Western Massachusetts Soccer Officials Association



       Western Massachusetts Soccer Officials Association

                                  CONSTITUTION

 

ARTICLE I  NAME:         The name of this association shall be the “Western Massachusetts Soccer Officials Association”, hear-in-after referred to as the WMSOA.

 

ARTICLE II PURPOSE:   The purposes of this association are:

 

1.   To promote, develop and improve officiating in the game of soccer.

 

2.   To collaborate with other coaches, administrators and other officials’ groups in everything proper pertaining to the advancement of soccer.

 

3.  To promote the uniform interpretation and administration of the soccer rules by all officials.

 

4.  To have available at all times an adequate number of thoroughly trained and capable officials for use by local schools.

 

ARTICLE III  MEMBERSHIP:

 

1.   All recognized soccer officials could become members with this organization upon application to the Secretary/Treasurer of the WMSOA.

 

2.   Membership in the WMSOA shall be of three types:

A.    Active Membership - Those members who have successfully completed their written and field tests and are members in good standing.

B.   Associate Membership - Shall be open to all persons interested in the welfare of the WMSOA and soccer. Applicants must be approved by a majority vote. Associate Members shall have the right to vote, hold office and the obligation to pay dues, but cannot officiate more than one game in a season.

C.   Honorary Membership - Will be accorded to persons who have distinguished themselves in the interests of soccer. An Honorary Member shall have all rights with exception of voting, holding office, officiating or obligation to pay dues.

 

3.   Dues for active members shall be set annually by the Executive Committee, payable on or before the date of the Annual Banquet for the ensuing year.   Dues not paid on or before that date shall be increased by $5.00 if paid by July 1st of the next year.   After July 1st there will be an additional assessment of $10.00, making the total assessment $15.00 above the set dues fee.

 

ARTICLE 1V     OFFICERS:

 

             1.   The offices shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Interpreter, Assigner and the Secretary/Treasurer and shall be elected by the Members at large at the annual August meeting. The Executive shall be made up of the officers listed above and shall determine the policies and activities of the Board, appoint Standing Committees, approve the management of the Board’s funds and shall have the emergency power to act for the Board.

 

2.   Only active or associate members in good standing are eligible to hold office.

 

3.    Any vacancy occurring during the year shall be filled at the first meeting by Appointment of the President.

 

ARTICLE V     MEETINGS:

 

1.     There will be four meetings during each year. An Interpretation meeting shall occur during August. A  second meeting shall be held during late September/early October, during which a buffet shall be served.  A third meeting shall be conducted at the end of October or the beginning of September to prepare members for tournament play. Finally, an Annual Banquet and meeting will occur.  The first two meetings are required and carry a $10.00 fine for non-attendance. Also, a member cannot attend the third meeting if fines are not paid before the third meeting date.

 

2.    Other meetings will be held upon call of the President.

 

3.    A quorum shall consist of one-half (1/2) of the active membership.

                 Each Standing Committee shall consist of members appointed by the  Executive Committee unless a specific situation dictates the need to deviate.

 

ARTICLE VI   FINES AND SUSPENSIONS:

 

1.    Any member who fails to pay dues as stipulated in Article III, Section 3 shall be considered not in good standing and subject to suspension as determined by the Executive Committee. Any concerned member shall appear before the Executive Committee to explain the situation.                                                                

 

ARTICLE VII  COMMITTEES:

 

1.    The following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee:   Banquet and Awards.

 

2.    The duties of the Standing Committees shall be as follows:

 

A.  Banquet Committee - To make arrangements for the Annual Banquet.

 

B.   Awards Committee - To make arrangement for the presentation of awards at the Annual Banquet.

 

ARTICLE VIII  ORDER OF BUSINESS: 

 

1.      Roll call

2.      Reading of Minutes

3.      Report of Treasurer

4.      Communications

5.      Report of Committees

6.      Unfinished Business

7.      New Business

8.      Interpretations

9.      Adjournment

 

ARTICLE IX   ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER:

 

Robert’s Rules of Order shall be recognized as the authority for all matters of a parliamentary nature.

 

ARTICLE X   AMENDMENTS:

 

         Amendments to this Constitution shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership.

 

A.   Motions to amend must be approved at one meeting and voted upon either by mail-in vote during the ensuing year or at the next meeting.

                    

B.   All members must be notified in writing of the proposed Amendments.

 

C.   To act upon a proposed amendment requires a vote of two-thirds Of the active membership.

 

D.   Voting may be by mail-in ballot (2/3 vote of the active membership, if deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. 


E.     Votes may be tabulated only after a period of fourteen (14) days from the date of the mailing. Ballots received after the 14th day shall be deemed invalid.