Constitution & By-Laws

CONSTITUTION

(Amended 10/4/2021)

ARTICLE 1 – Name

This organization shall be known as the Georgia Officials Athletic Association (GOAA), Inc. (Association) organized under the jurisdiction of the Georgia High School Association.

 

ARTICLE II – Purpose

The corporation is a non-profit corporation and the purposes for which it is organized are exclusively for the promotion, advancement, support, and development of amateur sports officials on an interscholastic elementary and secondary school level within the State of Georgia, within the meaning of Section 50 1(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future Federal Tax Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, this organization shall not carry on activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income tax under Section 50 1(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future Federal Tax Code. Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more except purposes within the meaning of Section 50 1(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future Federal Tax Code, or shall be distributed to the Federal, State, or Local government for a public purpose. Any such assets not to disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas, of the County in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes.

Additionally, this organization shall promote the sports officials in Georgia by:

  1. The development and maintenance of a membership consisting of experienced and capable sports officials whose integrity is above reproach and who are actively engaged each year in officiating sports officials; and,         
  2. Fostering a high standard of ethics, encouraging fair play, sportsmanship, closer cooperation and better understanding among officials, athletic directors, coaches, players, and the press.
     

ARTICLE III – Officers and Directors

  1. Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors of the Association shall be composed of:
    1. The (3)  most recent Past Presidents of the Association, the most recent of which shall serve as Chairman.
    2. The authorized Officers (4) of the Association.
  2. Officers.  The Officers of the Association shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Third Vice President.
  3. Nominations.  Each officer or candidate for office must meet the following qualifications.
    1. A certified official in accordance with GHSA standards.
    2. An active member in good standing of the association with a minimum of three consecutive years of membership of the association.
    3. The selection of the third vice president for the coming year shall be carried out by a nomination by the membership and confirmed by a majority vote of the active members present by secret ballot.
  4. Term.  The term of office for the Officers and the Board of Directors shall be one calendar year January 1 through December 31.  The method for filling vacancies of Officers and Board of Directors will be provided for in the By-Laws.
  5. Duties and Qualifications. The duties of the Officers and the Board of Directors, qualification for membership, and such regulations as may seem necessary, shall be provided for in the By-Laws.
  6. Policy. A two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors and Officers will determine policy taken by the Association.

ARTICLE IV – Crew Chiefs. Training Committee and Recruitment Committee
 

  1. Crew Chiefs. The President shall appoint Crew Chiefs.
  2. Training Committee. The Training Committee shall be appointed by the Second Vice President and submitted to the President for approval.
  3. Recruiting Committee. The Recruitment Committee shall be appointed by the Third Vice President and submitted to the President for Approval.
  4. Treasurer. The treasurer shall have charge of the association’s financial duties and responsibilities under direct authority of the President and the Board of Directors of the Association. Treasurer will be appointed by the Board of Directors and Presiding Officers.
  5. Duties. The duties of the, Crew Chiefs, Training Committee, Recruitment Committee and Treasurer shall be provided for in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE V – Amendments
 

The Constitution may be amended at a regularly scheduled meeting by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of  the active members present provided that an announcement of the proposed amendment is made at a regularly scheduled meeting thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which said amendment is to be proposed. Two-thirds of the active members shall be required to constitute a quorum.



BY-LAWS
(Amended 10/4/2021)

ARTICLE I – President
 

The President shall have general oversight for all activities of the Association. He shall have primary responsibility for management of the Varsity schedules. He shall preside at all meetings of the Association, and shall perform all other such duties as naturally appertain to the office of President. Such duties shall be set forth by the Board of Directors and may be increased or decreased by them at any time.

 

ARTICLE 2 – First Vice President

The First Vice President shall be responsible for member registration and service records, maintaining the Association roster, maintaining the Association records. He shall also maintain the minutes of all minutes of the Association and the Board of Directors. He shall have secondary responsibility for management of the Varsity schedules. He shall assist the President as directed. His duties shall be set forth by the Board of Directors and may be increased or decreased by them at any time.

 

ARTICLE 3 – Second Vice President, Training Director

The Second Vice President shall have primary responsibility for training and management of the Sub-Varsity schedules. He shall serve as Training Director and appoint a committee as needed. He shall recommend to the Board of Directors associate members for active membership. He shall assist the President as directed. His duties shall be set forth by the Board of Directors and may be increased or decreased by them at any time.

 

ARTICLE 4 – Third Vice President, Recruiting Coordinator

The Third Vice President shall be responsible for attendance records, the conflict roster, and recruitment of new members. He shall serve as Recruiting Coordinator and appoint a committee as needed. He shall have secondary responsibility for management of the Sub-Varsity schedules. He shall assist the President as directed. His duties shall be set forth by the Board of Directors and may be increased or decreased by them at any time.

