OFFICIATING LEADERS NETWORKED

Newsletter of the National Association of Sports Officials – Organizations Network

OCTOBER 2013

Prevent Mismanagement of Funds By Dave Westol

It happens on a regular basis. It happens in non-profits or associations

more frequently than any of us will care to admit and perhaps more frequently than in the private sector.

“It” is embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, larceny by conversion — there are a number of names for a simple criminal act. A volunteer — often but not always the treasurer — is entrusted with funds. The volunteer subsequently uses, converts, embezzles or misappropriates some, most or all of those funds to his or her own use.

Most of those criminal acts take time to develop. Years may elapse. Criminal

behavior sometimes begins with appropriate use of funds for justifiable minor expenses. The rationalization by the volunteer may be, “I shouldn’t have to pay for paper/a network security program/extra pens/a stapler, should I?”

OK, says the board. We approve.Then the use becomes more

pronounced and more frequent. And that is usually when a board of directors fails to be a board of directors.

Do board members share some responsibility when a trusted volunteer steals money from an association?

Yes. In part.

Teach and ReachCan Association Meetings Discourage Membership?By Bob Joswick

Each year we take our seat in the classroom for our association’s

annual discourse. Do members look forward to and its enriching or simply tolerate it?

Sports associations utilize that time to dispense routine information, rules and mechanics changes, etc. Are they adapting to new ideas? Is enough being done to build a solid body of officials, attract new prospects and retain good officials?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 27 percent of Americans volunteer to do something. Many of those resign within a few years.

A survey of those who quit revealed their top reason — the leaders did not know how to lead and held poorly run meetings.

The gap between sports officials and volunteers is small. We share similar traits and motives in our respective sports and causes. Many

are involved for something other than money. Rewards can be: friendships, feeling welcome, encouragement, giving back and recognition.

In a recent poll, Referee magazine found 75 percent of officials ranked game fees in a range between non-important to somewhat important, as motivation. In that same article, Ed Rush, former NBA director of officials and former Pac-12 coordinator of men’s basketball officials, said, “Successful officials have a genuine love for their sport. That to me is what drives us.”

Let’s find ways to better our meetings, build and enhance non-monetary motivating factors and break barriers within organizations that turn away officials.

Those concepts are not a line item in the meeting’s agenda. Instead, interpersonal and instructional skills to be incorporated within the context of the meeting, providing

members a well-managed meeting and atmosphere.

Getting startedHold a cookout or pizza dinner prior to the first meeting and perhaps make it free to prospective officials. Encourage members to invite potential officials. Keep it light. Choose a host (well-liked) who does not lead the regular meeting.

Use that time to meet new members and those considering joining the ranks. Ask a notable official/coach to address the gathering. Assign instructors to personally invite returning first- and second-year officials. Some may be deciding if they will continue officiating. Officers and those in visible positions should mingle.

Avoid clustering of “top dogs” and giving the appearance of being stand-offish. Walk across the room. Step away

No official, regardless of level, should take a game without some form of liability and assault

insurance. Recent events have reinforced that need

at every level of sport. The best coverage available is

from the National Association of Sports Officials. NASO is offering special discounts for

associations whose officials sign up as a group. You and all your members will get the best possible price on NASO membership and your memberships will all start at the same time each year.

Make sure every one of your members has the best coverage, and make sure they get it at the best price. For group membership details, contact Ken Koester at 262-632-5448 x132 or kkoester@naso.org.

The Best Price for NASO Membership

(See “Teach” p.3)

(See “Funds” p.8)

2 ONBoard | October 2013

A Grand Summit in Michigan

More than 450 officials and officiating leaders attended the 31st annual

NASO Sports Officiating Summit, which took place at the Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., from July 28-30. The theme “Game Assignments: Right People, Right Place, Right Time — The Right Way” was dissected and explored from a number of perspectives over the course of the three days.

Current NBA referee Bill Kennedy served as host for the Summit Opening. Jack Roberts, Michigan High School Athletic Association executive director; Marcy Weston, former NASO board chair, Gold Whistle and Mel Narol Medallion recipient; and NASO President Barry Mano all shared remarks to kick off the industry’s premier event of the year.

