Article I

Name and Objects

Section 1. This organization shall be known as the "Metropolitan Washington Soccer Referees Association" and abbreviated as "MWSRA".

Section 2. The object of this Association shall be to provide efficient, trained soccer referees and linesmen for scholastic, club, collegiate, independent, and recreational games; to impart the knowledge of the rules and laws of soccer; and to promote soccer to the best of its ability.

Section 3. MWSRA may adopt the status of a "not for profit" corporation under the laws of Virginia, Maryland or the District of Columbia as the membership so desires, but it shall have no authority to issue stock.

Section 4. Upon approval of the membership, MWSRA may affiliate with other appropriate soccer organizations such as USSF, NISOA, or others.

Article II

Membership

Section 1. There shall be five classes of members: active, junior, associate, lifetime and probationary.

Section 2. All classes of members may attend meetings of the Association and participate in discussions.

Section 3. Only active class members may hold elected offices or vote upon matters concerning the Association.

Section 4. The Association shall have the power to assess fees, dues, and fines, as provided for in the By-laws.

Section 5. Active members are those members in good standing who have met all required qualifications as set forth in the By-laws.

Section 6. Junior members are those members in good standing who have met all required qualifications set forth in the By-laws, but have not reached their eighteenth birthday and who have been approved for membership by the Executive Board.

Section 7. Associate members are those members who have been active members but who are no longer able either permanently or temporarily to referee games because of health, work, travel, etc., and who have requested of the Executive Board transfer to this class. An Associate member may at any time request reinstatement to Active class membership by application to the Executive Board.

Section 8. Lifetime members are those members who have been active members in good standing for at least ten years and are retiring from active membership. Lifetime membership shall be granted as provided for in the By-laws and Lifetime members shall be free from dues or assessments.

Section 9. Probationary members shall be those individuals who have made application for membership, attended the required training program, passed all required examinations, and have been accepted by the Executive Board as Probationary members. Transfer from this class to active status shall be as provided in Article I, Section 4 of the By-laws.

Section 10. Individuals transferring from other geographic areas who are members in good standing with credentials from other recognized soccer referee associations, may be admitted as active members providing they meet all other membership requirements and their membership is approved by the Executive Board.

Article III

Officers

Section 1. The officers shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. In the absence of the President, the next officer in the chain set forth above shall serve in his place. The officers shall be elected annually at the annual election meeting as provided for in Article VI, Section 4 of the By-laws and shall take office immediately.

Section 2. The officers shall perform their duties as prescribed in the By-laws and such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Association.

Article IV

Executive Board

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers as defined in Article III, the Immediate Past President and six other Board members at large elected in a manner similar to the officers. At least one member will be 23 years old or younger on the date of election. In the event of the reelection of the sitting President, a sixth Board member at large shall be elected in lieu of the Past President.

Section 2. The Board shall conduct the regular day-to-day business of the Association at Board meetings as prescribed in the By-laws, and shall perform other duties as prescribed by the Association.

Article V

Committees

Section 1. The President shall appoint promptly after his election the following standing committees:

a. Rating and Evaluation Committee composed of at least five members including the Vice-President, who shall be the Chairman.

b. Fee and Negotiation Committee composed of at least three members. This committee will be under the direction of a chairman who will be one of its members and will be appointed by the President. This committee will be responsible for contacting and negotiating with leagues, schools and other organizations seeking to employ soccer officials.

Section 2. The President may appoint such other committees as he/she or the Executive Board may deem necessary.

Article VI

Executive Appointments

Section 1. The President shall make the following appointments each year promptly after the election:

a. One or more Official Rules Interpreters.

b. Parliamentarian.

c. Training Chairman.

d. Chairman of the Fee and Negotiation Committee.

e. With the approval of the Executive Board, one or more Game Assignors who need not be members of the association.

Section 2. The President shall have the power to make additional executive appointments from time to time as appear necessary or desireable.

Article VII

Meetings

Section 1. Membership meetings shall be called by the President as provided for in the By-laws.

Article VIII

Amendments

Section 1. The Constitution and the By-laws may be amended as follows:

a. A proposed amendment may be moved at any general meeting of the membership. It must be seconded and may be discussed and amended.

b. The proposed amendment must be voted upon by the membership and passed by a majority of the votes of those eligible members present and voting.

c. The proposed amendment will then be published to the membership in advance of the next regular membership meeting.

d. At the next regular membership meeting the proposed amendment will be brought to the floor for discussion and possible amendment thereto. A second vote will then be taken and upon affirmation by the vote of at least two-thirds of those eligible members present and voting, the amendment shall be in full force and effect.

Article IX

Parliamentary Procedure

Section 1. "Robert's Rules of Order", revised, shall govern the conduct of all membership and Executive Board meetings in so far as it is not inconsistent with this Constitution and By-laws.

Article X

Enactment

Section 1. This Constitution and the By-laws enacted to supplement it shall be in full force and effect upon the passage thereof as set forth in Article VIII and will replace all previous Constitutions and By-laws which shall be repealed without further action.

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