Mid-Florida Officials Association
FROM: Ralph Messer, Secretary
SUBJECT: Executive Board Meeting of September 14, 2008
The meeting, which was held at the Ocala Star Banner in Ocala, was called to order at 5:00 PM by the President, Bud Holt.
Attending: Board members attending were Bud Holt, Al Summers, Ralph Messer, Jeff Pole, Paul Gery, Wade Clayton, Ted Bedford, Reid Sergent, Carlton Dill, Dan Cannon, Saul Speights, Terry Lee, Jeff D’Amelio, Bob Leahy, and James Law. Also attending was Larry Mayhew.
Not Attending: Richard Sullivan.
Old Business:
A Motion was made by Ralph Messer that the President call-to-order all meetings at the scheduled starting time. Members who are late can be briefed on what has transpired prior to their arrival. If business is brought to the board that concerns a particular member who will be late, that business can be tabled until the member arrives. Second by Jeff Pole. The motion passed.
A Motion was made by Ralph Messer to accept the minutes of the 08/10/08 minutes as posted. Second by Carl Dill. The motion to accept passed.
Bud Holt, the President related to the board the result of his and the Secretary’s meeting with Denarvise Thornton of the FHSAA regarding the outcome of the charges brought against the Baseball/Softball Booking Commissioner. The FHSAA administered a $250.00 to the MFOA and gave letters of reprimand to the officials who accepted booking they were not qualified to work and also to the Booking Commissioner. In addition, the Booking Commissioner was placed on probation by the FHSAA. The FHSAA was very pleased that these violations were self-reported and complimented Bob Leahy on a job well done.
Bob Leahy, the Inspector, briefed the Board on his investigation regarding the alleged misuse of the MFOA FEIN. Bob’s written report stated that he was unable to determine any misuse of the MFOA FEIN and recommended the investigation be closed unless any additional information is received. A motion was made by Ralph Messer to accept the recommendation and close the matter. Second by Jeff Pole. The motion passed.
Bob Leahy questioned the scrimmage credit members received for working the MCYFL and Gainesville Boys’ Club jamborees since they had not been approved by the board, although they had been advertised on the Arbiter and the MFOA web site. It was agreed that the directors of each sport are responsible for scheduling scrimmages and no board approval is necessary. However, a motion was made by Ralph Messer that the board grant approval for these types of clinics for all sports, both this year and in the future. Second by Wade Clayton. The motion passed.
New Business:
Bob Leahy recommended that the Directors of each sport identify location for new members to go for fingerprinting in order to comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act. After much discussion and agreement that there has to be a method of accountability in order to comply with the direction from the FHSAA, A motion was made by Ralph Messer that all 1st and 2nd year officials be required to submit email to the Secretary to confirm compliance and the date and location this was accomplished and whether or not the member passed. After receiving this information, a check will be made with each county to confirm compliance. Second by Jeff Pole. The motion passed.
The Vice President’s Report:
Al Discussed a situation involving the rule requiring pants to fully cover a players’ knees at one of our members schools. All agreed that the pants must fully cover a player’s knees or he will not be allowed to participate.
Advised the board of a complaint he received from an official regarding the manner in which he was addressed by a senior official. All board members agreed that we must show respect for our fellow officials at all times. Due to the nature of the complaint, the President assigned the Inspector to investigate and report his findings to the board by email within the next week.
The Booking Commissioners, Treasurer, Web Master and Baseball Director had no new business to bring to the board.
The Secretary’s Report:
Ralph Messer gave the board an update on membership renewals for basketball and on football members reporting their exam scores. Only 3 scores have been received from members who took the On Line Open Book exam.
The board was also advised that both Honig’s and Torch have been contacted regarding attending the basketball all-day clinic. No response has been received from Honig’s, but Torch replied and asked for date, time and location. This information was supplied.
Softball Director’s Report:
James Law reported the he is working with the members schools regarding the scheduling of scrimmages for the softball all-day clinic.
Football Director’s Report:
Ted Bedford advised the board that the football clinic scheduled for October 20 at North Marion High School, has been changed to October 13, at 6:00 PM at North Marion. He also reminded the board regarding the FHSAA request for officials to support the cancer drive by purchasing a pink whistle. Members can purchase the whistle on line at www. foundationsresoursegoup.com.
Carl Dill stated that he is receiving evaluations on officials at every level and they will be submitted to the FHSAA along with the playoff crew recommendations.
Reid Sergent advised that he is still working with the local television stations in order to get advertising for recruiting new members. He selected Kyle Sergent to serve on the Recruitment Committee, because Kyle is the youngest official in the MFOA to have ever worked a varsity football game. He was 17 years old at the time. Kyle will be able to relate to the young men and women we are trying to recruit and can give firsthand knowledge regarding the Student Official program.
Reid also suggested that we consider asking Kevin Fagan, a former professional football player to speak at the next annual Awards Banquet. Reid stated that Kevin has a very touching testimony that everyone will benefit from. The board agreed and Reid will make the necessary contact with Kevin.
Basketball Directors’ Report:
Terry Lee is in the process of preparing a packet to be used for basketball officials which will include how to give and receive constructive criticism. Terry presented a recommendation on the assignment of basketball classics in order to get good evaluations on the assigned crews.
Dan Cannon advised that he is finalizing the plans for the basketball all-day clinic. The clinic will be held at West Port High School on November 1, 2008. Dan is working on a plan to get several teams involved in the scrimmage on that date.
Other New Business:
The board received a request from Ron Siders to receive credit for a football clinic he missed due to being in the hospital. After much discussion, it was pointed that in past years officials have been denied attendance credit when they were absent due to a family death. A motion was made by Wade Clayton to grant the credit. Second by Dan Cannon. The motion failed by a 6-5 vote.
Larry Mayhew submitted a proposal to be sent to all schools rewarding a school for winning the Lee Scruggs Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. The school that wins will have their booking fees for all sports waived the following year. A motion was made by Dan Cannon to approve the proposal. Second by Ted Bedford. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion to adjourn prevailed.