Downloadable .pdf of the sabo constitution

 ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

A. The elected officers of SABO shall constitute the members of the Executive Board as hereafter provided:

1. President
2. Vice-President/Assistant Commissioner
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Commissioner
6. Member of the Executive Board at Large
7. Sergeant at Arms

B. By the date of the election meeting, candidates for offices of the Executive Board must have been a member “in good standing” with SABO for the previous three (3) consecutive years. Waiver of this rule will be considered upon petition to the Executive Board. The term for each office shall be two years (2).

C. The President, Treasurer, Commissioner and Sergeant at Arms shall be elected every even year while the Vice-President, Secretary and Member of the Executive Board at Large shall be elected every odd year.
NOTE: No member is allowed to be a candidate for or hold more than one office at the same time per election or membership year.

D. An officer shall hold office until a successor is elected. Officers of SABO shall be elected at the annual election meeting as hereafter provided in the Constitution.

E. There shall be no limitations on the number of terms an officer may serve.

F. No officer shall serve as Chairperson of any committee.

G. An officer of SABO may be removed from office under the following conditions:

1. A written petition for removal of an officer shall be filed with the Secretary by any member or group of members of SABO alleging improper conduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, dishonesty, gross neglect of duty or gross incompetence in connection with the performance of the duties of the office.
2. The Executive Board shall conduct a due process hearing on the petition after giving reasonable notice of such hearing to the petitioner(s) and the respondent officer. The Executive Board, by majority vote, shall make a written recommendation to the membership of SABO as to whether the removal shall be upheld or denied with reasons for the recommendations being set forth. The recommendation of the Executive Board shall be considered at the next regular scheduled meeting or at a special meeting to be called by the President. After due explanation of the recommendation and debate thereon, the decision as to whether the respondent shall be removed from office shall be made by majority vote of the members voting at said meeting.  To effectuate this provision of the Constitution, a quorum for the purpose of considering removal of an officer or officers shall be two-thirds of the active members of SABO.

H. The above-mentioned section (ARTICLE VI, SECTION F) relates solely to action, which may be taken, against an officer in connection with the performance of duties of the office held. For other disciplinary purposes, an officer of SABO shall be treated as any other member of SABO and shall be subject to the same disciplinary action aa any other member, as provided elsewhere in the Constitution. 

ARTICLE VII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A. The duties of the President shall be:

1. Preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Board.
2. Call such special meetings of the Association and/or the Executive Board as he deems necessary.
3. Appoint ad-hoc committees as the need arises and to appoint such committees as directed by FHSAA. Also, to appoint such committees as may be mandated elsewhere in the Constitution.
4. Perform such duties of the office as set forth elsewhere or shall be set forth elsewhere in this Constitution.
5. Represent SABO in all dealings with outside agencies or persons, except for those powers specifically delegated herein to the Commissioner.
6. Upon request, to assist the Commissioner in dealings with outside agencies or persons.
7. Conduct such correspondence with outside agencies or persons as shall be necessary in the best interest of SABO or to assign the same to the Secretary.
8. Assign a rules interpreter or interpreters for SABO.

B. The duties if the Vice-President/Assistant Commissioner shall be:

1. In the absence of the President, to perform the functions and duties of the office of  President as set forth in the above-mentioned section (ARTICLE VII, SECTION A).
2. Be given the title of Assistant Commissioner and to be in charge of the training of new members and other relatively inexperienced officials. Duties also include supervision of the pre-season clinics as set forth elsewhere in this Constitution and utilizing the resources of the Training Committee to facilitate and enhance these designated training responsibilities.
3. Assign all Duval County Middle School games.
4. Assign all St. Johns County Middle School games.
5. Assist the Commissioner with cancellations as needed.
6. Whenever the Commissioner is unable to perform the duties of the office of Commissioner (due to injury, illness, misfortune, absence from the area or other temporary cause), the Vice-President shall temporary perform the duties of the Commissioner until such time the Commissioner is able to resume the duties and responsibilities of the office of Commissioner.
7. Assist the Commissioner and Treasurer with the invoicing of all schools for their regular season games. (Tournament game are excluded.)

