Minutes

MINUTES

Dec 7, 2025

NH American legion

6:00

General meeting called to order by President Mike Carney.

Motion to accept the minutes from the past meeting without being reread by Tim Best, seconded by Courtney Johnston and passed

Treasurer’s Report by Jose Lopez Sr.

Savings Account $3,744.88 Checking Account $6,297.95

Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Geoff Thorp, seconded by Gary Edgett, and passed.

Assignor’s Report by Bill Obernesser

1/ Mentoring
Mentoring is off and running. The mentor should contact the official they’re mentoring and request their game schedule. Please do not contact me, ask the official you’re mentoring.

2/ Cancelations
Camden No Varsity
Cincinnatus No Varsity
Deruyter No Varsity
Stockbridge    No Varsity
Waterville    N0 JV & Varsity
NY Mills    No JV & Varsity
UAS No JV & Varsity
Mt Markham No JV
Dolgeville No JV
Morrisville No JV
Morrisville Only One Modified.
Hamilton Only One Modified
Remsen Only One Modified
Notre Dame    No Modified

3/ Weather cancelations and rescheduled snow days
When a school is canceled it is the responsibility of that school to contact the officials. When the ‘R’ official contacts me, then I can cancel it in Arbiter.
The game remains open until the official contacts me.
If the ‘R’ official does not contact and the game remains open, then you’ll be charged at the end of season as if that game was played.
I am not contacting officials to see if any games are canceled.
Only the Referee (R) is to send me confirmation the game was canceled.
One text message for every game canceled, not two.
When the game is rescheduled and you show block, then you lose a game.
If you’re open, then you get the game back.
If you already have a game, then I’ll give you the higher paying game.
If you have a game at the same level, then I’ll pick which one I need you at.
Any questions?

4/ Nexus Center
Nexus Center games, all varsity games are 3-man crews.
3-man games, please arrive one hour prior to tip-off for a pregame.
If you can’t make this requirement, then don’t accept the game.
I will not charge an official for this action.
The following is the time schedule games at the Nexus Center
12/26, 1 varsity, 4:00
12/27, 1 JV (8:00am) and 1varsity (7:00)
12/28, 1 JV (8:00am) 2 varsity, (2:00 & 5:15)
12/29, 3 varsity (11:00am, 3:30 & 7:00) Plus a holiday tournament at VVS, JV & Varsity
12/30, 3 varsity (12:30, 2:00 & 5:15) Plus the consolations & championships at VVS

5/ CNY
CNY Schedule has been released.
This year there are only 2 teams that are playing 7 games!
There have been a few additions.
Last year there were 70 games!

6/ Game changes and accepting changes
I have already received many game changes; times and dates are the most common.
When you receive a game change, then you must sign into Arbiter and accept the game change. This is the number one reason you should be checking your email daily if not two or three times.
How many members DO NOT have the capability to receive emails on their phone? I’m just curious, I’ll assume that those who do not use their desktop computer from home.
When you receive a new assignment, it is your responsibility to contact your new partner to let them know you have replaced their original partner. Game changes can occur with less than 24 hours’ notice. You still must accept the game.

7/ New game assignments
I’m receiving new games, and it’s like playing chess. I must match the team’s class level to the level the rating committee gave you. Thus, I’m unassigning officials from one game and assigning officials to another game. There are instances when I don’t have enough officials to cover the class level of a school. When that occurs, I use my best judgement to assign officials where needed.
24 hours or less you may receive a game assignment. If you show open and I need you to cover a game

8/ Declined games
There were 55 declined games in the first set of assignments.
That means there were 55 new assignments.

Since the first set of assignments were published there have been 18 more declined games.
Sometimes I make a mistake giving you a game when you had requested a block.
Therefore, there’s no turnback fee.
However, when you decline a game and tell me you can’t make it and you haven’t partially or fully blocked it, then you’ll be charged a turnback fee.

Please block accordingly or you will be assessed a turnback fee.
If you can’t officiate a 4:00pm contest, then please partial block using Arbiter.

9/ Accepting games in a timely manner
Additional issues; accepting or declining games within the five-day period.
This is an issue that I have been very ‘giving’ to. I have gone above and beyond my duty by texting you to accept the game. I have sent text messages to 13 of you. Some received second messages.
All accepted promptly. Let me be clear, this can be easy money for me as I could’ve easily unassigned you and charged you a turnback fee, some of you would’ve had multiple fees applied. Anyone who repeats this a second time will NOT receive a text message.
I will unassign you and charge you the turnback fee. I shouldn’t have to address this; It is simply your accountability. Any questions about this procedure?

10/    Rescheduled games
Sometimes a game is rescheduled the next day or a month from now.
If you show open, then you’ll get it back,
The issues have been not accepting the game.
Please check your emails daily, perhaps even twice.
You should receive confirmation from Arbiter about the game change.

