CONSTITUION AND BY-LAWS

OF THE

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT

BOARD OF APPROVED BASKETBALL OFFICIALS

AKA IAABO Board 52

Revised March 14, 2006 

Article I --- Name

Sec. 1 -   The name of this organization shall be the Westchester County District Board of Approved Basketball Officials (W.C.D.B.A.B.O.) Board No. 52
   
Article II --- Objectives
 
Sec. 1 - To unite in one organization all approved and registered basketball officials residing in Westchester County as a local Board of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials.
   
Sec. 2 - To collaborate with those responsible for promoting basketball as a wholesome form of recreation and as a great game for the development of character, good sportsmanship and citizenship.
   
Sec. 3 - To study and improve the technique of officiating in basketball.
   
Sec. 4 - To study the administration and revision of rules, particularly from the standpoint of the official.
   
Sec. 5 - To promote the uniform interpretation and administration of the official basketball rules by all officials within this territory.
   
Article III --- Membership
 
Sec. 1 - Members shall be classified into Life, Honorary, Active and Inactive.
 
   
A.- To be eligible for Life Membership, a member shall meet one of the following requirements:
 
1.      Have served as an active member for a period of at least 19 years of which a minimum of 10 years will have been as a member of this board.
2.      Be a past-president of this organization and have served as an active member for a period of at least 17 years, of which a minimum of 9 years will have been as a member of this Board.
   
B. - To meet either of the requirements one must apply to the Executive Board in writing requesting a change to life membership. The executive Board will make the recommendation.
   
C. - Regarding Life Membership Privileges:
 
   
1.      Inactive life members shall have the right to vote.
2.      Active life members are required to meet the New York State Public High School Athletic Association 5 point rule and any other requirements set forth by the W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O.
   
D. - To be eligible for Honorary Membership, a member shall meet one of the following requirements:
 
   
1.      Have served as an active member for a period of at least 15 years, have the recommendation of the Executive Board, and a majority vote of the membership.
2.      Be a past President of this organization.
   
E. - Active members shall be those who have complied with the regulations laid down by the International Board and have been accepted as such, by the W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O.
   
Article IV --- Officers
 
Sec. 1 - A Nomination Committee shall present a slate of officers for election at the meeting immediately prior to the annual business meeting; at this time any other candidates for office must be nominated. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members: one retained from the previous year's committee; one elected by the membership and one appointed by the President at the first regular business meeting of the current season.
   
Sec. 2 - The elected officers of the Board shall be:
 

(a)    President
(b)   Vice President
(c)    Chairman of the examining committee
(d)   Assistant Chairman of the examining committee
(e)    Official Rule Interpreter

   
Sec. 3 - The election of officers shall take place at the annual general business meeting. The election shall be conducted by ballot and a plurality vote will elect. The term of office shall be for one year (1) beginning April First. In the event the general business meeting occurs after April First the term of office shall begin immediately following the election.
   
Sec. 4 - Duties of Officers:
 
(a) The President shall call to order all meetings of the Board and of the Executive Committee and shall preside at all meetings.
(b) The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President, and be in charge of attendance.
(c) The Chairman of the Examining Committee and his assistant shall investigate and pass upon the qualifications of all applicants for membership. The Chairman shall be responsible for all arrangements pertaining to the written and practical examinations. All examination papers and applications are to be turned over to the examination chairman at least three (3) days prior to the examination.
(d) The Official Interpreter shall interpret any rule change(s) presented by the International Board and describe and demonstrate said change(s) to the general membership of the Board. Interpret any rule problem(s) presented to the Board by its member(s), or by schools serviced by the Board.
(e) The Assistant Rules Interpreter shall assume the responsibilities in the absence of the Interpreter. He shall be appointed annually by the President.
(f) An examination committee shall be responsible for working with the chairman of the Examining Committee in the scheduling of Board Officials for the County Recreation Basketball Tournament. The Examining Committee shall also be responsible for grading the practical exam of all applicants.
   
Sec. 5 - The office of Secretary and Treasurer shall be a combined one man office appointed by the Executive Committee, for a period of two (2) years. He shall keep a complete and accurate record of all proceedings and monies received and disbursed. He shall disburse all monies under the direction of the Executive Committee. He shall submit a written report of the Treasury at each business meeting. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be granted a fee of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per year.
   
