ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS

 

Section 1. GENERAL MEETINGS 

 

The meeting dates shall be scheduled by the Instructional Chairperson and the Secretary/Treasurer, subject to the approval of the President.

 

A. All members are required to attend a minimum of 18 hours of regular general meetings and special meetings, or make them up as approved by the Board. The Board has approved that only 6 hours will be allowed as make-up from another CSOA Unit.

 

B. All new members shall attend regular general meetings, special meetings, and additional classes and/or meetings, or make them up as approved by the Executive Board.

 

C. Any member who has failed to attend the required number of meetings during the current softball season may lose all remaining regular-season games and shall not be eligible for postseason play, and shall be classified as a non-qualified member for voting matters in the following season. Members can make up meetings by attending makeup meetings of this association, or attending a meeting(s) held by another CSOA Softball association subject to prior board approval as long as written verification of attendance is provided to the Instructional Chairperson.

 

D. Any transfer or new official not attending the field clinic may forfeit all games. Any playoff official not attending the 3-man field clinic will not be considered for post-season play.

 

E. Any official not attending the mandatory playoff meeting and the 3-man field clinic will not be considered for post-season assignment.

 

F. The general meetings shall include field clinic, classroom instruction, and or instructional group meetings.

 

Section 2. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS 

 

The President shall determine the meeting dates and may call a special meeting when necessary.

 

A. An Executive Board member may be absent provided they have a valid excuse for said absence. A written letter explaining the absence must be submitted to the President no later than (7) days after the absence date. The reason shall be subject to the approval of the remaining members of the Executive Board.

B. Any Executive Board member, who has missed (2) Executive Board meetings during the current year without a valid reason approved by the Executive Board, may be removed from the Executive Board by a majority of the remaining Executive Board Members.

 

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS 

 

The President may, after approval by the Executive Board, call a special meeting for all members when necessary.

 

Such special meetings shall require notification to all members, either in writing, phone, or verbal announcement at a regularly scheduled meeting at least (7) days in advance of the special meeting date.

 

Section 4. QUORUM 

 

Two-thirds (or Majority) of the active members present at any meeting of the membership or Executive Board shall constitute a quorum and the majority vote of such members will govern.

 

A. General or Special meetings. A majority of qualified members on the list held by the Secretary/Treasurer shall constitute a quorum sufficient to do the business, which is brought before them.

 

B. A majority of the members of the Executive Board at any time of their meetings shall constitute a quorum sufficient for conducting the business of which may be brought before them.

 

C. Active Member of the Association shall have one vote. The vote of the majority present and voting shall prevail in all matters except, those which normally require a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

 

D. If by-law changes have been emailed or mailed to member fourteen days prior to the meeting the changes can be voted on by a majority of the members present.

 

ARTICLE X. COMMITTEES

 

The President as required shall approve all committees. All committees' assignments are to be made prior to the season or as the need arises. The President shall be a member (ex-officio) of all committees.

 

Section 1. AUDITING COMMITTEE 

 

Shall consist of (2) qualified members, one of, which shall be appointed Chairperson. The Committee shall audit the books of this association annually and shall submit a financial report to the association.

 

Section 2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

 

Shall consist of (3) qualified members, one of which shall be appointed Chairperson. The Committee shall receive nominations, from the general members and present these nominations at the next to the last general meeting.

 

Section 3. ETHICS COMMITTEE 

 

Shall consist of (5) qualified members, one of which shall be appointed Chairperson. The Committee shall be responsible for determining whether a member is or has engaged in unprofessional conduct or has acted in any manner, which is detrimental to the welfare and purpose of this association and is therefore subject to discipline.

 

ARTICLE XI. UMPIRE CODE OF CONDUCT

 

One, but not the only guideline to evaluate any unprofessional conduct and detrimental actions shall be the code of conduct as follows:

 

 Section 1. CODE OF CONDUCT 

A. Honor all contracts regardless of possible inconvenience or financial loss.

 

B. Study the rules of the game diligently, observe the work of other officials, and attempt to improve at all times.

 

C. While your work as an umpire is important, you must conduct yourself in such a way that spectator attention is directed to the players playing the game and not at you.

 

D. Dress and maintain your appearance in a manner befitting the dignity and importance of the umpire.

 

E. Be fair and unbiased in your decisions, rendering them without regard to the score or the quality of the play on the field.

 

F. Cooperate and be professional in your associations with your fellow umpires and do nothing to cause them public embarrassment.

 

G. Be firm, but not overbearing; positive but never rude: dignified but never cocky. Remember, that a good umpire doesn't have to have the last word.

 

H. Be prepared both physically and mentally to administer the game.

 

I. Do not smoke on or in the vicinity of the playing field, nor drink any alcoholic beverages while in uniform or prior to a game you are to work.

 

J. Do not give information that might be used by a team's future opponent.

 

K. Keep in mind that the game is more important than the wishes of any individual player or coach or the ambitions of any individual umpire.

