"Become An Official"
"Things You Need to Know"
So you are interested in becoming a sports official for high school, middle school, and recreational athletic events?
What are the benefits of officiating?
A: Individuals may look at this in different ways, but officials will generally tell you they:
Want to give something back to the sport they enjoy.
Want to stay involved in the sport(s).
Enjoy the challenge of being in a pressure-packed situation.
Want the physical exercise.
Enjoy working with students from league play to high school contests
Want some extra money. (Rule of Thumb: Do not make officiating payments part of your budget)
You must find a local association that provides membership for the athletic events you are interested in.
1. Be of good moral character and reputation.
2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. Attend a pre-season meeting of the association you want to join.
4. Obtain application forms and pay local association dues & registration fees required by GHSA and GISA
5. Purchase and/or maintain the necessary equipment and uniforms to officiate.
6. Attend required meetings and training classes, scrimmages as scheduled.
You are required to complete and sign 4 forms when joining a local association.
1. Application for membership in local association, officiating agreement, and conflict of interest letter.
2. Complete and sign one each, registration form for GHSA and/or GISA
3. Complete and sign IRS Form W-9.
4. Complete and sign an officials agreement between you and the association. (This is a legal document, MUST be read and clear to both the independent official and the association before signing).
If a local association does not have you complete and sign a W-9, "use caution", before joining that association. No W-9 can shows that a local association may or may not have an EIN, tho its meets the Gross Receipts Test of having income over $5000. DO NOT PUT YOUR PERSONAL ASSETS AT RISK!!! Remember, a local association with an EIN, gross receipts of $5000 or more, must file Form 990.
Sports officials are independent contractors, its mandatory that officials, regardless of status, complete and sign a W-9 and have form on file with the association's secretary. Failure of having an independent contractor's W-9 on file is a violation of a federal requirement. Local associations are always looking for new personnel to train and educate in the mechanics and procedures for officiating athletic contests.
4. If needed, sign up for additional insurance, if you will be officiating recreation and/or league events. Most associations obtain a group insurance policy for league play. Be sure to get a copy of the policy for your records. GHSA registration includes insurance for high school contests. Should you join NFHS, their membership includes insurance for high school athletic events too.
Note: GISA. Do not know if insurance is included in registration fee.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR, BEFORE JOINING AN ASSOCIATION
1. Does the association have a website? A website adds value
2. Does the association provide a new member with a copy of their procedures and policy handbook.
3. Are the bylaws in order, stating location of the original, properly signed and witnessed.
Note: Whether an association is unincorporated or incorporated, both are required to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and an IRS Determination Letter.
4. Is the executive board composed of at-large members? Is the general membership represented fairly on the executive board?
5. Ask about an "Independent Officials Agreement (contract), between you and the association's booking agent/assignment secretary, for assignment of high school contests. Would not hurt to ask about "conflict of interest" policy.
6. Ask if the association issues Form 1099 and files Form 990.
7. Does the association have committees, primarily a finance committee, bylaws committee and audit committee, and other committees that represent the membership.
a. When you get a copy of the association's bylaws, read it thoroughly. Look for mission statement, articles on the number of board members, committees, removal of board members, arbitration/mediation clause, a defined game assignment policy, articles on open meetings, a whistleblower policy, article on amendments to bylaws, and ask about association's status as an unincorporated or incorporated business entity.
b. Attend all meetings.
c. Attend all training sessions
d. Study rules for the sport
e. Get a perfect score on open book tests, normally Part I, on closed book test, Part II, score high, and maintain that score or go higher on each yearly closed book test.
f. Some associations use Part II test scores to determine which roster you will be listed on. Normally, the rosters are Primary and Secondary.
"Officials in football, wrestling, and baseball will have both an open book Part I exam and a closed book, monitored Part II exam. Non-certified officials and certified officials who did not score "85" on last year's Part II exam must take Part I. All other sports (including Basketball) have a single rules exam". ....taken from GHSA Procedures and Policies
h. Payment for Services Rendered. Does the association require submission of a "Request for Payment? This a legal issue that requires a paper trail. You submit signed copy of a request for payment, the booking agent verifies your request, forwards a copy to the Treasurer, who issues you a check in the requested amount. A check signed by anyone else, other than a treasurer or his/her assistance or the president of the association is a breakage in protocol. The treasurer will file a copy of all pay vouchers in the corporate record folder.
Note: Some association's protocol requires two signatures, depending on the established amount of a check to be issued.
