Varsity Crews

ARTICLE I: NAME

The organization shall be known as the Beaumont Chapter of Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football, hereinafter referred to as TASO - Football. (2000)

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be the promotion of the welfare of American Intercollegiate and interscholastic game of football by:

(A) The development and maintenance of a membership consisting of experienced and capable officials whose integrity is above reproach and who are actively engaged each year in officiating football games.
(B) Fostering a high standard of ethics, encouraging fair play, sportsmanship, closer cooperation, and better understanding among officials, athletic directors, coaches, players, and the press.

ARTICLE III: GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICTS

The Beaumont Chapter shall cover the Southeast Texas area of District IX.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS ---- ELECTION OF

The officers shall consist of a President, First Vice-President, and Second Vice-President, and a Secretary-Treasurer, each elected by a majority vote of the membership.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers, one membership representative from each of the TASO Divisions I, II, III, IV, and V, and a representative-at-large (2003). The representative from each TASO Division shall be elected by majority vote of the members of that division. (2003) The representative-at-large shall be a minority and shall be elected by a majority vote of the minority members. Non-voting members of the Board of Directors shall be the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Sub-Varsity Assignors. (2004)

The term of office for each member of the board shall be two years beginning January 1 following the election, which will be held each odd numbered year. Non-voting members of the Board shall serve annual terms, subject to annual ratification by the elected Board of Directors. (2000)

ARTICLE V: GENERAL

The qualifications for members and the duties of officers and such regulations as may be necessary and proper for the conduct of business and affairs of the association shall be provided for in the By-laws, which is an addendum to the Constitution.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

The article of the Constitution and By-laws or any provision, may be changed only at a business meeting, as defined in Article XII of the By-laws.

(A) A proposed amendment must be read to the membership at a business meeting no less than one week before the vote may be taken.
(B) A proposed amendment is to be submitted in writing to the Secretary.
(C) A proposed amendment shall become a part of the Constitution and By-laws of the chapter if approved by a two-thirds majority of the members present, provided a quorum exists.

ARTICLE VII: CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Constitution and its By-laws, the Constitution shall be deemed paramount and shall prevail.

ARTICLE I: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and representatives as provided in the constitution. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of this association.

The Board may adopt or amend policies by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board. The membership may adopt or amend policies by a simple majority when a quorum exists.

Each elected member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote except the President who votes only in case of a tie.

The Chapter, may by two-thirds vote of members present and voting, remove from office any officer or Board member whose actions or conduct are detrimental to the best interest of the organization. (1998)

A member will be appointed as the Sergeant of Arms for the purpose of control during called meetings. This position will be appointed by the Board of Directors and is a non-voting position on any Board matters. (1998)

The Secretary may appoint up to three (3) assistants for assigning Sub-Varsity games. (2004) The appointments will be subject to ratification by the Board of Directors. Upon ratification, the Sub-Varsity Assignors (2004) will become non-voting members of the Board of Directors. (2000)

ARTICLE II: PRESIDENT

The President shall preside at all meetings of this association and all Board of Directors meetings. He shall conduct all negotiations in behalf of this association in conjunction with the Secretary and by direction of the Board of Directors.

The President shall vote only in case of a tie vote in Board of Directors meetings.

The President shall attend the annual convention of TASO (2000). The President shall be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts for money spent for lodging and food while at the state football convention, not to exceed three nights lodging.

ARTICLE III: VICE-PRESIDENTS

The First Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or inability to act.

The Second vice-president shall perform the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President and the First Vice-President. The Second vice-president shall have the duties of being the Parliamentarian.

The vice-presidents will be voting members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV: SECRETARY-TREASURER

The Secretary-Treasurer shall send out all notices of officiating assignments, preserve all records of Officials, and have charge of all necessary printing and publications ordered by the Board of Directors. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have charge of all collections and disbursement of all fees and dues authorized by the Board of Directors. He shall place all receipts of this chapter into one fund from which disbursements authorized by the Board of Directors shall be made. The Secretary-Treasurer shall arrange to have all signature cards signed by all officers authorized by the Board of Directors and return the cards to the bank. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep minutes of all business meetings and board meetings and shall transfer such records to his successor upon surrendering his office.

The Secretary or his designate shall assign all Public and Private Schools, Junior High, "B" squad, and sub-varsity (2004) games. Assignment of officials to any other games will not be the direct responsibility of the Beaumont Chapter, its Secretary, or his designate.

The Secretary and his designated assistant or assistants will be appointed, as needed, by the Secretary and will not exceed three persons. The Secretary and his assistant or assistants will be provided service fees (2000) as follows:

Secretary $600.00 per annum (2001), plus local and state dues.
Sub-Varsity Assistants $250.00 per annum (2005), plus local and state dues

The Secretary shall attend the Annual Convention of TASO (2000). The Secretary shall be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts for moneys spent for lodging and food while at the state football convention, not to exceed three nights lodging.

