The Sunshine Football
Officials Association (SFOA) is dedicated to providing top quality officiating
services for Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA) sanctioned
football programs and youth football organization in Pinellas and adjacent
Counties on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
All our officials (approximately 150) are registered with the FHSAA the governing body for high school athletics in the state of Florida.
We welcome new members, and transferring officials from other areas that have relocated to Pinellas County. We offer training sessions for new officials, in addition to the clinics offered by the the FHSAA.
We meet generally on Monday nights 7:00 PM during the fall at Clearwater High School, Clearwater, FL.
ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
A. The purpose of these by-laws is to set forth rules which will govern the membership, organization, and operation of the SUNSHINE FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC., hereafter, known as SFOA.
B. The SFOA is incorporated and organized for the purpose of providing officials for football games to provide education and training for football officials, and to conduct any and all other business activities that might be related thereto, including but not limited to the betterment of the SFOA, its members and the persons and organizations that it works with. Any activities not within this purpose and not related to the betterment of this organization or its membership, with these purposes in mind are expressly prohibited.
C. Upon the dissolution of the SFOA, all assets of SFOA, after satisfying all outstanding debts and expenses, will be distributed to any successor organization of the SFOA. Should there not be a successor organization to the SFOA, then distribution will be made to another organization of similar purpose, or to a non-profit or not for profit organization that benefits and promotes youth football. Said distribution will be made upon the recommendation of the SFOA Board of Directors with approval of the current SFOA membership.
D. This organization does not discriminate on any basis. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 16 regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or disability.
E. The SFOA adheres to the FHSAA officials guidebook of the current years issue and all rules, policies and procedures of the FHSAA, the by-laws of the SFOA, and any and all policies and procedures adopted by the SFOA.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership shall be granted to all persons over the age of 16 years, who comply with any and all requirements that might be set by the FHSAA and/or SFOA guidelines, who pay their annual dues. Members. shall be provided copies of any/all by-laws, policies, and procedures of the SFOA or provided with access to the same.
B. Membership shall begin July I and end June 30 of the following year.
C. Dues shall be set by a majority vote of the membership. This vote shall be taken at the last membership meeting in May of each year, for the upcoming year.
D. A member becomes delinquent when SFOA and/or FHSAA due's are not paid by the third regular membership meeting of the year. Late fees, fines, or assessments by the SFOA and/or FHSAA will result in delinquency also until paid in full.
E. Any members whose dues are delinquent will lose their rights and privileges of membership during the time of delinquency. (This includes but is not limited to the right to vote and game assignments.)
F. The rights and privileges of membership of the SFOA do not vest for prospective members until dues are paid.
G. The SFOA Board of Directors are exempt from dues.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
A. The SFOA will be governed by a Board of Directors. Eight Directors shall consist of a 1-President, 1-Vice President, 1-Secretary, 1-Treasurer, and 4-Directors at Large. These Directors shall be elected by the membership per ARTICLE VI.
B. Director officers are elected for a one year term.
C. Directors at Large are elected for a two year term. These terms are to be staggered so that two are elected each year.
ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
A. President
1. Preside at all membership meetings of the SFOA and all Board of Directors meetings of the SFOA.
2. Take any and all steps necessary to enact, support and enforce the by-laws and policies adopted by the SFOA.
3. Act as the Board of Director's representative on all negotiations on behalf of the SFOA.
4. Appoint committees, present recommendations, and assign duties as may be necessary to carry out the business of the SFOA.
5. Bring Board of Directors and committee proposals before the membership of the SFOA for approval or rejection.
6. Sign any and all contracts and agreements on behalf of the SFOA, including acting as an authorized counter signatory on all checks of the SFOA.
B. Vice-President
1. Assume all duties listed in ARTICLE IV-A of the President in his absence.
2. Oversee any and all standing committees of the SFOA.
3. Be an authorized counter signaory on all checks of the SFOA.
C. Secretary
1. Keep attendance records at all membership and Board of Directors meetings of the SFOA.
2. Prepare minutes from all membership meetings and Board of Directors meetings of the SFOA. The minutes of each session will be available in written form for membership review at or before the next scheduled meeting.
3. Handle all correspondence of the SFOA.
4. Preside at meetings in the absence of the President and Vice-President.
5. Keep accurate records of all SFOA business and submit them to the incoming Secretary at the end of the elected term.
6. Maintain an accurate list of current and active SFOA members.
7. Verify the eligibility of SFOA members to vote in any election required by the SFOA, including the making of a determination of any quorum requirements.
8. Be an authorized counter signatory on all checks of the SFOA.
D. Treasurer
1. Receive and collect all monies on behalf of the SFOA.
2. Keep and maintain accurate financial records of the SFOA.
3. Open and maintain appropriate bank accounts in the name of the SFOA for deposit of all SFOA funds and financial transactions.
4. Pay out all monies as authorized by the SFOA Board of Directors and membership of the SFOA.
5. Keep, maintain, and submit all records at the end of the elected term to the incoming Treasurer. These records are to be kept in accordance with sound accounting principles and prepared in such a way to facilitate an audit by Board of Directors.
6.Prepare and file any and all federal and state tax returns as may be required by law.
7. Prepare and send to the members of the SFOA any and all compensation forms that may be required by law.
8. Prepare written reports of the SFOA financial status for the SFOA Board of Directors and SFOA members at each meeting.
9. Prepare and submit an annual budget for approval by the membership of the SFOA at the first scheduled meeting in April.
