CONSTITUTION OF THE MID-KENTUCKY OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this association shall be the Mid-Kentucky Officials Association, Inc. MKOA is the acceptable abbreviation.

ARTICLE II

OBJECT

The object of this association shall be the development and regulation of all members of this association for the betterment of officiating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

This association shall include any Football Official who is registered with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, the Fifth Region Policy Board, and who shall comply with the provisions as set forth in these Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV

ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION

Section 1. Officers.

The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant of Arms elected by a majority vote of the membership present at the stated yearly Election meeting.

Section 2. Board of Directors.

a. REPRESENTATION

The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected six members at large.

b. TERM IN OFFICE

i. Officers. All elected officers will serve a term in office for one year unless filling an unexpired term created by death or resignation of a member, in which case the balance of the remaining term is the term in office.

ii. Board of Directors. There will be a total of six members at large elected. All elected members will serve a two-year term unless filling an unexpired term created by death or resignation of a member, in which case the balance of the remaining term is the term in office. The election of members will be staggered so that three members will be elected each year for two year terms.

iii. Eligibility. Members in good standing are eligible to serve as officers and on the Board of Directors.

iv. The newly elected officers and Board of Directors will assume their duties on the 1^st day of the new calendar year or the first day following the annual banquet, whichever occurs last.

c. Balloting.

i. NOMINATIONS – a. Nominations for officers and Board of Directors will be submitted and/or taken from the floor during the last general membership meeting prior to the Election Meeting or nominations received from the floor prior to the election.

b. Nominations received on the night of the election will only be accepted if the individual(s) is present to accept the nomination or if not present, a written and signed statement from the nominee accepting the nomination is on-hand at the election meeting.

ii. BALLOTS – The Election Committee Members shall distribute ballots to all members in good standing for the election of officers and the Board of Directors during the designated Election Meeting.

iii. TABULATION – Results of the election will be tabulated by the Election Committee members. Exception – if one or more of the members is being nominated for office, they will be replaced by other member(s) in good standing with the results announced at the Election Meeting.

Section 3. Duties of the Officers.

(A) President: The President shall preside at all General membership meetings. He/she shall call special meetings of the officers and the Board of Directors when necessary. He/she shall appoint all committee members. He/she shall appoint a Training officer. He/she shall represent the Association at all required functions. He/she shall represent the Association to the KHSAA, the 5^th Region Policy Board and the 5^th Region Assigning Secretary. He/she shall establish meeting dates for the upcoming season.

(B) Vice-President: The Vice-President shall perform the duties ordinarily pertaining to the office. The Vice-President will attend all functions in place of the President if he/she cannot attend.

(C) Secretary: The Secretary shall notify all members of general meetings. He/she shall keep minutes of meetings and provide a copy of the previous meeting minutes to each member at the next general meeting. He/she shall handle all correspondence pertaining to the business of the Association. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing secretary to provide all books and records to the newly elected secretary within fifteen (15) days of the date of any change of office.

(D) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for preparing a financial statement at each Association general meeting and handling all finances of the Association. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing Treasurer to provide all records and monies to the newly elected Treasurer within fifteen (15) days of any change of office.

(E) Sergeant of Arms: The Sergeant of Arms will be responsible for overseeing the meetings and that the meetings are conducted in accordance with the “Roberts Rule of Order”.

(F) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall:
    1.      Have general supervision of the affairs of the Association deciding all questions and performing all duties not provided for in the Constitution.
    2.      They shall have the power to act for the Association in any matter not contrary to KHSAA Constitution and Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, or the Constitution of the Mid Kentucky Officials Association, Inc.
    3.      Hold a minimum of three regular meetings prior to general membership meetings.
    4.      Be empowered to transact its business when a majority of its members is present at a meeting. This shall constitute a quorum.
    5.      Review all proposed changes to the MKOA Constitution and Bylaws. Have authority to reject any proposed change determined not to be in the best interest of the Association.
    6.      Have authority, upon petition and for cause shown, to reinstate any official who has been barred or suspended from officiating.
    7.       Have the authority to assess fines and impose penalties in compliance with an established penalty code with minimum and maximum penalties for each rules violation.