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP

Each member of the Beaumont Chapter must be a member of TASO (2000). A non-member of the local chapter will not be assigned to any games as long as there is a member of this chapter available and willing to work.

No member of the local chapter will be allowed to officiate in a game where a non-member is working unless the non-member has been assigned by the Secretary. EXCEPTION: In areas where the local chapter does not usually furnish officials, members may work with any officials of other associations.

All members of the Beaumont Chapter must submit a report of games worked to the Chapter Secretary after the end of the officiating season, and no later than December 31, of the year the games are worked.

If an official must cancel out of a game, he must contact the Secretary and give the reason for not working that game. The Secretary will fill the vacancy as included in Article XX, Policies, Policy 6, Selection of Officiating Crews and Open Board Policies. (2004) The coaches will be notified of the replacement by phone, letter, postcard, e-mail (2004), or fax.

ARTICLE VI: CONDUCT OF OFFICIALS

Any member who violates any article of the Constitution, By-Laws, or Policies may be subject to discipline by the chapter.

The Board of Directors shall determine if a violation has occurred and upon determining that a violation has occurred, the board shall set a penalty ranging from a reprimand to expulsion from the chapter. A two-thirds majority of the board is required on both the violation phase of the hearing and penalty phase of the hearing. An appeal of the Board's decision of penalty assessed may be made to the membership. A two-thirds majority of the membership present will be required to find that a violation has occurred and/or assess the penalty.

ARTICLE VII: NEW MEMBERS

Prospective members may make application for membership at any regular meeting. Fees and dues for application, for the state, and for the local chapter are required at the time of application. They must take a written exam over the NCAA rules for that officiating year and score no lower than a 70%. The applicants' information and test score will then be reviewed by the board of directors and upon acceptance, the application will be submitted to the state TASO office. If the applicant is rejected by the Beaumont Chapter all state dues will be refunded, however the application fee and local chapter dues are non-refundable.

All fees and dues paid are for application year only and next years dues are due and payable as directed by the constitution of the Beaumont Chapter.
Upon acceptance by the Beaumont Chapter and the State TASO (2000) office, each new member will have all voting and officiating rights and responsibilities granted to all members in good standing of TASO (2000) and the Beaumont Chapter.

ARTICLE VIII: REGISTRATION AND DUES

The membership year will begin January 1 and end December 31 of each year.

If any member's $50 State (2002) and $40 local dues are not paid by January 21, that member shall pay his dues and State Reinstatement of $25 plus a local fine of $25.00 (2002). After August 1 said member shall be dropped from the roster and may not be eligible to officiate at the varsity level the upcoming season but may be used at the sub-varsity level. (1998)

Local dues for all members shall be $40.00 a year beginning with the 1999 season. $5.00 of the local dues will go toward a scholarship fund for a deserving local student and will be governed by the Board of Directors. (1998) A first time member joining the Beaumont Chapter will have his first year local dues waived. (2001)

ARTICLE IX: UNIFORM

The regulation uniform for all members shall be the uniform prescribed by the TASO (2000) Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X: OFFICIATING FEES AND TRAVEL ALLOWANCE

In his charges for service and travel expenses on any game, each member shall conform exactly to the scale of the University Interscholastic League and TASO (2000) as agreed upon by the Beaumont Chapter members.

(A) Mileage shall be paid the official from his home and not from the Beaumont Chapter office.
(B) The minimum rate as prescribed by the University Interscholastic League shall be paid to each official for varsity games and adjusted upward per the gate receipts of said game.
(C) Schools must pay scratched Officials the same fee that working Officials are paid provided the scratched Official does not officiate another game.
(D) An Official may not cancel out of one high school game to work another high school game, but is permitted to cancel a high school game to work a college game.
(E) The pay scale for all junior varsity and junior high games will be the rate set forth by the UIL. (2002)
(F) The Beaumont Chapter Board of Directors will set fees payable for auxiliary services such as Timer, Chain Crew, 25 Second Clock Operator, and other officiating assignments that may occur. (2002)

ARTICLE XI: OFFICIATING PROCEDURES

All members shall conform to the mechanics, rule interpretations, and procedures prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Beaumont Chapter.

ARTICLE XII: MEETINGS

The weekly meetings of this association shall begin on the third Monday of July each year and continue, each Monday, through the last football game of the regular season. The Board of Directors of the Beaumont Chapter shall select the time and place of the meetings.

The order of the meeting shall be set by the President but shall include the following when appropriate:

(A) Roll Call
(B) Reading of minutes of previous meetings (regular and board)
(C) Reports of Committees
(D) Unfinished Business
(E) New Business
(F) Rule Interpretations

The first two regular scheduled meetings and the last two regular scheduled meetings in each calendar year shall be designated as business meetings.

Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, the Board of Directors, or by a majority of members when such a motion is asked for. Special meetings shall be restricted to discussion and informational purposes only.

A roll call will be taken at each meeting. Each member of the Beaumont Chapter must attend a minimum of 50% of the regular meetings or his name will not go on board for the selection of officials by coaches the following year. No excuses will be allowed. In the case of extenuating circumstances, a written appeal may be made to the Board of Directors. (1997)

The President or any Board of Directors member may call a Board of Directors meeting at any time.

ARTICLE XIII: COMMITTEES

(A) Elections Committee - The Election Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. The committee shall consist of at least five members and no more than ten members. There shall be representation from each division and no more than two board members shall be on the committee.

The Election Committee shall be responsible for accepting candidates and printing a ballot containing the names of all candidates that have requested their name be placed on the ballot. The ballot shall be prepared in advance of the election and absentee voting shall be conducted the meeting prior to the elections.
All Board members or elected representatives will be elected by majority vote.

In the event that no one candidate gets a majority on the first ballot, a runoff will be held. In the event of a tie in the runoff election, additional ballots will be held until one candidate receives a majority vote.

(B) The Board may appoint other committees as it deems necessary.

ARTICLE XIV: VOTE AND QUORUM

One third of the body shall constitute a quorum; but, a majority of the members present may adjourn a meeting.

Only members in good standing will be allowed to vote.

A simple majority shall prevail in determining success or failure in voting on a business matter before the membership, provided a quorum exists.

Proxy votes will not be allowed or accepted.

ARTICLE XV: ADMINISTRATIVE

Communications from the Secretary or any other officer must be acknowledged promptly.

ARTICLE XVI: QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE

To qualify for office one must be a member in good standing.

ARTICLE XVII: AUDIT

An annual financial report shall be submitted to the Board of Directors by the Secretary-Treasurer and also to the membership. Additional audits may be made if deemed necessary by the Board.

ARTICLE XVIII: TEMPORARY OFFICE

In the event any officer should die, resign, fail to be able to serve out his or her term, is elevated to a higher division, or leave office during his/her two-year term of office, the Board of Directors will call a special meeting of the membership to elect an official to fill the vacancy for the remainder of that officer's term.

ARTICLE XIX: CHOOSING OF OFFICIALS BY COACHES

The choosing of officials by the coaches will take place at a date selected by the Secretary and approved by the Board of Directors. All coaches will be notified of this meeting. Setting of said date shall timely coincide with the intercollegiate members of this chapter having received notice of assignments.

At least five officials shall be chosen for all High School games.

At least three officials shall be used for all Junior High and Sub-varsity games.

ARTICLE XX: POLICIES

All policies of this association shall have a definite course of action. Policies shall be recorded and attached to the Constitution and By-Laws as an addendum.

1. Pre-game drinking of alcoholic beverages by an official on the day of the game is prohibited.

2. In the event of a death in the family of a chapter member, the chapter will send flowers as follows: Immediate family as follows: if married, wife and children; if divorced, children; if single, mother and father. Funds may be raised by voluntary contributions and/or from the chapter treasure. (1997)

3. It shall be the policy of the Beaumont Chapter to accept transfers from in-state chapters of TASO (2000) and all out-of-state associations meeting qualifications and approval of the state office of TASO (2000).

4. Unless superseded by the Constitution or By-Laws of this Chapter, Robert's Rules of Order shall prevail and be enforced by the President or presiding officer during all business meetings of this chapter.

5. During preseason scrimmages, members of this chapter shall wear black shorts, striped officials shirt, and standard black piped hat to officiate.

6. Selection of Officiating Crews and Open Board Policies:

a) Any member may choose a crew of five officials subject to approval by the Board of Directors. Any member desiring to become a Crew Chief (Referee) for the first time must adhere to the following criteria: (2003):

1. Must make application to the Board by the 2nd Business Meeting of the season prior to the initial Crew Chief year.
2. Must be a Division 3 official with a minimum of 30 varsity games worked.
3. Must attend a Regional Rules Clinic and On-Field Mechanics Clinic during the application year and the year prior to becoming a Crew Chief. Attendance at the State Meeting the year prior to Crew Chief is highly recommended and can substitute for the Regional and On-Field Clinics.
4. During the year prior to becoming a Crew Chief, applicant must Referee six (6) JV ball games with observation from an appointed observer during at least two (2) of those ballgames.
5. Minimum Test Score during Application year and thereafter of 85%.
6. Letter of Recommendation from Observer to the Board.
7. Be a member in good standing.

b) At the conclusion of each football season all crews will be deemed dissolved for crew member movement purposes. Crew Chiefs desiring to put together an officiating crew for the next season must be approved by the Board no later than March 1. The Board will use the following as a starting point in determining approval for existing Crew Chiefs:

1. Minimum test score of 85%
2. Observers Evaluations
3. Coaches Evaluations
4. Education/Training (Attendance at State, Regional, or On-the-Field Clinics)
5. Participation in Officiating Sub-Varsity Games (It is recommended that Crew Chiefs work a minimum of six (6) sub-varsity dates. Observation of crew chief applicants may be classified as working a sub-varsity date.)
6. Complaints
7. Member in good standing

New crew member make-up must be turned in by an approved Crew Chief to the secretary by April 1 to obtain reserved status, and no recruitment of existing crew members can take place after that date.

