The Constitution of the Calumet Officials Athletic Association

Preamble

For purposes deemed wise and good, hereinafter set forth, an organization is hereby established submitting itself to be governed by, and dedicating itself to uphold the following constitution.

    Article One – Name

The organization will here and after be called the Calumet Athletic Officials Association (CAOA).

                                                  Article Two – Purposes

The purpose of the association is to perpetuate the highest standards in officiating; and to foster good relationships between schools and officials, being ever mindful of, and loyal to the “Athletic Official’s Code of Ethics.”

         Article Three – Membership

Membership in this association shall be granted to officials who meet the following requirements who:

A)    Are in sympathy with the CAOA’s purposes;

B)    Have paid their dues to the CAOA and the IHSAA; and

C)    Are properly approved by the IHSAA

  Article Four – Officers and Directors

Section I. The following shall be elected by the membership at large utilizing a secret ballot and shall hold office for the term of one (1) year,

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Recording Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Corresponding Secretary

Section II.  The Executive Council shall consist of the five (5) elected officers and five members elected from the membership at large (herein referred to as the Board of Directors) utilizing a secret ballot.

Section III.  The terms of the members of the Board of Directors elected from the membership at large shall be three year, with terms staggered, so that each year two (2), or one-third of the Board of Director positions, will be up for election.

Section IV.  Vacancies which may occur on the Board of Directors shall be filled by election from the membership at large at next business meeting.  The President may appoint a member to fill an unexpected vacancy to serve until such time an election is held.

Section V.  The Executive Council shall meet at least three (3) times during the months of August through May.

Each meeting must take place in a different month.

The board meeting may be called before or after a regular program meeting.

The President will submit an agenda for the board meeting mailed (for the purpose of this document, mail, mailings, mailed or the like shall include items sent via the U.S. Postal Service, delivery services such as Federal Express or UPS, or electronic mail) to the members a week in advance of the meeting.

Section VI.  It shall be the duty of the board to appoint an independent auditor or two internal members as member auditors to examine the financial records of the CAOA once each fiscal year. The two internal member auditors cannot examine the books more than two consecutive years.

              Article Five – Executive Council Meeting

Section I.  A quorum for the Executive Council Meeting is six (6) members in attendance. 

Section II.  A majority vote of those present is needed to pass any item acted upon by the Executive Council.

                                             Article Six – Business Meeting

Section I.  The Annual Business Meeting will take place during the months of March or April each year.

Section II.  Election of officers and the Board of Directors shall take place at the Annual Business Meeting.

Section III.  Other business meetings shall be called by the presentation to the President of a petition stating the purpose of and calling for a business meeting. The petition shall be signed by not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership at large.

Section IV.  All business meetings will be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

          Article Seven – Disqualification of Members

Section I.  Members officiating in a sport which they are not a member in good standing with the IHSAA will be subject to disqualification from the CAOA. The Executive Council will convene a hearing to collect and hear evidence. After the hearing, the Council will discuss the evidence in an executive session and then take a public vote on the disqualification.

Section II.  Members charged with misconduct or causing undue embarrassment to the CAOA shall be subject to disqualification. The Executive Council will convene a hearing to collect and hear evidence of the member’s alleged misconduct. After the hearing, the Council will discuss the evidence in an executive session and then take a public vote on the disqualification. To disqualify a member under this section, a quorum of the Executive Council must be present and a two-third (2/3) vote of those Council members present is required.

All charges under these Sections I and II are to be filled with and acted upon by the Executive Council.

             Article Eight – Officers Under Bond

Section I.  The treasurer shall furnish bond in the amount of three thousand dollars ($20,000.00). The bond’s cost shall be paid for by the CAOA.

Article Nine – Membership Dues

Section I.  Annual dues for each ensuing year shall be recommended by the Executive Council and presented for a vote by the membership at the Annual Business Meeting. Failure to pass a dues recommendation will result in the current year’s dues being assessed on the ensuing year.

Dues shall become payable and owed at that time and will be accepted no later than May 1, following the Annual Business Meeting.

Dues paid after May 1 will be subject to a late fee of twenty percent (20%).

For all purposes of business the Annual Business Meeting will begin the New Year.

Section II.  Members not paying their dues for the ensuing year before May 1 may be excluded from the CAOA Schedule Book/Website for the following year and will not be eligible to receive any officiating assignments through the CAOA.

Section III.  Any former member can be reinstated by paying his/her present year dues and associated late fees.

Article Ten – Duties of Officers

Section I.  President

The President shall chair all meetings, clinics, and public functions of the CAOA.  The President will also recommend candidates for program and assignment chairpersons in each sport and Recording Secretary for final approval of the Executive Council.

Section II.  Vice President

The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his duties, and in his absence, to preside.

Section III. Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary shall be the CAOA’s liaison with the IHSAA, National Federation, and member schools in order that the organization is advised of current information to be passed on to the membership.

The Recording Secretary will take the minutes of all Council Business Meetings.

The Recording Secretary will record attendance at all meetings and clinics and report it to the IHSAA.

Section IV.  Treasurer

The Treasurer will collect all dues from members and invoice members who have not paid their dues.

The Treasurer will assist the Corresponding Secretary in updating the names and addresses for the Schedule Book/Website.

The Treasurer will render financial reports for all Council Meetings and the Annual Business Meeting.

The Treasurer will disburse all funds and keep all financial records for the CAOA. One (1) Board of Directors member will also be on the signature card for the CAOA checking account.

All disbursements will be made by the Treasurer with majority approval of the Council Meetings.

The Treasurer will prepare an annual budget for submission the membership at large for approval of a majority vote.

Section V. Corresponding Secretary

The Corresponding Secretary will facilitate all CAOA mailings/e-mails to the membership. The Corresponding Secretary is responsible for getting the Schedule Book/Website ready for publication and for maintaining an e-mail database/distribution list for the membership.

  Article Eleven – Amendments