CONSTITUTION

SEPTEMBER 2008

Article I- Name

            The name of the association shall be the New York Metropolitan Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, of NISOA, which shall include all intercollegiate soccer officials in New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx and Richmond counties of New York City, and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. The executive board may also consider applications for membership by NISOA members residing outside the area defined above, on an individual basis.

Article II- Purpose

1. To promote, develop and improve officiating in the game of collegiate soccer.
2. To collaborate with other soccer associations, coaches', officials' groups and other organizations for the advancement of college soccer.
3. To promote uniform interpretation and administration of the Rules by all officials.
4. To provide thoroughly trained and capable soccer officials for use by athletic conferences in our region.

Article III- Membership

           All qualified soccer officials in the geographical area defined in Article I are eligible for membership in the association. Membership shall be open to persons who have met the minimum requirements according to NISOA policy and of the Examination and Membership Committee of the chapter.

Membership shall be of the following types.

1.    Active - those members who have successfully completed their probationary* period, are in good standing, are available to officiate and are members of one chapter only.

*Probationary- those members who have attended the new candidates' school, passed the NISOA Qualifying Examination with a grade of at least 75%, passed the NISOA physical fitness test and have been recommended for membership by the Membership and Examination Committee, or any member deemed by the executive committee as not being in good standing . Successful candidates shall be notified within two weeks of the conclusion of all examinations and recommended for probationary status commencing at the annual meeting prior to the ensuing season. Probationary members agree to be bound by the rulings of the association and understand that violation of NISOA or NYMISOA policies may result in sanction, suspension or expulsion. The probationary period shall be two years if rated "satisfactory" during that time.

2.    Associate - Associate membership shall be open to any and all persons interested in the sport of soccer and in the association. Associate members shall not have the right to vote, hold office or officiate. Annual national dues shall be one-half of that paid by active members. Chapter dues will be determined by the executive committee.

3.    Honorary - Members who have distinguished themselves in their service to the game of soccer and NYMISOA. Honorary membership may be bestowed by a majority vote of the executive committee of the chapter. Honorary members shall not have the right to vote, hold office, and shall not pay dues.

Exception - NISOA life members may vote.

4.    Life Membership - Only the NISOA Executive Committee may award life membership. Life membership may be awarded to those persons who are or have been active members of the association and who have distinguished themselves in the interests of soccer. Those members of the chapter who are designated as "Life" members by NISOA shall be considered "Honorary" members of the chapter.

5.    Affiliate Membership - Persons interested in serving the association as an assessor. Dues shall be set by the executive committee.

6.    Inactive Membership - Inactive status may be granted to any active member for a period not to exceed one (1) year. Active members shall petition the chapter Executive Committee in writing to request inactive status. Inactive members shall be responsible for all NISOA and chapter dues. Inactive members shall not have the right to officiate intercollegiate soccer games, shall not have the right to vote or hold local or national office during that period.

Article IV- Officers

1.     The officers of the association shall consist of the president, executive vice president, first vice president, second vice president and secretary/treasurer. The officers shall be elected by the membership through an anonymous mail ballot. Elections shall take place at a scheduled business meeting. Nominations shall be brought to the floor at the business meeting immediately prior to the elections.

2.     The executive committee shall:

• Consist of the elected officers and directors appointed by the president.
• Determine the policies and activities of the association, appoint standing committees, approve the management of the association and have emergency powers to act when necessary.
• Approve all expenditures.

3.     The president shall serve as the chairperson of the executive committee.

4.     Officers' duties shall be those usually appertained to the respective office.

5.     Only dues paying members "in good standing" shall be eligible to hold office.

6.     Any vacancy in an elected officer's position occurring before the end of his/her designated term of office shall may be filled by an interim appointment by the president. That vacancy shall be filled via the regular electoral procedure at the end of the expired term of the person whose position has been vacated. A vacancy in the post of an appointed member of the board of directors shall may be filled by appointment by the president.

7.     Elected officers of the executive committee shall have a two-year term of office with the exception of the secretary-treasurer who shall hold office for four years. The election of officers shall take place in even-numbered years. The newly elected officers shall take office effective January 1 of the ensuing year.

8.     The association's accounts shall be audited annually and a report issued to the membership at the annual interpretation meeting.

9.     The executive committee will designate delegates to represent the chapter at the annual NISOA convention.

10.  The executive committee shall have the power to remove any officer or elected director by a majority vote of the committee.

Article V- Uniform

            The official dress shall correspond to the official rules and regulations of the current NCAA Guide and Rule Book and NISOA Uniform Policy as described in the most current NISOA policy statements. Every member is required to own the appropriate uniform(s). The approved NISOA insignia is to be worn on the left breast pocket. It is not permissible to wear the insignia of any other organization on the uniform.

