Approved by chapter on 08-26-2025; Unanimous vote except one.
LANCASTER-LEBANON CHAPTER PIAA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS’ ASSOCIATION
PENNSYLVANIA INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be the Lancaster-Lebanon Chapter PIAA Football
Officials’ Association.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
To prescribe and maintain uniform standards of conduct for its members while in the
performance of their duties as a football official.
Section 2.
To foster and promote a positive relationship and good sportsmanship between the
chapter, schools, players, coaches, and spectators that the chapter serves.
Section 3.
To improve the quality of football officiating by a continuous study of rules, uniform
interpretation, and techniques.
Section 4.
To promote the spirit and intent of NFHS rules and regulations and PIAA adoptions.
Section 5.
To develop and execute a chapter member recruitment and retainment plan through
consistent education and mentorship.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Includes all PIAA approved football officials who choose to join and follow the
requirements of being a member in good standing as outlined in this Article.
Section 2.
Minimum requirements for a member to be in good standing:
A. Payment of annual dues to the chapter to be made according to the local chapter
rules as outlined in this document.
B. Chapter meeting attendance according to rules set down by the PIAA and current
chapter amendments.
C. Completion of annual rules test by the first regular chapter meeting after Labor Day is
required for playoff consideration.
D). Meet the qualifications and requirements of the PIAA including payment of annual
dues to the PIAA.
ARTICLE IV
CHAPTER OFFICERS
Section 1.
The officers shall consist of three elected members of the chapter membership. They
are: President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 2.
The length of the term of the President and Vice-President shall be one year each. Both
the position of President and Vice-President shall be voted on by the chapter
membership each year.
Section 3.
The length of the term of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be one year.
Section 4.
The term of each officer and executive board member shall begin on January 1st and
end on December 31st
.
Section 5.
If an officer or executive board member cannot complete their term, the executive board
may appoint a qualified chapter member to fill any remaining term.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. President
The President shall preside at all meetings and appoint all committees (including, but
not limited to, the Banquet Committee, Nominating Committee, Auditing Committee,
and Recruiting/Onboarding Committee). They shall be an ex-officio member of all
committees. They shall also perform such other duties and exercise such powers as
usually pertain to this office including other duties as described in the chapter President
job description. All correspondence and contacts with schools or any outside
organizations should be done through the President.
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the
President. In case of the disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform the
duties and powers of the President. The Vice President shall be responsible for
requesting and tallying votes for the sportsmanship award and other duties as described
in the chapter Vice President job description.
Section 3. Secretary-Treasurer
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the chapter
meetings. They shall keep an accurate record of all monies received and deposited in a
bank under the name of the Association. They shall report the financial status of the
chapter annually and additionally on an as needed basis. They shall present the
appropriate financial documents to the Auditing Committee by the end of the calendar
year and other duties as described in the chapter Secretary-Treasurer job description.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1.
The Executive Board shall consist of an elected interpreter and three people elected
from the general membership. The length of the term of the elected interpreter shall be
one year. The length of the terms of all people elected from the general membership
shall be one year each.
Section 2.
The Executive Board shall work with the officers of the chapter in planning and
implementing all procedures and actions of the chapter.
Section 3.
The Executive Board shall meet, discuss, and recommend on any matters that the
President deems necessary. The Executive Board shall report on their deliberations to
the membership.
Section 4.
The Executive Board shall approve an assigner who will be responsible for the assigning
of officials for all Lancaster-Lebanon league games worked by chapter members. In
addition, the Executive Board may approve, as needed, an additional assigner(s) to
handle all or part (e.g. youth games) of the assigning duties for a season. Nothing in this
provision shall preclude a chapter member from working any game(s) outside of an
approved chapter assigner’s purview, unless such game(s) have been historically
assigned primarily to members of this chapter.
Section 5.
The President, or his designee, shall discuss the proposed game fee structure with the
appropriate league officers and review the league game fee proposal with the Executive
Board for approval.
Section 6.
The duties of the interpreter shall be the following:
A. Act as the official liaison between the chapter and the PIAA concerning rule
interpretation.
