Officials: MLUA Bylaws

WOMEN'S DIVISION OF U.S. LACROSSE, INC.

OFFICIALS COUNCIL – MINNESOTA LOCAL UMPIRING ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

  Section 1.1: These are the bylaws of the Minnesota Local Umpiring Association (hereafter “LUA”) of the Women's Division of U.S. Lacrosse, Inc., which serve to govern the operations of this association only.

   Section 1.2: These Bylaws are to be interpreted consistent with the Bylaws of U.S. Lacrosse, Inc., the Women's Division, and the Officials' Council. All definitions of U.S. Lacrosse, Inc. are incorporated herein, and in conjunction with the Women's Division Umpires' Manual, which serves as the policy book of the Officials' Council.

CHAPTER 2: MEMBERSHIP

  Section 2.1: Any rated or probationary women's lacrosse umpire who resides in Minnesota, pays dues to the LUA, and is a member in good standing of U.S. Lacrosse, Inc., is considered a member of the LUA.

   Section 2.2: Probationary and rated umpires are defined by the Officials' Council of U.S. Lacrosse, Inc.

Section 2.3: Annual dues are payable before the annual meeting, shall be determined by the Executive Board and shall be approved by the membership. The Treasurer shall notify any members who are one month in arrears.

CHAPTER 3: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  Section 3.1: The LUA will be governed by an Executive Board, which shall at a minimum consist of a local umpiring chair, a vice chair, a treasurer, and a secretary. The Executive Committee shall consists of the Executive Board and any appointments described in Sections 3.7 through 3.11.

   Section 3.2: The Executive Board members shall each serve a two (2) year term. They shall be elected at the annual meeting of the LUA by a majority of members present at that meeting, provided a quorum exists. Each term of office shall commence on June 15 of the year of election. Executive Board members may serve succeeding terms and shall serve until a replacement has been elected.

   Section 3.3: The local umpiring chair shall preside at the meetings of the LUA, shall act as the liaison to the local US lacrosse chapter, shall act as the local rules interpreter including representing the local association at the annual required national rules interpretation meeting and setting the annual interpretation meeting, shall maintain records of appropriate renewal dates for all umpires within the local umpiring association, shall ensure that all members are U.S. Lacrosse members, and otherwise shall conduct the business of the LUA. The local umpiring chair shall also serve as the assigner unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board. The local umpiring chair should hold at least a District rating unless no such person is available and willing to serve. Otherwise the local umpiring chair should hold at least a Local rating unless no such person is available and willing to serve.

   Section 3.4: The vice chair(s) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chair during the absence or disability of the chair. The vice chair(s), shall coordinate training efforts and assist the chair in communicating rules interpretation locally. The vice chair(s) will also act as the ratings chair, unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board. The vice chair(s) should hold at least a District rating unless no such person is available and willing to serve. Otherwise, the vice chair(s) should hold at least a Local rating unless no such person is available and willing to serve.

   Section 3.5: The treasurer shall collect all dues for the LUA, including dues payable to U.S. Lacrosse, shall transmit those dues to U.S. Lacrosse, shall pay all debts and expenses of the LUA, and shall show a proper accounting of all monies collected. The treasurer shall also serve as the fundraising chair unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.

   Section 3.6: The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to her. The council secretary shall ensure that notices of each annual meeting of the LUA are properly sent to all members within 15 days of the annual meeting. The secretary shall also ensure that any other communications, from U.S. Lacrosse to the LUA or otherwise concerning the LUA are sent to the appropriate members. The secretary shall administer the written exam and ensure that the results of the exam are conveyed to the local umpiring chair. The secretary shall also serve as the recruiting chair unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.

   Section 3.7: If appropriate, the Executive Board may appoint a ratings chair whose responsibilities will include coordinating of local rating sessions, reporting to the local chair test scores and service given by the membership and ensuring that training opportunities are available for umpires to improve their skills and ratings.

   Section 3.8: If appropriate, the Executive Board may appoint an assigner whose responsibilities will include assign the umpires based upon their ratings for all games within the LUA jurisdiction.

   Section 3.9: If appropriate, the Executive Board may appoint a representative to the state high school association or any other association, whose responsibilities will include representing the LUA at the state association meetings and reporting back to the Executive Board.

Section 3.10: If appropriate, the Executive Board may appoint a recruiting chair, whose responsibilities will include coordinating recruitment of new officials in an effort to reach recruitment goals as set by the Executive Board each year.

