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THE CONSTITUTION  

OF

THE NIAGARA FRONTIER

WRESTLING OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

R E V I S E D

JANUARY 2006

ARTICLE I:     ORGANIZATIONAL NAME

Section 1

            This organization shall be known as the Niagara Frontier Wrestling Officials Association, Inc. (NFWOA).

ARTICLE II:     PURPOSE

Section 1

            To provide certified officials for interscholastic wrestling.

Section 2

To encourage and promote the sport of wrestling in excellence and sportsmanship.

ARTICLE III:     GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Section 1            Requirements

A.     Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

B.     Must maintain good standing within the association by:

a.      Attend five (5) meetings per year and be present for at least one hour per meeting, with one of the meetings being an interpretation meeting.

b.      Passing the written exam with a grade of 85% or higher.

c.      Promptly pay all dues and assessments as set forth by the membership for the current year.

Section 2            New Members

A.     Must meet the requirements under Section 1.

B.     Must attend the training sessions.

Section 3            Probationary Members

A.     Members not meeting requirements of Section 1.

B.     Conditions of reinstating good standing to be determined by the Executive Committee

ARTICLE IV:     CONDUCT OF GENERAL MEETINGS

Section 1

            All general membership meetings shall be conducted using Roberts Rules of Order.

Section 2

            Members must receive a written notice of the yearly schedule of meetings.

Section 3

            A quorum of one-third plus one of the registered general membership must be present for any official transactions to take place.

A.     An official transaction is defined as any motion brought before the membership for a vote.

B.     Any member may call for a quorum count at any time during a general membership meeting.

Section 4

            There shall be absolutely no cross debate while a motion is on the floor.  A member who is recognized by the chairman to speak may only address his remarks to the chairman.

ARTICLE V:     THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1

            The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assigning Agent, Novice Trainer, Rules Interpreter and two (2) Members at Large.

Section 2 

            The Executive Committee shall serve for a term of one year, or until their successors have been elected to replace them.

Section 3

            The Executive Committee members are a delegated body with each member having equal voting power to act on any policy regarding the association, during the time when regular meetings are not in session that is to carry out the articles and by-laws of the constitution as well as appropriate funds when deemed necessary.

Section 4

            All actions taken by the Executive Committee are subject to review by the general membership when the body returns to session

ARTICLE VI:    DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1            President

            The President shall chair meetings in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order; shall vote on motions only to make or break a tie; shall provide an agenda for each meeting; shall coordinate activities of all officers; shall appoint committees as necessary and shall chair the Executive Committee meetings.

Section 2            Vice President

            The Vice President shall conduct meetings in the absence of the President and shall coordinate committee activities.

Section 3            Secretary

            The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings and correspond with members and other organizations as needed.  He/she shall correspond with the NY State Wrestling Association on mandated requirements and be responsible for screening applications for participation at the State Tournament.  He/she shall read minutes of the business session at each meeting and maintain historical records for the association.

Section 4            Treasurer

            The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the association and disburse the funds upon authorization by the general membership or the Executive Committee.  He/she shall bill the members for their annual dues and assessments.  He/she must keep accurate receipts and records of all financial transactions.  He/she shall prepare a financial report to be read at every general membership meeting and an annual report suitable for audit.

Section 5            Assigning Agent

            The Assigning Agent shall act as the liaison between the association and the league assigning agents.  He/she shall implement assigning policies agreed upon by the general membership.  He/she shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

Section 6            Members at Large

            Members at Large (2) shall be voting members of the Executive Committee and shall assist the Executive Committee whenever called upon.

Section 7            Past President

            The Past President shall be a voting member of the Executive Committee and shall advise the Executive Committee when called upon.  He/she shall be a member of the Nominating Committee for the election of officers.

Section 8            Rules Interpreter

            The Rules Interpreter must be a member of the NY State Wrestling Association for at least six (6) years.  He/she shall attend all NY State Interpretation meetings and inform our membership of rule changes and interpretations in accord with NY State standards with continued updates throughout the year.  He/she shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

Section 9            Novice Trainer

            The Novice Trainer shall instruct and prepare new members to provide the duties of a wrestling official.  He/she shall conduct training sessions prior to the regular meetings of each season to include on-mat experiences.  He/she shall advise the Assigning Agent when each candidate is properly trained for field assignments.  He/she shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII.     ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1

            The election of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Members at Large are held at the last general membership meeting of each year.

Section 2

            The Nominating Committee will be appointed by the President and consist of three (3) members, one being the Past President.

Section 3

            Nominations can be made by any member of the general body.

Section 4

            Voting will take place by secret ballot and submitted to the Nominating Committee.

Section 5

            Plurality of votes for each officer will determine the winner.

Section 6

            The results of the election will be tabulated by the Nominating Committee and announce.

Section 7

            The winning candidate will be appointed immediately to the new Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII            STATE TOURNAMENT REPRESENTATION

Section 1            Candidate Qualification

            Each candidate shall have ten (10) years of officiating experience at the Varsity level, be a member in good standing, and meet the NY State requirements for the State Tournament.

Section 2            Selection Process

            Candidates will be selected from members who meet the qualifications stated in Section 1 and submit their name to our association.  Voting for qualified candidates will be held at the last general membership meeting.  Candidates will be ranked on the basis of votes received.

Section 3            New York State Applications

            Applications for NY State Tournament participation will be presented to the State officials in the order ranked by our association as stated under Section 2.  The applications will be submitted to the Section Officials by November 1.  The Executive Committee will review applications prior to submitting.

Section 4            State Tournament Working Official

            An official will sit out one year following successful participation in the State Tournament.

ARTICLE IX              HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

Section 1

            The greatest honor that can be bestowed by the Niagara Frontier Wrestling Officials Association (NFWOA) is the Honorary Life Membership.

Section 2

            Honorary Life Membership Award recognizes individuals for long, exceptional and/or exemplary career and service to NFWOA.

Section 3

            To qualify for this award, a past member, with the approval of the Executive Committee, not a certified official, must have completed 25 years of active service, with at least ten (10) years of membership in the NFWOA.

Section 4

            Honorary Life Membership status may be awarded at anytime following nomination by a member of the NFWOA and approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 5

            The award provides full membership rights without being required to pay membership dues.

ARTICLE X               AMENDMENTS

Section 1

            The general membership may adopt amendments to this Constitution by a two-thirds majority vote at any general membership meeting, in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order and providing that the proposed amendment has been introduced at a previous general membership meeting.