This organization shall be know as the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials -- Football, a division of the Texas Association of Sports Officials, a Texas Non-Profit Incorporation. Should the state organization adopt any name change, the organization shall automatically be known as the Amarillo Chapter, of the adopted name change, without a By-Laws change.

The purpose of the Association shall be to foster and promote national and international amateur sports competition in the game of football by:

A) Advancing the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play through qualified officiating in football and respect for the authority of football officials at all levels of competition;

B) Providing educational programs to advance the skill of football officials at all levels of competition;

C) Conducting public information programs that will encourage appreciation for the skill and competence of football officials;

D) Placing special emphasis on developing concepts of good sportsmanship among the youth of the nation, both as competitors and as spectators;

E) Conducting studies and analyses of football rules to identify sources of officiating problems and seek solutions in cooperation with appropriate rule making bodies;

F) Developing and maintaining a membership consisting of experienced and capable football officials whose integrity is above reproach and who are actively engaged each year in officiating games:

G) Fostering a high standard of ethics, encouraging fair play, sportsmanship, closer cooperation and better understanding among officials, athletic representatives, coaches, players, athletic directors and the press.

A) The Officers of the chapter shall be one Immediate Past President, one President, one Vice-President, one Secretary, one Assistant Secretary, one Treasurer and one Recorder.

B) The Officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Committee.

C) The Board of Directors shall be seven (7) Officers and five (5) Divisional Representatives from the general membership, without office. 

D) The Board of Directors will constitute the Membership Committee.

A) All Officers and Divisional Representatives, to be eligible for and hold office, either elected or appointed, must be and remain members in good standing during their term or terms of office.

B) The immediate Past President shall remain on the board, as a voting member, for one (1) year after his term has expired as President.

C) The term of office for officers shall be for two (2) years commencing January 1after election, and ending December 31, two years later.

D) Candidate for President, Vice-President and Secretary must have been a member in good standing of the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football for then (10) years. Candidate for Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Recorder must have been a member in good standing of Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football for five (5) years. All candidates must have been a member in good standing on the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football for three (3) years and not be classified in Group 2.

E) Divisional Representatives will be elected each year to maintain an accurate reflection of the general membership base. Divisional Representatives will be nominated and elected based on the following criteria. 

(1) Each division will have one Divisional Representative, Division1 through Division 5;

(2) Nominees will be nominated for the division that they will be in the following year.

F) Candidates for office must have paid their dues for the ensuing year.

G) Officers and Divisional Representatives shall be elected at the final meeting of the current season by the members present and voting and by absentee ballots.  Divisional Representatives shall be nominated by the general membership based on the qualifications as outlined in E) above. The candidates that are elected shall represent their division.

H) In case of a resignation, removal of or move of an Officer or Divisional Representative, the President shall appoint an individual to fulfill the term of the said Officer or Divisional Representative. In the case of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President.

I) A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Committee. Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall serve as Election Judge.

J) Nominations for each office shall be made to the Nominating Committee two (2) weeks before the last regularly scheduled meeting. After the Nominating Committee report, nominations may be made from the floor. Nominations from the floor must have the approval of the individual before nomination. No further nominations may be made after this meeting.

K) The election of Officers and Divisional Representatives shall be by secret ballot prepared by the Election Judge of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

L) All Officers and Divisional Representatives shall be elected by majority vote of the members present and voting. In case no candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed on a second ballot and another vote taken. Written absentee votes will be counted in each run-off ballot taken.

M) Candidates receiving majority votes shall be declared elected and assume duties on January 1 following election.

The qualifications for membership, duties of Officers and Divisional Representatives and such regulations as may be necessary and proper for the conduct of business and affairs of the Chapter shall be provided for in the By-Laws.

AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

The By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Chapter by a majority vote of the members present and voting, providing that all proposed changes shall have been presented, in writing, two (2) weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is going to be taken.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Membership Committee. He shall appoint all committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. He shall be responsible for all negotiations on behalf of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or inability to act. He shall also serve as Program Chairman and be responsible for all programs conducted. He shall also serve as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. 

The Secretary shall perform general duties and game assignment duties.

A) General Duties:

1) He shall supervise and direct the Assistant Secretary in all his duties to assist the Secretary.