Each crew submitted to the Board for approval will be assessed on a number of critical areas to ensure all approved crews maintain the Chapter's highest standards. The following areas will be considered: Cumulative years of service for the prospective crew, cumulative varsity experience for the prospective crew, game observation reports, feedback information from coaches, feedback from other experiences Chapter members, etc. (2003)

c) In the event that any crew or crew chief is not approved an appeal may be requested to the President of the Board of Directors. An Appeal Committee will be established by the President consisting of two Board members and one representative from each Division level of the Chapter. This committee will be assigned the responsibility of hearing the Appeal and rendering a decision in a timely manner. (2003)

d)      In the event of insufficient numbers of varsity crews as determined by the board of directors, the board may recruit and appoint crew chiefs from the pool of experienced members without the appointed crew chiefs having been through the crew chief approval process.  (2005)

e) By prior agreement among crew members, coaches may request certain members of that team or crew to change positions during the selection process. Those crews opting for this arrangement must be identified and their alternate positions noted to the coaches prior to the selection of the crews.

f) When the necessity arises, regardless of the reason, to replace any crew member, that replacement will be made from a scratch list provided to the coaches from the chapter secretary, with mutual agreement of the involved coaches, chapter secretary, and Referee.

Following the time officials are selected and prior to the start of the season, if for any reason a crew member declines his schedule, the referee of that crew may choose another replacement from the Open Board subject to approval by all the coaches on that crew's contracted schedule. If not accepted by all coaches the replacement will then be handled on a game by game basis.

No crew or individual official may work for the same school more than three times during a single season. (This does not, however, include play-off games.)

g) Those officials choosing not to join a crew or as a result of not being chosen to be on a crew, shall comprise the Open Board group.

h) When it is the turn of the schools involved to choose officials and they choose from the Open Board, they may choose all five officials and immediately assign field positions to be worked. This is however, if the official has not designated he would only work a specific position.

i) No official may work in a sub-varsity game as an extra official until he has worked any game assigned by the Secretary or his designate. (1997, 1998)

7. The dress of all officials while traveling to and from their ball games shall be in a manner that reflects the professional nature of TASO (2000). Long pants, shirts with collars and shoes and socks, shall be worn by all officials, including clock operator and chain men, while traveling to and from ball games.
They shall also conduct themselves on the field with professionalism and integrity, always lend dignity to the profession of officiating.

8. If any official of this chapter fails to arrive on time for the pre-game conference and has no emergency reason or has not made prior contact with the Referee, he will be replaced by the Referee with a member from the other available crew of chain men and clock operator. The Referee will determine the position to be filled on the field.

9. The Beaumont Chapter shall adhere to all guidelines and restrictions set forth by the state Board of Directors of TASO (2000) in regards to solicitation of football games for and by our Chapter.

10. Selection of officials shall occur at the most convenient date immediately following the Texas High School Coaches clinic. The date, time, and place shall be set by the Secretary and approved by the Board of Directors.

11. Any member who does not have a legitimate excuse for missing an accepted and/or assigned ballgame, varsity or sub-varsity, will be fined $10.00 per game payable to the chapter within two chapter meetings. Any appeal must be made to the Board of Directors within the two chapter meeting appeal period. No additional assignments will be made if the fine is not paid within two chapter meetings. (2000)

12. All members of the Beaumont Chapter must work a minimum of 5 Thursday sub-varsity dates each year or he/she will not be eligible to appear for varsity selection either as a varsity crew member or on the Open Board the following year (2006).  Extreme situations that arise which prevents an official from meeting this mandatory sub-varsity requirement must be approved by the board of directors in advance prior to exhausting all available sub-varsity dates. If an official is unable to work his varsity schedule, either chosen or assigned, that official will be exempt from the mandatory sub-varsity requirement for that year and will still be eligible to work varsity football the following year. (2002)

13. Non-requested officiating crews for play-off assignments will be filled using the point system formulated by the Secretary and approved by the Board of Directors. (1993) reaffirmed (1998).

14. The local dues increase of $5.00 in 1999 will go toward funding a scholarship award to be administered by the Board of Directors.

November, 2004

President, Gary L. Downey                                                                                                     Secretary,  Geoffrey W. Kret