 

ARTICLE 5 – Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall act in an advisory capacity to the President. It shall investigate all complaints by and against any member and take any action it deems advisable, including the termination of membership in appropriate circumstances. The Board of Directors shall determine the qualifications of applicants for membership in this organization in any manner it deems proper. The Board of Directors shall be attentive to the desires of the majority of the members of the Association and shall advise the President on pertinent matters.

 

ARTICLE 6 – Membership

ACTIVE MEMBER

6.1 An "Active Member" is a registered member of the association who is not an "Associate Member" or "Transfer Member" (as defined herein), provided that such individual successfully completes all of the following requirements each year of his/her membership with the association.

    1. Pays all registration fees, association dues and other amounts assessed by the association.
    2. Satisfies all requirements for an "approved official" or "certified official" with GHSA (except as otherwise provided herein).
    3. Attends at least fifty percent (50%) of all "scheduled activities" (as defined herein) of the association.

 6.2 only active members shall be eligible to vote on matters of business for the association.

 6.3 Whenever used in these by-laws, the term “scheduled activities” shall mean all activities and events scheduled by the association during the calendar year, including all membership meetings (regularly scheduled or specially called) and training clinics and sessions. The association annual banquet shall not be included for the purposes of attendance requirements for membership.

 6.4 an active member may maintain his/her status as such without having to maintain his status as an approved official or certified official with GHSA by the following : (i) evaluating officials for the association or actively assisting in training other members, at the direction of the officers, and (ii) satisfying all other requirements specified for membership in the association as an active member, including the required membership payments and attendance requirements for all "scheduled activities" (as defined herein) of the Association. However, any active member who does not maintain his/her Status as an approved official or certified official with GHSA shall not be entitled to any game assignments.

6.5 Any active members who fail to satisfy all requirements for active member status annually could forfeit his/her membership in the association. "The Board of Directors" shall have the right and discretion to review each situation where a member fails to satisfy the requirements for his/her membership status and take such actions as The Board deems appropriate.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

6.6 any person registering for membership with the association who has less than two (2) years of experience officiating football at the high school level shall be an "associate member". Associate members shall complete all of the following requirements each year for a period of two (2) consecutive years immediately following his/her initial registration with the association:

    1. Pays all registration fees, association dues, and other amounts assessed by the association.
    2. Satisfies all requirements for a "Registered Official" with GHSA.
    3. Satisfies all requirements for the association's training program and mentoring program, as established by the officers responsible for such matters.
    4. Satisfies all other requirements specified for membership in the association as an "Active Member", including attendance requirements for all "Scheduled Activities” of the Association.

6.7 An associate member shall not have any voting rights.

6.8 If an associate member satisfies all of the requirements specified each year for the required two (2) year period, he/she shall be eligible for election to become an active member. 

6.9 Any Associate Member who fails to satisfy all requirements for associate member status annually could forfeit his/her membership in the association and, therefore, could no longer be a member of the association or otherwise be entitled to any of 'the rights or privileges of membership.

TRANSFER MEMBER

6.10 Any person registering for membership with the association who has at least two (2) years of experience officiating football, either with another football officials association approved by GHSA, or an out of state football officials association approved by the governing high school authority within that state, shall be a "Transfer Member". Transfer members shall complete all of the following requirements each year for a period of two (2) consecutive years immediately following his/her initial registration with the association.

    1. Pays all registration fees, association dues and other amounts assessed by the association.
    2. Satisfies all requirements for an "approved official" or "certified official" with GHSA.
    3. Satisfies all other requirements specified for membership in the association as an "active member", including attendance requirements for all "scheduled activities" of the association.

6.11 Transfer Members shall not have any voting rights.

6.12 If a transfer member satisfies all of the requirements specified for the required two (2) year period, then he/she shall be eligible for election to become an active member. An individual’s status as a 'transfer member shall not preclude him/her from receiving game assignments like an active member provided he/she otherwise satisfies the criteria as may be required by GHSA and “The Association.” 

6.13 Any transfer member who fails to satisfy all requirements for transfer member status annually could forfeit his/her membership in the association and, therefore, could no longer be a member of the association or otherwise be entitled to any of 'the rights or privileges of membership.

DISTINGUISHED MEMBER

6.14 The board of directors shall have the authority to designate any former active member as a "Distinguished Member" in recognition of his/her prior contribution to the association. A distinguished member shall not have any voting rights and shall not be eligible to hold any elected position within the association, nor shall he/she be entitled to any game assignments. A distinguished member shall not be required to pay registration fees, association dues, or other amounts assessed by the association, and shall be entitled to attend the Association’s annual banquet free of charge.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

6.15 The President & Vice Presidents shall administer necessary disciplinary action upon the association’s members/associates when said action is necessary. If disciplinary action is not agreed upon by the member, an appeal must be filed by the member in writing to the Board of Directors within seventy-two (72) hours. The Board of Directors will then assume the position of appealing body and make the final ruling.

