NBAABO CONSTITUTION

 

(Originally Revised and Adopted October 2000)

(Revised and Adopted, October 2006)

(Revised and Adopted, October 2007)

(Revised and Adopted, October 2008)

 

Article 1 - Name

 

The name of the organization is the Association of Approved Basketball Officials Incorporated (AABO Inc.).  The organization may informally be known as the New Brunswick Association of Approved Basketball Officials (NBAABO).

 

Article 2 - Head Office

 

The head office of the AABO Inc. is the place of residence of the President.

 

Article 3 - Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of the NBAABO shall be September 1 to August 31

 

Article 4 - Objectives

 

The objectives of this organization are:

 

1.      To promote a high standard of basketball officiating in the province.

2.      To help develop, among officials and others, a thorough understanding of the rules.

3.      To encourage officials to enforce all the rules of the game, both in letter and spirit.

4.      To provide qualified officials, when requested by teams, leagues and tournament organizers.

5.      To maintain a roster of qualified officials to meet the expected demand for their services.

6.      To recruit, train and qualify new members to replace retiring officials.

7.      To work closely with other provincial and national organizations for the good of sport in general and basketball in particular.

 

Article 5 - Board of Directors/Executive

 

1. A Board of Directors governs the AABO Inc.  The Board is comprised of the immediate past president, president, vice-president, interpreter, secretary-treasurer, all regional representatives, the BNB nominee to AABO, the NBIAA nominee to AABO, and committee chairs.

 

2. The executive committee of the association shall be the immediate past president, the president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and the interpreter.

 

Article 6 - Honorary Officers and Members

 

1. In addition to the officers listed heretofore, the AABO may, from time to time, elect a President Emeritus, who shall hold office for life, and any number of honorary life members.

2. A nominee for President Emeritus or honorary life member shall be proposed by the executive committee and shall be voted on at the next annual general meeting.  In considering a nominee for the position of President Emeritus or honorary life member, the executive committee is to be guided by the principles that the honor is intended to recognize outstanding and long-standing contributions, within New Brunswick, to the AABO, its members and basketball.

3. In order to be elected President Emeritus or an honorary life member, an individual must receive a simple majority from those in attendance and eligible to vote at the annual meeting.

4. An honourary life member, who wishes to maintain membership in either the Canadian or International associations of basketball officials, may do so provided that individual pays any membership fees levied by those organizations.

 

Article 7 - Duties of Board Members and Executive

 

1. The President is the chief executive officer of this association.  The President shall preside at all meetings, be responsible for the affairs of the association and, with the assistance of the Board, execute and administer the policies established by the members and carry out all other duties normally associated with this position. The President or the President's designate from the executive committee shall represent the AABO at the CABO supervisor’s annual meeting.  The president is an ex-officio member of all committees.  The president has the authority to act on any matter not specifically covered by the constitution or operational procedures.  The president shall report all such matters, in writing, to the executive.

2.The vice-president will, in the absence of the president, perform the duties of that office, will chair of the fees and expenses committee, and will be the AABO liaison with the NBIAA.

3. The immediate past president will chair the nominating committee and will be the AABO liaison to BNB.

4. The secretary-treasurer is the corporate secretary and the chief financial officer of the AABO.  The secretary-treasurer is responsible for all written and financial records of the AABO.   The secretary-treasurer is responsible for all monies of the AABO, preparing an annual financial statement, keeping up-to-date record of names and addresses of all AABO members, recording and distributing the minutes of all meetings, and performing other duties assigned by the president. 

5. The interpreter shall chair the education and interpretations committee and is responsible for ensuring that all duties assigned to the committee are carried out. The interpreter is the AABO representative to CABO in respect to interpretations.

6. Each regional representative is responsible for carrying out the work of the AABO in a specified region, representing the views of members, chairing regional meetings, and having general responsibility for recruiting, clinics and training programs, interpretations, and administration.

 

Article 8 - Elections

 

1. The president, vice-president, interpreter and secretary-treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years.  They may re-offer. 

2. The election of officers shall be at the annual general meeting of the association in odd numbered years.

3. All candidates for Executive positions must be made known to the Nominating Committee 35 days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting of each election year.  This information is to be transmitted to the Secretary/Treasurer for inclusion in the Annual Meeting notice sent to all members.  Nominations for Executive positions will not be accepted from the floor at the Annual General Meeting. 

4. To be elected, a candidate must secure a majority of the votes cast (50% + 1).

5. If an executive position becomes vacant, the Executive shall be empowered to fill it on an interim basis until; (a) the next annual general meeting, when an election will be held to fill the position for the remainder of the term, or (b) the next regularly scheduled elections.

