By-Laws

Article I President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Board of Directors. He shall conduct all negotiations in behalf of the Chapter in conjunction with the Secretary and shall make every possible effort to further the policies adopted by the association.

Article II Vice President
The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or inability to act. He shall serve as program chairman, parliamentarian, and work with the chief training officer for the association. He will be responsible to implement the programs as provided by the training officer.

​

Article III 2nd Vice President
The 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President and Vice President and assist in the training of new members under the direction of the training officer.

Article IV Past President
The Past President shall perform the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President, Vice President and the 2nd Vice President.

​

Article V Secretary
The Secretary shall handle all replacements of varsity game officials as required.
The Secretary shall diligently investigate all complaints against members and shall present to the board of Directors all evidence he may produce.The Secretary may be requested to handle certain other business as directed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary has the authority to communication with Athletic Directors or Coach as need to ensure coverage of all games and any other business that might be required.
 

(a) The secretary will be paid a fee for his services at a rate set by the Board of Directors, not to exceed five thousand dollars provided funds are available. It is recommended he be paid a fee per game assigned.
(b) He will be paid from the General Fund Account, provided funds are available.

​

Article VI Treasurer
The treasurer shall have charge of collections and disbursements of all fees and dues authorized by the Chapter and shall place all receipts of the Chapter into twofunds from which disbursements shall be made. He shall carry the funds of the Chapter in a bank in the name of the Chapter and shall issue checks from this fund.

(a) The Treasurer will be prepared to make written reports of revenues and expenses at all regularly scheduled chapter meetings and Board of Directors Meetings.
(b) The Treasurer will be required to be bonded. Rio Grande Chapter will pay the bonding fee.
(c) The Treasurer will be paid a fee of five hundred dollars per year.
(d) The Treasurer will be paid from the General Fund Account, provided funds are available.

​

Article VII Training Officer
The training and programs will be set up by the Training Officer. He will be responsible for providing programs and training to the Vice President and 2nd Vice President to implement. He will work closely with them to ensure that the programs and trainings are presented to the Chapter membership.

(a) A Training Officer must have at least 15 years as an official.
(b) The Board of Directors will take applicants until December 31st. The Board will decide during the first Board meeting of January who will be the Training Officer.
(c) The Training Officer must not be a standing Board Member or Officer.
(d) The Training Officer will serve a two year term.
(d) The Training Officer will be paid five hundred dollars per year and will be paid from the Training and Retention Fund.

Article VIII Board of Directors
(a) The Board of Directors shall act in an advisory capacity to the President.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have full power to adopt all regulations to govern its own
deliberations within the framework ofthe Constitution and by-laws.
(c) The Board of Directors shall have full power to act and pass on all matters pertaining to the Association.
(d) The Board of Directors will serve as the Ethics Committee and will take whatever actions are necessary on ethical matters. Matters will be decided by majority vote.

Article IX Membership
(a) Regular members: Every football official who is a member of TASO is eligible for regular membership in Rio Grande Chapter TASO.
(b) Every regular member shall be required to pass the examination on football rules and mechanics as prescribed by TASO.
(c) No member shall be allowed to work varsity games until he has worked a total of at least ten (l0) sub-varsity games and passed the football rules test as directed by TASO. He must satisfy the Board of Directors that these requirements have been met.
(d) Membership shall be classified as Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV, and Division V. Division I and II, members only shall be allowed to hold office, but any regular member may vote if in good standing.

(e) New members will be defined as a new member from his or her initial year.
(f) To be a member in good standing, all requirements promulgated by TASO and the local chapter shall be fulfilled.
(g) Knowingly officiating UIL football games at any level with other than fellow TASO - Football members is strictly prohibited, and grounds for suspension and/or forfeiture of membership.
(h) It is recommended that all members have an email address and phone number
(i) Members must pay TASO state dues before becoming eligible to be activated on zebraware.
(j) Members shall not drop assignment to take other assignment except for a Varsity Game.

​

Article X Dues
(a) The membership year shall begin annually on January 1st and end on December 31st of the same year. Members who have not complied in paying chapter dues by February 1st, will not be eligible, nor will be sanctioned to call varsity or sub-varsity games until their dues are paid. There is a $20.00 dollar late fee for dues received untimely.
(b) Dues for local membership shall be determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Dues and penalty are subject to change depending on the financial condition of the Chapter and become due on December 31st of the current year.
(c) The membership of a member who fails to comply with the provisions of (b) by the end of December shall expire at that time.
(d) After January 1st of any year, an expired membership may be reinstated by procedure
confirming with the provisions of TASO guidelines (b) with approval of the Board of Directors.
(e) New local members will pay local dues as determined by the Board of Directors.
(f) A member who fails to pay local dues shall not be allowed to work varsity or sub-varsity games until dues are paid. The Crew Chief (Referee) will be directly responsible to the Secretary and Treasurer that all members of his crew have paid all required dues prior to the first selection of officials for varsity games. The Crew Chiefs, (Referees) may pay any dues owed by any member of his crew thus insuring that all his crews are members in good standing. The Crew Chief (Referee) will report any crew member who has not paid to the Secretary so that person may be replaced with someone who is in good standing. If a crew chief or member of his crew, whether knowingly or unknowingly, works a game for which they are not eligible, then they should appear before the ethics Committee for disciplinary action. This could include but is not limited
to such things as a monetary fine, loss of a future game, etc.
(g) The Referee must turn in a Referee application and all crew members must sign the registration.