Current NBA Commissioner David Stern was also featured in the video welcome. Another highlight of the

Grand Opening was the “I’m a Michigan Official” lineup, which featured 10 native Michiganders sharing their personal stories of what officiating means to them.

On July 29, the Summit continued with an all-Michigan theme. Rich Fetchiet of the CBUA, Mike Conlin of ArbiterSports and the Horizon League and Mark Uyl of the MHSAA kicked off the day by sharing current assignment data, statistics and trends in “It’s All About the Assignments.” Matt McKendry of MLB, Dean Blandino of the NFL, Don Vaden of the NBA and Mike Kennedy of PRO Soccer broke down how the assignment process is done at the professional level. Alan Goldberger and Drew Smith, the legal and insurance gurus of the industry, provided their insight on assignments in “I Thought I Was Covered: Assigners, Assignments and Risk.”

Bill Parker, a current high school official and president of the Southeast Michigan Umpire Camp, quickly realized the benefits of attending the Summit. “The information here is both current and valuable. This is a must-attend event for officials of all levels,” he said. Parker found the theme of game assignments extra valuable. “Being a new assigner, all of the sessions dealing with game assignments were very helpful.”

The educational sessions held July 29-30 offered attendees information that only the Summit can provide. On Tuesday, July 30, attendees were able to hear from a number of leaders in the industry, including the NHL Director of Officiating Terry Gregson. Gregson gave a stirring presentation on the NHL’s succession program, which allows officials to have a

plan in place as their on-ice careers come to an end. “The Player Safety Mandate: Its Impact on Officiating,” was another session that struck a chord.

“Let’s Hit the Play Button” featured 11 panelists representing seven different sports. They showed clips of excellent officiating from the high school level through the professional level.

Attendees were also given the opportunity to attend one of nine sport breakout sessions as well as lunch workshops. The workshops included the interactive session, “The Right Way: Assignments By Design.” A number of best practices were developed.

The final session was a superstar panel consisting of NBA referee Joey Crawford, NFL referee and NCAA college basketball official Gene Steratore and retired MLB umpire Mike Reilly. That insightful “fireside chat” was moderated by FoxSports officiating analyst Mike Pereira.

Those 13 sessions were followed by the Celebrate Officiating Gala, which was the closing event for the annual Summit.

Fetchiet was impressed with the 2013 Summit. “It was great to see so many officials at the 2013 Summit — three phenomenal days of officiating education from the best and brightest officiating leaders from across the country. Kudos to NASO for gathering such a stellar group of officiating industry leaders.”

The 32nd Summit is scheduled for July 27-29 in Albuquerque, N.M. The theme for the 2014 event is “Whole New Ballgame: Safe, Secure, By The Rules.” For information, visit sportsofficiatingsummit.com, naso.org or call 262-632-5448. *

October 2013. NASO ONBoard is published monthly by the National Association of Sports Officials, 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, Wis. 53405. NASO-ON, the National Association of Sports Officials-Organizations Network, is a service affiliate of NASO providing educational services and benefits to local associations of sports officials, their officers and members.

Editor: Julie Sternbergemail: jsternberg@naso-on.org

Graphic Designer: Rob VanKammenemail: rvankammen@naso-on.org

Contributors: Tim Sloan, Don Collins, Patrick Rosenow, Alan Goldberger, Patrick Indivero, Lawrence Tomei, Brian Goodlander, Jerry Grunska, Bob Masucci, Todd Korth, Ken Koester, Jeffrey Stern, Matt Moore, David Uyl

NASO Board of Directors:Jeff Triplette, Oxford, Miss., Chair

Mark Uyl, DeWitt, Mich., Vice-Chair

Barry Mano, Racine, Wis., President

Jim Hoefgen, Wauwatosa, Wis., Secretary

Bill Carollo, Shorewood, Wis., Treasurer

Ron Foxcroft, Hamilton, Ontario, Special Adviser

Rich Fetchiet, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Mike Pereira, Sacramento, Calif.

Joan Powell, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Sandra Serafini, Bahama, N.C.

Ralph Swearngin, Thomaston, Ga.

Julian Tackett, Lexington, Ky.