2) He shall receive all applications for membership in the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football and he shall forward applications to the Membership Committee for review.

3) He shall keep a complete file on each member of the chapter.

4) He shall be responsible to the Executive Committee for all correspondence of the Amarillo Chapter. This requirement may be delegated to the Recorder.

B) Game Assignment Duties:

1) He shall maintain a roster of the qualified members of the Chapter and he shall mail this roster to such coaches, school officials or other persons as directed by the Executive Committee.

2) He shall obtain from each school whose schedule will be worked a list of acceptable and unacceptable officials. The Head Coach or some authorized school official will sign the list.

3) He shall assign the officials based on the school's list of acceptable and unacceptable officials and based on which officials are available on the dates in question.

4) He shall assist any coach or school official with the officiating requests, etc. that are not specifically covered in the By-Laws.

5) All requests for officials will be kept in the files of the chapter under the supervision of the Secretary, and this file shall be made available to a member of the chapter at his/her request.

6) All games worked by the officials of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football shall be recorded by the Secretary and kept on file. Any games assigned by sources other than the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football must be on record with the Secretary, before the officiating of such games, to receive credit and points.

7) He shall be responsible for making changes in officials assigned to ball games when the initiative for the change is originated by the coach or other authorized school official or is originated by the Secretary himself due to a shortage of available officials, etc. Other requests for changes in officials will be make by the official or officials involved to the Secretary in writing as far in advance as possible and will be subject to the approval of the Secretary and the coaches/school officials involved.

8) A gratuity shall be paid to the Secretary each year for duties performed. The amount shall be determined by majority vote of the Membership Committee. If funds are not available, an assessment will be made of the general membership of the chapter.

C) Any other duties as directed by the Executive Committee.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

A) He shall keep a game report for new members to be sent to the state office to obtain credit for points, provided they continue in good standing as members of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football. He shall be a member of the Scholarship Committee.

B) He shall assign all sub-varsity schedules.

C) He shall assist the Secretary as required, with the preparation of the roster and accompanying materials to be mailed to the coaches or members and with the mailing of said materials.

D) A gratuity shall be paid to the Assistant Secretary each year for the duties performed. The amount shall be determined by a majority vote of the Membership Committee. If funds are not available, an assessment will be made of the general membership of the chapter.

TREASURER

A) The Treasurer shall be in charge of accounting for all funds of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football. He shall keep such records to show the financial condition of the Chapter at all times. These records shall be available to any member upon request.

(1) Two signatures are required on all checks written by the chapter. The authorized signatures shall be:

(a) Treasurer

(b) Vice-President

(c) Recorder

(2) All monies received (checks and cash) shall be deposited in the checking account.

(3) All deposits for cash shall be prepared by the Treasurer with a counter signature of the Recorder (or other designee of the President) and deposited within eight (8) days after receipt.

(4) The Treasurer will prepare Monthly Financial Statements, present it at each meeting of the Membership Committee and make them available to the general membership.

(5) All expenditures will be presented to the Membership Committee for approval of payment. The Treasurer shall be duly authorized to make payment. In extreme emergencies, the President and two Membership Committee members may authorize a payment and any such payment will be reported to at the next Membership Committee meeting.

(6) All account statements from the bank will be mailed directly to the President. The President shall review the statements in conjunction with the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football Monthly Statement and the current ledger that will be supplied by the Treasurer. After review, the bank statements shall be immediately forwarded to the Treasurer for reconciliation and then to the Membership Committee for approval. The Cash Receipt Book will be reviewed in conjunction with the Financial Statement and verified for accuracy.

(7) Failure to supply a Monthly Financial Statement shall be grounds for immediate removal of the Treasurer. Any unauthorized expenditure of funds will constitute theft.

B) He shall collect all dues, fines and assessments of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

C) He shall provide the Secretary a list of officials in the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football who have qualified for membership by having paid their dues, fines and assessments.

D) Any other duties as directed by the Executive Committee.

A) The Recorder shall be responsible for keeping the Minutes of each Membership Committee meeting and each regularly scheduled meeting. Type copies of the minutes must be made a part of the Chapter's permanent records and they must be made available to any member upon request.

