CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS of
DELMARVA BASKETBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARTICLE I: Name
Section 1- The name of this Association will be the Delmarva Basketball Officials
Association, Inc. (DBOA)
ARTICLE II: Purpose
Section 1- The objectives of the DBOA are:
A. To officiate basketball games on the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity levels
on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the two counties of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
B. To provide trained and capable officials who will maintain the highest standards of
officiating.
C. To encourage good sportsmanship and fair play.
D. To establish and maintain a positive working relationship with the coaches and
administrators of the educational institutions for whom we officiate.
E. This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the
meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1- Who may join: Any applicant may be accepted as a member provided the
applicant meets all of the requirements set by the MPSSAA and the general
membership.
Section 2- Requirements for membership "in good standing."
A. Dues and assigner's fees are paid up to date. The amount of the annual membership
dues shall be determined by the executive board.
B. The member is in compliance with the rules and regulations set forth in the
Constitution & Bylaws of the Delmarva Basketball Officials Association.
Section 3- Transfer members:
A. Must present a letter from their previous association stating the following information:
1. Length of service.
2. Level of games officiated (Middle School, JV, Varsity)
3. Character reference
4. Classification/Rating (if the previous association had a rating system).
B. Letter from the previous association should preferably be on that association's
letterhead.
C. Transfer members will be approved by the executive board upon receipt of the above
letter, which should go to the board secretary.
Section 4- Inactive members:
A. A member who decides to become inactive shall not be charged association dues if
the member does not officiate any games in the particular season.
B. To return as an active member in good standing, an inactive member must have paid
their dues for the season in which the member wishes to resume actively officiating
games by May 31 of that upcoming season.
ARTICLE IV: Officers and Their Duties
Section 1 - Election of officers & terms of office:
A. All officers must be members in good standing.
B. Officers will be elected for a two-year term by a plurality vote.
C. Elections will be held every two years at the last regular general membership
meeting of the year
To be eligible to vote, Members must be in good standing.
A transferred member is eligible to vote in their first year of transferring to DBOA
As long as they are in good standing with DBOA
D. Newly elected officers will take office on May 1st.
Section 2 - Presidential appointment of officers:
A. Any elected position that becomes vacant before the completion of the term shall be
filled by Presidential appointment. The executive committee must approve this
appointment before the appointee assumes the position.
B. If an office is filled by presidential appointment in the first year of the term, a special
election will be held at the last regular general membership meeting of that year. The
winner of this special election will take office on May 1st and serve the remaining year
of the vacated term.
C. If an office is filled by presidential appointment in the second year of the term, the
appointee will serve in that office until the time of the next regular election.
Section 3- Executive Board:
A. The executive board shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer,
assigner, rules interpreter, three at-large board members, and the immediate past
President.
Section 4- Executive Board duties:
A. The executive board shall be the governing body of the DBOA. They shall conduct all
business for the good of the association.
B. The executive board shall be the sole representative with the authority to contact any
of the institutions being served by the association.
C. The executive board shall have the responsibility to maintain the highest professional
relationship with the schools being served by the association.
D. The executive board shall be responsible for assisting any association member who
seeks an audience with the executive board.
Section 5- Stipends:
A. Executive board members may receive a yearly stipend, to be determined by a
majority vote of the membership present at the same time the vote is taken.
B. The executive board will recommend to the general membership which board
member(s) will receive the stipend, and the amount
C. The assigner will not be eligible to receive a yearly stipend.
Section 6- President:
A. Shall call meetings to order and shall preside over all meetings.
B. May call special meetings as needed.
C. Shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for to execute the work of the
association.
D. Shall be responsible for enforcing the rules of the association.
E. Shall carry out assignments and instructions given to him/her by the executive board.
F. Shall perform other such duties as customarily pertain to the office of the president.
Section 7- Vice President:
A. Shall be an aide to the president and, in case of the president's absence, shall
assume and perform the duties of the president.
