BOARDS

Three distinct levels of administrative boards govern the Southern Nevada Officials Association (SNOA). 

These boards are composed entirely of active members of the association and are either elected by the

appropriate body or appointed by the President.

THE BOARD OF CONTROL

The Board of Control is the highest-level board and is responsible for overall management of the Association,

to include all fiscal and general administrative matters. All contracts to provide officiating services, regardless

of the sport, are prepared and signed at this level.  It is also the highest appellate level for any problems,

complaints, disciplinary actions or other conflicts or matters that cannot be resolved at a lower level board.

The board consists of five members as shown below.  Members are elected for two year terms by the general

membership at the annual meeting held in November of each year.  A nominating committee reviews the applications

of all officials who desire to run for an elected office to ensure eligibility compliance under the SNOA constitution. 

Anyone who meets these requirements may run for an elected office on the Board of Control.

Office                                   Incumbent                      Contact Information                     Term Expires

President:                              Chris Bibbins                         ref01@cox.net                            November 2008

Vice President:                        Don May                              dcmvegas@cox.net                      November 2009

2nd Vice President:                  Darryl Johnson                     djnlv02@yahoo.com                     November 2008

Secretary / Treasurer               Sheila Seifer                        snoatreas@cox.net                          Appointed

Member-at-Large                    Vince Kristosik                      vkris72@gmail.com                      November 2008

Member-at Large                    Joel Ritchie                            JKRS@cox.net                            November 2009

To provide continuity, the President, and one Member-at-Large are elected one year and the Vice President and

other Member-at-Large are elected the next year.  The Secretary-Treasurer is appointed by the President and serves

in a full-time capacity.

The Board meets monthly and in special session as needed.  When the Board does convene at the end of the various

sports’ seasons (fall, winter and spring), members of the individual sport’s boards are invited to attend the Board of

Control meeting to give a report on the results of the season just completed.

Meeting dates scheduled for the Board of Control are as follows.

THE ALL-SPORTS BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The All-Sports Board is chaired by the SNOA Vice President and meets on a monthly basis.  Composition of this board

includes board members from the various individual sports of SNOA.  There are no elections held for members of these

boards.  Election to an individual sports board conveys membership on the All-Sports Board. 

A minimum of one board member from each sport must attend these meetings.  Agenda items would include

information dissemination that pertains to all sports, the hearing of complaints or appeals from officials concerning their

individual sports boards, assignors or trainers which could not be resolved at the individual sport’s level.

Meeting dates scheduled for the All Sports Board Members are as follows.

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS BOARDS

Each sport has an elected board consisting of three members, each elected for three year staggered terms. 

Current Board Members for each Individual Sport are provided at that sport’s page.

These boards are responsible for the overall day to day operations of its individual sport and work closely with both the

Assignor and the Trainer, especially when the sport is “in season“.  To define the responsibilities accruing to the

individual sports boards, on 25 May, 2004, the Board of Control published definitive duties and functions of these sport’s

boards, as well as those things which the board does not have authority (see the published list of responsibilities below). 

making game assignments in the sport and the trainer is responsible for training both new and experienced officials in

the particular sport.  The SNOA President, based upon input and recommendations from the sport’s board, as, appoints

the assignor and trainer. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL SPORTS BOARD MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP ON THE BOARD

In accordance with SNOA policy, individual sport’s board will be comprised of three members each serving three year

terms which will provide for the annual election of one member and carryover of two members in future years.  To be

elected to the board, a member must be in good standing in SNOA (not just the particular sport).  To prevent possible

conflicts of interest, individuals who hold positions of authority (board member, assignor, etc.,) in the sport with an

organization outside SNOA may not be elected to the board of that sport.

Individual sport’s board members are elected as representatives of that sport and SNOA.  Accordingly,

they should hold themselves to a higher professional level than expected of other members. 

Unprofessional conduct by an individual sport’s board member will not be tolerated by SNOA.  The Board

of Control may take action to remove or suspend a board member for cause or direct that sport’s body to

hold another election for the seat (recall vote) where the board member may run for reelection if he/she

so desires.

DUTIES OF THE BOARD

Inasmuch as each sport has an assignor and trainer appointed by the board of control, it is envisioned that these two

individuals (not the board members) will conduct the “day-to-day” operations while the sport is in season.   (The board

would function more in a role comparable to a fireman in that they would intercede in situations as shown below).

1.  CONVENE AS A BOARD AS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS:

            A.  Problems/Complaints lodged against an official of the sport (major issues to be referred to all-sports board)

            B.  Disposition of complaints against an official.

            C.  Determine appropriate censure action if warranted.

            D.  Minor complaints registered by an official against the assignor, trainer or fellow official (major issues to

                 be referred to all-sports board)

            E.  Advise of offenses by official for which fines should be levied.

            F.  Develop schedule of fines for various infractions or offenses by official. (schedule should be published prior

                 to start of season)

2.  DETERMINE VARIOUS RANKING LEVELS FOR ALL LEVELS OF GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS AND THE
PROCEDURES FOR RANKING OF OFFICIALS/INDIVIDUALS.