B) He shall be the administrative officer of the attendance records and regulations of the chapter. He shall check attendance at each meeting. He shall notify each member when his/her absenteeism begins to be excessive and he shall notify the Membership Committee of the same.

C) He shall keep the By-Laws current, providing new members and transfers with a copy upon admission to the chapter and he shall act a reporter.

D) In general, at the direction of the Executive Committee, he shall assist in any clerical duties not specifically covered herein.

A) If it is deemed necessary by the Board of Directors that an elected officer or Divisional Representative of the chapter is not performing his/her duties in a satisfactory manner, the Board of Directors may initiate the removal from office procedures. Request for removal of an elected Officer or Divisional Representative initiated by the General Membership must be prepared in writing and submitted by the General Membership through an officer or Divisional Representative to the Board of Directors.

(1) The Board of Directors will meet to determine whether any action should be taken.

(2) A majority vote of the entire Board of Directors is required to take the matter to the General Membership.

(3) The elected Officer or Divisional Representative will be notified by certified mail that a vote will be taken by the General Membership expressly for the removal of him/her from office. The notice will include the allegations and the date of the General Membership vote.

(4) The General Membership will be notified that removal procedures have begun against the elected Officer or Divisional Representative and will state when the vote will be taken.

(5) The vote will be taken two (2) weeks after the notification of the elected Officer or Divisional Representative and the notification of the General Membership.

B) On the date of the vote to remove the elected Officer or Divisional Representative, the elected Officer or Divisional Representative and the Board of Directors will present the facts in the matter to the General Membership for the purpose of taking a vote on the removal from office.

C) To remove the elected officer from office, a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present and voting is required. If there is a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, the removal from office is immediate.

D) If the President of the chapter is the elected officer who is being voted on, the Vice-President will conduct the removal process.

MEMBERSHIP

A) Persons making applications at the time prescribed to the Executive Director, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football, Dallas, Texas and approved locally will be considered for membership.

B) The members will re recognized as members upon fulfilling the requirements of the By-Laws of the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football and the Amarillo Chapter.

C) The membership year of the Amarillo Chapter will coincide with that of the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football beginning annually on January1 and ending one year thereafter.

D) Qualifications for membership in the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football for New Members is as follows:

(1) A new member shall be defined as a new official, officiating for the first time in the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football. A new member shall be on probationary status during the first year.

(2) New members must pass the written test on rules and mechanics as set by the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

(3) New members must be in good physical condition and not excessively overweight. A physical is required for all new members. The physical will be submitted to the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football with the membership application.

(4) New members must adhere to all other rules and regulations of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football and Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

(5) New members must keep an accurate record of all the games they work noting the co-officials, teams playing, score and position worked.

(6) New members must attend at least 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

(7) New members who fail to satisfy membership requirements shall be placed in Group 2.

(8) All new members will automatically go to the bottom of the list for consideration in Varsity game assignments

(9) New members will be required to work sub-varsity games to gain experience.

(10) The Secretary and/or persons assigning members to ball games should try to make sure a more experienced official accompanies the new official. If it is at all possible, they should avoid sending two or more new officials to work a game together.

(11) At the end of the officiating season, the Membership Committee will review the officiating record of each new member for the past year. They will interview some experienced officials with whom the new officials have worked to get an appraisal of the new member's ability. This committee will then make one of the following recommendations and inform the official of its decision:

(a) That the new member is to be removed from probationary status, becoming a full member.

(b) That the new member is to continue on probationary status for another year with the Membership Committee advising him of his problem area(s).

(c) That the new member's performance has been unacceptable and he can no longer be a member of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING EACH MEMBER

A) All dues for each year shall be payable before the member may vote but no later than December 1. Any member, who has not paid his dues, fines or special assessments by December 1, shall be dropped from the membership of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football. The Membership Committee shall determine local reinstatement fees and approval. The Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football shall determine the state reinstatement fees.

B) Each member who accepts any request from a coach or school official must immediately notify the Secretary so that it can be recorded and his name removed from the availability list for that date. If a member fails to do so, and is assigned a game by the Chapter, the official shall call the game assigned by the Chapter. Failure to do so is grounds for punitive action.

