NAME AND ASSOCIATION
The name of the Association shall be "The Genesee County Coaches and Officials Association, Inc."
DATE OF ORGANIZATION
The Genesee County Coaches and Officials Association was started and organized in the year of 1924.
PURPOSE AND AIMS OF ASSOCIATION
- To help members understand, properly interpret and consistently apply the rules.
- To learn the proper officiating mechanics.
- To promote cooperation and sportsmanship among schools, coaches and officials.
- To encourage members to develop better skills through participation in off-season clinics, workshops and other training programs.
- To cooperate with schools in promoting athletics and providing a safe environment for players, coaches, officials and spectators.
- To cooperate and promote the goals and objectives of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
- To cultivate positive public relations by providing services to schools and the community.
- To encourage all coaches, school administrators and officials to join the Association.
- To promote fund-raising activities in the best interest of the Association.
MEETINGS
All meetings will be conducted according to "Roberts Rules of Order" and members are encouraged to attend on a regular basis.
MOTTO OF ASSOCIATION
The Motto of the Association shall be "Mutual Understanding Creates Better Sportsmanship."
MEMBERSHIP
A. ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSION
- All basketball, football, volleyball and baseball/softball officials registered with the M.H.S.A.A., all basketball, football, volleyball and baseball/softball coaches, all school administrators, and former members who are no longer registered are eligible for membership.
- Each member shall complete and return to the Association Secretary the Membership Information Form which will be provided with a copy of the Association By-Laws and a copy of the Code of Ethics.
B. DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
Dues of $20.00 for all members, which include football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball/softball, are due by December 30th of the current school year, which begins in August of the first year. After this date, a $10.00 late fee will be added. Any members not paying their dues by this date set forth above, will have their membership revoked and the Commissioners and the M.H.S.A.A. will be so informed.
OFFICERS
A. NUMBER AND TERM
The Association shall elect a President, a Vice-President for each spot with baseball/softball counted as one (1), a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The term of office for each officer elected shall be for two (2) years. The President shall not be elected to consecutive terms.
B. PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Nomination for officers shall be solicited by the Nominating Committee and presented for vote to the Association at the annual meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor at that time. Voting shall take place by written ballot. The candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected.
C. SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The officers shall not receive a salary; however, they shall have their annual membership dues paid from Association funds and shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred in conducting Association business. Additionally, the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall each receive an additional $50.00 annual stipend.
D. DUTIES
PRESIDENT
(a) To schedule and reside over all meetings.
(b) To be responsible for presentation of all materials concerning rules and mechanics.
(c) To appoint all committees.
VICE-PRESIDENT
(a) To be the chairperson of the Ethics Committee.
(b) To arrange all meeting places.
(c) To perform all duties as prescribed under duties of President in his absence.
(d) To be in charge of all special committees.
(e) To perform all duties assigned by the President.
SECRETARY
(a) To record minutes of all meetings.
(b) To maintain complete membership records.
(c) To notify the membership of special and monthly meetings.
(d) To act as a liaison between the Executive Committee of the Association and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
(e) To record resolutions and keep the Resolution Book.
(f) To perform all duties assigned by the President.
TREASURER
(a) To collect all dues, fees and other monies as directed.
(b) To act on behalf of the Secretary in his absence.
(c) To provide to the Secretary a list of all dues paying members.
(d) To perform all duties assigned by the President.
(e) To direct all monies for paid members only.
(f) All elected officers of this Association must approve any monies directed to non-members.
(g) Send flowers or monies (not to exceed $50) when a member passes away, or a card if sick in the hospital. Also, to the members immediate family, such as, parent, spouse, or child if they should pass away.
COMMITTEES
A. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Membership. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers of the Association.
- Chairperson's Duties. The chairperson of the Executive Committee shall be the President of the Association. It shall be the Chairperson's duties to call Executive Committee meetings and to preside over all such meetings.
- Duties of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the Association, including, but not restricted to, proposing policies and implementing and enforcing the by-laws, resolutions and regulations adopted by the Association.
B. ETHICS COMMITTEE
- Membership. The Ethics Committee shall consist of six (6) members appointed by the President. Representation shall include two (2) football officials, two (2) basketball officials, one (1) volleyball official, and one (1) baseball/softball umpire.
- Chairperson's Duties. The President shall appoint one of the Committee members to act as chairperson. The chairperson shall schedule necessary meetings, record the minutes and implement the decisions of the Committee within the period of limitations specified by the Coaches Code of Conduct and the Officials Code of Ethics. The Chairperson shall also act as liaison between the Ethics Committee and the Executive Committee.
- Terms. Committee members shall serve staggered terms; two (2) members to be appointed in even numbers years, one of which will be a football official and one of which will be a basketball official, and three members to be appointed in odd numbered years. Members may be reappointed.
- Duties. The Ethics Committee shall investigate, process and resolve all grievances filed as a result of violations of the Coached Code of Conduct and the Officials Code of Ethics. The Committee shall also be responsible for investigating, processing and imposing disciplinary measures against members violating the by-laws, resolutions and regulations of the Association.
- Appeals. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Ethics Committee shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Executive Committee within the period of limitations specified in the Official Code of Ethics.
C. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
- Membership. Membership shall consist of three (3) persons appointed by the President, one of whom shall be designated as Chairperson.
- Duties. The Nominating Committee shall seek out qualified candidates and accept nominees from the general membership to place on the ballot to be voted at the annual meeting.
D. SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint Special Committees as needed.
TRAINERS
The Association shall elect trainers for each sport represented by the Association. Trainers shall meet the qualifications established by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. The nominations for trainers shall be solicited by the Nominating Committee and presented for vote to the Association at the annual meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor at that time. Voting shall take place by written ballot. The two (2) candidates for each sport receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected.
The trainers shall not receive a salary; however, they shall have their annual membership dues paid from Association funds and shall be reimbursed on an annual basis for the cost associated with the annual training session at the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
VOTING
- One members whose current dues are paid in full are eligible to make motions or voting during Association meetings.
- Non-members and members under current discipline by the Association are permitted to attend all meetings but are not permitted to participate in Association business.
- A majority vote of those in attendance is necessary to approve any motion.
DISCIPLINE
Disciplinary problems shall be referred to the Ethics Committee who shall be required to process complaints in accordance with the duties set forth in Section 4 of "Ethics Committee". Members against whom complaints are made will have the opportunity to appear before the Ethics Committee and present their position. The member may appeal any disciplinary action to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.
RESOLUTIONS
- Resolutions may be proposed by any member. All resolutions shall be in writing.
- Resolutions may be proposed at any Association meeting. Resolutions may only be adopted at the annual meeting or a special meeting called for that specific purpose.
- All resolutions voted upon by the Association shall be recorded in writing by the Secretary and kept in a book titled "Resolutions of The Genesee County Coaches and Officials Association."
OFFICIALS RECOGNITION FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE
A lifetime pass to all athletic contests in the Genesee County Area (Big 9 Athletic Conference - Flint Metro League - Genesee Eight Athletic Conference and the Independents), or their successors, shall be awarded to those officials meeting the eight (8) requirements in Appendix A.
AMENDMENTS
The By-Laws may be amended at the annual meetings by a majority vote of the paid members present. Advance notice shall be given to all registered members of the Association of all proposed amendments at least thirty (30) days in advance of the annual meeting.
