Constitution and By Laws of the
Cedar Rapids Athletic Officials Association

Approved February 21, 2011 

 

ARTICLE I
 NAME

The name of this organization shall be the CEDAR RAPIDS ATHLETIC OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION.

 

ARTICLE   II
PURPOSE

The purpose of this ASSOCIATION shall be to promote the welfare of the American games of football and basketball, its players and officials; to provide a list of recommended officials for games; to promote the cause of athletics in every conceivable manner.

 

ARTICLE   III
MEMBERSHIP

Any person eighteen years of age or older who is interested in or associated with athletics is eligible for membership as follows:

 

Section 1

STEP I PROBATIONARY MEMBER:  a person meeting the following requirements during the first year of participation:

a)   Participate and make satisfactory progress in an official’s development program as established by a committee appointed by the president.

b)   Pass the annual National Federation rules examination in football and/or basketball.

c)   Pay dues as set in Article VII.

d)   To advance to Step II, an individual must receive approval of the majority of the approved        members present at either the fall or spring business meeting.

 

Section 2

STEP II PROBATIONARY MEMBER: a person meeting the following requirements during the second year of participation:

           

a)       Advance from Step I

b)       Participate and make satisfactory progress in an official’s development program as established by a committee appointed by the president.

c)       Pass the annual National Federation rules examination in football and/or basketball.

d)       Pay dues as set in Article VII

e)       To advance to regular or approved CRAOA membership, an individual must receive approval of the majority of the approved members present at either the fall or spring business meeting. A written application, for approved membership, must be submitted by a Step II applicant.

f)         An official transferring from another comparable organization and in good standing in that organization, as shown by a letter from that organization, or an official with two years of high school officiating experience, will come in to CRAOA at the Step II level.

 

Section 3

APPROVED MEMBER: a person meeting the following requirements:

           

a)        Successfully completing the probationary requirements of Step I and Step II as listed in section I and II.

b)        Approval by an appointed committee of approved members, appointed by the President.

c)        Approval by two-thirds of the active approved members present at any business meeting of the Association.

d)        Payment of dues as set stated in Article VII.

e)        Each active approved member of the CRAOA shall be required to pass (Minimum-75%) the annual National Federation rules examination for football and/or basketball.

1.   The examination shall be completed as prescribed by the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

 

 

Section 4

 ASSOCIATE MEMBER: a person meeting the following requirements:
                (Associate members are exempt from the exam and meeting requirements.)

a)   Make written application for associate membership.

b)   Receive approval by two-thirds of the active members present at any annual meeting of the Association.

c)   Payment of dues as stated in Article VII.

 

Section 5

HONORARY MEMBER: Upon recommendation of the Executive Board, a person may be elected to honorary membership by a two-thirds vote of the approved members present at a business meeting.  An honorary member shall be retired from officiating exempt from dues, and must have been an approved member in good standing for a minimum of ten years.

 

 

Section 6

Only active approved members shall be privileged to vote or hold office in the ASSOCIATION.

 

Section 7 

 Approved members must attend a least three regular rules meetings of the ASSOCIATION for each sport in which they are officiating..

 

Section 8

It is recommended that Approved members attend at least one of the semi-annual business meetings each year.

 

Section 9

The Executive Board is empowered to act on any membership situation not specifically addressed in the by-laws.

 


ARTICLE   IV
SUSPENSION, RESIGNATION, AND REINSTATEMENT

Section 1

The executive committee will bring a recommendation of suspension to be voted on by the entire membership at the next scheduled business meeting for:

a)       Non-payment of dues

b)       Failure to attend minimum number of required meetings, unless the official notifies the President or Executive Secretary, in writing, of his inability to fulfill this requirement by the Monday preceding the next scheduled business meeting.

c)       Failure to meet the requirements set forth in Article III, Section 3e

d)       Failure to act in a professional, responsible manner expected of a sports official

           

 

Section 2

Suspended members shall be ineligible for recommendation to games and shall be denied voting rights or the holding of office.

 

Section 3

A member in good standing who chooses to resign from the ASSOCIATION, shall file written notice thereof with the Executive Secretary.

 

Section 4

A member of the ASSOCIATION who has been suspended or has resigned, may be reinstated as a Step II probationary member upon receipt by either the President or Executive Secretary of a written request to return as an CRAOA member by the Monday preceding the next scheduled business meeting.