C) A member shall not:

(1) Influence, request or communicate directly or indirectly, with a coach, athletic director, assigning authority or an athletic governing body to enhance the opportunity of assignment as an official of:

(a) Such member

(b) Another member.

(2) Give, accept or exchange any gift, favor or thing of monetary value or personal gain for possible assignment of any official to a game or match.

(3) Discredit the ability or performance or criticize the assignment of another official or team of officials to gain the opportunity of assignment for:

(a) Such member

(b) An other individual member.

D) Each member must wear the uniform prescribed by the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football. The chapter shall recommend that each member not have side burns below the ear lobes nor shall have facial hair except for a neatly trimmed mustache not to extend below the corners of the mouth. Hair should be off the collar.

E) When the official accepts a game assigned by the Chapter, he must fulfill the game assigned. There will be no changing from a lower classification game to a higher classification game except if there is a play-off game. Normal exceptions would include rescheduling by the chapter for replacement of official's scratched, sick officials, etc. Changes must be approved by the Chapter and by both coaches and schools involved in the change. An official who is assigned a game and fails to work the game shall be fined an amount to be determined by the Membership Committee unless extenuating circumstances are presented to the Membership Committee. The fine must be paid immediately or remaining games will be cancelled.

F) Game fees and mileage fees will be governed by the schedule of fees and mileage listed in the Constitution and Contest Rules of the University Interscholastic League. Game fees for sub-varsity games are exceptions and will be determined by the general membership.

G) Members should attend all chapter meetings. Any member who fails to attend a minimum of 50% of the yearly meetings shall be placed in Group 2 status. Two consecutive years in Group 2 is grounds for dismissal from the chapter.

H) The acceptance of membership in the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football, obligates each member to observe all regulations set forth in the By-Laws of the chapter. Failure to adhere is grounds for expulsion.

I) The Divisional Representatives selected to the Membership Committee will bring before the Executive Committee and/or Membership Committee any complaint, problem, suggestion, request, etc., that a member or members wish to be heard by the Executive Committee and/or Membership Committee.

A) All members of Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football transferring from another local chapter will be considered for membership in the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football in keeping with following guidelines:

(1) The transferring member must provide the Membership Committee with a written recommendation from a qualified officer of the last chapter in which he was a member.

(2) The Membership Committee will evaluate the written recommendation and all other information it may have regarding the transfer and rule on whether of not he will be accepted in the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

(3) Any transferring member who transfers from a chapter closer to his residence than the Amarillo Chapter will be voted on for membership by the entire chapter.

B) An official seeking transfer into the Amarillo Chapter from a professional officiating organization outside the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football must first become a member in good standing of Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football. The same procedures for transfers listed in (A) above will be followed except that he must have two letters of recommendation from qualified officers of the professional organization in which he was a member.

C) All transfers must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football and the Amarillo Chapter.

D) In the transfer's first year of membership in the Amarillo Chapter, preference in game assignments will be given to members already in the chapter.

DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

A) The annual dues of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football shall be determined by a majority vote of the Membership Committee.

B) The annual dues of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football are due seven days prior to the last regular scheduled meeting for the year following that date. Any dues paid after December 1, will be assessed a reinstatement fee to be established by the Membership Committee. No member may vote if their dues for the next year are not paid seven days prior to the last regular scheduled meeting.

C) No game assignments will be made by the Secretary for the year following January 1, if the dues, fines and/or assessments have not been paid.

D) If an official pays his dues for the year following, and then is unable to officiate, his local dues will be refunded by the Treasurer upon written notification by the official.

E) Assessments must be presented to the general membership by the Membership Committee and voted there on. A simple majority of the members present and voting shall constitute acceptance.

A) The regular meetings of the chapter shall be determined by the Membership Committee and conveyed to the general membership by the Secretary. The President may call special meetings at any time.

B)  All members of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football must attend either a Local or State Rules Interpretation Meeting.  In addition each member is required to obtain credit for attending 50% of all regularly scheduled meetings. 

C)  Any member who does not meet this requirement will be placed in Group 2.

A) There shall be the following standing committees:

(1) Executive Committee -- Shall be composed of the President, Immediate Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Recorder.

