Understanding the NJSFU Bylaws

1. Understanding the NJSFU Bylaws

2. Membership Categories • Cadet • Active • Suspended • Inactive • Associate • Life

3. What is a Cadet? • He/She is an applicant for membership in the NJSFU. • He/She is eligible to work recreation and sub-varsity ball during cadetship. • A Cadet is NOT considered an active member in good standing. • A Cadet is NOT eligible to vote at general membership meetings.

4. Who is considered an Active member? • Meets all criteria for Good Standing including: • Payment of Dues (on time) 2. Attendance at Meetings 3. Passing an Annual Rules Examination 4. Other as determined by Training Committee prior to Interpretation Meeting(s) of each year. • Active Members in good standing are eligible to vote at general membership meetings and attend NJSFU functions, ie. Banquet, at no cost.

5. Suspended • Suspended Member has been subject to disciplinary action by the Executive Committee and is not considered a Member in Good Standing. • Must be compliant with payment of dues, meeting requirements and other criteria established by the Training Committee during the period of suspension. • At conclusion of suspension, member must make written request for reinstatement to the NJSFU Executive Committee. • NOT eligible to vote or attend NJSFU functions (except at own cost) during the period of suspension.

6. Do I want to be considered Inactive? • He/She cannot officiate because of illness or disability. • Member can only go inactive after being an active member in good standing for 5 years. • Required to comply with Dues and Meeting mandates; does not have to complete annual rules examination or other requirements established by the Training Committee. • He/She may not frivolously go back and forth between Active and Inactive. • Retains the right to vote at general membership meetings. • May attend NJSFU functions at own cost, ie. Banquet. • Inactive Members annually required to sign a form with payment of dues that he/she will not officiate baseball or softball games.

7. What is the advantage of being an Associate Member? • An Associate Member chooses to No Longer Officiate (Retirement) and is ineligible to register with NJSIAA. • An Associate Member may not return to Active Officiating. • To apply for Associate Member status, he/she must have been an active member in good standing for at least 10 years. • Required to comply with Dues and Meeting mandates; does not have to complete annual rules examination or other requirements established by the Training Committee. • Retains the right to vote at general membership meetings. • May attend NJSFU functions at own cost, ie. Banquet. • Associate Members annually required to sign a form with payment of dues that he/she will not officiate baseball or softball games.

8. How does one become a Life member? • Bestowed upon a member with at least 25 years as an active member in good standing. • Recommendation by the Awards Committee and approved by the Executive Committee. • Life members pay no dues to NJSFU but must pay NJSIAA fees if applicable.

9. For 2013 For Active Members to be considered in Good Standing: • Payment of Dues • Meeting Requirements (No Individual or Blanket Excuses accepted.) • Attend an Interpretation Meeting for the Sport(s) you officiate. • Attend a minimum of 3 general membership meetings. • If at the end of the year a member fails to meet the general meeting requirement, he/she may request via writing to the Sgt. at Arms, a waiver of the meeting requirement. Sgt. at Arms will present the request to the Executive Committee. A 2/3 vote is required to grant such waiver. • Pass an Annual Rules Examination • Attend a Mechanics Clinic once every 5 years.

10. These are your Responsibilities! • Vast majority of members meet their obligations annually. Members considered Not in Good Standing are placing their membership at risk. Once a member is dropped from roll or expelled, re-enrollment as a cadet is the only means to rejoin NJSFU.