B. Should the Secretary not be in attendance, will take attendance for the meeting
and record minutes of the meeting, and distribute them to all active members.
Section 8- Secretary:
A. Shall issue notices of meetings and meeting agendas after consulting with the
president.
B. Shall conduct the correspondence of the association.
C. Shall keep the minutes of all meetings.
D. Shall maintain a record of meeting attendance.
Section 9- Treasurer:
A. Shall collect all fees and dues and disperse appropriate funds.
B. Shall invoice schools for all game fees as verified by the assigner.
C. Shall render an oral financial statement at each meeting.
D. Shall render to the executive board a written, detailed financial statement
on or before May 1 of each year, or when otherwise required.
Section 10 - Assigner:
A. Shall be the sole assigner of games to officials.
B. Shall verify game fees and report to the treasurer.
C. Shall acquire all schedules and shall correspond with school officials concerning
schedules when necessary.
D. Shall handle any problems that arise between schools, coaches, and officials. This
shall be done in conjunction with the executive committee if necessary.
E. The assigner's fee shall be recommended by the executive board and approved by
the general membership.
F. The assigner shall not work games, the exception being to cover a game in an
emergency situation.
G. Playoff and State Tournament game assignments will be made by the assigner in
conjunction with input from the rating committee.
Section 11- Rules Interpreter:
A. Shall discuss existing and new rules with officials, and make presentations on rules
and procedures at general meetings.
B. Shall be in charge of training new officials.
C. Shall assist existing officials with any problems regarding rules and mechanics.
D. Shall contact the state rules interpreter with any questionable rules interpretations.
E. The rules interpreter's interpretation of any questionable rule will be final, and all
officials will follow the interpretations and recommendations.
Section 12- At-large Executive Board Members:
A. Shall perform any duties requested by the executive board.
Section 13: Rating Committee:
A. Shall consist of the Assigner and a Chairperson appointed by the president. The
Chairperson will then select qualified committee members as needed.
B. Shall observe officials during the season and provide a written evaluation
for each observation. The written evaluation will provide suggestions for improvement
and serve as a training tool. The Interpreter will provide information for the rating
process.
C. Shall tabulate annual officials' ratings and report their findings to the executive board.
D. Shall send final rating information to officials.
E. Shall make recommendations to the executive board and general membership for
improvements and modifications to the rating system.
F. Shall give input to the assigner in making Playoff and State Tournament assignments.
ARTICLE V: Meetings & Attendance
Section 1: Regular meetings will be held on dates scheduled by the executive board.
Section 2: Any 1/4 of the membership may, by signed petition, instruct the president to
call a meeting, provided the reason for their request is included in the petition.
Section 3: Attendance:
A. A member must attend 2/3 of the regularly scheduled meetings of the association to
be considered in good standing.
B. If a member needs to be excused from a meeting (i.e., due to illness, business, etc.),
an excuse must be presented to the secretary. This excuse may be made by phone,
email, or written notation. The secretary, with input from the executive board, if needed,
will either excuse or not excuse the member from said meeting.
C. A member who is working an association-assigned game on the day of a scheduled
meeting will receive credit for attending the meeting.
Section 4: The yearly MPSSAA rules clinic must be completed by all members to be
eligible to officiate MPSSAA-sanctioned games.
Section 5: The yearly MPSSAA online rules test must be taken by all members.
Members must meet the MPSSAA requirement for passing the test to be eligible to
officiate MPSSAA-sanctioned games and postseason assignments.
ARTICLE VI: Parliamentary Rule
Section 1: Robert's Rules of Order will serve as a parliamentary guide for this
association.
Section 2: Any change in the constitution and by-laws must be presented to the
executive board via the secretary in writing or by email and signed by two or more
members. The proposed change must be read at the next (1st) general membership
meeting and voted on at the following (2nd) general membership meeting.
Section 3: Adoption of any proposed change to this constitution and by-laws shall
require a two-thirds vote of the members voting, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Section 4: Thirty-five percent (35%) of the members in good standing shall constitute a
quorum at any general membership meeting.