Note: Its safe to say that Part I (open book) tests requires you to score "100". Part II (closed book) requires non-certified and certified officials to score "85" plus. 85 plus appears to be the test score to achieve each testing year to be considered for "varsity" contests. Note: Remember, game assignments are not guaranteed by the booking agent
Training Camps: An official's training agenda should include attending training camps for the sport or sports they plan to officiate. And should you desire to do "varsity" level contests, you must have training camps completed on file with the association and GHSA. Do not limit these camps to high schools sports, include other sports organizations. Ask other officials about training camps.
What are the benefits of officiating?
A: Individuals may look at this in different ways, but officials will generally tell you they:
Want to give something back to the sport they enjoy.
Want to stay involved in the sport(s).
Enjoy the challenge of being in a pressure-packed situation.
Want the physical exercise.
Enjoy working with students from league play to high school contests
Want some extra money. (Rule of Thumb: Do not make officiating payments part of your budget)
You must find a local association that provides membership for the athletic events you are interested in.
1. Be of good moral character and reputation.
2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. Attend a pre-season meeting of the association you want to join.
4. Obtain application forms and pay local association dues & registration fees required by GHSA and GISA
5. Purchase and/or maintain the necessary equipment and uniforms to officiate.
6. Attend required meetings and training classes, scrimmages as scheduled.
You are required to complete and sign 4 forms when joining a local association.
1. Application for membership in local association, officiating agreement, and conflict of interest letter.
2. Complete and sign one each, registration form for GHSA and/or GISA
3. Complete and sign IRS Form W-9.
4. Complete and sign an officials agreement between you and the association. (This is a legal document, MUST be read and clear to both the independent official and the association before signing).
| INITIAL COST TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL |
|---|
| New Member: $10 - $30 (Normally, $45 is what a new official pays, this includes association dues and an administrative fee) |
| GHSA Fee: $30 - Includes insurance |
| GISA Fee: $10 |
| Local Dues: $30 - $100 (varies from association to association) |
| Insurance: $10 - $15 |
| Equipment: $100 - $300 |
| Education: Study the rules, procedures and policies |
|
Tax Deductible: All dues, registration fees, equipment cost, travel mileage minus travel stipend, some meals.
Download: Federal Income Tax Implications for Sports Officials |
If a local association does not have you complete and sign a W-9, "use caution", before joining that association. No W-9 can shows that a local association may or may not have an EIN, tho its meets the Gross Receipts Test of having income over $5000. DO NOT PUT YOUR PERSONAL ASSETS AT RISK!!! Remember, a local association with an EIN, gross receipts of $5000 or more, must file Form 990.
Sports officials are independent contractors, its mandatory that officials, regardless of status, complete and sign a W-9 and have form on file with the association's secretary. Failure of having an independent contractor's W-9 on file is a violation of a federal requirement. Local associations are always looking for new personnel to train and educate in the mechanics and procedures for officiating athletic contests.
4. If needed, sign up for additional insurance, if you will be officiating recreation and/or league events. Most associations obtain a group insurance policy for league play. Be sure to get a copy of the policy for your records. GHSA registration includes insurance for high school contests. Should you join NFHS, their membership includes insurance for high school athletic events too.
Note: GISA. Do not know if insurance is included in registration fee.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR, BEFORE JOINING AN ASSOCIATION
1. Does the association have a website? A website adds value
2. Does the association provide a new member with a copy of their procedures and policy handbook.
3. Are the bylaws in order, stating location of the original, properly signed and witnessed.
Note: Whether an association is unincorporated or incorporated, both are required to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and an IRS Determination Letter.
4. Is the executive board composed of at-large members? Is the general membership represented fairly on the executive board?
5. Ask about an "Independent Officials Agreement (contract), between you and the association's booking agent/assignment secretary, for assignment of high school contests. Would not hurt to ask about "conflict of interest" policy.
6. Ask if the association issues Form 1099 and files Form 990.
7. Does the association have committees, primarily a finance committee, bylaws committee and audit committee, and other committees that represent the membership.
a. When you get a copy of the association's bylaws, read it thoroughly. Look for mission statement, articles on the number of board members, committees, removal of board members, arbitration/mediation clause, a defined game assignment policy, articles on open meetings, a whistleblower policy, article on amendments to bylaws, and ask about association's status as an unincorporated or incorporated business entity.
b. Attend all meetings.
c. Attend all training sessions
d. Study rules for the sport
e. Get a perfect score on open book tests, normally Part I, on closed book test, Part II, score high, and maintain that score or go higher on each yearly closed book test.
f. Some associations use Part II test scores to determine which roster you will be listed on. Normally, the rosters are Primary and Secondary.
