MARIETTA UMPIRES ASSOCIATION, INC.
BYLAWS
The name of this organization shall be Marietta Umpires Association, Inc. (MUA). It shall be organized and conduct business under the jurisdiction of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).
The purpose of this association shall be to recruit, develop and maintain a membership of capable umpires for area High School baseball games.
Section 1. The membership of this association shall be divided as follows:
a. Registered Officials- Those umpires who have met the criteria as set forth by the GHSA or other governing body for Registered Officials.
b. Approved Officials-Those umpires who have met the criteria as set forth by the GHSA or other governing body for Approved Officials.
c. Certified Officials- Those umpires who have met the criteria as set forth by the GHSA or other governing body for Certified Officials.
d. Charter Members- Original members of MUA that have maintained continuous membership since the inception of MUA. These members shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Board with all rights and privileges afforded all Executive Board members. Ex-officio members may or may not otherwise be an officer.
Section 2. Anyone 18 years of age, or older, and a High School graduate, or in accordance with the current guidelines as established by current governing bodies may apply for membership. A written application must be presented to the Booking Secretary. The application shall be in the form prescribed by the Executive Board. New applicants must be interviewed and approved by the Executive Board and pay their annual dues in order to become an active member for that year. Returning members only need to be approved by the Executive Board, and pay their annual dues in order to be active members for that year.
Section 3. New members first become eligible to vote on matters pertaining to this association during the annual meeting at the end of their first year if they were an active member by March 1 of that year.
Section 4. The annual dues for new and/or returning members shall be set annually by the Executive Board. Dues are payable in advance of each season and no member will be considered active until their dues are paid in full. All such dues are non-refundable, except by Executive Board action. This includes the possibility of a member being suspended or expelled.
Section 5. The Executive Board, by majority vote, may put any member on probation or suspension for any period of time, or may expel any member for just cause.
Section 1. Game assignments shall be made by the Booking Secretary. In the event a member cannot fulfill an assignment, they must notify the Booking Secretary immediately upon receipt of their schedule.
Section 2. Failure to show up for an assigned game, or arriving late, are grounds to be fined, placed on probation, or expelled from the association. Exceptions must be decided upon by the Executive Board.
Section 1. Uniforms shall be that set forth by GHSA for baseball umpires, and shall be neat and clean.
Section 2. Members shall wear the hat or jacket of this association only when representing MUA.
Section 3. Shirts with GHSA patches should only be worn while working games sanctioned by GHSA.
Section 1. The conduct of an umpire while in uniform, or while representing the association, shall be above reproach. The umpire shall refrain from any action that would discredit this association. Such actions include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Members shall not use abusive language with a coach, player, or fan.
b. No member shall use alcohol or any mind altering drug on the day of an assignment, prior to the assignment.
c. No member shall use tobacco of any type in sight of any coaches, players, or fans; or on any campus where tobacco is prohibited.
d. No member shall stop for alcoholic beverages while in uniform after a game.
e. Members are expected to comply with all laws regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages while traveling to and from games.
Section 2. Active members of MUA must put association assignments ahead of any and all outside game assignments during the high school season (with the exception of college or higher level assignments).
Section 3. No member shall seek to influence a coach for the purpose of promoting himself for personal gain. (tournaments, playoffs, etc.)
Section 4. Any member found guilty by the Executive Board of any infraction in Article V, or of any conduct which would bring discredit to this association, shall be subject to a fine or suspension, or both. If the offense is deemed serious enough, or in the case of repeated offenses, the member could face expulsion from the association.
Section 1. List of Officers
The officers shall be: President, Vice President of Scheduling (Booking Secretary), Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Recruiting Director, and Training Director. These elected officers, along with any ex-officio members shall serve as members of the Executive Board.
Section 2. Qualifications of Office
Each candidate for office shall have been a member in good standing of MUA for the three prior consecutive years, and must have worked a full schedule as per GHSA guidelines in the year they run for office. They also must attend a minimum of 50% of the required MUA scheduled meetings and training sessions and at least 50% of the GHSA requirements needed for certification. The following positions must also meet these additional requirements:
A. President - The candidate should have previous board experience, and should be a certified umpire.
B. Training Director - The candidate must be a certified umpire.
C. All other offices - No further qualifications
Section 3. Selection
Each officer shall be elected by secret ballot at the annual meeting. A majority vote of those active members present is necessary to be elected. Officers shall remain in office for a period of one year, or until their successor is elected or appointed.
Section 4. Term
Officer positions shall be voted on each year at the AssociationŐs annual business meeting. The term shall last for one (1) year, beginning and ending each year at the close of the annual banquet. No member shall hold more than one office at a time.
A. President
The President shall:
1. Preside at all meetings of the Association, and shall carry out all duties normally reserved for the President as outlined in Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised. The President shall not vote on Executive Board matters except to break a tie, but otherwise shall have the same membership voting privilege as any other member.
2. Typically be listed as the second contact for any governing bodies of the Association.
3. Appoint committees as the Association or the Executive Board deems necessary to carry out the work of the Association. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
4. Appoint each year a Nominating Committee. This Committee shall nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the annual meeting, although additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.
5. Assist any other officer with their duties as prescribed in these By-Laws.
6. Be in charge of organizing and setting up the annual banquet and procurement of annual awards.
B. Vice President of Scheduling (Booking Secretary)
The Vice President of Scheduling shall:
1. Send all notices, preserve all records, and have charge of printing and publications pertaining to this position. All records in possession shall be turned over to the incoming Vice President of Scheduling within thirty (30) days following the annual banquet.
