The following ethics cases were reviewed by the chapter ethics committee in 2009:
- One member did not take the fitness test, did not submit a Refresher Test answer sheet and did not attend a Rules Interpretation Meeting. This member only attended one business meeting. Lost assignments and was fined $200.
- One member did not have all required referee shirts. Received a reprimand.
- One member failed to attend any chapter meetings this year after not fulfilling meeting requirements in 2008. Fined $50.
- Two probationary members did not attend the requisite number of chapter meetings. Each was fined $50 and their probation was extended another year.
- Eleven members did not attend the requisite number of chapter meetings. All appeals were approved pending future compliance with meeting attendance requirements.
- One member officiated a match without passing the fitness test. Received a verbal reprimand and did not officiate any intercollegiate soccer matches for the balance of the 2009 season.
Ethics cases are reported and processed in accordance with our policies and our chapter constitution.
During the October 27, 2009 chapter business meeting, Steve Lewin proposed an amendment to the constitution which would allow inactive members to have the right to hold chapter office. Steve described current circumstances which were making it difficult to recruit new members to the executive board. Members who no longer officiate actively still serve the chapter and membership as assessors but the current constitutional framework prevents these individuals from serving on the executive board.
In addition, we discussed making minor administrative changes which would allow the chapter president the discretion of appointing board members in cases where elected board members vacate during their term. Present wording requires the chapter president to fill vacancies via appointment. The executive board strongly recommends membership endorse the modifications as indicated here (color coded changes).
This notice satisfies the requirement for written notification to the membership. The modification will be voted up at the next scheduled business meeting on November 16, 2009.
The Chapter Executive Board is soliciting input from the membership for the 2009 chapter awards. The chapter recognizes members for excellence on and off the field. The chapter also recognizes local colleges and universities for outstanding sportsmanship during the season. Please download the awards input form (PDF format) and follow the directions printed on it.
Please take a minute and RSVP for the Annual Awards Dinner as well.
Steve Meyers has accepted an appointment as a Director on the chapter executive board. Steve is currently the president of the Westchester Soccer Refeees Organization and will help us to expand our recruiting efforts.
We are grateful to Steve for accepting this appointment and unselfishly giving his time to serve the chapter membership.
The terms for all elected chapter executive board positions expire on December 31, 2008. If you are interested in running for any of the positions, please contact Bob Soskis, Chairman of the Election Slate Committee as soon as possible. Nominations will be accepted at the October 6, 2008 chapter business meeting. Nominees for elected positions must be present at the October 6, 2008 meeting to accept the nomination. Nominees who are absent will only be considered if they notified the Executive Board, in writing before the meeting that they will accept the nomination. Elections will be held at the October 22, 2008 chapter business meeting.
The Executive Board is pleased to announce Klaus Mueller has agreed to manage our chapter's assessment program. All new members must be assessed within the first two years of their membership so please provide Klaus with your assignments so he can arrange an assessment for you. These initial assessments are provided free of charge to our new members. All other members including those who may be interested in the National Referee program should also contact Klaus for assessments and the current assessment fee structure.
Congratulations to Joe Miller, past president of the New England Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NEISOA) and member of the Greater New Haven chapter of NEISOA, for his nomination as President-Elect of NISOA. Joe is currently the Vice President of NISOA and officiates in the New York Metro area occasionally. We wish Joe all the best in his new position leading the National organization.