(H) Vacancy: In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office. Should the Vice-President succeed the President, he/she shall appoint a new Vice-President. Should a vacancy on the Board of Directors occur, the President shall appoint an active member, in good standing, to serve the remaining term of office.

ARTICLE V

ORGANIZATION & LEGISLATION

Section 1. Active Member.
    a. An “Active” member must meet or exceed the following qualifications:
       1. Register with KHSAA for the sport of football and pass the Part I test.
        2. Pay all MKOA Association dues for the current year.
        3. Pay all 5^th Region fees as set by the 5^th Region Policy Board.
        4. Provide the MKOA Secretary and the 5^th Region Assigning Secretary with a current mailing address and phone number(s).
    b. An “Active” member may:
        1. Vote in any general election.
        2. Hold office within the association.

Section 2. Hall of Fame
    Criteria for Nomination.
            i.    The Board can nominate any individual who has been affiliated with the association and has been retired fro at least 3 years. The 3 year waiting period my be waived for a deceased individual.
            ii.   Nominees will be voted on at the April General Membership meeting by a majority vote of the members present.

ARTICLE VI

ASSOCIATION DUES

Section 1. MKOA Annual Dues
Each member shall pay a MKOA membership fee as set by the Board of Directors before August 1. A late fee of $10.00 will be assessed any member who pays dues on or after 1 August.

Section 2. 5th Region Policy Board Annual Dues
Each member shall pay to the 5^th Region Policy Board or its designated representative, before August 1, an annual fee as stipulated by the Fifth Region Policy Board.

Section 3. Assignments
No official will accept nor be assigned a game, at any level, until all dues are paid in full to the KHSAA, 5^th Region Policy Board and MKOA. The MKOA Treasurer shall prepare a listing all officials and their current status. This list will be distributed to the 5^th Region Assigning Secretary and members by the last Friday prior to the first regular season game. Only officials meeting the established policies are eligible to work any games assigned by the 5^th Region Assigning Secretary or the Association.

ARTICLE VII

COMMITTEES

The President shall have the power to appoint and remove all committee chairs. Each committee shall include at least two members, excluding the chairperson. The chairperson or designated committee member will report at each general meeting. At the October meeting, the chairperson will provide a final report to the assembly.

ARTICLE VIII

REPORTS

The President shall generate the following reports to the members:
    a. January Report. This report will include the listing of the elected officials, committees, treasurer report, officials from the previous year, officials ranking as tabulated by the 5^th Region Assigning Secretary and a listing of all playoff assignments from the previous year.
    b. June Report. This report will contain committee reports, treasurer report, and a listing of current officials with all pertinent information.
    c. August Report. This report will contain committee reports, treasurer report, and number of meetings/training that officials have attended.

ARTICLE IX

SUSPENSION, DISCIPLINE AND DUE PROCESS

A. The Board of Directors may discipline any member of this Association.
        1. For any act that the Board of Directors may investigate.
        2. For any written complaint made to the Board of Directors by any member for:
            a. Conduct that tends to hold the Association or its members in disrepute; or is detrimental to the Association or its members.
            b. Failure to comply with the Constitution and Bylaws.
            c. Failure to comply with any duty or passed resolution of the Board of Directors.
            d. For any other act properly brought before the Board of Directors.