C. The duties of the Secretary shall be:

1. In the absence of the President and Vice-President, to preside at meetings of the Association and the Executive Board.
2. Maintain official records of the Association including copies of the Constitution and Amendments thereto.
3. Give notice of all pre-season, regular and special meetings of SABO.
4. Record and keep minutes of the Association and the Executive Board and maintain a roster of all new members and other relatively inexperienced officials.
5. Correspond with members of SABO and outside agencies and person as directed by the President or, in the absence of the President, the Vice-President.
6. Create correspondence at the direction of the President, Commissioner, Treasurer, or Assistant Commissioner for the collection of fees, dues, or any other monetary funds due to SABO.
7. Perform such other duties that are set forth, or shall be set forth, elsewhere in this constitution.

D. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

1. In the absence of the President, Vice-President and Secretary, to preside at meetings of the Association and the Executive Board.
2. Collect all dues, fines and any other monies due SABO.
3. Deposit all collected funds due SABO in a bank account as directed by the Executive Board.
4. Faithfully keep a true record of all financial transactions of SABO and to report same as required by the Executive Board.
5. Present a report on SABO’s financial condition at each regular meeting of SABO.
6. Pay all obligations of SABO, as directed by the Executive Board.
7. Perform such other duties as set forth or shall be set forth elsewhere in this Constitution.
8. Assist the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner with the invoicing of all school for their regular season games. (Tournament games are excluded.)

E. The duties of the Commissioner shall be:

1. In the absence of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, to preside at meetings of the Association and the Executive Board.
2. Assign all varsity and junior varsity games, booked by SABO, at the senior and junior high/middle school levels and to supervise the Assistant Commissioner in coordination and assigning of games in an orderly manner.
3. Strive to develop a schedule of games assignments that will be as fair and equitable as humanly possible, not only to the members of SABO, but to the coaches and players of the schools served by SABO.
4. Cooperate with FHSAA in the assigning of officials to post-season tournaments and to give said FHSAA representative, upon request, unbiased information concerning the capabilities of SABO officials for post-season tournaments. 
5. Represent SABO in negotiations with coaches and/or other schools on matter concerning game fees, scheduling of games, contracts where applicable, scratch lists and other issues deemed pertinent. The Commissioner and President shall act cooperatively in such matters as the situation shall demand including, but not limited to, acts of controversy between members of SABO, coaches and/or officials of schools served by SABO.
6. So far as humanly possible within time limitations, to observe the officiating of SABO officials and to give constructive criticism thereon.
7. Within ethical boundaries, to seek additional schools which SABO may serve.
8. Assist the Assistant Commissioner and Treasurer with the invoicing of all schools for their regular season games.

F. The duties of the Member of the Executive Board at Large shall be:

1. In the absence of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Commissioner, to preside at meetings of SABO.
2. Represent members of SABO in matters of conflict and/or controversy with the Commissioner and/or the Executive Board as a whole or any of its individual members and to attempt to resolve such issues in privacy and in consultation with the individuals involved.

G. The duties of the Sergeant at Arms shall be:

1. In the absence of all other officers, to preside at meetings of SABO.
2. Assist the presiding officer at meetings and other functions of SABO in maintaining order as directed.
3. Perform such other duties as set forth, or shall be set forth, elsewhere in this Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII. EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ITS DUTIES

A. The Executive Board shall consist of all the elected officers of SABO, as set forth in ARTICLE V, and the individual who served as President in the preceding season, provided such individual is not re-elected as President or another officer of SABO. If the membership of the Executive Board is eight members, a quorum for a meeting of the Executive Board shall be five members. If the membership is seven, a quorum is four members.

