BY-LAWS

of the

Northwest Indiana Soccer Association of Referees

ARTICLE I - NAME AND ORGANIZATION

1. This organization shall be known as the Northern Indiana Soccer Association of Referees. (Hereinafter referred to as "NISAR"). For purposes of organization NISAR is divided into two (2) geographical areas designated as East and West. These areas are loosely divided by a line running north and south centered on Broadway in Gary, Indiana.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES

1. To promote the game of Soccer.

2. To promote the development of qualified referees for the game of soccer.

3. To promote the assignment of referees to games according to their level of qualification.

ARTICLE III - NOT FOR PROFIT

1. NISAR is organized for the benefit of its membership. All assets of the organization belong to the membership. NISAR shall not sponsor activities for the sole purpose of generating a profit.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

1. A member in good standing shall be any soccer referee registered during the current year whose dues are paid to the association.

2. A member in good standing of this association must be a member of the United States Soccer Federation (hereinafter called "USSF") whose USSF dues are paid in full and is not under any disciplinary procedure with the USSF.

3. Non-voting membership may be accorded any other person or organization as approved by the Board of Directors.

4. The duration of annual membership shall be from July 1 to June 30.

5. The amount of the membership dues shall be established by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V - RESPONSIBILITIES OF A MEMBER

1. Be familiar with and enforce the Laws of the Game of Soccer as published by FIFA and modified by the USSF and in accordance with guidelines that may be specified by any organization with which NISAR has a working relationship.

2. Accept game assignments from the Vice Presidents. Acceptance of game assignments obligates the member to ensure that the match is properly officiated by the member or, in the event of the member's inability to complete the assignment, by another USSF registered referee.

3. Failure to meet these responsibilities may result in disciplinary action as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and published in NISAR Notes newsletter.

ARTICLE VI - VOTING PRIVILEGE

1. At all general or special meetings each member in good standing who is present shall be entitled to one (1) vote in any matter requiring a vote of the membership.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERSHIP

1. There shall be an annual meeting of all members of the association prior to the start of each Spring season for the purposes of training and reorganization.

2. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President or by a simple majority of the Board of Directors.

3. The President may designate any location within Northwest Indiana as the place for any general or special meeting. It is recommended that meeting locations be alternated between locations within East and West areas.

4. All meetings shall be conducted in a business-like manner.

ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The purpose of the Board of Directors shall be to conduct the general affairs of NISAR in accordance with the will of the membership consistent with the purposes of NISAR and the policies of the USSF.

2. The number of the Board of Directors shall be nine (9) plus two (2) non-voting youth members. At a meeting of the Board of Directors a quorum shall consist of five (5) voting members. A quorum shall be necessary to conduct the business of the association. Unless otherwise stated herein a simple majority of members at a board meeting where a quorum exists shall have the ability to act on issues requiring a vote by the Board of Directors.

3. All members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the General Membership. The President, at the first board meeting of the new calendar year, shall appoint a nominating committee to prepare a slate of nominees for presentation at the annual meeting. Nominations and seconds may be made from the floor at the annual meeting with the consent of the person being nominated. A simple majority of all members in good standing present at the annual meeting shall elect members to the board. Elected board members shall begin their term of office on July 1 of the current year.

4. The Board of Directors shall consist of a President, East Vice-President, West Vice‑President, Secretary, Treasurer, two (2) Two-year Directors, two (2) One-year Directors and two (2) non‑voting Youth members. (Each area shall have one (1) Two-year Director, one (1) One-year Director and one Youth member. The Vice-President from the same area as the President shall be designated as 1st Vice-President.) The terms of office of the members shall be as follows:

President .............................................................................. One Year

Vice-Presidents .................................................................. Two Years

Secretary............................................................................. Two years

Treasurer ........................................................................... Two Years

Two-Year Directors ........................................................... Two Years

One-Year Directors .............................................................. One Year

Youth members..................................................................... One Year

One (1) Vice-President, Treasurer and one (1) Two-year Director shall be elected in odd-numbered years. One (1) Vice-President, Secretary and one (1) Two-year Director shall be elected in even-numbered years.

5. Should a vacancy occur on the Board of Directors due to resignation, death, incapacity or inability to serve, the Board of Directors, by simple majority vote of all remaining board members, shall appoint a member to fill the term of the vacancy. The appointed member shall be from the same area as the member whose term was unfulfilled.

6. The Board of Directors may designate non-voting membership on the Board to persons or organizations as it deems appropriate. These organizations and individuals include but are not limited to Past-Presidents of NISAR, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Assigner, a Northwest Indiana Soccer League (NWISL) liaison and the Assistant State Referee Administrator (ASRA) for Northwest Indiana.

ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The President shall:

a) Uphold and enforce the By-Laws of the association.

b) Conduct meetings of the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

c) Call special meetings of the Board of Directors as deemed necessary or as requested by a simple majority of current Board members.

d) Establish ad hoc or permanent committees, as needed, to perform tasks necessary to accomplish the purposes of NISAR and appoint chairpersons of these committees.

e) Represent this association and its membership in meetings with other soccer referee associations.

3. The First Vice-President shall:

a) In the absence of the President or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the President.

b) Schedule officials for games in his/her area of responsibility.

c) Perform such duties as assigned by the President.

4. The Second Vice-President shall:

a) In the absence of the President and 1st Vice-President or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the President.

b) Schedule officials for games in his/her area.

c) Perform such duties as assigned by the President.

5. The Secretary shall:

a) In the absence of the President and Vice-Presidents or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the President.

b) Keep the minutes of all general, special and Board of Directors meetings.

c) Give notice of all meetings as directed by the President.

d) Be responsible for all correspondence as directed by the Board of Directors.

e) Perform such duties as assigned by the President.

6. The Treasurer shall:

a) In the absence of the President, Vice-Presidents and Secretary or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the President.

a) Collect all funds due to the association.

c) Make disbursements for payment of financial obligations authorized by the Board of Directors.

d) Submit regular reports to the Board of Directors and provide an annual statement at the first meeting after the beginning of the NISAR fiscal year, July 1.

e) Perform such duties as assigned by the President.

7. The Directors shall be divided into two areas of responsibility:

a) One (1) one-year Director and one (1) two-year Director shall be responsible for the training, mentoring and advancement of current referees.

b) One (1) one-year Director and one (1) two-year Director shall be responsible for the recruitment, training and certification of new referees.

8. Youth Members shall:

a) Provide a voice for and insight into the concerns of younger and less experienced referees. Youth members are non-voting members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X - REMOVAL FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed at any time for actions which are deemed detrimental to the association. Removal shall be by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all remaining members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI - REVISIONS TO THE BY-LAWS

1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed by a majority vote of all members of the Board of Directors. Altered, amended or repealed By-Laws shall be ratified at an annual meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members in good standing who are present at the annual meeting.