Section 3.11: If appropriate, the Executive Board may appoint a fundraising chair, whose responsibilities will include coordinating fundraising efforts in an attempt to reach annual revenue requirements as set by the Executive Board each year.

   Section 3.12: Before the annual meeting at which Executive Board members will be elected, the Executive Board should appoint a nominating committee, whose responsibilities will include developing at least one nomination for each position on the Executive Board. Nominations for the Executive Board may also be accepted at the annual meeting from the floor.

   Section 3.13: If any Executive Board member cannot attend a particular event or fulfill a particular duty on a limited basis—for example, if the local umpiring chair cannot attend the national rules interpretation meeting—she/he may appoint a proxy to perform the duty in her/him stead, providing a) the proxy is a member in good standing of U.S. Lacrosse and of the LUA, b) the Executive Committee member has notified the membership of her/him intent to appoint the proxy, and c) the proxy expires at the conclusion of the particular event or time period.

   Section 3.14: Any Executive Board member may be removed from office, for any reason, by a two-thirds majority of the members of the LUA present at a meeting warned for that particular purpose, provided that a quorum exists. Notice of the meeting and its purpose must have been sent by mail or other reasonable means to all members of the LUA, including the Executive Board member, at least fifteen days prior to the meeting, and the Executive Board member must be given an opportunity to speak at the meeting.

   Section 3.15: The Executive Board shall act as a grievance committee to:

• handle local complaints by officials concerning assignments, coach, spectator or player conduct, and other official's conduct;

• handle complaints concerning an official's conduct by coaches, players, spectators, athletic directors, or other officials,

• handle ethical complaints involving officials.

Either the complainant or the official complained about may request that an ethics complaint be referred from the Executive Board to the National Umpire Committee's Ethics Committee. Any grievances about district ratings or regional issues should be referred to the Super-Region board.

CHAPTER 4: MEETINGS

  Section 4.1: The local umpiring chair shall call to order the annual meeting of the LUA by April 1 st . At a minimum, during the annual meeting the following agenda items will be discussed: the election of officers (in appropriate years), the rules interpretation meeting, administration of the written examination, and all other business to come before the LUA. There is no requirement for attendance at this meeting for business to be conducted. However, all members are required to attend the annual meeting so that they are re/certified through the US Women's Lacrosse Association to officiate games during the upcoming year.

   Section 4.2: If voting in the general meeting is required a quorum of 2/3 must be present. This would be 2/3 of the total membership for the current year. Members are defined in Chapter 2. For the transaction of any business that does not require a vote a simple majority (51%) of the members as defined in Chapter 2 are must be present.

   Section 4.3: The local umpiring chair may call any additional meeting she/he deems necessary to conduct the business of the LUA. She will give the general membership a minimum of 48 hours notice. Informing members of said meetings will be through all forms of communication available.

CHAPTER 5: CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICAL PRACTICES

  Section 5.1: No member of the LUA may vote on any matter in which she/he has a financial interest, in which any member of her/him immediate family has a financial interest, or on any other matter in which she/he has a conflict of interest. If a member of the LUA becomes aware of any matter that could be considered a conflict of interest, she/he shall immediately disclose that conflict to the local umpiring board.

   Section 5.2: All members of the LUA must follow the umpiring Code of Ethical Conduct. All umpires must follow the Women's Division Umpires' Manual for guidance concerning ratings, payment of dues, conduct, and other matters. All members must apply the Rules of Women's Lacrosse consistent with official interpretations of those rules.

   Section 5.3: All members of the LUA are required to attend an annual interpretation meeting, pass the written examination, provide service, and otherwise conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Women's Division Officials' Council and any other consistent rules adopted by this LUA.

CHAPTER 6: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

  Section 6.1: These bylaws may be amended or repealed by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the members of the LUA present at a meeting at which a quorum exists.

   Section 6.2: Prior notice of any proposed amendment or repeal of any bylaw should be contained in a notice of the meeting at which it will be voted on, which should be published to the members at least fifteen (15) days before the meeting commences.

   Section 6.3: These bylaws, and any amendments to them, must be submitted to the Women's Division Officials' Council for approval and acceptance.

CHAPTER 7: TRANSACTION BY OTHER MEANS

  Section 7.1: Whenever any action by the LUA or its Executive Committee is required, that action may be conducted by mail, telephone, or other means. Any action by mail shall be deposited in U.S. mail postage prepaid at least fifteen (15) days before the ballot is to be returned. Any action by telephone or other electronic means must be conducted in a manner in which all participants may communicate with each other simultaneously.