CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS of
DELMARVA BASKETBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARTICLE I: Name
Section 1- The name of this Association will be the Delmarva Basketball Officials Association, Inc. (DBOA)
ARTICLE II: Purpose
Section 1- The objectives of the DBOA are:
A. To officiate basketball games on the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity levels on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the two counties of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
B. To provide trained and capable officials who will maintain the highest standards of officiating.
C. To encourage good sportsmanship and fair play.
D. To establish and maintain a positive working relationship with the coaches and administrators of the educational institutions for whom we officiate.
E. This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1- Who may join: Any applicant may be accepted as a member provided the applicant meets all of the requirements set by the MPSSAA and the general membership.
Section 2- Requirements for membership "in good standing."
A. Dues and assigner's fees are paid up to date. The amount of the annual membership dues shall be determined by the executive board.
B. The member is in compliance with the rules and regulations set forth in the Constitution & Bylaws of the Delmarva Basketball Officials Association.
Section 3- Transfer members:
A. Must present a letter from their previous association stating the following information:
1. Length of service.
2. Level of games officiated (middle school, JV, varsity)
3. Character reference
4. Classification/Rating (if the previous association had a rating system).
B. Letter from the previous association should be on that association's paper with its heading.
C. Transfer members will be approved by the executive board upon receipt of the above letter, which should go to the board secretary.
Section 4- Inactive members:
A. A member who decides to become inactive shall not be charged association dues if the member does not officiate any games in the particular season.
B. To return as an active member in good standing, an inactive member must have paid their dues for the season in which the member wishes to resume actively officiating games by May 31 of that upcoming season.
ARTICLE IV: Officers and Their Duties
Section 1 - Election of officers & terms of office:
A. All officers must be members in good standing.
B. Officers will be elected for a two-year term by a plurality vote.
C. Elections will be held every two years at the last regular general membership meeting of the year
D. Newly elected officers will take office on May 1st.
Section 2 - Presidential appointment of officers:
A. Any elected position which becomes vacant before the completion of the term shall be billed by presidential appointment. This appointment must be approved by the executive committee prior to the appointee assuming the position.
B. If an office is filled by presidential appointment in the first year of the term, a special election will be held at the last regular general membership meeting of that year. The winner of this special election will take office on May 1st and serve the remaining year of the vacated term.
C. If an office is filled by presidential appointment in the second year of the term, the appointee will serve in that office until the time of the next regular election.
Section 3- Executive Board:
A. The executive board shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, assigner, rules interpreter, three at-large board members, and the immediate past president.
Section 4- Executive Board duties:
A. The executive board shall be the governing body of the DBOA. They shall conduct all business for the good of the association.
B. The executive board shall be the sole representative with the authority to contact any of the institutions being served by the association.
C. The executive board shall have the responsibility to maintain the highest professional relationship with the schools being served by the association.
D. The executive board shall be responsible for assisting any association member who seeks an audience with the executive board.
Section 5- Stipends:
A. Executive board members may receive a yearly stipend, to be determined by a majority vote of the membership present at the same time the vote is taken.
B. The executive board will recommend to the general membership which board member(s) will receive the stipend, and the amount
C. The assigner will not be eligible to receive a yearly stipend.
Section 6- President:
A. Shall call meetings to order and shall preside over all meetings.
B. May call special meetings as needed.
C. Shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for to execute the work of the association.
D. Shall be responsible for enforcing the rules of the association.
E. Shall carry out assignments and instructions given to him/her by the executive board.
F. Shall perform other such duties as customarily pertains to the office of the president.
Section 7- Vice President:
A. Shall be an aide to the president and, in case of the president's absence, shall assume and perform the duties of the president.
Section 8- Secretary:
A. Shall issue notices of meetings and meeting agendas after consulting with the president.
B. Shall conduct the correspondence of the association.
C. Shall keep the minutes of all meetings.
D. Shall maintain a record of meeting attendance.
Section 9- Treasurer:
A. Shall collect all fees and dues and disperse appropriate funds.
B. Shall invoice schools for all game fees as verified by the assigner.
C. Shall render an oral financial statement at each meeting.
D. Shall render to the executive board a written, detailed financial statement on or before May 1 of each year, or when otherwise required.
Section 10 - Assigner:
A. Shall be the sole assigner of games to officials.
B. Shall verify game fees and report to the treasurer.
C. Shall acquire all schedules and shall correspond with school officials concerning schedules when necessary.
D. Shall handle any problems that arise between schools, coaches, and officials. This shall be done in conjunction with the executive committee if necessary.
E. The assigner's fee shall be recommended by the executive board and approved by the general membership.
F. The assigner shall not work games, the exception being to cover a game in an emergency situation.
G. Playoff and State Tournament game assignments will be made by the assigner in conjunction with input from the rating committee.
