​Southwestern Ohio Wrestling Officials Association

ARTICLE I NAME

SECTION 1

This organization shall be known as the Southwestern Ohio Wrestling Officials Association.

ARTICLE II OBJECT

SECTION 1

The objectives of this organization are:

•To promote amateur wrestling

•To elevate the standards of officiating

•To provide a means for the interpretation of rules

•To encourage and assist in developing new officials

•To foster a high standard of ethics

•To further the interest of wrestling in general

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

The Association shall consist of rated officials, temporary officials, and honorary members. Rated Officials and Temporary Officials shall have the right to vote and hold office.

SECTION 2

All members have the right to vote except:

•Members under suspension from the Association

•Members not attending at least four annual meetings of the SOWOA

•Members not in good standing with the Association

•Members not current with Association dues

SECTION 3

Any member who retires from membership in this Association and is in good standing in the Association may apply for an honorary membership to the President, with an honorary membership being given to members on a majority vote of the members of the Association.

SECTION 4

An official who desires to become a member in this Association may apply for membership by means of written application to the Executive Committee.

SECTION 5

Each member of the Association shall adhere to a dress and grooming code as follows: It is recommended that any male referee have his hair cut in the traditional manner, his sideburns well trimmed, and his face free from a full beard. If a moustache is worn, it is to be suitably trimmed. Unnecessary jewelry which brings attention to oneself shall not be worn.

SECTION 6

New Temporary members coming into Association:

•Shall serve a probationary period of one year

•Shall receive a recommendation of two senior members with at least five years experience

•Shall receive a majority vote of the membership in the affirmative

SECTION 7

Any member in good standing shall be permitted to withdraw from the Association with good reason.

SECTION 8

Annual dues for all members shall be decided by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS-ELECTION

SECTION 1

The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Rules Interpreter.

SECTION 2

The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Rules Interpreter shall constitute the Executive Committee. The President shall be the chairman and the Secretary shall be the Recorder of said committee.

SECTION 3

Term of office for association officers is as follows:

President . . . . . . . . . . 1 Year

Vice President . . . . . . . 1 Year

Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Years

Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . 3 years

Rules Interpreter . . . . . 1 year

SECTION 4

The office of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership at the last regularly scheduled meeting, in accordance with the expiration of their term.

SECTION 5

The Rules Interpreter shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 6

The newly elected officers shall be installed on April 1. They shall hold office for a time period as prescribed by Article IV, Section 3.

SECTION 7 If an office becomes vacant for any reason, the Executive Committee shall fill said vacancy until elections can be held at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the wrestling season.

SECTION 8 An absentee ballot will be made available to the membership, online, one week prior to the annual election of officers. The Secretary will make available to the Webmaster, the slate of candidates for the upcoming election. All members in good standing who are unable to attend will be able to cast their votes online by sending their vote to the Secretary and to the President. All votes cast in this manner must be submitted by midnight prior to the annual election.

ARTICLE V OFFICER AND COMMITTEE DUTIES

SECTION I

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and preside at all meeting of the Executive Committee. The President may appoint committees to assist in doing business for the Association.

SECTION 2

The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence. He/she shall also be the social chairman.

SECTION 3

The Secretary shall keep the records of the proceedings of the Association and Executive Committee. He/she shall keep an account of all business that he/she has transacted for the Association. He/she also shall: Have charge of all printing and publications of the Association Receive all applications for membership Keep a record of all attendance and report said attendance to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Be responsible for the Association’s reorganizational meeting

SECTION 4

The Treasurer shall collect all fees and dues. He/she shall also pay all the expenses of the Association.

SECTION 5

The Rules Interpreter shall: Shall be the liaison between the state office and the Association on rules and rules interpretations

SECTION 6

The Executive Committee shall: Meet prior to the annual meetings of the Association and hold such other meetings as the business of the Association may require. The Secretary shall call such meetings whenever necessary. The Executive Committee is also empowered to transact business by telephone or correspondence Consider the complaints presented to it concerning improper conduct on the part of any member of the Association and shall take whatever action deemed necessary Conduct the regular business of the Association in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws

ARTICLE VI MEETINGS

SECTION 1

The meetings shall be held during the times prescribed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Notice of the place and date of meetings shall be sent to members of good standing no later than ten days before the first meeting of the year.

SECTION 2

Other meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or Secretary when necessary or upon a written request of five members. Such a request shall specify the object of the meeting.

SECTION 3 One third of the membership shall constitute a Quorum for transaction of business.

SECTION 4 The order of business shall be as follows: Reading of the minutes Treasurer’s report Report of any standing committees Roll call Old business New business Presentation of rule interpretation and officiating mechanics Adjournment SECTION 5 Meetings of this Association shall be one hour and fifteen minutes in length. All members must be in attendance within ten minutes after the start of the meeting in order to be credited with attending. Members may not leave early and still be credited with attending. ARTICLE VII AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION SECTION 1 The Constitution may be amended at any meeting by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast, provided that such an amendment shall be signed by any five members of good standing, and submitted in writing and read at the following meeting.