Article VI- Meetings

Attendance at the annual clinic meeting of the association is mandatory. The NYMISOA interpretation meeting shall be held on the Saturday preceding Labor Day, or another date as determined by the executive committee. Attendance at another NISOA approved meeting is acceptable, provided that written documentation of attendance is submitted to the executive committee. Failure to attend the annual clinic will result in the member's not being "in good standing." No official may accept assignments after our annual interpretation meeting unless the above requirement is fulfilled. Officials not attending a NISOA clinic or failing to take the fitness test will not be permitted to officiate that current season. All other association requirements must be met (dues and meetings) for the member to retain "good standing." Officials must attend a minimum of two regularly scheduled business meetings in addition to the annual clinic. The annual awards dinner shall be considered a regularly scheduled business meeting. Failure to attend the required number of meetings will result in the member's not being "in good standing." During this time the official may not referee any ECAC, conference or NYMISOA assigned games but must fulfill all other association requirements.

A special meeting may be called by the president or upon receipt of a written request of at least five members of the association. The membership must be advised at least fourteen days in advance of any special meeting. A quorum shall consist of the members present at any meeting, provided that notice of the meeting has been given in accordance with Article VI, 3 and Article III, 1.

To act on a proposed motion, the presence of a quorum is required. A quorum shall be defined as those members in good standing in attendance at a regularly scheduled business meeting.

Article VII- Ethics and Grievance

The NYMISOA executive committee shall have the power to censure, suspend, expel, or take appropriate action against any member who is deemed guilty of misconduct. Any member so dealt with shall have the right to appeal to the Ethics and Grievance Committee in writing within seven (7) days. The executive committee will make the final determination in each individual case and decide what sanctions, if any, are to be imposed. The following actions are considered to place a member "not in good standing."

• Failure to pay dues and or fines.
• Failure to submit the annual refresher examination on time.
• Failure to complete the annual physical fitness test.
• Failure to attend a NISOA-sponsored rules interpretation meeting prior to the season.
• Failure to attend the required number of business meetings.
• Failure to report, or reporting late to an assigned game.
• Failure to appear at games in the appropriate uniform.
• Conduct on or off the field that denigrates the association or its members.

A member who has been expelled or suspended may appeal to be reinstated by submitting a written explanation to the executive committee. The executive committee has sole discretion to decide whether or not to consider such a request. Conditions for reinstatement may include:

• Probation
• Payment of outstanding fees and/or fines.

In the case of members who have become inactive due to physical or medical reasons, a physician's certification shall be required to take the physical fitness test and passing the fitness test shall be a requirement for reinstatement. Such members may be required to maintain "good standing" for a probationary period to be determined by the executive committee in order to be fully reinstated.

Article VIII- Committees

            The executive committee shall appoint the following standing committees that have the responsibilities as listed. It is recommended that each standing committee shall have at least three (3) members.

1. Examination and Membership

• Evaluate applications of new candidates
• Review, collect and collate applicants' documentation
• Make recommendations regarding applicants
• Conduct the new applicants' school
• Recommend candidates for probationary membership
• Administer the NISOA refresher examination

2. Rules Interpretation

• Arrange and organize annual rules interpretation clinic
• Determine professional development topics for inclusion during regular business meetings
• Discuss and recommend rules changes to the NCAA Rules Committee

3. Public Relations

• Publicize chapter and member accomplishments in chapter newsletters, minutes, NISOA publications
• Promote the image of NYMISOA
• Coordinate nominations for post-season awards

4. Ethics and Grievance

• Consider the grievance of any member and recommend appropriate action to the executive committee
• Serve as liaison to NISOA, the ECAC, other conferences and local colleges with respect to members' grievances and ethical matters
• Investigate all complaints by association members.

5. Negotiations-Recommend and negotiate fess on all levels for members of NYMISOA.
6. Any other committee deemed necessary.

Article IX- Order of Business

• Attendance
• Reading and Acceptance of Minutes
• Election of Officers (if in order)
• Treasurer's report
• Committee reports
• Old Business
• New Business
• Referee Development and Rules Interpretation
• Good and Welfare
• Adjournment

Article X- Roberts' Rules of Order

            Roberts' Rules of Order shall be recognized as the authority for all matters of parliamentary procedure.

Article XI- Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution shall require a majority vote of the active membership.

1. Motions to amend the Constitution must be approved at one meeting and voted upon at the next.
2. All members must be notified in writing of the proposed amendment(s). In order to insure that all members of the chapter have an opportunity to vote, members who are not present at the meeting where the vote occurs may submit a ballot by either electronic or postal mail. That ballot must be submitted within seven (7) days of notification by the chapter secretary.

September 2008

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