6. Each regional representative and assignor shall be elected annually at a regional general meeting, which shall be held prior to the provincial annual general meeting. 

7. Members resident in the region, who are in good standing and have paid their membership dues and all assigning fees, shall be entitled to vote. 

8. To be elected, a candidate must secure a majority of the votes cast (50% + 1). 

9. There will be separate elections for each position; however, one person may fill both positions.

10. If a Regional Representative or Assignor position becomes vacant, a replacement shall be elected at a Regional General Meeting to be convened as soon as possible after the vacancy occurs.  The elected replacement shall hold office until the next regularly scheduled election.

 

Article 9 - Standing Committees

 

1. The standing committees of this association shall be:

 

a)    Executive

b)    Board of Directors

c)    education and interpretations

d)    evaluations and assignments

e)    college board

f)      honors and awards

g)    nominating

h)    game fees and expenses

i)      audit and budget

j)      discipline

 

2. With the exception of the Executive, Board of Directors and the discipline committees, the chair and members of each committee shall be appointed biennially by the Executive. The term of each committee chair and members will terminate with each biennial election.  The executive, on an as required basis, will appoint the chair and members of the discipline committee.

 

3. Duties of the standing committees:

 

a)    The executive committee is responsible for the day to day governance of the AABO.  The executive is empowered to approve non-budgeted expenditures in excess of $150 during the course of the year, but must report on these expenditures to the Board and the next annual general meeting.

b)    The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the AABO and for oversight authority of the executive.

c)    The education and interpretations committee oversees rules and interpretation clinics within each region. works with CABO and other officials' organizations in holding inter-provincial clinics, provides common rule interpretations and mechanics, and trains regional clinicians.

d)    The evaluations and assignments committee establishes rating and upgrading procedures, conducts evaluations, makes recommendations regarding non-regional assignments, establishes on-going evaluation procedures, ensures the training of a sufficient number of evaluators, and is responsible for the inter-regional exchanges.

e)    The college board committee is responsible for appointing officials to the college board, making assignments and evaluating officials.

f)      The honors and awards committee recommends to the executive persons to be honoured by the association. It recommends for recognition to the AABO, BNB and CABO those who have demonstrated a long-term dedication to basketball and have brought distinction to the AABO and basketball in general.  The committee is responsible for the AABO service awards.

g)    The nominating committee recommends to each biennial annual meeting the names of persons to be considered for election to the executive.

h)    The game fees and expenses committee recommends to the Board of Directors changes to the game fees and expenses to be charged.

i)      The audit and budget committee, in conjunction with the executive, prepares and submits the annual budget for the AABO, and conducts an independent internal audit of the previous year's financial transactions.

j)      The discipline committee hears matters relating to alleged violations of the Constitution or the operating procedures by a member.

 

Article 10 - Membership / Voting

 

1.      There shall be four classes of membership in this association - active, provisional, associate and honourary life.

2.      An active member is one who is actively engaged in officiating or is qualified to do so.  A provisional member is one who has passed the written test.  An associate member is one who is interested in the promotion of basketball but is not active in officiating.  An honorary life member is not active in officiating.

3.      Only active members, who are in good standing and have paid their membership dues and all assigning fees, are entitled to vote at association meetings.

4.      Non-payment of membership dues or assigning fees will result in automatic termination of membership in the AABO.

 

Article 11 - Game Fees and Expenses

 

Game fees and expenses to be charged by members of the association shall be set at an annual or special meeting called for that purpose.  A meeting shall accept or reject a report of the game fees and expenses committee, which has been approved by the Board of Directors.  The amounts approved shall apply to the following season.  (See also Section 14 of the Operating Procedures).

 

Article 12 - Meetings

 

1.    The annual meeting of the AABO Inc. shall be the weekend prior to Thanksgiving at a location set by the Executive.

2.    The AABO Board shall meet at least twice annually.  It is the responsibility of board members to attend these meetings.  The secretary-treasurer shall notify the membership at the annual general meeting of attendance at these meetings.

3.    Board or special meetings may be called at any time by the president or by a majority of the Board of Directors.

4.    Executive meetings shall be held as required at the call of the President or a majority vote of the Executive.

 

Article 13 - Regions

 

For purposes of the AABO, the province is divided into the following six regions:

 

1.      Zone 1: Woodstock

2.      Zone 2: Fredericton

3.      Zone 3: St. Stephen

4.      Zone 4: Saint John

5.      Zone 5: Moncton

6.      Zone 6: North Shore (combining Campbellton, Bathurst & Miramichi)

 

Article 14 - Quorum

 

1.      For Executive meetings, three members in good standing constitute a quorum.

2.      For Board meetings, six members in good standing constitute a quorum.

3.      For annual or special general meetings, ten members in good standing constitute a quorum.

 

Article 15 - Emblem

 

The Board of Directors may, from time to time, adopt any mark, design, device or symbol, or emblem for use of the AABO.