 

ARTICLE 7 – Dues

Each Active and Associate member shall pay such membership fees or dues as determined by the Board of Directors in addition to any fees required by the Georgia High School Association.

 

ARTICLE 8 – Meetings

The annual meeting of this Association shall be held on or before December 15 of each year. The President shall schedule a series of meetings prior to each football season for the purpose of discussing and interpreting football rules.

The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of twice a year. The first meeting will be held in January to approve a preliminary budget and review the audit of the previous year. They shall also meet upon call of the Chairman or upon request of a majority of the Board of Directors at any time.

All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent version of Robert’s Rules of Order. The following requirements shall apply to all meetings of the association membership and board of directors.

 

ARTICLE 9 – Quorum, Election and Vote

QUORUM

9.1 Two-thirds of the active members present of the association shall constitute a quorum or a general membership meeting. A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of 'The Board of Directors.

ELECTION

9.2 Elections for the third vice president, promotion from associate member, or transfer member to active member status shall be conducted annually on or about the first Monday in November (the "Annual Election") which shall be a regular scheduled meeting.

VOTE

9.3 Election for membership as the third vice president, active member for those eligible shall be conducted annually by written ballot in accordance with 'the procedures specified for the election of officers and members by vote of the active members present of the association, as set forth in these by-laws and shall require a majority vote of the active members present entitled to vote during such election. The election shall be conducted by secret ballot.

VACANCIES

9.4 The Board of Directors will declare an office vacant when the office holder has resigned from office or has left the association. The method for filling vacancies is as follows:

  1. A vacancy in the office of President will be filled by the most recent Past President.
  2. If there is a vacancy in the office of First Vice President, the Second Vice President shall assume the office of First Vice President, and the Third Vice President will assume the office of Second Vice President. This will create a vacancy in the office of Third Vice President.
  3. If there is a vacancy in the office of Second Vice President, the Third Vice President will assume the office of Second Vice President. This will create a vacancy in the office of Third Vice President.
  4. A vacancy in the office of Third Vice President will be filled by a Special Election called by the Board of Directors using the procedures found in 9.1- 9.3.  If in the judgment of the Board of Directors the vacancy occurs close enough to the Annual Election, the Board may combine the Special Election and Annual Election.  In this case, new Second and Third Vice Presidents will be elected at the Annual Election.
  5. All members who assume a vacant office will serve out the existing term of the original office holder.

OFFICER PROMOTION

9.5 Officers move to the next highest position after the end of their term unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.  The 3rd Vice President assumes the office of 2nd Vice President, 2nd Vice President assumes 1st Vice President, and the 1st Vice President assumes the office of President.  The President becomes a member of the Board as per the Constitution.

SHORTENED SEASON

9.6 In the event a football season is cancelled or substantially shortened, the Board of Directors may vote to cancel the Annual Election and have all officers remain in office for the next year.

 

ARTICLE 10 – Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Active members present at a scheduled meeting provided a quorum is present and provided also that an announcement of the proposed amendment has been made at a regularly scheduled meeting thirty days prior to the meeting at which said amendment is to be proposed.

 

ARTICLE 11 – Appointed Position Duties

11.1 Crew Chiefs - Assist the training committee in training of the organization, selected by the President. The crew chiefs help the training coordinator and training committee with developing training needs of the association. Membership as a Crew Chief is a 12-month appointment. 

11.2 Training Committee - To facilitate all training of the organization, selected by the President. The goal of the training is to assess the information and training needs of the membership and to encourage, develop, coordinate and/or deliver responses to those needs. Membership on the Training Committee is a 12-month appointment. 

11.3 Recruitment Committee - The recruitment committee is responsible for bringing in potential members that will create the future of the organization, selected by the President. Responsible for communicating with potential applicants and assisting them with the member process of both GHSA and GOAA. Membership on the Recruitment Committee is typically a 12-month appointment. 

11.4 Treasurer - The Treasurer’s duties shall be under the supervision of the Board of Directors and the President and shall act as liaison officer between any national and other state football and all other school districts the association has a contract with for financial activities receipt and distribution. The Treasurer shall handle all the finances including keeping the books, collecting money, disbursements, writing all checks, and making payment(s) to officials. Treasurer shall be responsible for having the Financial Statement presented to the membership in person or by electronic mail at the spring meeting each year for review and questions. Treasurer will also be responsible for having the Financial Statements posted on the GOAA website. Treasurer shall report all disbursements and expenses of GOAA to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall perform a review of the financial records every year during the first quarter of the given year.  The results shall be presented to the Board of Directors for review. The Treasurer shall distribute paychecks or electronic funds transfer (EFT) at times designated by the Board, with the intent that all regular season is paid as soon as possible as funds are received.