"Officials in football, wrestling, and baseball will have both an open book Part I exam and a closed book, monitored Part II exam. Non-certified officials and certified officials who did not score "85" on last year's Part II exam must take Part I. All other sports (including Basketball) have a single rules exam". ....taken from GHSA Procedures and Policies
h. Payment for Services Rendered. Does the association require submission of a "Request for Payment? This a legal issue that requires a paper trail. You submit signed copy of a request for payment, the booking agent verifies your request, forwards a copy to the Treasurer, who issues you a check in the requested amount. A check signed by anyone else, other than a treasurer or his/her assistance or the president of the association is a breakage in protocol. The treasurer will file a copy of all pay vouchers in the corporate record folder.
Note: Some association's protocol requires two signatures, depending on the established amount of a check to be issued.
YEAR ONE...THRU YEAR 4
Year one, your status is "Approved", year 2 thru 4, your status upgrades to "Registered", when you register with GHSA learning the rules and on field mechanics. At some point during each of your first 4 years you will be evaluated. Some associations schedule practice games for training/evaluation of new officials and experience officials.Note: Its safe to say that Part I (open book) tests requires you to score "100". Part II (closed book) requires non-certified and certified officials to score "85" plus. 85 plus appears to be the test score to achieve each testing year to be considered for "varsity" contests. Note: Remember, game assignments are not guaranteed by the booking agent
Training Camps: An official's training agenda should include attending training camps for the sport or sports they plan to officiate. And should you desire to do "varsity" level contests, you must have training camps completed on file with the association and GHSA. Do not limit these camps to high schools sports, include other sports organizations. Ask other officials about training camps.
YEAR 5...THRU YEAR 10
Test scores high, evaluations good, meeting attendance in good standing. Now you are ready to meet GHSA criteria for years of service. Your first 4 years do not count towards years of service. Why?? You did not officiate the required number of JV and Varsity games, or any combination of both to meet the below criteria.| The minimum number of varsity (JV) games/meets required in each sport is: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | 8 (16) | Softball | 8 (16) |
| Basketball | 10 (20) | Swimming | 5 (10) |
| Football | 5 (10) | Volleyball | 8 (16) |
| Gymnastics | 5 (10) | Wrestling | 5 (10) |
| Soccer | 5 (10) |
|
|
4-4 or 3-2-1 ASSIGNMENT POLICY
Assignment policies vary from association to association. There are association that do right by its members and there are those who dictate an unwritten assignment policy. Some associations allow their "certified" officials to officiate or "hog" game assignments. Meaning they allow each week, a certified/registered officials to officiate 4 games per week. So if you join an association that has 60 members, and half are "certified", chances are you might get one varsity assignment per week, or one assignment in two weeks. One thing for sure, you will get sub-varsity assignments.
There are many "certified" officials who think they are to good to drop-down and do sub-varsity. There are a few who understands the importance of working down. Many of these officials have been around for years, more than 20, like how things are done in their favor, at the expense of other officials.
There are three (3) things a booking agent should provide each member.
1. Master Schedule, with updates
2. Primary and Secondary Rosters
3. Weekly Schedule, with updates
The above provides "transparency" without secrecy. Nothing wrong with all officials knowing who has games. The reason its not done, it keeps other officials in the dark. Those officials will not challenge, but talk among themselves, yet, will not file a complaint with the grievance committee. Why? The grievance committee is in with the board of directors.
Assignment policies vary from association to association. There are association that do right by its members and there are those who dictate an unwritten assignment policy. Some associations allow their "certified" officials to officiate or "hog" game assignments. Meaning they allow each week, a certified/registered officials to officiate 4 games per week. So if you join an association that has 60 members, and half are "certified", chances are you might get one varsity assignment per week, or one assignment in two weeks. One thing for sure, you will get sub-varsity assignments.
There are many "certified" officials who think they are to good to drop-down and do sub-varsity. There are a few who understands the importance of working down. Many of these officials have been around for years, more than 20, like how things are done in their favor, at the expense of other officials.
There are three (3) things a booking agent should provide each member.
1. Master Schedule, with updates
2. Primary and Secondary Rosters
3. Weekly Schedule, with updates
The above provides "transparency" without secrecy. Nothing wrong with all officials knowing who has games. The reason its not done, it keeps other officials in the dark. Those officials will not challenge, but talk among themselves, yet, will not file a complaint with the grievance committee. Why? The grievance committee is in with the board of directors.