Tom Washington, Atlanta

Copyright © 2013 by the National Association of Sports Officials. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in any medium without written permission of the National Association of Sports Officials, 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI 53405. Phone 262/632-5448. FAX 262/632-5460. Email NASO-ON@naso-on.org. Website www.naso-on.org

10 Virtues of Outstanding LeadersWhat makes a good leader? 10 Virtues of Outstanding Leaders offers the core features of successful leaders and shows how an individual’s character, and especially their virtue, is the defining factor. Authors Al Gini and Ronald M. Green, both renowned business ethicists, showcase 10 leaders, including Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Oprah Winfrey, as examples of leaders holding specific virtues. For board members looking to boost their leadership skills, the book is available through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com as a paperback for around $22 or on your e-reader for around $13.

Association Database

ONBoard | October 2013 3

OFFICIATING LEADERS NETWORKED

Take Your Association Member Benefits to the Next Level

No one likes to think about it, but injuries happen. We’ve all sprained an ankle or had a sore back after a game. But what happens if the injury is more serious than that?

As an NASO-ON association you have access to low-cost Game Fee Loss Protection and Excess Accident Medical Coverage. How low-cost? In most cases, less than a penny a day per member.

For that amazing price, each member in your association will have coverage up to $50 per game, $200 per week and $2000 per sport season of game fee loss protection. They

will also have excess medical coverage for officiating specific injuries that can help pay for any costs not covered by their insurance like deductibles or ambulance trips.

Imagine telling all your members you’ve secured this great coverage for them… at less than a penny a day. You’ll be a hero and we’re OK with you taking all the credit.

To take advantage of this great benefit of NASO-ON membership, contact Cory Ludwin at 262-632-5448 x 124 or cludwin@naso.org.

On Your Side

from your group, and meet new and old members. Don’t let anyone sit alone.

MeetingsView meetings as a way of retaining officials.

Organize association officers and instructors as greeters for the initial meeting. Welcome members at the front door. Be aware of new prospects. Wear a distinctive badge or shirt, allow new attendees to know your name and learn theirs. Escort the new faces to the meeting location and make them feel welcome. Consider this: If a new prospect arrives and is not spoken to, what are the chances they return?

To make the meetings efficient, set schedules for beginning and ending times and stick to them.

Have seats for everyone and ask members to be seated when meeting is called to order. A structured start, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the national anthem, will gain everyone’s attention.

Associations are a mix of diverse individuals with varying levels of officiating experience and learning types. Ask yourself how your association meets the different expectations of members.

Initially, meeting as a large group to handle general housekeeping issues is fine. However, because of

the divergence of experience among members, breaking into small groups allows for more individual discussion, as well as, facilitating learning styles: listening, seeing, touching and experiencing. In the small group, it is easier to instruct, encourage, welcome, and reward individuals.

Division of GroupsIn order to offer your members the most for their time, dividing into groups is a good idea.

1. Position. That format of division works for officials associations that cover sports such as football or soccer. It is useful for video training and mechanics. It may have slight drawbacks when discussing more advanced rules philosophies between veteran and novice officials. However, it allows a blending of knowledge.

2. Level of experience. Dividing based on skill level will allow discussion to match expertise levels, keeping all engaged and participating in the education.

Instructional philosophy. Mix things up and use a variety of teaching styles.

Visuals and game video keep everyone focused and engaged. Don’t let one or two individuals dominate discussion.

Teach Continued from page 1

(See “Teach” p.4)

4 ONBoard | October 2013

Facebook: 4 Hot-Topic Questions AnsweredNASO-ON associations know the importance of reaching out in all mediums. Social media allows groups to easily connect with their members. Three association leaders shared information about how they are using Facebook.

HENRY CHIUVice President, Ontario

Football Officials Association

STEVE BESSEPresident, Illinois

Officials Association

BARRY POOLEPresident, Lake County Athletic

Officials Association

What types of items does your association post on its Facebook page?

We post rules and mechanics updates, association updates, special announcements — awards, playoff appointments — and game photos/videos.

We mostly post pictures, and info on meetings and clinics.

We post general information, upcoming events, accomplishments of members, game photos, announcements regarding members (illness, funerals, etc.).

Does your group have any restrictions on what can be posted to the page?