B. The duties of the Executive Board shall be:

1. Meet at such times as the President shall deem advisable or on a call for such meeting from a majority of the Board.
2. Enforce all provisions of this Constitution with particular attention to the provisions contained in ARTICLES IV & V.
3. Approve or disapprove any proposed expenditure of SABO’s funds.
4. Whenever a charge of improper conduct is brought against a member, as set forth in ARTICLE VI, SECTIONS F & G, to hold a due process hearing at the next Board meeting after having given the respondent member due notice of the written charge and of the time and place of the hearing. If the respondent member does not appear for the hearing and has no legitimate excuse for the absence, the Board may proceed to consider the charges. Upon consideration of all the relevant facts, the Board by majority vote shall decide to reject or to approve the charge. If the decision is to approve, the Board by majority vote shall set such disciplinary action as it deems just and proper. Such disciplinary action may be one or more of the following:  a.  Probation   b.  Fine  c.  Suspension from game assignments and/or participation in SABO for a stated period of time.  However, the respondent member, who is the subject of disciplinary action, shall be notified by the Secretary within three days (3) of his/her right to appeal the disciplinary action decision to the Commissioner of FHSAA for review and final adjudication.
5. Conduct an annual financial review of SABO’s financial condition. The said review shall be completed prior to the first regular pre-season clinic/meeting following the annual organizational meeting. The report on the financial review shall then be given to the membership at said first regular pre-season clinic/meeting.
6. Approve all contract to which SABO shall be a party.
7. Archive all documents relating to the conduct of any proceedings or business of SABO for five years (5). Documents shall include (but not limited to) any and all written or printed documents, financial records, bank statements, cancelled checks, deposit receipts/slips, purchase/reimbursement receipts, written correspondences to and from SABO pertaining to SABO business, Executive Board minutes, SABO meeting minutes, SABO rosters, attendance rolls and contracts for services rendered. These records will be kept in the possession of the Secretary and will be available for review. In the event an incumbent President is not re-elected, the President-Elect will receive (if desired) the current records for review, by the organizational meeting if his/her election year.
8. Develop an annual budget for SABO and submit said budget to the membership for approval by the first Regular Season meeting each year.

ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS

A. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, except when such rules conflict with specific provisions of this Constitution. A copy of said Robert’s Rules of Order shall be held in custody of the Secretary and will be available at each meeting.

B. The first meeting of SABO shall be held at least three (3) weeks prior to the FHSAA deadline for basketball registrations.

C. Organizational Meeting

1. The annual Organizational Meeting shall be held on a date, hour and site to be determined by the President.
2. At the Organizational Meeting, the President shall remind members of upcoming training scrimmages, dates, times and sites to be announced as sites become available.

D. Pre-season Training Clinics/Meetings

1. SABO shall conduct the maximum number of Pre-season Training Clinics/Meetings as prescribed by FHSAA, with a format approved by FHSAA as the main order of business.
2. The President shall set the dates, time and site for these meetings and the Secretary shall send out due written notice (by postal, email or SABO’s website) to the membership of such meetings.

E. Regular Season Meetings.

1. Will be held once a month in November, December and January.
2. There shall be two meetings in February to allow for proper process of election. The Secretary shall send out notices of all Regular Season Meetings as prescribed in ARTICLE IX, SECTION D-2.

F. Special Meetings

The President is authorized to call such special meetings of SABO as he/she deems necessary. Notice of such special meetings shall be sent out by the Secretary as prescribed in ARTICLE IX, SECTION D-2.

G. Attendance at Meetings

1. Attendance will be taken at each meeting either by roll call or by a sign-in sheet.
2. To promote attendance at all meetings and to increase knowledge of the rules of basketball, the presiding officer shall designate the Sergeant at Arms, or a substitute for that meeting, to note and record the time of arrival and departure for any member who arrives after the meeting has begun or leaves before the meeting has officially ended.
3. This information shall be provided to the Executive Board immediately upon conclusion of the meeting.
4. The express purpose of recording members’ time of arrival and departure at meetings is to discourage and penalize the practice of a member being absent for a substantial part of the meeting.

H. Absence at Meetings

1. Any official who is absent from a meeting or arrives more than fifteen minutes (15) after its scheduled start time shall be considered absent for that meeting. The said official shall be fined in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE V, SECTIONS F & G. If the said official is absent or late due to a SABO assignment, an assignment to an FHSAA sponsored event or a direct assignment by FHSAA, the said official’s absence shall be excused.
2. Petitions for excused absences at meetings may be granted by the Executive Board (at its discretion) provided notification to the President not later than 12:00 noon of the following day and it involves:

                                 a. the livelihood of the official (e.g. a job shift, participation in in-service                                                                                       and/or required training programs, etc.)

                                  b. A planned (well in advance) family vacation or required business trip.

                                  c. A family emergency (i.e. accident, serious  illness, etc.)

                                  d. Other extraordinary personal reasons.