 

L. Have complete equipment; mask, protector, brush, indicator, bat ring, hard-toed shoes, shin guards, etc., at all assigned games.

 

M. Appear at all assigned games in a sufficient amount of time to:

 

              1. Inspect playing field, equipment, and bases.

             

              2. Obtain balls.

 

              3. Review ground rules with coaches.

 

              4. Review line-ups with coaches.

 

N. Do not be guilty of criticizing or interfering with a decision of another umpire.

 

O. An umpire shall not:

 

              1. fraternize with players, managers, or spectators at any time.

 

              2. at any time lay a hand upon, push shove, strike or threaten to strike a player, manager, or spectator.

 

              3. be guilty of an abusive verbal attack upon any player, manager, or spectator.

 

              4. use profane, obscene, or vulgar language in any manner or at any time.

 

5. appear upon the field for an assignment at any time with beer or any alcoholic beverage on your breath.

 

              6. gamble upon the outcome of any play or game.

 

              7. smoke at any time on the playing field.

 

              8. discuss publicly with spectators any play, decision, or personal opinion of players during the game except in reply to a request for information relative to the progress of the state of the game or the name of the player.

 

              9. discuss confidential executive board meeting information with any outside person.

 

The purpose of this code is to give a standard of behavior that is expected and to which each official will be held responsible.

 

Section 2. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE 

 

Shall consist of (5) qualified members, one of which shall be appointed Chairperson. The Committee shall be responsible for hearing any grievance a member has. The Committee shall render its decision after a due diligent review of the grievance to provide with Due Process.

 

Section 3. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK 

 

A. The CSOA-LA Unit reserves the right to conduct a background check on any potential member. Each CSOA-LA Unit candidate will be required to complete and submit a CSOA-LA Unit Officials application form and consent to a background check and also provide a photocopy of a current pictured government identification to the unit Secretary/Treasurer. Submitting said application serves as consent to being subject to a voluntary criminal and sexual offender background check prior to certification.

 

B. Any candidate who refuses to submit a fully completed CSOA-LA Officials Membership Application and Consent Form shall be removed from consideration for membership. Refusal immediately disqualifies an individual.

 

D. Other involvement with the criminal justice system that has not yet been adjudicated or has not resulted in a conviction could also result in a certification denial.

 

E. The “association” will not permit individuals to become a member if it becomes aware of a substantiated history of child abuse or molestation or if a background check reveals a conviction of any crime involving or against a minor.

 

F. The CSOA-LA reserves the right to deny membership to anyone as a result of the information obtained through this check.

 

G. All information gathered in this process will remain confidential.

 

H. Any of the above-mentioned individuals who are criminally charged or convicted during the season shall notify the Board of Directors immediately.  Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the “association” regardless of the outcome of the charge.

 

I. If there are other convictions or offenses NOT involving minors, the Board of Directors may prohibit and individual from membership if the board, on the basis of those convictions and/or offenses, deems the individual unfit to work in the capacity of an official. All candidates may be required to submit to a background check, as outlined, each year by the Board.

 

Section 3. PROCEDURES FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK  

 

A. The Association upon initiating a criminal background check will utilize a Criminal Record Information (CRI) agency. The President will appoint no more than one (1) member of the Association, henceforth referred to as the “CRI Officer,” responsible for managing the CRI process within the Association to conduct an annual CRI report on its members.

 

B. All members will be subject to CRI reporting regardless of Active, Associate, Honorary, Director, Officer, etc. status.

 

C. CRI results will remain confidential with the CRI Officer. If the CRI Officer violates confidentiality and exhibits any other inappropriate conduct, the President will immediately remove him from his appointment and replace him. The Board of Directors will levy any punishment against the former CRI Officer as deemed appropriate up to and including removal from the Association.

 

D. If a CRI report returns results identifying a member as being involved with any type of sexual misconduct, abuse, or any other criminal offense related to children, the member will be expelled from the Association. The CRI Officer will notify the Officers and Board of Directors of the intended action to expel a member, however the details of the criminal offense will not be identified to the Officers or Board of Directors and only that the offense violates the requirements of this article.

 

E. Through written authorization of the member to be expelled, the CRI Officer may furnish details to the Board of Directors and Officers for their review and the member to be expelled may appeal that the Board of Directors review the offense and vote on whether to expel the member, retain him/her in good standing, or levy any penalty deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors up to and including removal from the Association.

 

F. Any hostile or other inappropriate or intimidating action toward the CRI Officer by any member at any time is unacceptable. The CRI Officer is simply doing his duty as required by these Bylaws. Any hostile or other inappropriate or intimidating action by any member toward the CRI Officer will be reviewed immediately by the Board of Directors and who may levy any penalty deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors up to and including removal from the Association.

