6th official to run the down box, and who may fill in for any absent crew official

b. All crews must be composed of officials who reasonably expect to work games.

c. All first-year TASO members shall be ineligible for crew        membership until after one year of TASO officiating experience or equivalent

 

16.3  All coaches who do not attend the selection meetings and all coaches who at any other time request officials shall be supplied a list of available officials for their games.  If a coach refuses to make his selection and still requests officials for games, the officials for those games shall be assigned by the secretary.

16.4  No member shall contact any coach, school official, or other person to arrange high school varsity games assignment.  All varsity games assignments shall be made through the office of the secretary.

16.5  If the UIL contacts the chapter secretary requesting that a crew be assigned to a regular season game, the request will be honored at the time of the request with the approval of the referee being selected.  If an individual school contacts the

Chapter secretary requesting a crew be assigned, the assignment shall be made after that school’s classification has completed selection at the coaches_ selection meeting.  However, the

Secretary should encourage the school to either go through the UIL for assignment or attend the coach’s selection meeting. Should an official be contacted in regard to any assignment he shall direct the individual requesting the assignment to the chapter secretary

16.6  If any member of a crew cancels from any game, the chapter secretary shall be notified by the referee.  The referee shall name a replacement for the absentee.  If the referee cancels, the members of his crew shall select his replacement.  The secretary shall notify the coaches of the change and obtain their approval.

 

      Article 17

 

      Playoff Assignments

 

17.1  Immediately followings the coaches_ selections, each crew’s games shall be assigned a point value using five points for each 5-A game, four points for each 4-A game, three points for each 3-A game, two points for each 2-A games, one point for each 1-A game. In the games between schools in different classifications, the point value of the game will be determined by the site of the school with the higher classification.

17.2  The crew receiving the greatest number of points will be the Chapter’s number one crew for playoff purposes, and every other crew will be ranked in order by descending points behind the number one crew.  In the event of a tie in points, the position of the two crews involved will be decided by the crew with the most games of higher classification.  E.g. crew A and crew B.  If crew A has seven 5A games and crew B has six 5A games, crew A will be placed higher on the list.  If the crews are still tied 4A games will be used and on down to 1A if necessary.  If the crews are still tied at the end of each division comparison a coin toss will be used.

17.3  The playoff selection list will be limited to the top 75% of the crews receiving points

17.4  Playoff assignments will be made on a 3 week basis with the week to be Monday through Sunday. Crews are to be assigned on numerical basis with the number one crew to be assigned first, the number two crew second, and so on.  Upon receiving an assignment, the crew moves to the bottom of the list and all other crews are moved up in rating.  Starting with the fourth playoff week the selection list refers based to the original selection list order.

17.5  When a crew is requested for a playoff game, this does not affect that crew’s position on the selection list.  However, if a crew is requested by the opposing coaches and is available, that crew shall work the game regardless of its position on the playoff selection list.

17.6  Assignment of crew members to a mixed crew does not affect a crew’s position on the selection list

17.7  The secretary shall use his best judgment when assigning individuals to a mixed crew.  The playoff selections list does not apply.  The selection list does not apply if the assigned crew must meet criteria such as a specified racial mix or a minimum level of experience for officials.  In these cases the secretary may assign a mixed crew if none of the crews on the selection list that are available meet the specified criteria.

 

 

         Article 18

 

      Amending these Bylaws

 

      18.1  The bylaws may be amended by the following method:

 

a. Any proposed change must be submitted the board in writing 2 weeks prior to being submitted to the membership.  If the board approves the suggested change, the change shall be submitted to the membership at the next regular meeting.

b. Amendments shall be presented in writing at least 14 days prior to a vote for revision.

c. Amendments may be submitted to the membership at a regular meeting and posted on the chapter website.  The appropriate chapter official will then send out an email to all members. (Revised 2007)

d. Any change must be approved by a majority vote of a quorum of members in good standing.  If a quorum is not present at the time of the meeting, a vote may be taken at the next meeting of the membership.  That vote will be a majority of the members present. (Revised 2001)

 

18.2  Members have the right to petition the membership directly to present amendments to these bylaws.

 

  

      Article 19

 

      General

 

19.1  These bylaws shall be enforced by the board.  The board shall act on matters that are not specifically covered by these bylaws.

19.2  These bylaws shall become effective when adopted by the membership.

19.3  All meeting shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, however, the transaction of business by the board or the chapter shall not be void able for failure to follow Robert’s Rules of Order unless specific objection is made at the time of such action is taken.