I. The order of business at SABO meetings shall be as follows:

PRE-SEASON TRAINING CLINICS/MEETINGS

1. Reading of Minutes
2. Report of Treasurer
3. Report of Executive Board
4. Report of Commissioner
5. Report of Committees
6. Old Business
7. New Business
8. Game Reviews
9. Roll Call
10. Training Clinic
11. Adjournment

REGULAR SEASON MEETINGS

1.  Roll Call
2. Reading of Minutes
3. Report of Treasurer
4. Report of Executive Board
5. Report of Commissioner
6. Report of Committees
7. Old Business
8. New Business
9. Game Reviews
10. Rules Study
11. Adjournment

J. Voting by proxy is strictly prohibited and shall not be allowed at any SABO meetings.

 ARTICLE X. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

A. During the regular season meeting in December, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee composed of five members (“in good standing”), which shall prepare and submit a list of nominees for the elective offices. This list will be presented to the membership during the regular season meeting in January. Any active member may make additional nominations from the floor during the first regular season meeting in February. After the nominations from the floor have ended, the nominations for all offices will be closed and may not be reopened. However, nominations may be reopened at the election meeting if, due to withdrawals, there is at that time no nominee for a particular office. Otherwise a sole nominee for office shall be elected by acclamation.

B. The date for the election shall be the second regular season meeting in February. The elected officers shall take over their respective duties the day following the final Boys High School State Finals contest.

C. There shall be a minimum ten-day (10) written notice (by postal and/or email) of the election. Said notice shall be issued by the Secretary and will include the date, hour, site for the election and the list of nominees.

D. The procedure shall be:

1. The Secretary shall prepare the official ballot.
2. The votes shall be executed via secret ballot and may be done by email or any other electronic measure (electronic ballot) that provides eligible voting members a five-day (5) period to cast their vote prior to the election meeting (the second regular season meeting in February). Email addresses must match the SABO email addresses on file, unless specifically approved by the Executive Board.
3.  If any candidate for a specific offices fails to receive a majority of all votes cast on the first ballot, there shall be a runoff balloting for that particular office between the candidates receiving the highest number and second highest number of votes. The voting then shall continue until one candidate receives a simple majority of all votes cast. 
4. Any active member “in good standing” can vote by absentee ballot for all offices. To exercise an absentee ballot, the member must obtain a copy of the official ballot from the Secretary. Said ballot shall then be sealed in an envelope and kept sealed in that envelope and remain in the custody of Secretary until the election, at which time the envelope will be opened and the absentee ballot will be counted with the ballots of those present at the meeting. If any one candidate for a particular office fails to acquire a majority for all votes cast for that office on the first ballot, the absentee ballot or electronic ballot for a particular candidate for that office may be counted in the runoff election if the absentee ball or electronic ballot specifically names one of the two candidates in the runoff election. A member may choose to exercise his right to withdraw his absentee ballot or electronic ballot in exchange for a regular official ballot if that said member chooses to attend the election meeting in person

. 

E. In the event of a vacancy in the ranks of the officers during the period when pre-season meetings are being held, or during the regular season, the President shall notify the members of the vacancy at a regularly scheduled meeting. An election shall be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting with nominations accepted from the floor. If the vacancy is in the office of the President, the Vice-President will make the notification. If a vacancy in the ranks of the officers occurs between season, the President shall call a special meeting to fill the vacancy with a minimum ten-days (10) notice (postal and/or email) of the vacancy designating the date, time and place of the election. Said notice shall be provided (postal and/or email) to members at their last known address. The election to fill the vacancy shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Robert’s Rules of Order relating to the filling of a vacancy in an office at a special meeting. If a vacancy is in the office of the President, the notification and the calling of the special meeting will be by the Vice-President.

 ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

A. A proposed amendment to the Constitution may be proposed by any active member or group of active members of SABO. 

B. A proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted, in clearly legible writing, to the Secretary at any duly call meeting of the Association.

C. A proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be read to the Association when submitted.

D. At the first meeting of the Association after the meeting where the proposed amendment was submitted, copies of the proposed amendment shall be distributed (email, posting on SABO’s website or in writing) to all members present, but no action can be taken on the proposed amendment at that time.

E. At the second meeting of the Association after the meeting where the proposed amendment was submitted, copies of the amendment shall be distributed to all members present who did not receive a copy at the previous meeting. It is at this meeting, action on the proposed amendment shall be taken in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

F. No proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be adopted except by a two-thirds vote of the active and eligible members voting at a duly called meeting consistent with all of the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE (ARTICLE XI).

ARTICLE XII. DUES AND COMPENSATION

A. Prospective members will pay dues as follows:

1. All first-time members of SABO will pay the equivalent of one junior varsity game fee as annual dues. 
2. All returning/active SABO members will pay the equivalent of one regular season varsity game as annual dues.

B. The President is authorized to spend up to $400 per occurrence for any SABO business that is deemed important and necessary, and the Executive Board cannot be convened in a timely manner. At the next Executive Board meeting, the President shall make his/her case for such expenditure.