Section 11- Rules Interpreter:
A. Shall discuss existing and new rules with officials, and make presentations on rules and procedures at general meetings.
B. Shall be in charge of training new officials.
C. Shall assist existing officials with any problems regarding rules and mechanics.
D. Shall contact the state rules interpreter with any questionable rules interpretations.
E. The rules interpreter's interpretation of any questionable rule will be final, and all officials will follow the interpretations and recommendations.
Section 12- At-large Executive Board Members:
A. Shall perform any duties requested by the executive board.
Section 13: Rating Committee:
A. Shall consist of the Assigner and a Chairperson appointed by the president. The Chairperson will then select qualified committee members as needed.
B. Shall observe officials during the season and provide a written evaluation for each observation. The written evaluation will provide suggestions for improvement, will serve as a training tool, and will provide information for the rating process.
C. Shall tabulate annual officials' ratings and report their findings to the executive board.
D. Shall send final rating information to officials.
E. Shall make recommendations to the executive board and general membership for improvements and modifications to the rating system.
F. Shall give input to the assigner in making Playoff and State Tournament assignments.
ARTICLE V: Meetings & Attendance
Section 1: Regular meetings will be held on dates scheduled by the executive board.
Section 2: Any 1/4 of the membership may, by signed petition, instruct the president to call a meeting, provided the reason for their request is included in the petition.
Section 3: Attendance:
A. A member must attend 2/3 of the regularly scheduled meetings of the association to be considered in good standing.
B. If a member needs to be excused from a meeting (i.e., due to illness, business, etc.), an excuse must be presented to the secretary. This excuse may be made by phone, email, or written notation. The secretary, with input from the executive board, if needed, will either excuse or not excuse the member from said meeting.
C. A member who is working an association-assigned game on the day of a scheduled meeting will receive credit for attending the meeting.
Section 4: The yearly MPSSAA rules clinic must be attended by all members in order to be eligible to officiate MPSSAA-sanctioned games.
Section 5: The yearly MPSSAA online rules test must be taken by all members. Members must meet the MPSSAA requirement for passing the test to be eligible to officiate MPSSAA-sanctioned games and postseason assignments.
ARTICLE VI: Parliamentary Rule
Section 1: Robert's Rules of Order will serve as a parliamentary guide for this association.
Section 2: Any change in the constitution and by-laws must be presented to the executive board via the secretary in writing or by email and signed by two or more members. The proposed change must be read at the next (1st) general membership meeting and voted on at the following (2nd) general membership meeting.
Section 3: Adoption of any proposed change to this constitution and by-laws shall require a two-thirds vote of the members voting, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Section 4: Thirty-five percent (35%) of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any general membership meeting.
Section 5: Fifty percent (50%) of the members of the executive board shall be in attendance to constitute a quorum at any executive board meeting.
ARTICLE VII: Uniform
Section 1: Proper uniform for the association will include:
A. Black & white striped shirt.
B. Black pants (black belt optional but not recommended)
C. Black socks.
D. Primarily black shoes with black laces.
E. Black whistle & black lanyard. Pink or other color whistles may be used to promote awareness for special causes, but all officials on a crew must use the same color whistle.
F. During the regular season and holiday tournament play, other style shirts designed for basketball officiating (i.e., gray) may be worn, provided all officials on a crew wear the same style shirt. For MPSSAA regional and state tournament games, the black & white striped shirt must be worn.
G. Jackets, if worn, must be primarily black. Jackets must be worn pregame for MPSSAA
regional and state tournament games.
ARTICLE VIII: Charitable Purpose
Section 1: Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
Section 2: Upon dissolution of this corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes with the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section on any future federal tax code) or shall be distributed to the state or local government for public purposes.
BY-LAWS
1. Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all assignments. Officials are to strive to be at the game site a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game, and should strive to be on the court a minimum of 10 minutes before game time.
2. A member must be in good standing to receive game assignments.
3. After accepting a game, not showing up for an assigned game or refusing to work an assigned game may result in the forfeiture of all or part of the offending official's schedule for the remainder of the season after review by the executive board.
4. An official must have officiated for five (5) years in order to be considered for a state tournament assignment. Exceptions can be recommended by the rating committee.
5. New members must attend the cadet interpreter's classes. These classes are recommended for second and third-year officials.
6. An official may be recommended by the rating committee or the executive board to attend the cadet interpreter's classes. If an official is recommended to attend these classes and does not attend, his/her schedule will be reduced or rescinded.
7. Only officials and evaluators are permitted in the officials' dressing room before and after games. No one but the game officials should be in the dressing room at halftime.