British Columbia Football Officials Association

The BCFOA is now calling for applications for the 2012 BC High School Football Season and the position of Allocator.
If you feel qualified and wish to apply for the position please submit your applications with your qualifications to Walter Becker at vp-high-school@bcfoa.ca by end of the day on February 1st, 2012.

Here is the Job’s Position Description.

EXPECTATIONS
HIGH SCHOOL ALLOCATOR will:
1] meet with the high school schedule maker before August 1 of each year to identify any potential problems
2] Liaison with the appropriate coordinator to check that the schedule is correct
3] Allocate all high school games within the jurisdiction of the BCFOA with full crews of four (4) officials. If all games have the recommended crew levels then Varsity games will have five (5) man crews assigned.
4] allocate officials to games up to their level of qualification taking into account the evaluation, grading, attendance, test results, experience and travel requirements of each member
5] Be knowledgeable about league standings as to the importance of league games and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams involved
6] Be available to receive emails and/or telephone calls daily and respond within 24 hours.
7] Coordinate the assignment of evaluators
8] Endeavor to allocate games at least two weeks in advance.
9] Keep accurate records to be submitted at the end of each month to the treasurer
10] report as requested by the Executive.
11] File a written report for inclusion in the AGM booklet
12] Administer the fine system as it relates to games allocated
13] Be permitted to work personally assigned games as long as Allocator duties are fulfilled satisfactorily.

PLAY-OFF ASSIGNMENTS
For play-off assignments, the allocator will take direction from the play-off committee.

FINES
An official who fails to report for an assignment without sufficient reason will not only lose that game fee, but shall be fined the amount of that game fee. The fine will be assessed against the balance of game fees remaining after the Association makes the appropriate deductions. That fine shall be paid to, and split evenly by, the officials who worked the game. Should an official report for a game as assigned and should the official not work the game, either because of an over abundance of officials or because of an error by the allocator the game fee for said game shall be deducted from the operational expenses of the Allocation Committee and paid to said official.

Members, who fail to report, properly dressed, in sufficient time prior (60 minutes) to the start of the game to participate in an effective pre-game meeting for all games played Saturday, Sunday or any evenings after 6:00 p.m. shall be assessed up to a 20% fine on a per game basis depending on the seriousness of the incident. It is the Referee’s responsibility to notify the Executive Board of the situation.

APPLICATION
Before February 1, the Executive through the BCFOA Website will ask interested members to submit a letter (email) to the Vice-President High School outlining their rationale for being selected as well as a relevant resume. Short listed applicants may be selected for an interview process.

REMUNERATION
The allocator will receive remuneration at the rate of $2.00 per official per game.

If a game is changed or cancelled within 48 hours of its scheduled time the BCFOA will charge a $50.00 fee of which $25.00 will be given to the allocator.

APPOINTMENTS
Appointments will be for a one (1) year term and conclude after the Annual General Meeting.

January 2012

To all our Football Family, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year.

Mark, Walter, Nigel, Ken, Craig, Dennis, Gord, Robert and Ed ;-D

The nomination deadline has passed for the positions open on the BCFOA Executive. There was one candidate nominated for each position. Therefore, in accordance with the BCFOA Constitution, all nominees are elected by acclamation for a two-year term. The positions and elected members are listed below.

* Vice President – High School: Walter Becker – Acclaimed
* Treasurer: Ken McKinnon – Acclaimed
* Secretary: Craig Nichols – Acclaimed
* Director of Members Services – Interior: Gordon Hoffman – Acclaimed
* Director of Members Services – Island: Dennis Abbott – Acclaimed
* Director of Members Services – Metro: Rob Kozak – Acclaimed
* Director of Members Services – North: Ed Jerick – Acclaimed

The other important item to be addressed is a motion regarding a change to the Dress Code Policy.

The motion asks that black pants be the official uniform of the Association all season long.

Background: Black pants are now worn by officials in professional and amateur leagues. Many, including the NCAA, some Provincial Associations, and Washington State Officials now wear them all season long. As a result, white knickers are getting harder to acquire except by on-line retailers. Members generally find the black pants more comfortable and easier to maintain. As the Motion states, at the moment, CIS has not been approached about a change to the BCFOA uniform. CIS will be contacted, if the Membership approve the Motion, and the BCFOA Executive agree to change the Dress Code Policy.