3. SIT AS MEMBERS OF RANKING COMMITTEE TO RANK ALL OFFICIALS ON ABILITY, EXPERIENCE, ETC. USING
PARAMETERS DEVELOPED FOR VARIOUS RANKING LEVELS.  (Depending upon size of the individual sport’s body, this

committee should be augmented with regular members who are qualified and have the opportunity to observe their fellow

officials and make recommendations for ranking level.)

4.  DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS (AS NEED ARISES) IN AREAS SUCH AS:

            A.  ASSIGNMENT POLICIES. The intent is to NOT usurp assignor’s prerogatives on assignments of officials, but

                 to address macro policies that support the assignor’s actions (example would be students participating in a

                 sport may/or may not officiate other levels of that sport while the sport is in season).

            B.  UNIFORM/DRESS POLICIES. Recommendations for uniform changes will be submitted to all-sports board.

            C.  SNOA ACCEPTANCE OF VARIOUS TOURNAMENTS AND OTHER EVENTS. The board should recommend

                 whether or not SNOA should agree to provide officials for a particular event and, if appropriate, fees that

                 should be charged (see comments on contracts/commitments below).

            D.  SNOA WEBSITE.  Suggest items, information to be included in the sport‘s link on the SNOA Website.  (All

                 information for website inclusion must be submitted to the Board of Control for approval.)

5.  IN COORDINATION WITH THE ASSIGNOR (AND, IF NECESSARY) THE TRAINER, PROVIDE INPUT TO

ASSIGNOR FOR SELECTION OF OFFICIALS FOR POST-SEASON PLAY. 

Normally, the assignor submits a recommended list of officials to the Commissioner of Officials (Mr. Marc Ratner) who

approves/disapproves assigning individuals to post season contests.  The list of officials is not subject to prior

approval/disapproval by the board.

6.  MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF CONTROL FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW ASSIGNOR
AND/OR TRAINER FOR THE NEXT SEASON.  The board should solicit membership interest, request resumes or

take other appropriate action to arrive at a recommendation for appointment to either position.  Recommendations

would be forwarded to the SNOA President who is responsible for appointment of all assignors and

trainers.  (Recommendations for removal of either incumbent assignor or trainer during the season should only be for

cause.)

7.  PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS OF SNOA ALL-SPORTS BOARD MEETINGS AS CALLED BY THE SNOA
VICE-PRESIDENT  All board members are expected to attend all such meetings to insure their sport is

adequately represented.  If a board member has a conflict to attending on a particular day, the board should caucus to

ensure that at least one other member attends to represent that sport.  The senior board member is responsible for

ensuring that sport’s representation at all -sports board or special meetings requested by Board of Control (#8 below).

The sport could be subject to fine by SNOA for failure to be represented.  If a sport is not represented at two

consecutive meetings, the sport’s entire board will be required to appear before the Board of Control

8.  PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL MEETINGS CALLED BY THE SNOA PRESIDENT AND AT END-OF-SEASON
MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD OF CONTROL.  Attendance at the end-of-season meeting with Board of

Control is MANDATORY for board members, assignors and trainers in order to review the events of the past

season and prepare for the next season.

9.  DESIGNATE OR SERVE AS POINT(S) OF CONTACT FOR THE SPORT.  Field inquiries from individuals outside the

sport who are seeking information about that sport and/or SNOA.  (Board members will determine the point(s) of

contact  (POCs) on the Website and for any sport-specific recruiting action (newspaper advertisement, etc.)  The

assignor should not be appointed as a POC. 

10. DETERMINE MEETING SITE, TIME AND DAY AS WELL AS DATES FOR THE SPORT’S BODY.  Ensure that

number of meetings and clinics are held and examinations (testing) of members are in compliance with NIAA

requirements. (Meeting dates should be scheduled to accommodate assignor and trainer needs.)

PROHIBITED ACTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL SPORT’S BOARD MEMBERS

Board members (either collectively or individually) are prohibited from the following actions.  Doing so could be cause for

disciplinary action by the Board of Control. 

1.  THE BOARD MAY NOT COMMIT THE EXPENDITURE OF ANY SNOA FUNDS. They may recommend to the Board of

Control the expenditure of funds in support of their particular sport.

2.  THE BOARD MAY  NOT ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACT (VERBAL OR WRITTEN) WITH AN OUTSIDE
ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE OFFICIALS. 

All contracts with outside agencies will be negotiated by the Board of Control and must be signed by the SNOA President.

Exceptions to this policy may be granted for informal, short term requests such as providing officials for an alumni game,

however, verbal approval of the SNOA President or Secretary -Treasurer is required before entering into such as

agreement.

3.  THE BOARD MAY NOT OVERRIDE THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIONS OF THE ASSIGNOR IN MAKING REGULAR AND
POST-SEASON ASSIGNMENTS. 

If situation dictates, the board may make a recommendation to the all-sports board or board of control for sanction,

removal or other action regarding the assignor.  However, there should be a strong cause for such action while the season

is ongoing.

COMPENSATION OF INDIVIDUAL SPORT’S BOARD MEMBERS

            Individual sport’s board members do not receive a stipend for their services.  However, as a way to
demonstrate appreciation for their volunteering to serve as a board members, the percent assessment fee is waived for
that sport, only.