E. Directors at Large
1. Meet with other Board of Directors and conduct the business of the SFOA as necessary.
2. Perform all duties as assigned from time to time by the President or Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. The Board of Directors will conduct and transact the business of the SFOA making recommendations when necessary for the good of the membership. The Board of Directors will hold regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors, and regularly scheduled meetings of the members of the SFOA as deemed necessary, upon proper notice. These meetings will be open to attendance by any member of the SFOA. Any Board Director who misses three Board of Directors meetings in a row, without a finding of good cause by the Board of Directors, will be deemed to have vacated their Director position.
B. The Board of Directors will approve the standing committees of the SFOA.
C. The new Board of Directors will accept or reject the Treasurer’s end of the year report and thereafter shall audit the same. The audit report shall be completed and approved by the Board by the end of February.
D. The Board of Directors will receive and review any recommendations from the Grievance Committee. After receipt and review of recommendations, the Board of Directors has the power to take any action deemed necessary and in the best interest of the SFOA in accordance with the policies, rules and procedures of the FHSAA and the SFOA.
E. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fine, suspend, or expel, from the SFOA any member found in violation of the by-laws and policies of the SFOA, Rules of Conduct or Code of Ethics as established by the SFOA and the FHSAA. Said action shall be in writing and shall be reflected in minutes of the meeting.
F. The Board of Directors, with recommendations from the Evaluation Committee, has the responsibility for establishing and exercising the guidelines for the evaluation and annual approval of all officials.
G. The Board of Directors has the responsibility of approving the payment of any expenses, not provided for in the annual budget.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS
A. Elections shall be held at the first regularly scheduled meeting in November.
B. Nominations for all officers, directors, and elected positions will be made from the floor of the SFOA membership meeting preceding the I st regularly scheduled meeting in November.
C. Additional nominations from the floor will be accepted on the night of the election. (All candidates must consent to the nomination for it to be placed on the ballot).
D. Officers, Directors, and all elected positions shall be elected by a simple majority of the SFOA members present. Provisions may be made by the board, for the use of absentee ballots.
E. Newly elected Directors, and other elected positions will assume their office on January 1.
F. Vacancies occurring in Directors positions and other elected positions will be filled by nominations from the floor at the next regularly scheduled SFOA meeting, with an election following at the meeting immediately thereafter. A simple majority of those present will constitute a valid election. Directors who are elected in such a manner will serve the remainder of the unexpired term of the Director they replace.
G. Directors and other elected positions of the SFOA can be removed from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, and conduct which is determined to be in violation and contrary to the stated purposes of the SFOA, its by-laws, and policies.
H. A Directors removal will be predicated upon a members motion at a regularly scheduled membership meeting. Any and all evidence of misconduct shall be provided to the membership. A vote of 2/3 of the membership is required for removal.
I. A vacancy created by such a removal will be filled as required by this Article, subsection F.
ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES
A. The SFOA will have four standing committees. These committees are 1-Evaluation; 2- Assignment; 3-Recommendations; 4-Grievance. The responsibilities, formation, and composition of these committees are to be governed by the rules and regulations of the FHSAA.
B. The Recommendations Committee will be responsible for determining the procedures for assignment of playoff crews. These procedures will be effective upon approval by the SFOA membership. The procedures for the upcoming year are to be approved by the first meeting in September. Once they are approved they will be effective for a two year period before any changes can be made. (No procedure can be approved that is contradictory to FHSAA Rules and Guidelines per Article 1. E. and Article VII. A.)
ARTICLE VIII - BOOKING COMMISSIONER
A. There will be a Booking Commissioner elected by the members of the SFOA in the same manner as other officers and directors of the SFOA.
B. The Booking Commissioner shall make all game assignments pursuant to the by-laws and policies of the SFOA and FHSAA rules and policies.
C. The Booking Commissioner will report to the Assignment Committee.
D. The Booking Commissioner will be exempt from dues.
E. The Booking Commissioner will be paid a fee as approved by vote of the SFOA membership for each calendar year.
F. Policies regarding the selection of referees and crews will be formulated by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership of the SFOA. The Board of Directors has the final approval for all high school varsity referees and crews, and has the right to make changes before or after the selection process, taking into consideration the best interest of the SFOA.
ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS
A. Membership meetings of the SFOA shall be held on a regular basis as necessary to conduct the business of the SFOA.
B. Members shall receive notice of meetings at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting.
C. Special meetings may be called from time to time at the discretion of the board with appropriate notice.
D. A simple majority of the membership constitutes a quorum. A quorum is necessary to conduct the business of the SFOA.
E. Except as found in these by-laws, a vote carries by a majority of those present.
F. Meetings shall be conducted pursuant to parliamentary procedures. Any disagreements regarding appropriate procedures shall be resolved according to Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE X - RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MEMBERSHIP
A. Attend all membership meetings of the SFOA. (Attendance at meetings is not mandatory, but may be taken into consideration as a criteria when making game and playoff assignments.)
B. Pay membership dues and maintain FHSAA membership as a football official.
C. Approve the proposed budget of the SFOA for the coming year.,
D. Approve for payment any extraordinary expenses, as defined in budget, not allocated for in the budget.
E. Each member is responsible for determining his own game schedule and timely notifying the Booking Commissioner of his unavailability for scheduled games.
F. Each member is required to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules and policies of the NFHS, the FHSAA, and the SFOA.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
A. These by-laws may be amended at any time pursuant to appropriate motion at a scheduled meeting of the SFOA membership.
B. All members of the SFOA shall be provided with the proposed amendment.
C. An election will take place at the next scheduled meeting of the SFOA membership. A vote of 51% of the membership is required for an amendment to pass.
More information coming soon.