Article V --- Executive Committee
 
Sec. 1 - The Executive Committee shall consist of the Past President and the elected officers
   
Sec. 2 - A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing.
   
Sec. 3 - The Executive Committee shall handle all business of the Board occurring between the annual or other meetings of the Board.
   
Sec. 4 - The Financial Administration of the Board shall be vested in the Executive Committee.
   
Sec. 5 - The Executive Committee shall arrange for a financial auditing which shall be made between May 1 and June 1 of each year and a financial report in writing shall be made to the membership at the first business meeting of the fiscal year.
   
Sec. 6 - The Executive Committee shall authorize the President to appoint such committees as are needed. The standing committees are as follows: Nomination, Constitution, Rating and Social.
   
Article VI --- Membership, Admission, and Dues
   
Sec. 1 - Applicants seeking membership shall apply to the Secretary for the application forms, which must be filled in and filed with the Secretary. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Westchester County.
   
Sec. 2 - Application forms must be accompanied by the examination fee as set forth annually by the Executive Committee.
   
Sec. 3 - Examination of applicants shall consist of:
 
(a) International Board written examination -- The passing mark shall be that required by the code of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO).
(b) Practical Examination - All new applicants passing the written examination shall be given a practical Examination under the direction of the Chairman of the Examining Committee.
(c) Practical Examination - The passing mark shall be that required by the code of IAABO.
   
Sec. 4 - The recommendations of the Examination Committee shall be subject to a majority approval of the Executive Committee members.
   
Sec. 5 - The annual dues shall be voted on and approved by a majority of those members in good standing that are present at the last Regular Meeting of the year. Membership dues must be paid on or before the annual business meeting.
 
(a)   A $25.00 fine is to be paid if dues are not received on or before the annual business meeting.
(b) Members who do not pay dues by April 1st following the annual business meeting will automatically be dropped from the W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O. and IAABO
   
Sec. 6 - Inactive membership - The requirements for Inactive Membership shall be:
 
(a) Apply to the Executive Board in writing, stating the reasons for such a request.
(b) He/She shall not work any basketball games.
(c) He/She shall pay the annual dues of IAABO.
(d)   He/She shall not remain on inactive status for longer than two years. Extensions may be granted for an injury, military service, and etc. subject to recommendations of the Executive Committee.
(e) He/She shall be excused from attending meetings of this organization.
(f) Upon return, his/her divisional status will be determined by the Executive Committee.
   
Sec. 7 - Accident Insurance coverage shall be carried on behalf of each Active Member.
   
Sec. 8 - International Board dues shall be paid for by the general fund for each member.
   
Article VII --- Membership Privileges and Responsibilities
 
Sec. 1 - The representatives to meetings of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials shall be appointed by the Executive Board.
   
Sec. 2 - Board No. 52 representatives are expected to attend the annual and other meetings of IAABO. Their expenses shall be paid from the general fund of this Board.
   
Sec. 3 - Members shall be recognized as members of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials and shall receive their membership cards from the International office, together with a copy of the Officials' Handbook in which their names are listed.
   
Sec. 4 - Each Active member is entitled to wear the official emblem and uniform of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials.
   
Sec. 5 - Members are expected to read carefully and observe the policies and requirements as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws and the Code of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials.
   
Sec. 6 - Members are expected to read carefully and observe the policies and requirements as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws of the W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O.
   
Sec. 7 - There shall be at least seven (7) regular meetings including the Annual Dinner meeting and rules interpretation meeting.
 
(a)    Regulations require members to attend a rules interpretation meeting, the annual business meeting and three (3) other meetings.
(b)   A schedule of meetings shall be mailed to all members.
   
Sec. 8 - This Board is recognized by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials as having jurisdiction over all matters within its territory, as long as it remains in good standing with the International Board and conducts its affairs in conformity with the policies as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws and Code of the International Association.
   
Sec. 9 - There are no restrictions upon members as to where they may function, either within the territory of the Board or of any other board, except as provided hereinafter.
 
(a)    An official shall be allowed to be a member of two boards or more, provided it is acceptable to all boards concerned and provided, also he/she maintains membership in the board having jurisdiction over the territory in which he/she resides. A member of more than one board may attend meetings of one board if that is agreeable to all boards.
   