 

Article 16 - Discipline

 

1.      Any member, who violates the provisions of this constitution, operating procedures, or who commits an act contrary to the good of basketball or this Association, may face disciplinary action.  This disciplinary action may include written reprimand, loss of assignments, and suspension, or removal from any elected position(s).

2.      Any complaint about an official must be in writing and filed with the appropriate Regional Representative.

3.      Action will only be taken by the NAABO on written and signed documents.

4.      In matters involving unethical behavior by officials or others, it is the responsibility of the Regional Representative (or Assignor in the event the complaint involves the Regional Representative) to make a preliminary investigation and determine if further action is required.  The Regional Representative (or Assignor as the case may be)  shall keep the President advised of all developments by copies of all correspondence.  If further action is required the President will refer the matter to the executive committee, which, if necessary, will appoint a disciplinary committee.

5.      The member must be notified in writing by the executive of the alleged violation and given an opportunity to present a defense before the discipline committee (See Operating Procedures, section 3(2)) 

6.      The discipline committee shall comprise one nominee of the executive, one nominee of the member, and an independent chair chosen by the other two nominees.

7.      The decision of the discipline committee may be appealed to the Board, whose decision is final.

 

Article 17 - Rules of Order

 

Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply to resolve disputes at all meetings.

 

Article 18 - Affiliations

 

The AABO Inc. is affiliated with the CABO, IAABO, NBIAA, Basketball New Brunswick (BNB), AUS and ACAA.  It works co-operatively with those organizations in accordance with mutually agreed to terms and conditions.  These agreements are subject to review by the Executive from time to time.  Any changes to agreements are subject to ratification at an annual general meeting.

 

Article 19 - Amendments

 

1.      This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of those members, in good standing, present at an annual or special meeting held for that purpose, provided that 30 days notice of the meeting has been given to the members.

 

2.      A notice of motion to amend the constitution must be sent to the secretary-treasurer, in writing or electronically, at least 30 days prior to an Annual General Meeting.  The secretary-treasurer will send copies of the notice to the members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

 

OPERATING PROCEDURES

 

Section 1 - Working Conditions

 

1.      No official shall work a game alone except for ``An Act of God``.

2.      No official shall work a game, assigned under the aegis of the AABO, with a non-member unless the non-member has filed a current application for membership.

3.      Where a regional assigning system is established, no official may officiate a game that has not been assigned by the assigning officer.

 

Section 2 - Dress

 

All association members are required to wear the approved dress of the AABO: (a) effective the 2002-03 season, a black and white striped shirt with a v-neck, (b) black trousers, (c) black shoes, and (d) black socks.  Officials qualified under IAABO may wear that association’s proper dress provided both officials are dressed the same.

 

Section 3 - Code of Conduct  - Complaints

 

1. Code of Conduct

 

It is the responsibility of an official to:

a)    maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity,

b)    make decisions without deference to team, score, spectators or home facility,

c)    maintain consistency while interpreting and enforcing the rules of basketball,

d)    exhibit concern for players welfare by correcting situations which involve actions detrimental to the welfare of all participants,

e)    maintain a friendly and communicative attitude toward players, coaches and spectators on and off the court,

f)      maintain a sense of composure at all times,

g)    always wear the proper uniform and be neatly and appropriately attired,

h)    consistently strive to improve ones own ability through regular attendance at rules clinics,

i)      honor all obligations and commitments,

j)      be fully prepared both physically and mentally for each game,

k)    promote and support the sport at all times,

l)      treat other officials with professional dignity and courtesy and refrain from criticizing other officials,

m)   refrain from the use of alcohol and misuse of drugs, on the day of the game (prior to the game),

n)    avoid inappropriate physical contact with players, coaches or spectators, and

o)    be in facilities only for purposes of officiating a game or other legitimate activity.

