FBOA Membership Information
The Fruit Belt Officials Association is an organization serving high
school athletic officials in southwest Michigan. Our members referee and
umpire the following sports: football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling,
baseball and softball. The mission of our group is as follows:
- To provide training.
- To provide a forum for regular rules and mechanics study.
- To promote the positive image of officials in our community.
- To promote members' growth by engaging speakers of interest.
- To further our avocation by recruiting, training and integrating new
officials.
Why Belong?
Being an active member of the Fruit Belt Officials Association is an
opportunity to learn with, grow, and mentor others in the best officiating
techniques for your sport. In addition, active membership in a local officials
association is part of the "Code for Athletic Officials" in the Michigan High School Athletic Association
Officials' Guidebook and the MHSAA requires association membership for those
seeking selection for a state tournament assignment. The
MHSAA is increasingly looking to local associations for tournament
recommendations. The FBOA each year updates our "Member in Good Standing"
list with the MHSAA. This list is comprised of members who are current on
dues and are active in our general and sport specific meetings.
General Meetings
The FBOA holds three general meetings a year (fall, winter and spring).
These are for all members, regardless of sport. Roberts Rules of Order are
followed at all general meetings, which are run by the group's current
president. The president is responsible for the agenda, but members are free
to bring up any "New Business" items as the meeting progresses. Some of the
things that take place at general meetings:
- Acceptance of new members.
- Recognition of state tournament officials.
- Committees formed to research or conduct association business.
- Votes taken on association action items.
- "New Business" items presented
- "Old Business" items updated and/or resolved.
Sport Specific Meetings and Clinics
Five or more "sport specific" meetings are held each year in the six
sports our officials work. Each sport has a designated "trainer" who is
responsible for these meetings. Trainers do not necessarily conduct each
meeting personally. However, he/she is responsible for ensuring that someone
does run the meeting, and that each meeting has a specific lesson plan and
goal. Typically these sport specific meetings occur "in-season," but
trainers are free set the schedule to best suit the officials who work their
sport. In addition to these meetings, which are held in a classroom
environment, each sport typically has one or more scrimmages and mechanics
clinics. These events help new officials get acclimated to the sport and
allow veteran officials to get ready for the season.
Dues
Membership dues for the Fruit Belt Officials Association are due once
annually. The cost to a new member is currently $25.00, regardless of the time
in the year the new official joins. The fiscal year of the FBOA begins April
1st for the following school year. Returning members also pay $25.00,
provided they pay the dues between April 1st and June 1st.
Returning members paying their dues on or after June 1st are assessed a
$5.00 late fee. Addition information on FBOA dues, as well as a
place to pay them securely online, can be found on our
"Dues" page.
Officers
Eight officers make up the Fruit Belt Officials Association Board of
Directors, as outlined in our By-Laws. Six of
these eight position are determined by a general election held every two
years. These positions are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Trustee 1 and Trustee 2. Popular vote is the basis for these elections. In
addition, the President selects two additional members to serve as Trustees,
bringing the total to eight. Consideration shall be given to try and ensure
the Board of Directors has representation from all six sports the FBOA
services.
Current Officers
Trainers
Trainers are charged with coordinating meetings and education for members
in their respective sports. They receive training through the MHSAA to aid
them in this purpose. In some cases, we have more than one individual
serving in this capacity.
Current Trainers
& Coordinators