We have no formal policy. It is for invited members only.

We have a policy against board members being offensive. We ask the members to not mention names of players, coaches or schools.

Our site is monitored. We do not allow profanity, off-color comments, and comments critical of other officials, players, fans and coaches are removed. If egregious, the person is banned from the group.

Would you recommend that other associations start a Facebook page?

Definitely. Social media like Facebook keeps members engaged and strengthens the sense of community.

Depends, we have are own website with a message board. Most Internet communication is done through it.

It is only as effective as the members who “like” the page. … I would recommend it for informational purposes.

What advice would you give to other associations that are in the process of setting up a Facebook page?

Put up relevant content on a regularly basis. Have the availability of multimedia content. Create elements to invite active participation on the page (i.e. contest, event tickets, etc.).

My football association has a Facebook page, and it is restricted to members only. I believe that is the way to go.

It must be monitored. If it turns into a chat room free for all, that has a negative impact on your group.

Live action, practice on the field or in the gym. Simulate situations using a walk through. Don’t assume everyone played the sport.

Hold a mechanics day. Guest speakers, senior officials, college and professional officials can help teach the mechanics of position. Members rotate through two or three sessions. Do that out of the classroom, and get everyone up and moving and involved.

Get feedback from members — both verbal and written. Take action on those that will help the association and recognize contributors.

Times are changing for sports officials. Today the batch of officials

attracted to officiating most likely come from a background of interactive video games, work and home environments that use the latest technology. Those individuals are the the future of an association.

Meeting formats that worked five or 10 years ago may not succeed today. Incorporating variety and flexibility into meetings will benefit the veteran, rookie and new officials.

The thriving and growing association recognizes the need to reach beyond sports rules and administering tests. Encouraging, supporting and rewarding their officials will build a strong officials association, retain

members and attract new ones.Bob Joswick, Broken Arrow, Okla., is a former college and NFL player who now officiates high school football. Retired from the corporate world, he is now an author. *

Good board members do their homework; they come to meetings informed and ready to discuss any and all items on the agenda. They fearlessly voice concerns, questions and disagreements about association policies or organizational goals.

ON ... Meeting Prep

Teach Continued from page 3

ONBoard | October 2013 5

OFFICIATING LEADERS NETWORKED

How to Keep Your Head in the Game

Association leaders are often pulled in many different directions. It’s easy to get distracted and lose your focus. By not giving any specific item your best, you can end up not accomplishing much during your term. In order to stay on top of your duties and move your association forward, you need to have a plan.

Meet with the board before the season to determine your goals for the year.Without writing down concrete objectives to strive toward, your best intentions will most often fail. It’s a lot easier to put off a project you planned in your head to do than one you wrote down and shared with your association.

Review your progress whenever the board meets.Huge projects can be difficult to tackle without regularly working on them. Through your lead, for example, if your association is developing an evaluation program, you and the members who are helping you in the task should work on different steps every few weeks. Then report your progress during board meetings.

Delegate responsibility.It’s hard to keep your focus if you are tackling too much at one time. As a result, your association should set up committees with individual leaders to give attention to the various projects of your group. As the president, you can oversee the committees by periodically checking in with the committee chairs.

Be organized.In today’s age of technology, it is easier than ever to stay on task. Just set up calendar reminders on your phone to make sure you’re up to speed on everything. You can also easily check in with a committee member via a quick email or text whenever necessary.

Limit technology while you’re working.Technology can be an asset or a curse. If you’re trying to keep your focus on a project or meeting with others, turn off your devices. A solid hour without your iPhone alerts may be just what you need to finish up your task.

How to . . .

NASO members who have questions concerning situations pertaining to their officiating now have access to the Member Information and Consultation Program (MICP). MICP provides members with articles or information on specific topics. NASO can also put members in touch with an expert to discuss officiating-related information up to three times a year through MICP.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Can You Contract for Safety? By Donald C. Collins

Q: Last summer, some of our association’s umpires were pushed

during league baseball games. There was little recourse to stop that. Our association wants to propose a contract agreement that requires the league to take actions against such behavior or the association will have the right to pursue legal recourse. Is that the best way to handle the situation?