B. Interpret rules that are consistent with the spirit and intent of the NFHS rules and
regulations and PIAA adoptions, recommendations, and recommended technique.
C. In cases that are not specifically defined by rule or interpretation from the PIAA, the
interpreter shall specify the procedure to be followed by the chapter membership.
D. Provide an annual open book test for the members of the chapter.
Section 7.
Any officer or executive board member may run for the same position they currently
hold or a different officer or executive board position in any election.
Section 8.
With the exception of the interpreter, no chapter member shall serve as an officer or
executive board member for more than eight consecutive years. They may once again
serve as an officer or executive board member after a period of one year not holding a
position if elected by the chapter membership during the annual election.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Section 1.
A Banquet Committee shall be appointed by the President no later than February 28th to
plan and implement the annual banquet. This committee shall consist of at least three
members of the chapter, one of which shall be the Secretary-Treasurer. The committee
will investigate available locations to hold the annual banquet and recommend a venue
to the Executive Board for final approval.
Section 2.
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President to provide a slate of
nominees for all officers and Executive Board positions. The Nominating Committee
shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Board who will present the slate of
nominees for all officer and Executive Board positions to the general chapter
membership no later than October 10th. In addition to the chairperson, the committee
shall consist of at least two additional members of the general chapter at large. The
results of the election of all officers and the members of the Executive Board will be
announced by the committee chairperson no later than October 24t.
Voting shall be
according to the method set by the Executive Board and is authorized by in-person or
electronic means.
Section 3.
An Audit Committee shall be appointed by the President to audit the records kept by the Secretary-Treasurer. This committee shall be chaired by a member of the Executive
Board and consist of at least two additional members of the general chapter at large.
The Audit Committee shall receive the appropriate financial documents no later than the
last day of the calendar year and their audit report shall be submitted by the Committee
to the past President and new President by January 10th
.
Section 4.
A Recruiting/Onboarding Committee shall be appointed by the President to facilitate
the recruitment and onboarding of new officials. This committee shall be chaired by a
member of the Executive Board and consist of at least two additional members of
general chapter at large.
Section 5.
The chapter President, with the approval of the Executive Board, can appoint additional
committees as needed to assist in the completion of chapter business.
ARTICLE X
MEETINGS
Section 1.
All meetings will be held on Tuesday evening at a time scheduled by the President.
Section 2.
All meeting formats, except the rule’s interpretation meeting, shall be the responsibility
of the President.
Section 3.
The format of the rule’s interpretation meeting shall be the responsibility of the
interpreter.
Section 4.
The President shall notify the Membership of the entire schedule of meetings by July 1st
.
ARTICLE IX
DUES
Section 1.
The Executive Board shall determine whether a change of annual dues is necessary
based on current chapter finances and communicate the change to the chapter
membership at the first regular meeting.
Section 2.
Local dues are payable by each member each year no later than the first regular chapter
meeting after Labor Day.
Section 3.
The failure of any member to pay their dues by the first regular chapter meeting after
Labor Day will result in an additional $5.00 assessment per week for the remainder of
the regular season. All members must pay their dues including late fees by October 10th
to remain in good standing and failure to do so may affect future game assignments
including playoff consideration. Payment of dues and late fees after October 10th will
result in reinstatement for the following season.
Section 4.
Any member who chooses to use a form of payment that results in an associated fee for
the chapter shall become responsible to pay those fees such as returned check fees, fees
for payment platforms, or any costs associated with future payment options.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
In order to amend these By-Laws, the following conditions must be met:
A. The proposed Amendment shall be announced at a regularly scheduled meeting. The
changes shall also be communicated to the chapter membership by electronic means.
B. The proposed Amendment will be voted on one week after the Amendment has been
announced. Voting shall be according to the method set by the Executive Board and is
authorized by in-person or electronic means.
C. Each member of a chapter shall have one vote on all questions, and the vote of the
majority shall prevail in all matters.
D. Provided a quorum (at least 50% of members in good standing either in-person or
via electronic vote) has been established for the purpose of conducting business,
including amending these by-laws, a majority shall be one vote more than one-half of
the members present or responding.