Section 5: Fifty percent (50%) of the members of the executive board shall be in
attendance to constitute a quorum at any executive board meeting.
ARTICLE VII: Uniform
Section 1: Proper uniform for the association will include:
A. Black & white striped shirt.
B. Black pants (black belt optional but not recommended)
C. Black socks.
D. Primarily black shoes with black laces.
E. Black whistle & black lanyard. Pink or other color whistles may be used to promote
awareness for special causes, but all officials on a crew must use the same color
whistle.
F. During the regular season and holiday tournament play, other style shirts designed for
basketball officiating (i.e., gray) may be worn, provided all officials on a crew wear the
same style shirt. For MPSSAA regional and state tournament games, the black & white
striped shirt must be worn.
G. Jackets, if worn, must be primarily black. Jackets must be worn pregame for
MPSSAA
regional and state tournament games.
H. No jewelry shall be worn unless for medical reasons. Wedding bands, wedding rings
are excluded and can be worn.
ARTICLE VIII: Charitable Purpose
Section 1: Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall
not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation
exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law) or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under section
170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any
future United States Internal Revenue Law.
Section 2: Upon dissolution of this corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or
more exempt purposes with the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code (or corresponding section on any future federal tax code) or shall be distributed to
the state or local government for public purposes.
BY-LAWS
1. Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all assignments.
Officials are to strive to be at the game site a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the
scheduled start time of the game, and should strive to be on the court a minimum of 10
minutes before game time.
2. A member must be in good standing to receive game assignments.
3. After accepting a game, not showing up for an assigned game or refusing to work an
assigned game may result in the forfeiture of all or part of the offending official's
schedule for the remainder of the season after review by the executive board.
4. An official must have officiated for five (5) years in order to be considered for a state
tournament assignment. Exceptions can be recommended by the rating committee.
5. New members must attend the cadet interpreter's classes. These classes are
recommended for second and third-year officials.
6. An official may be recommended by the rating committee or the executive board to
attend the cadet interpreter's classes. If an official is recommended to attend these
classes and does not attend, his/her schedule will be reduced or rescinded.
7. Only officials and evaluators are permitted in the officials' dressing room before and
after games. No one but the game officials should be in the dressing room at halftime
8. Any official who displays conduct that DBOA deems to violate the Code and Ethics
Article IX: Code of Ethics and Conduct
Code of Ethics as defined below, but not limited to:
A. No member shall use any alcoholic beverage and/or drugs on the day of
any assignment until the assignment has been completed. No alcoholic beverages
and/or drugs shall be in sight on any school property.
B. No member should report to a school with an odor that coincides with an
odor of alcohol and/or drug use before a game.
C. No member shall be at a game as a spectator while under the influence of
alcohol and/or drug use. Although you may not be working a game, you are still a
representation of DBOA.
D. The uniform shall be as prescribed by the Board. The uniform shall be neat
in appearance and clean.
E. ALL Officials are required to follow all safety and entrance protocols
regulated by the school. This may include, but is not limited to: walking through
metal detectors, bags being scanned and/or searched, and designated entry and exit
of the school.
F. The Association patch will be affixed on the left sleeve of all shirts. The
Association patch and the State patch shall be worn only by those members in
good standing.
G. Questionable fraternization is prohibited. Association with coaches, staff,
and school administration shall be limited to the scheduled game and related
activities. Immediately after the end of the game, the entire crew shall leave the
school and the game site.
H. No member shall conduct himself either on or off the court in any
manner to indicate affiliation with the basketball program of any school worked
by this Association. Any conflicts of interest must be reported and approved by
the Board.
I. Violations of any of the above or of any school safety-related policies and
procedures, as enforced for public and school safety, may result in suspension
or expulsion from DBOA for the first offense.
J. All other conduct matters set forth by the Board or the National Federation,
State, or various conferences’ ethics codes shall be considered as being a part
of this subsection, provided these codes are accessible to the general
membership.