C. Compensation for the Commissioner will be paid out of the SABO treasury and shall be equal to all booking fees collected for games assigned by the Commissioner. Compensation will be made in progressive payments (preferably 25%) of the total booking fee collected thus far. Payments shall be made by the first meeting in November, December and January and the final payment made after the season has ended. The Executive Board, with approval of the membership, may change this schedule without the necessity of a constitutional amendment.

D. Compensation for the Assistant Commissioner will be paid out of the SABO treasury and shall be $2,000.00 for the season. 

E. Compensation for the Treasurer will be paid out of the SABO treasury and shall be $2,000.00 for the season, plus all Administrative Fees (not to exceed $1500) associated with the performance of his/her duties.

Note: Thereafter in succeeding seasons, dues may be set and/or changed from time to time on a schedule basis as prescribed further in the ARTICLE. A constitutional amendment is not necessitated.

F. Any member may be reimbursed or prepaid out of the SABO treasury for legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of SABO, upon the approval of the Executive Board.

G. The President will appoint a “Revenue and Compensation Review Committee”subject to the following guidelines:

1. The Committee will be appointed minimally every three years and maximally, at the President’s discretion, every year. 
2.  A minimum of three and a maximum of seven SABO members “in good standing” will be appointed by the President by the first regular season meeting and announced to the membership at that meeting.
3. The Committee will meet to formulate recommendations regarding revenue and compensation:

• a. Review dues structure to determine if existing dues are appropriate or in adequate and make recommendations.
• b. Review all forms of compensation to determine if existing compensation is appropriate, exorbitant or inadequate and make recommendations.
• c. Determine if other officers or other SABO members are deserving of compensation and, if so, determine amount(s) and payment schedule(s).
• d. Determine if existing revenue sources are adequate to fully fund any additional deemed necessary member compensations and make recommendations.
• e. Consider other sources of revenue should the need arise and make recommendations.

4. The Committee will make its written recommendations, if any, to the Executive Board by the regular season meeting in December.

5. The Executive Board will review the recommendations and decide to either accept or reject the Committee’s recommendations, as a whole, by the regular season meeting in January.

6. If the Executive Board rejects the Committee’s recommendations, all existing dues, fines, fees and compensation will remain unchanged for the forthcoming season.

7. If the Executive Board accepts the Committee’s recommendations, the Board will provide the entire membership (via postal and/or email) a list of the recommendations by the first regular season meeting in February.

8. SABO membership will have final approval of the recommendations. A vote will be conducted at the first regular season meeting in February. Approval of the recommendations will be by majority vote of those members present at the meeting. Absentee ballots or voting by proxy are prohibited. Any changes will take effect the following basketball season.

9. Compensation set for particular season (exclusive of reimbursable expenses) is all that will be paid to any individual. Bonuses in any form or by any other designation are strictly prohibited.

 ARTICLE XIII. PENALTIES

A. Automatic Scratches

It is the responsibility of the official to notify the Commissioner regarding those schools where the official should not officiate games due to the reasons listed below. Officials shall not be assigned to a school’s games if: 

1. They are employed by that school and/or, in the case of private schools, are that school’s sponsoring institution.
2. Have members of their immediate family attending that school.
3. Have a relative working at that school.
4. They are a graduate of or attended that school within the last four years (4).
5. They assist with coaching teams which provide athletes for that school.
6. They are close social friends with coaches of that school.

B. Suspensions

1. The President, with approval of the Executive Board, is authorized to take disciplinary action against officials who violate the policies of this Association. The disciplinary action shall include, but not limited to, a suspension period of a minimum of two weeks (2) up to and including one year (1) from the date of the infraction. Suspension penalties may carry over from one season into the next season. Reasons requiring disciplinary action may include:

a. Conduct on or off the court which is unsportsmanlike or not conductive to the best interest of SABO.

b. Failure to comply with FHSAA and SABO regulations and Bylaws as they pertain to officials.

c. Officiating a “practice game” or an “exhibition game” in which a member school of FHSAA is involved.

d. Pursuing a course of action which is detrimental to the welfare of SABO or its members.

e. Exhibiting behavior that is detrimental to the aims of SABO.

f. Appearing at a game site to which you have been assigned (or are using your high school official’s card for entry) under the influence of any mood modifier or with an odor of alcohol on their breath.

2. Officials who are penalized with a “season suspension” are ineligible to officiate games for the remainder of the season.