                                                               
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1

Officers of the Association shall be a President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and Executive Secretary. These officers plus the immediate past three Presidents shall serve as the Executive Board. The immediate past President shall be the Chairman of the Board. The Executive Secretary may appoint other CRAOA members to be part of the Executive Board.

 

Section 2

The officers’ terms of office shall run from the annual Spring meeting of a given year to the next year's Spring meeting.

 

Section 3

During the annual Spring meeting the following officer changes will occur:

 

a)   The current President will leave office and become the Chairman of the Board.

b)   The current 1st Vice-President will become the new President.

c)   The current 2nd Vice-President will become the new 1st Vice-President.

d)   The office of 2nd Vice-President shall be filled by a simple majority vote of the approved members of the ASSOCIATION present at the annual spring meeting.

 

1)   The office of 2nd Vice-President must alternate yearly between the sports of basketball and football.

2)   If the outgoing 2nd Vice-President primarily officiates basketball, the incoming 2nd Vice-President must primarily officiate football and vice-versa.

3)   In cases where an official works both sports, a declaration to one or the other will be made as needed to perpetuate the alternating of the office between the two sports.

 

Section 4

The Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

 

Section 5

All officers of the ASSOCIATION shall be active approved members.

 

Section 6

If, at any time, an office or position on the Executive Board shall become vacant, the Executive Board shall appoint a member of the Association to fill the remainder of the term.

 

ARTICLE   VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1

The President or Executive Secretary shall be the ASSOCIATION and of the Executive Board. They shall appoint all committees including the Examining Committee and Nomination Committee. They shall conduct all negotiations on behalf of the ASSOCIATION under the direction of the Executive Board.

 

Section 2

The 1st Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the latter and assist the president as directed by the president.

 

Section 3

The 2nd Vice-President shall take minutes of all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board. They shall perform the duties of the President in absence of the President and 1st Vice-President.

 

Section 4

The Executive Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the ASSOCIATION and of the Executive Board. He/she shall send out all notices and preserve all records. He/she shall conduct all correspondence except on such matters as are conducted by the 1st Vice-President or 2nd Vice-President in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 and 3 of this Article. He/she shall provide a list of recommended officials from the active members of the ASSOCIATION under the direction and supervision of the Executive Board. He/she shall maintain a correct record of the finances of the ASSOCIATION, collect all membership fees and dues, disburse funds and present a detailed financial report at each business meeting he/she shall send, not later than December 15th  of each year, a list of active members of the Association in good standing to such schools as are designated by the Executive Board. The Secretary shall be the only officer to receive remuneration which will be set by approval of two-thirds of the approved voting members in attendance at the annual spring business meeting.

 

 

 

 

Section 5

The Executive Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the President, and shall, with the President, conduct the affairs of the ASSOCIATION. It shall act as the Examining Committee. It shall designate, not later than August 15th of each year, a list of schools to whom the Executive Secretary shall send on the December 15th  following, a list of active members of the Association in good standings.

 

ARTICLE VII
MEMBERSHIP FEES

Section 1

The annual membership fee of the ASSOCIATION shall be determined by the Executive Board and shall not be less than $25. Dues shall be paid no later than the first ASSOCIATION meeting held each year in the sport in which a member is officiating.

 

Section 2

In the event application for Probationary Membership is rejected for any reason, the ASSOCIATION shall  retain the full amount.
                   

ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS

Section 1

The semi-annual Business Meeting of the Association shall be set by the officers and held at such place as the Executive Secretary shall direct.

 

Section 2

Rules interpretation and discussion meetings shall be held as directed by the officers during the football and basketball season. Coordinators of said meetings shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

 

Section 3

Special meetings may be called by the President, the Executive Secretary or the Executive Board.

 

Section 4

The Executive Board shall meet upon call by the President, or the Executive Secretary except that the President shall call such a meeting upon request of three members of the Executive Board.

 

Section 5

Probationary, Associate and Honorary members may be denied attendance at regular, special or semiannual meeting by order of the president.

 

ARTICLE IX

QUORUM

Section 1

Twenty or 50% or more of the approved members of the ASSOCIATION shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 2

Four members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE   X
AMENDMENTS

The constitution and by-laws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the active approved members present and constituting a quorum at any annual meeting.

 


ARTICLE   X
ORDER OF BUSINESS

Roberts Rules of Order will apply in any situation not covered by the constitution.

 

 

Approved