2. Ensure that all necessary publications, including these bylaws, are to be furnished or made available upon receipt of dues to all retuning and new members.
3. Send notification of first meeting to the membership at least three weeks in advance.
4. Be responsible for scheduling umpires for games at all levels of play. Guidelines of the governing organization shall be followed in assigning games.
5. Consider the following when making assignments: GHSA certification, experience, availability, test scores, meeting attendance, performance reports, and board evaluations.
6. Provide GHSA a post-season list of umpires, selected and ranked by the Executive Board.
7. Maintain the necessary liaison with the GHSA furnishing them with records, applications, etc. The Booking Secretary will distribute all GHSA publications, insignia, etc.
8. Be paid a booking fee as set forth by the Executive Board.
9. Be paid a reimbursement up to a predetermined maximum as decided each year by the Executive Board for the use of a cell phone during the season as set forth by the Executive Board.
10. Make every effort to not schedule an umpire with the same school more than four times during a season.
11. Perform all duties of the President in his absence.
12. Appoint one or more individuals to assist with scheduling, registration or other duties. In the event of a brief absence a representative shall be appointed. This individual should be a board member if possible.
13. Assist the Treasurer in sending an itemized statement to each school immediately after the last home game is completed. For playoffs, the invoices shall be prepared and distributed to the schools prior to the scheduled games. The crew will also be supplied with a self-addressed stamped envelope to be given to the coach for payment.
14. Present post-season games to the Executive Board for scheduling.
15. Be prohibited from scheduling baseball games or any other sports activities for any other associations or parks during the regular high school baseball season.
C. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
1. Have charge of all monies paid to the association.
2. Maintain all monies in a board approved bank account.
3. Ensure that signature cards are set up at the approved bank for the following individuals: President, Vice President of Scheduling, Treasurer, or Charter Member.
4. Be responsible for all disbursements with any check over $50 containing two approved signatures.
5. Be paid a fee as set forth by the Executive Board, not to exceed 10% of total gross fees collected when combined with Booking Secretary fee.
6. With the assistance of the Booking Secretary, send an itemized invoice to each school immediately after the last home game is completed. For playoffs, shall assist the Booking Secretary in preparing and distributing the invoices to the schools prior to the scheduled games.
7. Be responsible for the collection of all monies from the participating schools. Every effort should be made to collect this money before the annual banquet.
8. Distribute all game fee checks at the annual banquet. If money is not available to pay everyone at the banquet, then the remaining disbursements should be made as soon as money is available. If sufficient funds are not available then the booking fees will be withheld first followed by payment to the Board until such funds become available.
9. Have a financial statement available for viewing at the annual meeting. Such statement is to also be available upon request by any member in good standing.
10. Distribute and submit 1099Ős by the deadlines as set by the IRS.
11. All financial materials in possession shall be turned over to the incoming Treasurer within thirty (30) days following the annual banquet.
D. Recruiting Director
The Recruiting Director shall:
1. Set procedures for reporting and contacting new umpire prospects.
2. Receive all applications for new membership and submit these to the Executive Board. Notification shall be given to each applicant regarding acceptance or rejection into association.
3. Receive all applications for returning members and submit these to the Executive Board. Notification shall be given to each applicant regarding acceptance or rejection.
4. Keep records as to who was responsible for bringing in any new umpires.
a. Recognition of members who bring in the most recruits shall be determined annually by the board.
E. Training Director
The Training Director shall:
1. Be in charge of all training activities, including rules and mechanics sessions.
2. Be in charge of the production and distribution of training materials to the membership.
3. Be in charge of obtaining a location for all meetings.
4. Be responsible for communicating to the membership any mechanics or any rules interpretations as needed.
5. Submit a calendar for Executive Board approval showing dates, locations, and times of training sessions for the season. This should be completed and approved three weeks before the first training session.
6. Present to the Board a content outline for each training session to be held. This outline should be completed and given to the membership at the first meeting.
F. Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary shall:
1. Keep and distribute minutes of all board meetings.
2. Keep attendance of all members at all meetings.
3. Maintain the mariettaumpires.org calendar.
4. Keep record of all association evaluations.
Section 1. The first meeting should be held in January of each year, and the annual meeting should be held as soon after the end of the regular season as reasonable and possible.
Section 2. All meeting dates shall be approved by the Executive Board.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, or by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
Section 4. Any member who misses a meeting shall be subject to a fine. Fines for missed meetings shall be assessed according to a schedule set by the Executive Board. Any member who misses an excessive number of meetings will be referred to the Executive Board for consultation, which could result in disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion. (In addition to the already specified fines)
Section 5. One-half of the active membership shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6. A membership year begins and ends on the first meeting of each year.
Section 1. The officers and ex-officio members of this association shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of this association. It shall set the hour and place of meetings, and perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall establish the fee structure for services provided by the association.
Section 4. Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be replaced by appointment of the remaining Board members for the remainder of the term.
Section 1. Umpires of this association are not employees of the association, but rather independent contractors.
Section 2. All game fees shall be disbursed by the treasurer, or a representative of, at the annual banquet.
The rules contained in the current edition of ŇRobertŐs Rules of Order, Newly RevisedÓ shall govern this association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order this organization may adopt.
These bylaws may be amended and, if amended, shall become effective immediately if:
1. The membership has been presented the amendment at a previous meeting.
or
The membership has been notified by mail, e-mail, fax (or any type of communication available at the time), at least 2 weeks prior to the voting meeting. Membership is considered notified when a mass mailing of any type is sent to the members.
2. A quorum representing one-half of the active voting membership is present at the voting meeting.
3. The amendment is passed by a two-thirds vote of the quorum.