11/ Sites and new games
CVA and VVS have added games.
Oneida submitted their modified schedule. All games are being played at Shortell MS.
Game times vary, either 4:45 or 5:30
VVS is holding a holiday tournament.
Oneida HS are playing some games at Oriskany HS and Westmoreland HS
Please read the ‘site’ closely. Any questions, then please contact me.

12/ Tournaments
Notre Dame Juggler Classic is Jan 17th & 18th
   ND vs South Jefferson, 2:00
   Marcellus vs Chittenango, 4:00
   Consolation, 12:00
   Championship, 4:00
   These games have been assigned.
   Please arrive one hour early for a pre-game.

Cancer Tournament at HCCC
   Poland vs Brookfield, 11:00am
   RFA vs ND, 12:30
   CVA vs VVS, 2:00
   These games have been assigned
   Please arrive one hour early for a pre-game.

VVS has a Varsity and JV Holiday Tournament.

13/ POE
Points of emphasis again this year are Unsporting Behavior and the Coach's Box
Make sure that the coach's box is marked on both sides of the court.
If there’s a JV game, then the JV officials should take care of it, so the varsity officials don’t have to. This should be on your to do list as well as asking who the site administer is?

14/ Observations
Please handle all fan rudeness with professionalism, be better than them, go to the site administer.
I’ll be looking for the Points of Emphasis being addressed, Thus, Unsporting Behavior and the Coach's Box. Make sure that the coach's box is marked on both sides of the court.
Unsporting behavior is addressed in the coaches meeting. Both coaches are to be addressed. This is their only warning. Be assertive and issue a technical foul.
And please read the sportsmanship card to the teams.

15/ Reminders
The Referee, ‘R’ must call your partner and the school to verify the game. It is of most importance to verify the location of the school and time of the game.
Any discrepancies must be brought to my attention.

Do not accept changes to a game from an Athletic Director.
Those changes come from the assignor.

Technical fouls must be reported to me, team, number and type. Texting is fine.
Ejections must be reported to me following a game. Texting is fine, be thorough.

16/ Sickness
When an official calls in sick 2 hours, 8 hours before their game or the night before, then I must find someone quickly. If you show open, then you’re expected to accept the game.
If you decline the game because of work, then you should’ve blocked it.
If you decline the game because of family, then you should’ve blocked it.
If you decline the game because of health problems, then you should’ve blocked it.
This will result in a turn back fee.
I realize there are exceptions and I’m willing to listen.

17/ Other Boards, IABBO and Syracuse officials
Utica prevails as your number one board. If I need you, then I’m taking you.
I have cleared this with Eddie.
IABBO members, please block accordingly

18/    More bad weather is coming, please follow the protocol.

19/ Be safe and stay healthy.

Interpreter’s Report by Jon Perry

All the new candidates passed the test
Tim Best, Andy Kimball, Randy Thomas, and Dom Timpano upgraded
Most missed question was about player scoring 37 points
Resumption of Play is a warning not a technical
HS always resets at 30 unless punch or kick
Headbands can be 4” but wristbands are still 2”
Captains meeting, read sportsmanship card to coaches & captains then let coaches go
Deal with fouls in the order they occurred
Headbands, wristbands, spandex, leggings all must be same color
Player may step ON the line when inbounding the ball

Observations:

Lead in front court, blow whistle and hand the ball to inbounder

Bounce the ball to inbounder on the sideline

3 point attempt in lead’s corner – lead indicates the try and both signal the made basket

Full hand

Trapezoid! For inbound spot

Report foul to table and then go back across if necessary

We are the Best Board in Section III.

Section III Officials Committee Report by Tom Best

contract—proposal from officials committee to the section

$140 Varsity, JV is 25 less and Mod is 35 less
$140 – 144 – 148 – 152 for 4-year contract
no mileage unless over 86 miles
schools will pay $3.50 per assignment for two years
Escort out of the sectional game
No more end of the season sectional list
Only no’s will be from beginning of the year unless there is an egregious incident during the season
Administrative section III to do Arbiter Pay

Next meeting Jan 5th………more to come

Old Business

Amendment to the Constitution: The assistant assigner should get a stipend of $300 and dues waived. The out of season assigner should get a stipend of $600 and dues waived. There was a discussion but on a motion by Jon Perry, seconded by Brian Chase, and passed

New Business

The Town of Sullivan recreation leagues are honoring Owen Smith with a logo on every jersey. Something to remember when we honor Mike Corpin with Cancer Challenge. Games are January 3rd at Herkimer CCC.

11:30 Poland v Brookfield

1:00 Notre Dame v Rome Free Academy

2:30 Central Valley Academy v Vernon-Verona-Sherrill

Motion to adjourn by Andy Kimball, seconded by Danny Everson and passed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Secretary Mark Turnpenny

November 2, 2025 December 7, 2025 January 4, 2026 February 22, 2026

November 3, 2024 December 1, 2024 January 19, 2025 February 2, 2025