A: Officials associations need to take steps to protect their members. That

process starts before negotiating a contract. First, associations need to review a

league’s discipline policy and determine whether it adequately addresses unsporting actions in general and physical contact with officials in particular. If the policies are deficient, associations should work with the league to amend them.

Second, associations need to know how leagues staff their games. If the staffing policy is non-existent, the group should negotiate for a staffer if officials feel unsafe.

It is easy to determine how interscholastic games are staffed. Those games are supposed to have a game administrator. Associations should negotiate for a league administrator, gym or field director, scorekeeper or timer at summer league and recreational games if officials have experienced safety problems. The personnel adds formality, and provides a witness if an official is attacked.

Third, associations need to know whether leagues follow their discipline policy when they receive a report that an official was attacked. An association can take some contractual steps, including having the league report the actions it took after receiving a report. Associations must respect a league’s legal constraints, though, as a report could bump up against youth privacy laws. One alternative is to have the report focus on the procedural steps the league took as opposed to the league’s ultimate ruling. Also, associations could request an end-of-year report on league discipline that isn’t linked to specific action.

Associations can’t mandate a result, though, because leagues must follow their rules and bylaws, which will often set out a procedure, but not a specific result. Also, leagues that issue punishments based on

allegations from officials could be subject to litigation if they don’t investigate.

Additionally, no contracts can guarantee an outcome. A league could have the best of policies, follow them, have vigilant administrators, and still not penalize an offender for contact with an official. The league may follow all of its policies and conclude the contact was inadvertent, or didn’t warrant a penalty.

In short, associations can take actions to maximize the chances that leagues will provide a safe environment and will penalize people who make physical contact with officials, but associations can’t force leagues to penalize, and they can’t negotiate procedures that guarantee that. There will always be some uncertainty.

It should be noted that officials have rights independent of league actions. An individual may sue a person who makes physical contact with him or her. Also, it is a crime to make an unwanted physical contact with anybody, including an official; some states even specify sports officials as a protected class in their criminal code.

Dealing with a reluctant league can be tough, but it’s not impossible. It is in the best interest of leagues and associations to take steps to ensure safety. That mutual interest will help associations work with leagues, and hopefully offset any short-term difficulties.Donald C. Collins is the executive director of the San Francisco Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. He is a longtime basketball official and lawyer. This article is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. *

6 ONBoard | October 2013

Officiate Michigan Day a SuccessThe Michigan High School Athletic Association, in conjunction with NASO and the 2013 Sports Officiating Summit, hosted Officiate Michigan Day on July 27. Around 1,300 officials from across the state made their way to the The DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids to hear from a number of experts.

More than 40 clinicians representing the professional, college and high school levels shared their time and talents for the local event.

“It’s just a great day to be a Michigan official,” said April Martin, an official at the high school, junior college, NAIA and NCAA Division III levels. “Seeing your family, which is referees, was great. Seeing everyone here just knowing that everyone is trying to get something out of this day is special.”

ECFOA Explains Rules to CoachesThe East Coast Football Officials Association (ECFOA) met with public school football coaches at the annual Palm Beach County Coaches Meeting in early August to explain several new rules in high school football.

The focus of the discussion by the officials was on player safety, including head safety, which will be taken very seriously.

OHSAA Officials’ Clinic Draws 400About 400 officials attended the third-annual Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials Clinic, held in a partnership with the Cleveland Browns, at FirstEnergy Stadium on Aug. 10. The featured speaker was NFL official Mark Steinkerchner.

“The Browns are proud to welcome these guests to FirstEnergy Stadium as we value the opportunity to share information and knowledge on how football can be safer and more impactful for all involved,” said Jenner Tekancic, the Browns’ director of community relations. “To be able to partner with the Cleveland Football Officials Association and the Ohio High School Athletic Association is a wonderful opportunity to provide officials with the resources they will need.”

Corpus Christi TASO Chapter Donates FundsThe Corpus Christi baseball division of the Texas Sports Officials Association donated $100 to the fundraising efforts to help Universal Little League family members attend the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. Art Green, head of the local umpire chapter, presented the donation to families on Aug. 11. SOURCES: PALM BEACH POST, CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM, CALLER.COM (CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS)

The PulseLocal Association News Nationwide

Get ’em Ready: Preparing Your Members for the Season By Jeffrey Stern

What have you done to get your members ready for the season?