(h) Any member's check returned by a bank for any reason will be assessed the fee, if any, the bank charges the chapter.
(i) State dues are due and payable by due date set forth by State T.A.S.O. for the ensuing year. State dues are paid directly to the State organization. Any late fees are payable to them and the local chapter has no authority to collect State Dues.

Article XI Method of Selection of Officials
(a) The Rio Grande Chapter TASO has adopted a system of selection based on the team concept. This system will consist of a five (5)or seven (7) member crews. Each team must be made up from the Rio Grande Chapter.
(b) The method of selection can be changed only by majority vote of the regular membership present.
(c) Officials shall be selected on convenient date or dates prior to or during the season as
determined by the Board of Directors. At the selection meetings any Board Member may be present.The Board may approve none Board members, if help is needed
(d) All schools serviced by the Rio Grande Chapter shall select officials on an equal basis; however, as each school reserves the right to agree on officials so has the official reserved the right to agree to work at any school. Each officiating team shall make its own determination as to its availability for game assignments.
(e) Replacement of Officials
     (1) Notify the referee of the official's team involved and present a list of eligible           officials.
     (2) The referee will select several acceptable eligible officials.
     (3) Notify both coaches of these recommended officials and secure their agreement           for vacancy with replacement.
     (4) Notify the accepted official and the team referee involved. As common sense                 dictates, the Secretary will fill emergency vacancies as best he can.
     (5) In case of last minute emergency vacancies the Varsity crew will consist of four             officials.
     (6) Crews are set for the entire season. If a member quits a crew, he will not be eligible       to be on another crew until the following season. He may petition the Board for the             second selection of officials, but the Board will have the final decision.
     (7) Referees may not remove a crew member without the approval of the Board. He             may be removed for not being in good stand with the chapter or any deciplinary                 action taken against him, but for no other reason.

     (8) On sub-varsity games, members will pay a no show fee of $35, when he fails to             notify assignor of his absence in advance. A no show could lead to a member not               being in good standing with the chapter.
     (9) A member will pay $20.00 to the assignor for any game rejections when a member         did not update calendar. If not paid, assignor my pull members assignments. This               could also lead to a member not being in good standing with the chapter.

 

Article XII Uniforms
Uniforms as prescribed by the constitution and by-laws of TASO shall be worn by members of Rio Grande Chapter TASO. This is to include the optional uniforms approved by the State TASO.

Article XIII Officiating Fees and Travel Allowance
Approved maximum UIL game fee schedule govern varsity game fees, travel and meal allowance. Sub-varsity fees are also mandated by UIL. At all times Officials will be in compliance with HB 1204.
 

 Article XIV Meetings
(a) The meeting schedule shall be determined by the Board of Directors each year. This shall include date, time, and location.
(b) All members must attend at least 80% of the Chapter's regularly scheduled meetings in order to work varsity football games during the ensuing year. Exceptions and excuses to this rule must be in writing and approved by the Board of Directors and are due by December 31st.
(c) No member with more than 2 unexcused absences will be eligible to work varsity games the ensuing year. Excuses will be limited to sickness, injury, employment requirements, or death in the family. Excuses must be turned into the Chapter Secretary via email prior to next meeting.
(d) The secretary or his representative will be responsible for maintaining attendance and insuring that all members meet the 80% attendance requirement. If a member fails to comply with the 80% attendance rules, he will not be eligible to be considered for selection in the ensuing year. Exceptions and excuses to this rule must be in writing and approved by the Board of Directors. To be a Member in good standing and eligible to vote or be eligible for the playoffs, a member must be in attendance to seven (7) meetings during the current year. Any two (2) or more point meeting may be substituted for a meeting missed. Exceptions and excuses to this rule must be in writing and approved by the Board of Directors.

(e) A member will be allowed to substitute a two (2) point educational workshop and/or state convention for a regularly scheduled chapter meeting.

Article XV Vote and Quorum
Fifty percent of the regular membership of the Chapter or a majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a Quorum, but any member may move to adjourn a meeting. This section is for voting on actions that come up during the year.

Article XVI Administrative
(a) Members who fail to comply with the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws, either through negligence or for any reason within their control, or who fail to cooperate with the Officials and members of the Board of Directors shall, after due notice and hearing, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, have their dues forfeited and their membership canceled or be temporarily suspended or whatever other lesser actions are imposed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(b) Members who violate the provisions of the By-Laws, or fail to cooperate with the officers and the members of the Board of Directors in maintaining the purpose of the organization, its Code of Ethics, and the established solicitation policy may, after due notice and hearing in accordance with the TASO Ethics and Due Process Procedures, have their membership canceled.
(c) For due cause, to be determined in accordance with the TASO Ethics and Due Process
Procedures, a member who has failed or refused to cooperate with the with the Board or any person assigned by the Board, may have their membership canceled.

 

Revised and changed November 7, 1994
Revised and changed November 6, 1995
Revised and changed November 5, 1996
Revised and changed November 3, 1997
Revised and changed November 6, 2000
Revised and changed November 2009
Revised and changed November 2012
Revised and changed November 2014
Revised and changed November 2015