Members throughout the Province are asked to complete the attached Absentee Ballot if NOT attending the AGM, Saturday December 17th. Members attending the AGM will use the Ballot provided at the meeting to vote on this motion. Members using the Absentee Ballot must vote no later than Thursday, December 15, at 6:00 p.m.

Members can mark ballot provided, save it, and then forward it to the Election Committee by e-mail: election-2011@bcfoa.ca If you have difficulty using the Ballot, e-mail the Election Committee your vote. YES or NO. Include your name and member #. We will attach your e-mail to a Ballot.

BCFOA Absentee Ballot 2011 (Province Wide)

If you have an questions, please call a member of the Election Committee or email us.

BCFOA 2011 Election Committee
Greg Barnes – Chair
Dennis Abbott
Allan Milton

Kevin McWilliam will be doing his first Vanier Cup after having worked the Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl last year in Calgary. Tonight’s 47th Vanier Cup will feature McMaster Marauders and Laval Rouge et Or at BC Place Stadium.

Kevin started refereeing flag football back in 1986 and converted to tackle in 1992. It was Carey Anderson back in 2001 who suggested to him to move up from Community Football and consider doing some Junior and CIS games. Thus, his 10 year track to progress up the ladder began. With the help of evaluators like Bruce Hawkshaw, Bob Dyson, Ross Hutchison and a very supportive Larry Rohan, Kevin’s career began to take shape and his referee style began to be moulded.

When asked about what position he enjoys, Kevin says that he feels very nature in the Field Judge spot because when he played football his position was Safety. With that experience and real gifted ability to read the play, back pedal and watch the receivers, Kevin excelled as an official in that position.

“I certainly like being on the field, being part of the game, being challenged to make a critical call or non-call in a big game. I also like being yelled at by coaches on the sidelines when I’m in the middle of the field. They don’t know that I’m deaf in one ear. Good eyesight and poor hearing is an excellent refereeing theory.” says Kevin.

One of Kevin’s highlights over the years was traveling to games with Parry Steen, who showed him that you need to work well, but play well with your referee buddies too.”

Accompanying Kevin tonight as his game buddy will be Bob Scott as an alternate on the crew. Bob is an experienced Vanier Cup official and should help Kevin though the game.

Good luck to Kevin and Bob!

Kevin McWilliam at Mercer Stadium

The BCFOA is calling for nomination for the following positions:
VICE-PRESIDENT, American Football
TREASURER,
SECRETARY,
DIRECTORS, MEMBERS SERVICES (4 Regions)

The positions of Vice President, American; Treasurer and Secretary will be elected by a Province Wide vote. While the Director, Members Services will be elected within the four regions.

Nominations need to be submitted in writing to the Election Committee (election-2011@bcfoa.ca) by midnight November 30, 2011. The 2011 Election Committee is Dennis Abbott, Greg Barnes and Al Milton.

Information as to when the Regional meeting will be held will be posted shortly.

Annual General Meeting Notice was published under the following posting: (http://www.bcfoa.ca/?p=1008)

For complete descriptions of each position’s roles and responsibilities, please refer to the Constitution Page on the website. (http://www.bcfoa.ca/?page_id=17)

Note: There will also be a Province Wide vote on switching to Black Pants for all games with the exception of CIS.

Also, only Regular Members in Good Standing are eligible to vote. If you are not sure of your status, please contact Ken McKinnon at sec-treasurer@bcfoa.ca

The British Columbia Football Officials Association is officially announcing its Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 – 12th Avenue, Burnaby, BC.  All members are requested to attend.

Start time will be 11:00 AM.

All cheques will be issued at this time.

Please enter through the cafeteria doors around back by the track.

Google Map Link: http://www.google.com/maps?q=7450+-+12th+Avenue+Burnaby,BC+V3N+2K1

On October 18, 2011 at a Special General Meeting of the Association held at Holy Cross Secondary, the proposed changes to the British Columbia Football Officials Association Constitution were approved by a vote of 42 (In Favour) to 3 (Opposed). A quorum of attending members and absentee ballots was 34 members.

Thank you to all those who participated.

Special General Meeting-Minutes

BCFOA – Constitution & Bylaws – Amended 2011