History of Tri-City Area
Officials Association
Tri-City Area Officials Association serves all of the Mid-Michigan territory including Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and surrounding areas. View the Association’s proud history below.
Joining Forces
On May 18, 2018, officers from Bay Metro Officials Association, Midland Athletic Officials Association and the Saginaw Officials Associations formally met to discuss a merger. The purpose of the merger was to provide better training/education to their memberships, make assigning easier for the school members, recruitment and retention of members and cost savings to the members. Soon after, a decision was made to also invite the Greater Mid-Michigan Officials Association to join in the merger which they accepted.
A New Association is Formed
On October 14, 2018, a meeting was held with the memberships from the four associations. Mark Uyl, Executive Director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) was in attendance and outlined the benefits of the merger. A structure to operate a new association along with the appointment of the board of directors was adopted by the four associations and implemented until a constitution and bylaws could be developed.
A New Constitution is Born
On June 5, 2022, the Tri-City Officials Association held its annual meeting, election of officers and adoption of its constitution.
TRI-CITY AREA ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
Article I – Name
This organization shall be known as the Tri-City Area Officials’ Association (TCAOA).
Article II – Objectives
MISSION STATEMENT
An officiating association that provides a membership opportunity for registered MHSAA officials focusing on quality education and training for our member officials. This will be accomplished through the following objectives:
A: To educate our members through classes, programs, meetings and clinics designed to improve the quality of officiating.
B: Promote membership professionalism by cultivating such an environment so members can obtain their officiating goals.
C: Provide information, scrimmages, and hands-on clinics.
D: Abide by and enforce the MHSAA Guidebook policies for our officials, and encourage athletes, coaches and spectators to do the same.
E: Maintain the status of an “Approved Association” as defined by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
F: Provide a high caliber of officiating for interscholastic contests and for any any other contests for which services may be contracted.
Article III – Membership
A: Membership in the TCAOA shall be extended to any individual who understands, accepts, and supports the objectives and constitution of the organization.
B: A member in good standing with the TCAOA is a member who has paid their dues for that fiscal year and is registered with the MHSAA.
C: Paying your dues and attending meetings does not guarantee that the official will receive assignments. Assigning is performed by independent assigners who are not in the employment of TCAOA. The official is an independent contractor and and agrees to follow the guidelines of the TCAOA.
D: Application for membership shall be made by submitting a completed application form accompanied with the payment of dues requested each year.
E: Attend meetings, clinics, and other offered training programs.
F: Follow the MHSAA “Code of Conduct for Officials”.
G: Members in good standing are entitled to one vote in the conduct of Association business and must be present to vote.
Article IV – Officers
A: President – The president shall preside over all Membership and Executive Board and appoint all committees. He/she shall also act as the official liaison between the TCAOA and the MHSAA and other school officials. He/she shall assume any other responsibilities delegated by the Executive Board.
B: Vice President – The Vice President shall perform the duties of the president in the event of his/her absence. He/she will succeed the President in the event of a vacancy.
C: Secretary – The secretary shall maintain membership records including personal and officiating information of each member. He/she shall record minutes of all Membership and Executive Board meetings and report back to the membership as required. He/she shall submit the TCAOA roster and MIGS list to the MHSAA office each year as required. The Executive Board could require other responsibilities.
D: Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be in charge of all assets and liabilities of the TCAOA, and shall make disbursements as required. He/she shall collect dues from the members and maintain records as well as report any delinquencies to the Executive Board. He/she shall supply a financial report at the Annual and Executive Board meetings. He/she must provide an annual budget which must be approved by the Executive Board prior to September 1st of the upcoming school year.
E: At Large – There will be four (4) At Large positions of the Executive Board. Two (2) to be elected each year. The president may assign specific duties to At Large members.
F: Recruitment/Retention of Membership Coordinator – As required by the MHSAA to focus on growing membership and retention of current members.
G: All TCAOA documents and properties shall be turned over to the successor within two weeks after leaving office.
H: All officers must pay their dues annually, no later than August 1st. If an officer is not paid in full by August 1st, his/her board position privileges shall be suspended until dues are paid.
Article V – Elections:
A: The election of officers shall be held each year at the annual meeting.
B: A person shall be eligible to be a member of the Executive Board who is currently a member of the TCAOA and who has been a member in good standing with the TCAOA for at the two (2) consecutive years prior to the date of the election or appointment.
C: The membership shall be notified no less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting date, the contact information of the election chairperson and the positions up for election that year. A member interested in running for an expiring term or opening of an Executive Board position, shall submit their name to the election committee chairperson no less than five (5) days prior to the annual meeting. A member may only nominate themselves for one position in that election.
D: A member holding an elected board position that is not expiring, who submits their name for a different position, must do so prior to the notice of the annual meeting being sent to the membership. That member’s present term will expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting. The membership shall be notified that nominations will be accepted for that position and the term will be one year.