 

Section 4 - New Members

 

Any person may become a member of this association by:

1.      filing an application with the secretary-treasurer;

2.      paying an application fee, set by the executive;

3.      passing the written examination and paying insurance fees to qualify as a provisional member; 

4.      passing the practical examination;

5.      paying the balance of his first year’s dues within 30 days of receiving a notice to do so;

6.      the new candidate fee is applicable for the first year of officiating only, which is deemed to be the year in which a candidate has successfully passed the written examination and the practical examination;

7.      new candidates will pay a five ($5) dollar non-refundable fee to be applied toward their new officials membership fee after successfully passing the written and practical examinations; and

8.      New members shall pay first year membership dues of thirty ($30).

 

Section 5 - Membership Renewals

 

1.      Members shall pay annual membership dues of sixty-five ($65) dollars;

2.      annual membership dues are payable by April 30 of each year;    

3.      members are not be eligible for assignments until the annual dues are paid;

4.      payments received after April 30th are subject to a surcharge of ten dollars;

5.      membership dues must be received by the secretary-treasurer on or before November 30 of each year;

6.      renewals postmarked or presented in person after November 30 shall not be accepted; and,

7.      membership and registration is for a period of one year, from September 1st to August 31st, and is renewable annually.

 

Section 6 - Written Examinations

 

1.      All qualified and prospective officials in New Brunswick are required to write the CABO exam annually.  The exam shall be written on a date established by the executive.  The exam shall be written without external aid and be supervised by the regional representative or a designate.

2.      The pass mark for the CABO exam is 86%.  Failure to achieve this mark on two consecutive exams will result in a reduction in rating from A to B.  The pass mark for a B rating is 76%.  Failure of a B official to achieve this mark on two consecutive exams shall result in forfeiture of active membership.

3.      Officials wishing to officiate at the AUS (University Men’s) level shall write the annual CIS examination. Its' pass mark is 86%.

 

Section 7 - Floor Tests

 

1.      Based on marks attained on the annual exam(s) and/or floor tests, all officials shall be rated as B, A, or AA.

2.      In order for a prospective official to become eligible for a floor test, a mark of at least 76% must be attained on the written examination. 

3.      Floor tests will be conducted at the local level.  The pass mark on the floor test is 76%.  If a prospective official passes the floor test, the individual will immediately receive a B rating.

4.      An official must hold a B rating for at least one season before trying to attain an A rating. 

5.      An official wishing to be upgraded must first make a mark of 86% on the annual CABO examination, receive the recommendation of the regional representative, and advise the secretary-treasurer of a wish to be upgraded. 

6.      The evaluation and assignments committee shall, whenever possible, conduct these evaluations at an annual central upgrading clinic to be held in conjunction with an appropriate tournament of high school age or above.  A panel of at least three AABO members shall evaluate each candidate for an A rating.  The pass mark for this floor test shall be 86%.

7.      Officials wishing to be upgraded to AA shall first make a mark of 86% on the annual CIS examination and then advise the secretary-treasurer of a wish to be upgraded. 

8.      The evaluation and assignment committee will decide on the best method(s) for administering floor tests for such candidates.  A panel of at least three AABO members with experience in CIS rules shall evaluate these officials.  The pass mark for this floor test is 86%.

9.      To be eligible for national and international assignments, an AABO member in good standing must meet the criteria outlined in the CABO constitution.

 

Section 8 - Assignments

 

1.      It shall be the duty of each regional representative to see that an assigning officer is elected. 

2.      Each assigning officer shall assign officials to games within each region. 

3.      Each assigning officer must assess and collect 8% of the game fees for the officials assigned. 

4.      Any assignor who does not charge an assigning fee of 8% must be removed from the position.

5.      No official shall accept a game that has not been assigned to him by an assigning officer.

6.      All assignments within a region shall be the responsibility of the regional assigning officer with the exception of the following: (a) College Board, (b) NBIAA Championship Tournaments, (c) National or International assignments.

 

Section 9 - Assignments - NBIAA Championships

 

1.      General

a)    Only A or AA officials, in good standing, are eligible for Provincial Sectional and Final 8 tournament assignments.

b)    An official who wishes to be considered for a tournament assignment shall submit to the secretary-treasurer by January 15 the dates on which the official is available.

c)    From this list, the evaluation and assignments committee will make the appointments to the Provincial Sectional and Final 8 tournaments.

d)    The evaluation and assignments committee shall cause all selected officials to be notified indicating the tournament assignment, the date and the approximate starting times.

e)    If any official rejects a tournament assignment or tournament game (unless prior notification was given of a specific request) without sufficient cause, after having indicated that the individual was available, that official shall not be eligible for a tournament assignment for the following two years.

f)      The AABO Executive may negotiate with NBIAA re fees for referees for NBIAA tournaments.