Sec. 10 -  If a member officiates in a game played in a location not under the geographical jurisdiction of this Board, he/she is to be governed by the rules and regulations which govern members in that territory. Before accepting an assignment in such area, members should first acquaint themselves with the rules and regulations.
   
Sec. 11 -  The official's uniform shall be:
 
  1. Black shoes, leather, with no white showing.
  2. Black trousers.
  3. Official IABBO, Black and White striped shirt purchased through an authorized dealer. No substitute acceptable. The shirt must be worn inside the trousers.
  4. Black belt.
  5. Whistle, all black plastic.
  6. If used the whistle lanyard shall be black.
   
Sec. 12 -  A copy of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be posted on the W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O. internet site and available to members upon request.
   
Sec. 13 -   All members of the Westchester County District Board of Approved Basketball Officials shall not be permitted to officiate at any high school, college, private, or parochial school varsity game that uses officials who are not members of the International Board of Approved Basketball Officials. Members of the Westchester County Board are subject to expulsion for violation of this provision.
   
Sec. 14 -   All suspensions shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
   
Sec. 15 -   In cases where Westchester County District Westchester County District Board of Approved Basketball Officials is asked to rule on protested games, the Board shall limit its participation to interpreting the rules of the game and determining the responsibility and correctness of the ruling of the member officials.
   
Sec. 16 -   Code of Ethics. This Board shall have a code of ethics covering the following points:
 
  1. No member shall make any public adverse comment about the judgment of other officials or the Board as a whole.
  2. No member shall conduct themselves in such a manner while executing their duties as to avoid any action that might be deemed a violation of a professional code of conduct.
  3. Upon written complaint by a member, coach, or league officials, the Executive Committee shall review said complaint and have the power to levy a just penalty up to and including expulsion from membership of W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O.
   
Sec. 17 -   Members in good standing shall not simultaneously hold elected positions, executive committee positions and any appointed committee positions within the Westchester County District Board of Approved Basketball Officials and be a member of the NYSPHSAA Section One negotiations committee or its lead negotiator.
   
Sec. 18 - Any motion previously adopted by the general membership that contains a clause specifying a period of time greater than one year, for example a ratings proposal, can be modified, overturned or rescinded under the following conditions:
 

At a regularly scheduled meeting

 
(a) There must be one third (1/3) of the members in good standing present.
(b) Of the members in good standing present two thirds (2/3) must vote to modify, rescind or overturn otherwise the previously adopted motion remains in effect.
By Mail
(c) One third (1/3) of the members in good standing must return their ballots before the specified date in the mailing containing the ballot.
(d) Of the members in good standing that return their ballots, two thirds (2/3) must vote to modify, rescind or overturn otherwise the previously adopted motion remains in effect.
   
Article VIII --- Fees for Officiating
   
Sec. 1 - Schedule of fees are on file at the office of the Director of Interscholastic Athletics as part of the Agreement Between Section One, Inc and Certified Officials Associations or may be viewed on the W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O. internet site and available to members upon request.
 
Article IX --- Meetings
   
Sec. 1 - There shall be at least seven (7) regular meetings as follows:
 
  1. An annual interpretation meeting shall be held prior to the start of the interscholastic basketball season.
  2. The annual business meeting shall be held in March.
  3. The dates of the other five meetings shall be decided upon by the Executive Committee.
   
Sec. 2 - A special meeting may be called at the discretion of the President or upon request of a majority of the Executive Committee, and shall be called when requested, in writing, by not less than ten members of W.C.D.B.O.A.B.O. in good standing. Members shall be given credit toward the required quota of meeting for attendance at any special meeting held.
   
Sec. 3 - A quorum of any meetings for the conducting of business shall consist of at least one-third (1/3) of the members in good standing.
   
Sec. 4 - All meetings shall be conducted according to "Roberts Rules of Order."
   
Article X --- Amendments
   
Sec. 1 - Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws may be made by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present at a duly constituted meeting, provided such proposed amendments are presented to the members in writing by the Secretary at least one week prior to any action being taken.
   
- NOTE -
   
  No member of the Westchester County District Board of Approved Basketball Officials shall work any High School games with any suspended official of this Board. Any member who does so shall be brought before the Executive Committee and it shall be at their discretion as to the penalty to be imposed. Note Article VII - Sec. 14.