B. The Board of Directors may cancel, deny or suspend membership in the Association for just cause. Suspension of an official may be applicable only to the sport of football.
            i. Even though a suspended official may not be permitted, by KHSAA regulation or MKOA suspension, to officiate any football game(s) at any level until the suspension is concluded, he/she may continue to attend meetings/clinics and take the examination for higher ratings for which credit can be given immediately upon completion of the suspension.
            ii. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to deny, suspend or cancel the membership of an official whose conduct would serve as a detriment to the Association.
                Such offenses shall include but not limited to:
                (1) Lack of clinic attendance or failure to take Part II exam.
                (2) Use of abusive language during the performance of their duties as an official (fine possible).
                (3) Providing unwarranted, derogatory news media release or interviews (fine possible).
                (4) Using mood altering substances on the day of game (from 2:00 a.m. until the assigned contest). Immediate suspension and fine possible.
                (5) Becoming a member of more than one local association unless approved by the KHSAA (fine possible).
                (6) Failing to properly notify school authorities or Assigning Secretary when unable to work a contest or failure to properly appear for a contest (fine possible).
                (7) Officiating a contest knowingly in violation of KHSAA rules (fine possible).
                (8) Deviating from enforcement of National Federation Rules other than those allowed by KHSAA adopted policies and/or experimental rules (fine possible).
                (9) Failure to wear the proper officiating uniform (fine possible).
                (10) Being formally charged with any felony criminal act or a misdemeanor act involving the use or distribution of mind or body altering drugs, thefts or acts involving moral turpitude. Emergency temporary suspensions before hearings are permissible if serious charges warrant such suspension.
                (11) An official shall not request to officiate a game from any coach, league or official thereof in the sport of Football if those schools are in an area that employs an assigning secretary (fine possible).
                (12) Sexual or other unlawful harassment (fine possible).
                (13) Any acts or omissions detrimental to the best interests of the KHSAA, MKOA and interscholastic athletics.
                (14) Failure to timely (within 24 hours) and properly report the ejection of a player or coach (fine possible).

C. Procedures for disciplining members of the Association.
    The Board of Directors shall notify the member in writing:
    1. Of all allegations made against the member and shall furnish a copy of the complaint or report.
    2. Shall schedule a hearing before the Board of Directors stating date, time, and place. Hearing shall be within ten (10) days of the date of notice.

D. The Board of Directors shall hear or review:
    1. All parties involved, who wish to be heard.
    2. All witnesses of either party.
    3. Review all exhibits as presented.

E. The decision of the Board of Directors, of any hearing held pursuant to Article IX, Section C, shall be in writing. The Board shall furnish a copy of the decision to the member within five (5) working days of the hearing date.

F. Any member required to take action of the Board of Directors pursuant to Article IX, Paragraph (C) herein shall:
    1. Have the right to appeal any sanctions to the general membership.
            a. The appeal shall be in writing to the Association Secretary.
            b. The appeal shall be made within five (5) working days of receipt of the Board’s decision.
            c. The appeal shall be the first order of business at the next general meeting or at a special called meeting as called by the President of the Association.

G. Any member suspended for failure to follow the Bylaws shall have a right to appeal to the Board of Directors. The appeal shall be in writing. The procedure as set forth in Paragraphs C, D, E and F shall apply.

H. The Secretary shall mail all notices or other material to the current address furnished by the member or in the KHSAA handbook.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Any member may submit a proposed amendment or changes to the Bylaws, in writing to the Secretary, no later than 7 days prior to a General Membership meeting. The Secretary will retain all proposed amendments and refer them to the Board of Directors for review. If the Board finds that proposed change(s) is worthwhile, it will be submitted to the general membership for vote at the next General Membership meeting. Adoption of any proposed change requires a “Yes” vote by two-thirds of the members present. The Association shall submit a copy of the amended Bylaws to the Fifth Region Policy Board for approval. The effective date of any change to these Bylaws is the day following Policy Board approval. The approved changes will then be sent to each ‘active’ official two weeks after receipt from the Policy Board and a copy sent to KHSAA.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION

Any member may submit a proposed amendment or changes to the Constitution, in writing to the Secretary, no later than 30 days prior to the General Membership meeting. The Secretary will retain all proposed amendments and refer them to the Board of Directors for review. If the Board finds that the proposed change(s) is worthwhile, it will be submitted to the general membership for vote at the Election meeting. Adoption of any proposed change requires a “Yes” vote by two-thirds of the members present. The Association shall submit a copy of the amended Constitution to the Fifth Region Policy Board for approval. The effective date of any change to this Constitution is the day following Policy Board approval. The approved changes will then be sent to each ‘active’ official two weeks after receipt from the Policy Board and a copy sent to KHSAA.

ARTICLE XII

QUORUM

A. Those members, present and eligible to vote, establish a quorum at any General meeting.

B. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors establishes a quorum at any Board of Directors meeting.

Approved 23 September 2005