E: The president shall appoint an election committee that consists of a chairperson and three (3) committee members. The chairperson shall run the election/floor while the remaining members collect and count the ballots. At least one committee member shall be appointed from the previous election (if available) to maintain continuity of the election procedures.
F: The chairperson shall prepare the ballots prior to the election. Each position shall be conducted on separate ballot sheets. The ballots shall contain the names of the candidates in alphabetical order. The positions up for election shall be conducted in the order as listed in the Constitution.
G: Roberts’ Rules of Order shall be used for elections.
H: During the elections, only the election committee will have the floor until the completion of the election. The chairperson shall announce the names of the candidates for each office. Each candidate for that office shall have five (5) minutes to speak prior to the vote.
I: The election committee shall distribute and collect all ballots and do a visual count. The election will be conducted for each office by a secret separate ballot.
J: The election committee shall determine any spoiled or illegible ballots. Results shall be announced when completed. If there is a tie between multiple candidates, an immediate run-off election shall take place with those candidates until a winner has been determined.
K: A simple majority is all that is needed to secure the election. After completion, all ballots shall be either sealed or destroyed.
L: The newly elected will take office immediately following the meeting.
M: Special elections as deemed necessary by the Executive Board may be held at any time.
N: The election committee shall conduct all votes at the annual meeting that require a secret ballot.
Article VI – Executive Board:
A: The Executive Board shall consist of nine (9) voting members: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, recruitment/retention coordinator, and four (4) At Large members. Each member present shall have one vote on all matters that come before the Executive Board. This vote may be in attendance or by electronic vote. The Director of Officials positions appointed by the Executive Board shall be non-voting Executive Board members. These directors shall be responsible for the training and operations for their respective sport.
B: A minimum of five (5) voting members present shall constitute a quorum.
C: Shall determine dates, times, and place of all association meetings.
D: Roberts’ Rule of Order will be used for all Executive Board meetings and votes.
E: There shall be a Director of Officials for each sport. The president shall notify the membership when there is an opportunity to apply for a director’s position. This shall occur upon the Executive Board approving a resignation or the Executive Board seeking to replace a present Director. All members in good standing with the TCAOA shall have the opportunity to apply. A committee, appointed by the president and consisting of members in good standing, shall interview members interested in a director position. The committee shall recommend candidates to the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall select the director positions. The directors serve at the will of the Executive Board and can be replaced at any time.
F: Appoint any vacancy on the Executive Board for the remainder of that term.
G: Distribute additional responsibilities to other officers as required.
H: Set the membership dues. A membership dues increase shall be proposed and discussed at an Executive Board meeting. The proposal of increase shall be voted on at the following Executive Board meeting and requires a two thirds (2/3) approval of the full voting Executive Board members.
I: Electronic Transmission – the Executive Board is permitted to use electronic from sent time to cast their vote and rules for a quorum shall apply. If quorum rule of votes is not met, the proposal shall not pass. The motion and vote results shall be included in the minutes of an Executive Board meeting.
Article VII – Meetings:
A: All meetings are subject to approval by the Executive Board prior to submitting to the membership.
B: The Annual Meeting shall be held between May 1st and June 30th. Members in good standing may attend the membership meetings and shall be present to vote.
C: The president may schedule special membership meetings upon receiving approval of the Executive Board.
D: Any Executive Board member may request to schedule special membership meetings. The meeting shall only occur upon receiving two thirds (2/3) approval of the Executive Board.
E: The membership shall be notified at least fourteen (14) days prior to a special membership meeting.
F: The Executive Board shall schedule their meetings and shall meet at least quarterly in regular session. Meetings shall only be cancelled if the president and vice president are not available. Cancelled meetings shall be rescheduled. An agenda shall be provided to the Executive Board no ater than forty eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Additional agenda items can be added during the meeting.
G: The president may call for a special meeting of the Executive Board if two thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board agree to the request.
H: Sports Meetings: The Director of Officials and/or his/her representative shall conduct the appropriate meetings for their sport as required by the MHSAA. The Director may conduct additional meetings.
I. Boys and Girls basketball shall be considered one sport.
Article VIII – Parliamentarian:
A: The Executive Board may appoint a member as a parliamentarian.
B: The parliamentarian shall ensure that all actions of the TCAOA or the Executive Board conforms to the constitution.
C: The parliamentarian shall use the latest edition of “Roberts Rules of Order” to accomplish his duties. This will govern the TCAOA in all cases or meetings which are not consistent with the constitution.
Article IX – Constitution Amendments:
A: Any proposed amendment(s) shall be submitted in writing to the president no less than forty five (45) days prior to the annual meeting.
B: The membership shall be sent the proposed amendment(s) no less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.
C: The proposed amendment(s) may be discussed at the annual meeting but shall be voted on as submitted.
D: The vote shall be conducted by a secret ballot at the annual meeting.
E: A simple majority of the members in attendance is all that is needed to approve the changes.
Article X – Membership Assets:
Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the IRS or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.
Amended June 22, 2025