Have you reached out to them at all? Or do you figure they’ll just show up for meetings because they’re at the same location and same time and begin the week of the first scrimmages?

The assumption is that you’ve put time and thought into putting together the educational material you’ll present at your gatherings. So you owe it to yourself to get the word out and increase the chances you’ll get maximum participation and attendance. Certainly your members deserve the preparation. They elected you assuming you would accept the responsibility involved with being an association leader.

With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to ensure your members are as prepared and well-informed as possible heading into the season.

Rule and mechanics informationWork with your state association or conference coordinator to get access to rule and mechanics changes and pass them along. Even if you aren’t able to get into specifics, let everyone know what’s new.

If you have time and are good with technology, find video of a few plays from past seasons in which the new rule or mechanic would come into play.

Don’t forget to include the points of emphasis. The rulemaking bodies identify areas of concern every year they feel merit special attention. Get your members thinking about those situations early.

Registration and duesDepending on the procedure in your area, send members a reminder to renew their licenses as well as pay local and state association dues. The treasurer of your chapter will appreciate your assistance in encouraging the early payment while the members will remain in the good graces of the governing body.

Get them workingAgain, depending on local practice, the chapter may be asked by schools to find officials for preseason scrimmages. Encourage coaches or athletic directors

in your area to keep you informed of such events and offer your assistance. Scrimmages are the perfect opportunity for veterans to shake off the rust or, better yet, giving less experienced officials a taste of what’s in store once the teams start playing for real.

Solicit helpBefore the meetings begin, touch base with members of the group who you think might lend a hand with the educational programs. Perhaps a member handled an unusual situation. Have him or her describe it to the group, explaining why it right or how it went wrong. If video is available, be sure to have it on hand.

If you find yourself with more film than time, ask trusted members of the chapter to watch a game or two and identify plays that include teaching points.

When you would like to have a guest speaker, contact him or her well in advance of the meeting at which you’d like them to appear. Those people are busy as well, and the sooner you can settle on a date, the better for both sides. Be sure to work out all arrangements with the speaker including possible fee, transportation to and from the meeting, meals, etc. Once the speaker is locked up, promote the heck out of it with your members. Don’t be embarrassed by having a big-name guest speaking to a half-empty room. If necessary, contact neighboring associations. Not only will that add to the crowd, the other group will split the cost with yours.Jeffrey Stern is Referee’s senior editor and officiates high school and college football and high school baseball. *

NASO-ON currently has more than 1,000 members. In all, those groups represent more than 100,000 individual officials. We welcome our newest NASO-ON member associations, listed below along with their home cities and contact persons:

Maryland: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football Officials, Ft. Washington (Byron Adams)

Louisiana: Greater New Orleans Football Officials Association, Gretna (Charles Bradley)

Now ONBoard

ONBoard | October 2013 7

OFFICIATING LEADERS NETWORKED

8 ONBoard | October 2013

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS OFFICIALS – ORGANIZATIONS NETWORK

Your Company Can Help Improve the Quality of OfficiatingBecome an NASO Education Partner Today! Call 1-800-733-6100 x 104

NASO EDUCATION PARTNER PROGRAM MEMBERS:

Amateur Softball Association – SilverAmerican Athletic Conference – SilverAmerican Specialty Insurance Services – SilverArbiterSports – PlatinumArizona Interscholastic Association – SilverAtlantic Coast Conference – BronzeBig Ten Conference – SilverCalifornia Basketball Officials Association – BronzeCanadian Football League – BronzeChief Zebra Enterprises – SilverCliff Keen – SilverColorado High School Activities Association – SilverConference USA – SilverDVSports Software Inc. – SilverFox 40 International – GoldFox Sports – GoldGeorgia Athletic Officials Association – BronzeGeorgia High School Association – SilverHonig’s Whistle Stop – SilverHudl – SilverIllinois High School Association – SilverIndiana High School Athletic Association – SilverIAABO, Inc. – Bronze