 

2.      Provincial Sectionals

a)    Where feasible, no more than two officials from one region shall be assigned to any Provincial Sectional tournament.

b)    The evaluations and assignments committee will name a referee-in-chief for all tournaments and make the first day’s assignments. 

c)    Each referee-in-chief shall assign officials to subsequent games, provide constructive criticism aimed at approving the abilities of the officials involved, and liaise with the tournament manager about officiating matters.

 

3.      Final 8

a)    Each zone is guaranteed at least one appointment to the Final 8 provided that the zone has submitted a minimum of 4 names for Provincial Sectionals.  A zone, which does not submit 4 names, is not excluded from getting one or more Final 8 assignments.  It is only excluded from being guaranteed an assignment.

b)    An official must sit out one year after going to the Final 8 for two consecutive years

 

Section 10 - Assignments - College Board

 

1.      Only AA officials are eligible for selection to the College Board and for assignment to inter-university games.  When no College Board official is available, the College Board assignor has the authority to assign a non-college board official.

2.      The size of the College Board shall be determined annually by the College Board committee.

3.      The College Board committee shall make selection to the College Board.  The committee will consist of the chairperson, top two officials and any two others.

4.      On or before the 15th of September, each regional representative shall submit to the Evaluations and Assignments committee the names of those members in good standing, who are eligible for nomination to the College Board.

5.      Selection to the College Board is subject to:

a)    consideration will only be given to eligible officials whose names appear on a regional list; and,

b)    an official is in good standing.

6.      Where no official is selected from a zone, the College Board committee will arrange, upon request, to have the top ranked official from that region (provided they are eligible) officiate a university-level game for the purposes of ranking that official relative to the officials selected to the College Board.

7.      All members of the College Board shall be determined before October 15th of each year and all nominees will be advised.

 

Section 11 - Evaluations

 

1.      Each association member has a duty to assist fellow officials in improving by constructively and positively evaluating their performances and discussing these matters privately.

2.      Regional representatives may establish appropriate procedures to assist in the evaluation of officials within a region.

3.      The AABO may establish a system of on-going evaluations of ``B`` officials and provide them an opportunity to participate in the process.

4.      The AABO may establish a system of on-going annual evaluations of A officials at the zone level and will seek to promote the use of new evaluation techniques.

5.      The AABO will forward copies of regional evaluations to the designated member of the evaluations and assignments committee.

6.      The AABO will forward copies of provincial evaluations to the secretary-treasurer and the official.

7.      The AABO will consider evaluation reports in determining other assignments.

8.      The College Board committee will evaluate each College Board official during the season.

 

Section 12 - Honours and Awards

 

1.      The AABO currently has service awards that recognize 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35-year service awards.  For 40 years of service and at 5 year increments thereafter a special award shall be presented.

2.      The AABO also nominates its members for awards from other organizations that recognize officials.

3.      Recommendations to the honors and awards committee for awards may be made by anyone.

 

Section 13 - Recruiting

 

1.      Each member is responsible for actively recruiting new members.

2.      Regional representatives shall annually conduct publicity campaigns to recruit new members.

 

Section 14 - Game Fees and Expenses

 

1.      Game fees and expenses are established as follows:

a)    The vice-president chairs the committee, which after review and consultations with user groups such as Basketball New Brunswick, NBIAA, colleges and universities, submits a report regarding changes in game fees and expenses to the Board.

b)    If the Board approves the recommended changes, the report is referred to the next meeting of the AABO for acceptance or rejection.

2.      The approved game fees and expenses are binding on all members.

3.      Each zone may establish travel rates provided they do not exceed the current AABO rates.

 

The following travel policy was adopted at the 2007 Annual General Meeting and is effective September 1, 2008

 

1.      The mileage rate that is determined at an AGM is the rate that will be charged, without exception.

2.      Mileage will be paid to the driver only.

3.      It is the responsibility of each zone to document and publish zone travel charts prior to the season commencing.

4.      The assignor must make every effort to assign officials so only one travel is charged.

5.      Should an official have to officiate two games at different venues in the same geographical area, travel fee will be divided between the two user groups proportionately. It will be the assignor’s responsibility to notify both groups. (ie. No double travels!)

 

Section 15 - Board Members Expenses

 

At the determination of the annual general meeting, AABO board and executive members shall be paid out-of-pocket expenses for their meetings, with the exception of the annual general meeting or any special general meeting.

 

Section 16 - Amendments

 

These operating guidelines may be amended by a majority vote of those members, in good standing, present at the annual meeting or at a special meeting held for that purpose.  In exceptional circumstances, the Board may amend these procedures subject to ratification at the annual meeting.