 

ARTICLE XII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

Roberts Simplified Rules of Order shall be the authority on all questions on parliamentary procedure. All motions (except those requiring specified higher limits) shall require a majority of the votes cast in order to pass. The Vice President shall be the parliamentarian for the association and shall insure that the parliamentary law and by-laws of this association are strictly followed at all times.

 

ARTICLE XIII – STIPULATIONS

 

 Section 1. OPERATION

 

CSOA-LA shall operate as a non-profit cooperative membership association that serves as agent to process contracts for its members to officiate softball games with high schools within an encompassing geographical region. CSOA-LA shall assign umpires to officiate games. This service is performed for a fee as an administrative convenience for CSOA-LA members and in no way creates an employee/employer relationship. Each CSOA-LA member shall be an independent contractor who provides his/her own officiating gear and is solely responsible for any taxes (State, Federal, Social Security, etc.) on earnings from their officiating services. Each member shall set his/her own work schedule, depending upon availability of games, and availability for game assignments, with CSOA-LA Assignor. A member's acceptance of a game assignment from CSOA-LA's Assignor shall constitute a contract to officiate said game per CSOA-LA's Policies, Constitution and By-Laws and the playing rules of the school, California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS).

 

 Section 2. PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS        

 

No part of the earnings of the CSOA-LA shall insure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, or any other private persons, except that CSOA-LA shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in ARTICLE II. Hereof, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws, CSOA-LA shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in the furtherance of the purposes on CSOA-LA.

 

 Section 3. LIABILITY 

 

No member of the Board of Directors shall be required any bond or surety. None of them shall be responsible or liable for the acts of omission by any other directors, or any predecessor, or any agent, depository, or counsel selected with care.

 

 Section 4. DISSOLUTION 

 

Upon the dissolution of the California Softball Officials Association – Los Angeles, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of CSOA-LA, dispose of all the remaining assets to a charitable organization, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

 Section 5: OBLIGATIONS 

 

No member of the California Softball Officials Association – Los Angeles can obligate CSOA-LA without authorization by the Officers, the Board of Directors or the general voting membership.

 

 Section 6: ADOPTION OF POLICIES 

 

The CSOA-LA Board of Directors shall have the right to adopt policies to govern the operations of CSOA-LA. All policies shall be consistent with the Articles of the Constitution or By-Laws of CSOA-LA.

 

 ARTICLE XIV – STIPENDS

 

An annual stipend may be paid to the following:

A. President               

B. Vice-President    

C. Secretary/Treasurer        

D. Assignor

E. Instructional Chairperson

 

ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

 

CSOA-LA shall have the authority to establish and amend its Policies, Constitution, and By-Laws. These articles may be amended or changed only in the following manner. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of CSOA-LA by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting active membership in good standing who are present at a California Softball Officials Association-Los Angeles official meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot, provided each member is given or sent a copy of proposed amendments a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the meeting such amendments are to be voted upon.

 

A. Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing, by individuals, to the Executive Board after securing a minimum of (20) qualified member signatures or a majority of the Executive Board may generate a proposed amendment.

 

B. The proposed amendment(s) shall then be presented in writing to each qualified member at the next regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting, called for the purpose of discussing said proposed amendment(s).

 

C. At the next following meeting, the proposed amendment(s) shall be voted upon by the qualified members secret ballot.

 

D. An amendment shall require a 2/3 vote of the votes cast in order to be adopted. Amending a proposed amendment prior to a final vote shall require a simple majority.

 

E. Emergency amendments may be submitted to the membership the day of the meeting for discussion and vote. In order to be considered as an emergency amendment it must be approved by the Executive Committee, signed by the President, and voted to be brought to the floor by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership in attendance.

 

F. The effective date of each amendment shall be the date of the ratification vote unless stipulated differently within the amendment.

 

Section 1. TYPES 

 

Amendments shall be generated in one of the following three (3) ways:

 

A. Direction of the Executive Council when Constitution and By-Laws is incompatible with Constitution and By-Laws of Executive Council.

 

B. Recommended change by Board of Directors.

 

C. A recommendation for change from general membership prepared as follows:

 

(1) Recommended change submitted to Board of Directors.

 

(2) Recommended change accompanied by a list of signatures of members equal to or greater than 25% of all members.

 

Section 2. WRITTEN NOTICE 

 

Draft of recommended change must be sent or delivered to each member at least 30 days prior to date of meeting established for ratification of amendment.

 

Section 3. VOTE 

 

In order to be ratified, recommended changes must receive two-thirds majority vote of members present, provided the number of members present is equal to or greater than a quorum.

 

Section 4. VOTING SITE 

 

Ratification vote may be accomplished at:

 

A. General meeting where ratification is part of regular meeting.

 

Special meeting established for that purpose.

 

ARTICLE XVI – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

 Section 1. CONTRACTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS 

 

Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer, agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

 Section 2. GIFTS 

                                                                                                                       

The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Association, any contribution, gift, bequest or device for the general purposes or for any special purposes of the Association.