C. Fines & Violations

In order to promote and ensure professional standards, the following fines and penalties shall be imposed by the Association for actions/violations which are deemed to be detrimental to the Association’s best interest:

1. Failure to work a schedule/assigned contest: 1st Offense – game fee including travel, 2nd Offense – game fee including travel plus a two-week (2) suspension, 3rd Offense – game fee including travel plus a season or a six-week (6) suspension, whichever is longer. (Any portion of the non-completed six-week (6) suspension shall carry into the following season.)
2. Late to an assigned contest: 1st Offense – warning, 2ndOffense – half game fee, 3rd Offense – half game fee plus a two-week (2) suspension, 4th Offense – half game fee plus a season or six-week (6) suspension, whichever is longer. (Any portion of the non-completed six-week (6) suspension shall carry into the following season.) An official is considered late to an assigned contest if the official is not present, in uniform, on the court fifteen minutes (15) prior to the scheduled game time. An official is to arrive at a contest game site at least thirty minutes (30) before the scheduled game time. In situations where a contest official is present at the game site but his/her partner(s) are not present at least thirty minutes (30) before game time, then the official on site must notify the appropriate Commissioner.
3. Returning an assigned game to the Commissioner after the deadline/turnback date: 1st& 2nd Offense – warning, 3rd & each subsequent Offenses – full game fee including travel. SeeARTICLE V, SECTION H for exception.
4. Failure to notify the Commissioner of game absence: $25.00 fine for each occurrence. 
5. Failure to report crew member(s)’ absence: 1st Offense – warning, 2nd& each subsequent Offenses - $25.00.
6. Switching a game without authorization: 1st Offense – two-week (2) suspension, 2nd Offense – season or six-week (6) suspension, whichever is longer.
7. Uniform violations: 1st Offense – warning, 2nd Offense – half game fee, 3rd & each subsequent Offense – full game fee including travel.
8. Absence from or excessive tardiness to a SABO meeting: See ARTICLE V SECTION F & G for penalty.
9. Serious misconduct: 1st Offense – two-week (2) suspension, 2nd Offense – season suspension.
10. Gross misconduct: 1st Offense – season suspension. 

D. Members are required to pay all fines and penalties levied by SABO.

E. Payments for fines must be received by the Treasurer no later than ten-days (10) after the date of the fine notification. An official who fails to pay a fine within the prescribed time shall be ineligible to officiate any further contests until the said fine is paid in full.

F. Members may appeal any penalty imposed by SABO to the Grievance Committee according to the provisions established herein.

G. If an appeal is upheld in favor of the member official, the fine shall be rescinded and any monies paid shall be returned to the member official with ten-days (10) of the date of the determination of the appeal.

H. In the case of a suspension, a member official may indicate his/her intention to appeal. In such cases, the suspension shall be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the appeal. If the appeal fails or the suspension be partially upheld, the time remaining on the suspension shall take effect immediately and carry over into the next season if it cannot be completed in the current season.

I. Return check charge: An official who submit a check to SABO which is then returned, shall be assessed any bank fees associated with the check. Once an official is assessed a return check charge/bank fee, that official must make all future payments to SABO in cash, postal money order or cashier’s check until the following season.

ARTICLE XIV. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

A. Any official who feels he/she has a grievance shall convey in writing within ten-day (10) of the incident or notification (in the event of a fine or suspension) to the Chairperson of the Grievance Committee of said grievance. The Chair shall respond to said member within ten-day (10) of the receipt of the grievance that the committee will hear the grievance in a timely manner. The Chair may request additional information or documentation from the member and the member shall provide the requested items to the Chair in a timely fashion.

B. The Chairperson of the Grievance Committee shall convene a meeting of said committee to consider all matters properly brought before the committee as soon as feasible.

C. The Committee shall deliberate and render a decision and recommendations in writing to the President with all supporting documentation considered in making their decision. The President shall evaluate the grievance and the committee’s decision and issue a ruling in writing within ten-days (10). The ruling shall be provided to the aggrieved member as well as the committee.

D. Any appeal by the aggrieved member of the President’s ruling shall be made in the following order:

1. The Executive Board (unless the Executive Board was the original complainant against the member).
2. The Commission.
3. Each level shall respond to the appeal in writing within ten-days (10).
4. If all procedures have been completed and the aggrieved member desires to further appeal, the member’s last recourse would be to appeal to FHSAA.