Iowa High School Athletic Association – SilverKentucky High School Athletic Association – SilverMLB – PlatinumMajor League Soccer – BronzeMichigan High School Athletic Association – PlatinumMid American Conference – SilverMinnesota State High School League – Silver Missouri State High School Activities Association – SilverNBA – PlatinumNBRA – GoldNCAA – PlatinumNFHS – GoldNFL - Officiating Department – Gold NFLRA – GoldNFL - Youth Football Fund – PlatinumNHL – PlatinumNHL - Officials Association – SilverNIRSA – BronzeNISOA – BronzeNew Mexico Officials Association – SilverOhio High School Athletic Association – SilverOregon Athletic Officials Association – PlatinumOregon School Activities Association – SilverPac-12 Conference – Bronze

Professional Association of Volleyball Officials – Bronze Professional Referees Organization – Bronze Purchase Officials Supplies – SilverReferEase – Silver Referee Magazine – PlatinumSports Officials Physical Training Institute – SilverSun Belt Conference – SilverTexas Association of Sports Officials – BronzeTransAmerica – PlatinumThe Tyros – SilverThe Umpire School – SilverUltimate Fighting Championship – BronzeUmp-Attire.com – SilverUniversity Interscholastic League – SilverU.S. Lacrosse – SilverU.S. Soccer Federation – Bronze U.S. Specialty Sports Association – SilverU.S. Tennis Association – Silver USA Hockey – BronzeVirginia High School League – Bronze The Vizual Official – SilverVokkero Sports Audio Systems – GoldWashington Officials Association – SilverWisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association – Silver

Police often note that it takes three things for a crime to occur. For a crime to occur there must be a (1) motive, (2) an opportunity and (3) a victim.

Your association board of directors cannot control or prevent the motive. Your board can’t control the victim aspect; the association must exist and function. But your board can control the opportunity.

Typically, here’s what happens. The trusted volunteer begins using association funds and providing documentation. “Does anyone object if I buy a new printer because I’m wearing out my old one on association biz?” No one says or does anything other than to request, often with a heavy-handed attempt at humor, that the volunteer provide proof of purchase.

There is no double-checking or verification. The board simply accepts the word of the trusted individual. Business as usual. You can hear the voices … “She’s been doing this for years.” “He is a good guy.” “Hey, if someone was going to steal they would pick a bigger target than an officials association, right?”

Then, over time, financial reports are delayed or incomplete. The trusted volunteer provides explanations and excuses that range from blaming the bank to, “I just didn’t have time to prepare

those this quarter” to “If someone else wants to do the books they can, but if you want me to continue you’re going to have to work with me and my schedule.”

After a few months the murmuring may begin: “Where’s the checking account report from the bank?” “How come we aren’t seeing an income and expense statement?”

But board members are reluctant to confront the trusted volunteer. And without the records — bank statements, reports and other information — it is difficult to ask the tough questions.

Finally, someone will ask the questions. And the answers often generate “sadness.” The trusted volunteer is usually respected and well-liked. “Can you believe that? Never would have thought …”

A board can do four things to remove opportunity from the situation.

1. Use a double-signature form of verification for all expenses — the proverbial two-signature check. That also works in electronic transactions — most banks have a program that will automatically notify a second party when a transaction is made.

2. Demand monthly reports. That includes checking and savings accounts and all other financial transactions.

3. Require documentation for small items as well. If you wish to allow small expenditures by the treasurer or another volunteer for day-to-day items such as paper without prior approval … set a low limit and demand documentation.

4. Require an annual accounting of the association finances by an outside auditor — not a member of your association. That is not an audit. That is an accounting.

Some good and respected people have become something else after volunteering their time with an association. They are now called misdemeants or felons. Yes, they made bad and illegal choices. But if the board is doing its job by demanding regular financial statements, asking good questions and installing safeguards the likelihood of a volunteer doing something illegal has been greatly reduced, and that is a good thing for everyone.Dave Westol is principal and owner of Limberlost Consulting, Inc. in Carmel, Ind. He works with a number of clients including more than 20 national men’s and women’s fraternities and sororities on board of directors orientation, training and evaluation; governance structure, risk management and bylaws review and related matters. He has officiated football for 27 years. *

Funds Continued from page 1