(2) Membership Committee -- Shall be composed of the Executive Committee and the Divisional  Representatives. In addition, the Membership Committee shall be the governing body of the chapter. The President shall serve as chairman of this committee.

(3) Nominating Committee -- Shall be appointed by the President and consist of at least five (5) members. It shall be responsible for bringing before the membership a list of nominees for each office for the succeeding year.

(4) Scholarship Committee -- Shall be responsible for bringing before the Membership Committee a list of nominees for scholarships. The Vice-President shall be the chairman of this committee. The President of the chapter shall appoint other members.

(5) Other committees may be appointed by the President as needed to carry on the work of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

A) It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to:

(1) Act as the governing body of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

(2) Evaluate the qualifications of all applicants for membership, including those desiring to transfer into this chapter.

(3) Propose any needed special assessments.

(4) Enforce attendance requirements.

(5) Enforce regulation governing uniforms, neat dress and appearance.

(6) Establish time, place and dates of regular meetings.

(7) Keep up-to-date policies of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

(8) Enforce payment of dues, fines and assessments of each member.

(9) Approve all checks to be written by the Treasurer for chapter indebtedness.

B) The Membership Committee shall have the power to make full investigation of all alleged violations of the By-Laws of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football by any member.

C) The Membership Committee, after consultation with the accused, shall have the power to suspend any member from the chapter in matters concerning:

(1) Violations of regulations regarding the solicitation of games.

(2) Failure of any member to give full cooperation to the committee in the investigation on any manner.

(3) Conduct of any member detrimental to the reputation of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football.

D) The Membership Committee must notify any member with a violation for which suspension is recommended, by certified letter. The notification shall state charges and a request for the member to be present at the meeting in which:

(1) The charges are read and the recommendations are made.

(2) The vote is taken.

E) Any disciplinary action taken against any member of the chapter shall be immediately reported to the Board of Directors, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football in Dallas, Texas. Any suspension may be appealed to the general membership by the member. Two-thirds (2/3) majority votes of the Amarillo Chapter, Texas Association of Sports Officials - Football, present and voting may overturn a suspension.

F) The Membership Committee shall be responsible for appointing a qualified, experienced official or officials to conduct observation and grading of working officials.

(1) Observations will be made based on the following priorities:

(a) Observations of officials who have had frequent and/or serious complaints.

(b) Observations of new officials at random.

(c) Observations of other officials at random.

(2) The results of the observations and gradings will be reported to the Membership Committee and the Membership Committee will take appropriate action when necessary to correct and/or improve poor officiating.

(3) The Treasurer will use designated funds to compensate the official or officials making such observations where necessary.

G) The Membership Committee will aid in training as follows:

(1) Set up and conduct all training sessions for new members and evaluations in training sessions.

(2) Set up and conduct continuous sessions for experienced members of the chapter to assist membership to adapt to new rules changes and to become more proficient as experience professional officials

(3) Consult with experienced members experiencing problem and/or difficulties and assist them in resolving those officiating problems and/or difficulties.

H) The Membership Committee shall place in Group 2 those members who:

(1) Fail to attend the State or Local Interpretations Meeting.

(2) Fail to attend 50% of regularly scheduled meetings.

(3) Fail to pay their dues, fines and/or assessments as specified.

A) The purpose of the Scholarship Committee shall be to assist and encourage, by financial means, the continuation of officiating careers in the Amarillo Chapter with specific emphasis toward assisting new members.

B) It shall be the duty of the Scholarship Committee to:

(1) Select qualified members in good standing to receive financial assistance to assisting the continuation of their officiating careers. Qualifications shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(a) Performance

(b) Attendance

(c) Attitude

(d) Willingness to assist the chapter

(e) Financial need

(2) Make nominations to the Membership Committee with regard to potential recipients by the next to last regular scheduled meeting of each year.

C) Scholarship Funds.

(1) Scholarships shall be awarded at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the year.

(2) Scholarship funds shall be made available to the chapter by donations.

(3) Funds shall be kept in separate interest-bearing account

A quorum for transacting business shall consist of a majority of the Membership Committee.

Constitution and By-Laws combined and revised October 4, 1999. Approved October 18, 1999.
Amended September 15, 2003.
Amended October 30, 2006.
Amended August 11, 2008
Amended September 26, 2011